Interracial couples in Oregon

[Goldie]

Originally Posted by shamus

When I think Oregon, intolerant is one the last words I'd use to describe the state. Well, except if you try to pump your own gas.

I agree ! I loved Oregon when I visited there. I am from Northern CA and have been wanting to relocate to Portland, but have a sick parent and con't leave. In defense of my state I must respond to the poster above; There are many asian-american couples in the Bay area, no one stares at them to my knowledge, why would they....It is very common. Diversity is very prevalent here, it's the norm. I have found it to be different in Southern Cali, though.

[PDXsailor]

My ex-girlfriend is Chinese and I am white and nobody looked at us weird. EVER!!! A black and white couple might draw some looks, as it is not as common, but accepted.

[SweeterSix]

I'm 30 minutes from CoosBay/NorthBend and we all are pretty ok with it.. Basically most of us figure to each their own... nobody's business...

Originally Posted by ssrafferty

Hi There... my husband and I are looking into moving to OR also. We were wondering the same thing, because we even get stares in CA ... which to me is RIDICULOUS. I'm a Korean American Adoptee (now that was a whole lot to say) and my husband is Irish/Scottish American. Heheh, so basically, we're Korean/White.

When we recently visited, no one gave us a second look... and I didn't even get anyone shocked that I spoke perfect english. Which I DO get in CA! I would have to say they were really nice there... we were in Coos Bay.

Hope this helps! Don't worry about race! If you're in love and have a great family and friends, then who cares there's no color line for LOVE! Good luck to you!

[sarausa7]

Originally Posted by cay2on

I'm thinking of moving to Oregon and would like to know how is everyone on interracial relationships. Where is the best place to live under those circumstance?

I would say most places are welcoming to interracial relationships. But to me Lafayette, Mcminnville and Dayton are the best. I am in an interracial marriage and I live around these areas and I have got the most accpetance compared to other places. Honestlt to me Portland is the worst place for interracial relationships and I say this from experience because I hang out with my husband alot in Portland.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by lorrwill

As an aside, I have visited Oregon in full fear of the hatred of both being "colored" and from California and the people were very nice.

Oregonians have to discourage Californians from moving here. It's a question of survival. The population of Oregon is only 10% of the population of California, and only a small portion of the state is habitable. If 10% of the population of California decided to move north, the whole infrastructure of the state would collapse. It's groaning pretty badly as it is.

[Leisesturm]

I joined today to post this question. I'm glad I searched first. Reading this thread has been interesting and conflicting. Four years ago I was the male half of a mixed race (black/white) couple. I moved from NYC (via Detroit, MI) to live in Salem, OR with her. Salem, I have to say is not the very best place to be in an interracial relationship. There were a few thrown soft-drink containers from pick-up trucks and more than one n***** suck shouted from the safety of... pick-up trucks for my taste. In NYC no one dares accost a stranger like that except in Craigslist. Even the whiter suburbs around Detroit, MI pretty much ignored black/white couples. My GF loved the ignorance and hostility, it strengthened her resolve to ram her liberal white opinions in the face of who didn't like it. Eventually it all became too much and I moved back to NYC.

Fast forward to the present. A new life, a new love, but same dynamic. I want to return to Oregon with her. because we both want to live as car free as possible and bike a lot and hike, beachcomb, etc. She is of much more tender sensibilities than my feisty ex though and absolutely does not want to live someplace where we might encounter overt hostility because of our lifestyle choice. I've told her I 'think' Portland will be much more tolerant than Salem but I really didn't know. Sarausa doesn't think much of Portland's openness but I have to think an African American's opportunities for finding work will be better in Portland than McMinniville or Dayton. So... ready or not, here we come Portland (ETA early April 2008).

H (& J)

[Pen Cap Chew]

Leisesturm, I think you will find Portland or Eugene much more friendly. Sorry you had to experience some hicks in Salem. I don't think you will find many people in Eugene or Portland that have problems with interracial couples. Come on back to Oregon.