Where should we move in OR? (Portland, Eugene: house, teaching jobs, neighborhood)

[jfreuden]

I am a teacher, my husband is a physical therapist and we have young children. We're researching possibly relocating to Oregon.

We're looking for a clean, laid back, ecclectic town where we can spend time outdoors hiking, camping and mountain biking. Ideally, we'd like to live somewhere near water (preferrably not a water treatment center). We'd like a town with a progressive vibe and a cool downtown area with a nice mix in age groups (i.e. not only retirees or college students). With our kids in mind, good schools are definitely a priority. We'd also love to have distinct seasons and avoid excessive amounts of dreary/rainy days. One last thing, for now anyway, we'd like to be able to buy a 3 bd. (not huge) house for $300k or under.

Whew, is my laundry list seeming unrealistic?

Does anyone have an idea as I've only taken a road trip through OR? I loved it then, and I think there's somewhere fitting that my family would love now.

Thanks for your help.

[freedom]

If you enjoy 4 full seasons, and warm hot summers, with perfect spring and fall weather, then I would stay to the south.

We have many lakes and rivers and mountains and bike trails, horse trails, parks the list goes on and on. Great mix of young, working, and older retirees, some college students and happy, nice people are the majority.

They are even the most polite drivers I have ever been around.

Try any of the cities south of Roseburg, feel your way through the towns and be led on what is just right for you and your family.

Best wishes.

freedom

[Dave99]

I think that's good advice, I also would include the Bend area as a location to at least check out.

[mdvaden]

I never understood why people in southern Oregon think the seasons are so "distinct" - like around Medford.

We came south from the Portland area, in 2005. I tell people here, that if someone blindfolded, kidnapped and brought me down to southern Oregon in fall, winter, that I'd swear I was in the Portland. Oddly, the weather around Portland felt more like distinct seasons than southern Oregon.

North and south, when the autumn temps and shorter day-length come, the leaves turn color, the breeze blows and leaves fall. In winter, there's rain, fog and patches of sun in the north and the south.

Honestly, I'd say that north and south Oregon have 4 seasons, but I don't think I'd use the word "distinct" as if there is a crisp clean cut-off point. The only transition that I've considered "distinct" in both areas is autumn. Oaks are typically late to drop leaves, so their leaf-fall stretches out almost to winter. And there are many, many oaks in southern Oregon.

North and south, there's a "Spring" alright, but its stretched out. Flowers and leaves appear over a span of time. Indian plum is one of the first plants to get leaves, followed by flowers on the flowering currant in the wild. Then the leaves on trees appear at different times.

Consider this, I can drive from Medford, to Applegate Valley, to Grants Pass on Hy. 238 in 45 to 50 minutes.

Medford has 19 inches of rain per year, Ruch in Applegate Valley gets 27 inches, next, Williams gets 33 inches, then Grants Pass gets 31 inches. That means that Williams in Applegate Valley near Medford gets almost the same yearly rainfall as Portland or Beaverton.

Last winter, I was amazed at how Medford's temperature fluctuated between the high 20s to 50s and then spiked to almost 80 degrees in February - the temperatures were all across the board - like experiencing winter and early summer simultaneously.

I don't recall that from up near Portland, but its been that way two years in a row here in southern Oregon. Its something that etches in my mind, because I've worked outdoors in the weather for 28 years.

It's come to mind, that there may be more of a difference in Oregon's seasons, between high elevation and low elevation, versus north or south. I remember that nearing Klamath Falls area in Southern Oregon last autumn was real nifty with all the groves of Aspen showing the gold foliage.

[Dave99]

We actually have 5 seasons in the Portland Metro area. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, More Rain.

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by Dave99

We actually have 5 seasons in the Portland Metro area. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, More Rain.

Good one Dave When the cold dry 1 - 2 week snaps of high pressure clear sky weather show up in January or February - we may have a sixth season on our hands.

[bustedbus]

I would strongly reccomend you check out the Cottage Grove area. If you search thru the forums you'll find some negative comments about the Grove, but they are either outdated or uninformed. CG has come a long way. It's a small town of 9k, but just 20-30 minutes from Eugene(and the U of O ), where you can find most anything you want. There is a great Physical Therpay office in CG and many in Eugene. There are also teaching jobs to be had in CG, and there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of competition for them from what my wife has told me(she's an early ed. teacher). The town has a healthy mix of conservative and liberal politics, and there seems to be a place for most everyone here. The Axe and Fiddle opened up down town last year, and one owner also has a better known place in Eugene, so we get some good shows for a small town.

My wife and I both love the outdoors and spend as much time as possible in the woods. We live just 5 miles from down town CG, and have a house in a wooded setting with no immediate neighbors clearly visible. Dorena res. and bike path are less than 2 miles away, they shot some of the scenes for the movie stand by me along this bike path when it was still train tracks. It runs from down town cottage grove all the way out to Dorena, cutting thru the woods and going around one side of the lake.
The Umpqua national forest with countless trails open to bikes, hikes, and horses just 20-25 miles away. The Umpqua NF aslo has some beautiful creeks, rivers, and water falls. We've found a couple of swimming holes that we have yet to see another person at. We've got miles and miles of roads accessable to average cars, and many more 4x4 roads. I can get up from this computer now and be walking in old growth by a creek in half an hour.

I would say you could still easily buy a 3 bedroom for under 300k here. RMLS™ - Home will give you a better idea of cost here or anywhere else in Oregon. Cottage Grove seems to be riding Eugene's coat tails in terms of appreciation, so your equity doesn't stagnate while you live here like so many small towns. Prices are still reasonable here now but on the rise. Our value has gone up by 50% since we bought 3 years ago according to the market analysis we had done by a local realtor recently.

As for the rain, well, this is Oregon. Others will disagree I'm sure, but my perception is that the further south you go the better the weather is *over all*, at least down the I-5 corridor. Allergies can be an issue in the Willamette Valley, especially grass, be sure to check it out. It looks like I may ultimately have to leave the area for allergy reasons, and I haven't found anything else as affordable that I liked as well.

[jfreuden]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We're taking a trip up in two weeks to check some of these areas out. Can't wait!

[DavePautsch]

jfreuden,
My family and I are currently living in Albany and I'd like to add my 2 cents for the mid-Willamette Valley! We have been here for 6 years and love it. I have 2 daughters, the youngest was starting kindergarten when we moved here and the oldest is now a Sophomore at West Albany HS.
Pros: Friendly people
Great location with I-5 access for N/S trips and about 1 1/2 hours to either the coast or the ocean if you go E/W.
Housing prices are pretty reasonable still (for 300K here you can EASILIY be in about 2,000 sq ft in a nice neighborhood).
Economy consistently improving since we moved here. PepsiCo is opening a plant soon, Lowe's just opened a distribution center in Lebanon (1 town over), Wah Chang and Pacific Cast doing well, lots of new retail has recently come to town.
Historic district
Carousel Project in progress to help with the downtown revitalization
Summer music! River Rhythms every other Friday, Monday's at Monteith Free concerts.

Cons: Downtown is still working on revitalization
You'll hear lots of bad news about crime, the smell. I haven't found either to be an issue for me and my family, but it's out there and you should get additional opinions.

Check it out! When you get here feel free to look me up and I'd be happy to share info or answer questions.

Dave Pautsch

[Medfordlocal]

I live in medford and would recomend it every day of the week. We have great schools and Great seasons. Also we have alot of homes in that price range with 3 bedroom and 2 baths. Check out my website [urmoderator cut[/url] for a look at homes and great links for our area.