Starting to get a little freaked out about Oregon (Portland: property taxes, smog)

[Grailmaiden]

Thanks so much!! That helps a lot! The drugs thing was really scaring me, but being a research hound I have been going through many, many SAMHSA documents and finding that Oregon is not much worse (in fact, even better) than some of the other Western states. I have been reading that there are definitely areas of Oregon that have higher meth rates, like Medford. Are there any areas or cities that have come out relatively unscathed from this epidemic?

In regard to schools, we are about 90% certain we are going to send the kids to private schools when they hit school age. So I am not too worried about that. Anyone know any great private schools to look in to?

Do you have any suggestions on nice, safe suburbs or areas around Eugene? or maybe even Portland? I love the Pacific Northwest and just really want to make this work.

[janb]

Some of my friends who do 'orchards' / 'u-pick' farms really like Cottage Grove.

Get a place with good sun exposure and you will stay healthier. Trees look inviting, but they can make the joint very moldy and musty, and are bad on your sidewalks and drains. (moss). Beware of 'low lying' areas. One of my co-workers bought a place in the summer, and found that his driveway (and septic system) were submerged most of the winter.

Hilltops are nice, good air flow + sun, and no flooding. But 'the valley' gets lots of fog in the winter, so check into that. (ask potential neighbors, not realtors...)

[mdvaden]

Sounds like Fantasia.

Now I know the Columbia River gorge is the wind surfing capitol of the world.

And I think Oregon is the nation's leading exporter of turf grass seed.

Isn't Mt. Hood one of the few places in mainland USA with near all year skiing?

I think some people invent website pages to scare people away so the rest of us can enjoy this place.

[bettydane48]

I have lived in Medford for 11 years. Went to high school and some middle school here. It is a great place to live. There are high end types and low end types here. I went to North Medford High School, and let me tell you there are not just liberals in Oregon. There are actually quite a few conservatives that went to my high school. There were also a lot of extracurricular and sports opportunities. It is south medford that is lower end, and that has the majority of meth problems, however, that is extremely generalized... there are decent people there too.
The budget crisis however may have changed the schools a bit since I went. I do know that the Northern part of Medford has a lot of great people with professional careers and that have strong religious morals (of course it depends on what area you live). From what I've heard, meth is more of a problem in rural cities in Oregon, like Weed and Merlin.
~Betty

[Kathleenh54]

It's really hard to make a judgment without visiting a place. (Duh, like you haven't heard that one). Seriously, I heard Eugene is a great place to live, although haven't been there. We moved to Ashland a year ago and are quite happy.

[KY_wildflower]

I moved to Portland,Oregon from Paducah,Kentucky. You wanna talk about scared. lol. But all in all I really do love it out here, its just hard for me not having any family or knowing anyone here my age. It can look intimiating to a hillbilly like me but after you get to know the place and where to go and not to go, just like any bigger city you are actually very safe. you sound to me like you would fit in very well. I have spent some time in Eugene and we really like it alot and have never felt in any danger. We are ususally around the campus area though. My husband works in Voice over IP. we are about to move to Alpharetta,Ga and I will miss Oregon and its waterfalls and mountains and lush green nature in general.

[Patentshark]

I don't know where you heard those rumors about Oregon, but I have moved to Bend from San Diego (after 30 years there) and love it. Bend has great restaurants, dozens of golf courses, and everyone is friendly. Not much rain here compared to Eugene or the Coast. Also has great skiing in the Winter.
One thing that was a big help was choosing a Real Estate agent who had made the move herself about 15 years ago. She knew the areas of Bend that would suite me and the family best and was a great advisor on making the move.
So I would say visit Bend (any the other cities you are considering) for a lengthy stay to see if you like it, say in November. If you do, go for it.

[moving again and again]

Listen. Oregon is a very, very liberal state. It's not blue, it's not red, it's white, so if you're not white, stay out of Salem. kidding. But really, what the locals call "crime" and "expensive" are probably not even close to what you consider to be "crime" and "expensive". What I've learned about Oregonians (I'm from SoCal) is that for the most part, they're a bit sheltered, been hangin' out in the trees a little to long if you get my drift. They make great vegan chocolate chip cookies though, if they would just keep their dreads out of the batch they'd be darn near perfect. You're gonna fit in here just fine. You'll hate the weather, but don't let the Oregonians try to tell you about the "terrible winters" they have. They aien't nothing. I lived in MN and the they don't know snow and ice until they get out of their local breweries and hit the midwest. Good luck! Bring your dog. (and your bong) They'll supply the coffee, more than you can stomach.

[Dave99]

Yes, you're right. And the reason Oregonians are sheltered is because we drive around in pickups with baseball bats and rifles in the rack. We tuck our dreadlocks under our baseball caps to escape being hassled, not to keep the dreads out of the cookie mix. Even those of us who originally came from Minnesota still shudder at the slightest snowfall. Oregon is a wonderfully diverse and liberal state. It's all true. Really, the only place in Oregon that makes one feel unwelcome are places like L.O., where driving without the ubiquitous Mercedes or a Hummer is, well it's gauche. Oregon may be liberal but you don't wanna be gauche in L.O. It's a great place to live, even if you cain't spell.

[pw72]

I lived in Eugene for almost seven years, and it is the best city I have ever lived in, mainly due to it being just the right size. It isn't small, it isn't big, traffic rarely a problem, and the climate, while wet during the winter, is better than Portland and Seattle.

Drugs are everywhere, Eugene has a problem there, but it is not significantly worse than most other places.

The anarchists are a small group, and except for one or two isolated violent incidences, they are hardly noticed.

The U of O is great for college football, basketball, and track.

And Eugene isn't all "Blue". Like most areas, there is political debate, there are conservatives. (However, I will admit they are out-numbered.)

Don't freak out about Eugene. If you don't mind a little rain, you will find it to be almost utopian. Oh, and did I mention you are an hour from the beautiful Oregon coast, an hour to the Cascade mountains, and less than two hours from Portland? (Geez, I ought to go to work for the chamber!)