What I Like About Oregon (Portland, Eugene: transplants, homes, neighborhoods)

[Cascades]

Originally Posted by MurphyAllie

Tiff -
The Ducks are so much fun (some years)... you have to admit.

Anyway, when I worked in motion pictures we would film in Oregon a lot and I was able to spend time in areas that were incredible. The Bend area was one of the areas [...] I have never been to Eugene but it is suppose to be really nice.

Allie

You are (or used to be?) in movies, huh? What did you film in Oregon? I'm going film school right now! And I was a Duck in undergrad - therefore lived in Eugene - and am from Bend. How's that for a small world?

Eugene is pretty nice, all around, at least the parts I frequented. It's a very hippie city, so if you're big into the environment and anti war and so on, you'll probably enjoy the local political vibe. If you're not into this stuff, you might prefer east of the Cascades, where the politics are more conservative. But regardless of your politics, Eugene is certainly a pretty area. It's definately a college town, but with lots of areas that feel more settled and residential. The rhody garden is great in the spring and Spencer's Butte and Mt. Pisgah are right there and make for nice little local hikes. And the trails along the river are lovely. Drive east a bit on hwy 20 (I think...been a while since I thought about this - I live in MA now) and you hit the filbert (hazlenut) orchards, then McKenzie Pass. Old McKenzie pass is a really cool drive with the lava-made mountain observatory and the little mail man memorial, but it's only accessible in the summer. "New" McKenzie pass has its own charms, though, with Sahali Falls, Clear Lake, etc. Then the next thing you know you're in Central Oregon, and what could be better? Or, drive west and an hour later you're at Florence with its sand dunes. Head north a few miles to Haceta Head lighthouse, the sea lion caves, and the glories of Cape Perpetua just south of Yachats. And so on. So, yeah. Eugene is well-placed in the state.

Alright....got a little carried away there, reminiscing...

Ooooh! Before I forget. If in Eugene, you should eat at the Glendwood (right by UO, on the Starbucks/Quiznos/US Bank side of campus - I'm no good with NSEW within cities) and have ice cream at Prince Pucklers (just past the other side of campus, off of Agate St and what? 19th? Somewhere around there...). Delicious!

[ReturningWest]

You guys are making me homesick...LOL. It's been over 20 years since I "left home".

Since I was born and raised in Ptown I miss
Hung Far Lows
The Original Pancake House
Fresh Sea Food
Jakes
The Oyster Bar

The indigenous culture and art.

The seedy Port Town attmosphere...ummm anyone remember the Eagle Cafe BEFORE they foo foo'd it up? or the Lotus Card Room...LOL

Standing in the Rose Garden while it's in full bloom and looking out over Portland.

I lived on the coast for a while including one winter and it is wild and beautiful.

But my heart remains east of the Cascades....All of it...LOL.
On top of my list would be the Wallowa Valley and the surounding Mountain Ranges. That's were I'd live if I could find the right job or win the lottery.

The lake country in the Cascade Mts. There used to be a fab driving route...Right after school(college) let out for the summer instead of heading home we'd head up into the Mts. and camp along the Lakes. Or we'd head out east as far as our limited gas $ would take us and just pull off and park and camp and hike.

The high plains are so beautiful...the list goes on and on.
OH and did I mention the wildlife everything from the infamous rare Jackalope to the Eagles and everything in between.

When I return (soon I hope) I will now be able to explore from the back of my four legged critter so it will all be new.

Sigh...I wanna come "home". NOW I love this thread. It reminds me of all the things to do and all you need is a little gas money.

[xthedistance]

What i love about Oregon:

There are so many types of scenery! You can be on the coast, to farm land, to downtown, to tourist attractions all within a short amount of time.

I love it.

Also, the weather is mild and changes daily. Summers can be quite nice, not too hot, not too cold!

[jensetterington]

Originally Posted by surfplay

I can breathe now! (recently moved from Southern California)

what do you mean by "I can breathe now?"

[Tesaje]

I grew up in the west and plan on returning as soon as I retire and get my freedom. I miss it.

Beautiful Oregon. Reading this thread has reminded me of so many great trips and adventures I've had in this state.
The Wallowa mountains and the incredible Eagle Cap Wilderness area. What an unforgettable memory that was!
Crater Lake and its old growth forest
Mt Hood
The 3 Sisters
Mt McLoughlin
And all the other volcanoes
My brother
The Columbia Gorge
Rogue River valley
Klamath Lake and the Tules
The rich produce from the Willamette valley
Moderate temps
The amazing southern OR coast line
Bandon by the Sea
The middle OR coast line
The northern OR coast line
The lighthouses
Blackberries free for the picking
OR Pinot Noir wine. How I wish I knew which winery that amazing glass came from.
The rain forest and waterfalls
The coastal range
The high desert
The amazingly long stretch of downhill road from Burns to Baker
flowers
seafood
Changeable weather
and on and on

No wonder I think I want retire there.

[terrijean]

I like the outdoors, cool weather (but need some humidity) love horses, small town but not too far from city, relatively conservative, don't really care about the ocean, any suggestions as to what area? I'd really appreciate it!

[terrijean]

What is your favorite area? And why?

[Marko3]

Let me start by saying when we moved here and I was a kid in kindergarten, I didn't like it at all, because I thought it was boring compared to the big city we had just moved from. Over the years, Oregon has grown on me, and even though I've lived in other states for years, I am back now, and glad to be back.

One of my favorite things is the climate. I don't like intense humidity, like Texas, Florida, Louisiana, etc. I lived in Texas for a few years, and never got used to the humidity. By the time the hot summer is nearing its end, I'm looking foward to fall. The colors on the trees right now are amazing. And by the time winter is nearing its end, I'm ready for spring and summer again. I like 4 distinct seasons, and though winter here isn't exactly as snowy as I'd like, I can easily get in the car and get to the snow fairly quickly.

I also like being able to jump in the car and within about an hour be staring at the Pacific Ocean. The Oregon coast is amazing. It looks amazing on a bright summer day, it's impressive during stormy winter day.

I'm a snow skier, and Oregon has a good variety of ski resorts. They may not be as nice as some of the places in Utah, Montana, or Colorado where I grew up skiing, but they're also not as expensive as those places either.

I like the variety. Within a 60-mile radius of where I live lies the Ocean, the mountains, the interior valleys, wine country, waterfalls, hiking, rivers, rafting, camping. Go a little further out and Crater Lake falls into the radius along with the high deserts of Central and eastern Oregon.

I also enjoy going up to Portland and spending time up there. It's big enough to do find something to do, small enough to easily navigate and not get lost.

Last but not least, I love going to games at Autzen stadium and watching the Ducks WIN! I'll be there tomorrow at the Arizona State game, hoping for a win. The college gameday crew will be returning as well. Should be a great game. Some of my best memories involve games at that stadium.

All in all, I think Oregon is a great place to live. Everyplace has it's pro's and con's, I just think Oregon is heavy on the Pro side.

[Barbara Westlund]

I have lived in Oregon years ago now, in fact three of my children are SNOBS (Society of Oregonian Born) They were born in Lebanon Oregon. most of my children have left the nest and gone West, I have been thinking of doing the same. I am originally from MN and enjoyed Oregon because it reminded me of my home state only with bigger hills and trees. I am interested in Northeast Oregon around the area of Enterprise. Would like to now the cost of renting and such. I'm living in Hannibal, Mo at this time and a 3 bedroom duplex with basement is $375.00 a month. What are jobs and schools there like?

[GardenGirl43]

1. the friendliness of folks. (when I come across rude people from time to time, I think to myself, "they must not have been born and raised in Oregon" and that's not nice of me to assume this, but I can't help my thoughts---sorry--that's not to say that people NOT from Oregon aren't nice, many many are...but maybe some of you understand what I mean).
2. the beauty of the mountains and the coast and everything in between. From Portland you are within one hour of the mountains or the coast, take your pick!
3. the diversity of our biggest city (Portland) which for the most part, lives in pretty good harmony (as opposed to some other cities in the country).
4. That it DOES rain alot. We have lots of transplants from other states here, and I don't mind....however, if we didn't have all our rain which is a "turn-off "for some...we'd have a lot more folks wanting to live here and we'd be another Los Angeles overcrowded and overflowing!! So thank goodness for our abundance of gray and rainy days...don't you think?
5. The overall beauty of this state. When I travel, and come home, I appreciate Oregon even more. Always beautiful!