College student considering moving to Medford area. (Ashland: apartment, for rent)

[wthomas24]

I'm a twenty year old college student currently living in Southern California. My housing arrangement will be changing in the fall, and I'm considering relocating to the Medford area with some family. I wont be able to live with them permanently, though. I'll probably have to find other arrangements within six months or so. So I was wondering if anyone familiar with the area could share their insights on what life would be like for me. Specifically the availability of low paying student-type jobs and cheap student-type housing, and whether it is reasonably possible to live off of a student-type job (assuming I found a roommate or two). I would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

[backdrifter]

You can get a room in an apartment or house for ~$350 per month if you look for it. Add to that $200 per month for food and toiletries, plus maybe $75-$100 for electric, water, sewer, internet (no TV), $100 for gasoline, $100 for car insurance, and that comes to ~$850/mo., not including clothing, car maintenance, and entertainment to keep you sane. If you're lucky enough to get a job at all in the Medford area, and can get one that will give you 20 hours a week at minimum wage, that ends up being about $570 that you'll earn per month after income and payroll taxes.

Low paying "student-type" jobs are in HIGH demand because the population of Southern Oregon is small, doesn't have high levels of educational attainment, and the unemployment rate is upwards of 15+% unofficially, and officially is about 12-13% Lots of people have just given up and are not counted.

So, assuming you were really lucky and found a full-time job, you could probably get by if you were really budget-minded, even on a minimum wage. It just wouldn't be very fun. Also, Medford as a place for 20-something year olds is ridiculously boring. Trust me, I'm a twenty-something year old and I'm from that area. Medford isn't a bad place, and it's beautiful, but it doesn't have Southern California's weather, diversity, culture, or happenings, nor the crime that goes along with that.

[bluebird39]

I don't know.... Sorry backdrifter, but I have to disagree. Some of my "best times" were living dirt poor in Medford as a 20-something. Yes, rent isn't cheap, but probably compared to Southern CA, it's cheap. There's places to hike, camp, raft, swim, hang out....

If you're into college, is it Ashland that you'll be looking towards? Medford is much cheaper for rent, but there's no 4-year college there.

It all depends on what you're "into". If you want low-maintenance outdoor fun, Southern Oregon has a lot to offer. If you want bars and night life, then it's not your place.

As for summer jobs, I'd think outside the box. There are some temp jobs with the government (usajobs.gov), but those are probably taken. There's contract fire fighting, Mt Ashland in the winter. It's a big medical hub, so you might be able to find a job working at the hospital, especially if you have any medical skills.

It's hard to say w/o more info. I managed to piece together work for quite a few years, but I never found a job in the newpaper classifieds. I had to network, network, network...

Good luck!

[wthomas24]

Fantastic. The main reason I've been considering leaving was lack of jobs. I had a group interview at a bookstore a couple months ago and I was up against people with twenty years of experience in related fields, and that's the only interview I've managed to get in nearly six months. Goes without saying I didn't get it. But it doesn't sound like it's all that different up there, either.
At least the cost of living is more reasonable, though. Far more reasonable. That's a positive. And the nightlife thing isn't all that big of a deal to me. I'd manage to entertain myself. Six months of being broke, I've become an expert at it.

Bluebird, I'm more worried about my living situation. I'd need to figure that out first and then worry about getting back into school after. From what I've read about it, I'd probably prefer to live in Ashland with the culture and whatnot, but I've read it's more expensive, too, like you say.

Thank you both for the input. I really do appreciate it.

[iamscott]

Originally Posted by wthomas24

Fantastic. The main reason I've been considering leaving was lack of jobs. I had a group interview at a bookstore a couple months ago and I was up against people with twenty years of experience in related fields, and that's the only interview I've managed to get in nearly six months. Goes without saying I didn't get it. But it doesn't sound like it's all that different up there, either.
At least the cost of living is more reasonable, though. Far more reasonable. That's a positive. And the nightlife thing isn't all that big of a deal to me. I'd manage to entertain myself. Six months of being broke, I've become an expert at it.

Bluebird, I'm more worried about my living situation. I'd need to figure that out first and then worry about getting back into school after. From what I've read about it, I'd probably prefer to live in Ashland with the culture and whatnot, but I've read it's more expensive, too, like you say.

Thank you both for the input. I really do appreciate it.

Ashland may be more expensive then Medford, but if you are coming from Southern California, you will find it quite affordable. The Oregon economy is bad, so when you get here. Be sure to start look for wok right away. Craigslist is a great resource to find someone looking for a roommate. Good Luck with you move.