thinking about moving to Ashland from Olympia, WA. Weather?

[kellyconrad]

We are also in a similar situation. My husband's employer has an opening in Medford and we need to decide before middle of March if this is something we really want to pursue. I've lived in the area while attending college years ago and have very fond memories of the area, weather and people.

Our concerns are the same as everyone else's. I saw a report in US News stating that the high school was in the top 100 across the US, which is wonderful, but now, the school district announced lay-offs and possible school closures.

We currently live in Bend Oregon and we like it here but are really tired of the snow, car crashes, increasing amount of bond measures, increasing crime, decreasing property value's and other items.

[kellyconrad]

What changes do you see in the near future?

[greenfaery]

HI, we are planning on moving to Ashland (or Jacksonville)next year. My husband is getting transferred to Medford with his job. We recently visited and were impressed. I think how 'expensive' it is depends on where you are moving from. Its way cheaper then were we live now!! Check out house prices/rentals on craigslist & zillow.com.

There are 3 childrens store in the downtown area, all very nice & one used kids store. They seemed to be doing ok, although this is the end on the tourist season (Oct). I was impressed by the organic/local/veggie friendly dinning. There is also so much to do in the area surrounding Ashland. People seemed friendly. We also visited their farmers market which was small but had all the basics and some unique local foods (bulk olive oil, fruit wines, beeswax candles, etc).

I am currently pregnant with my 3rd child and will need a homebirth midwife and I also only found 3 on-line. There may be many, as some people say, but if they don't have a website and aren't listed I'm not sure how I'll find them!

I'm not sure about the weather, but when we visited it was mid Oct, VERY sunny, but only about 65deg. In the sun it was felt hot but in the shade it was freezing. It was beautiful and felt like a safe town.

We also like Jacksonville, a nearby town. It's very small downtown is surrounded by farm land and was close to both Medford and Ashland.

[Fiddlehead]

Originally Posted by greenfaery

HI, we are planning on moving to Ashland (or Jacksonville)next year. My husband is getting transferred to Medford with his job. We recently visited and were impressed. I think how 'expensive' it is depends on where you are moving from. Its way cheaper then were we live now!! Check out house prices/rentals on craigslist & zillow.com.

There are 3 childrens store in the downtown area, all very nice & one used kids store. They seemed to be doing ok, although this is the end on the tourist season (Oct). I was impressed by the organic/local/veggie friendly dinning. There is also so much to do in the area surrounding Ashland. People seemed friendly. We also visited their farmers market which was small but had all the basics and some unique local foods (bulk olive oil, fruit wines, beeswax candles, etc).

I am currently pregnant with my 3rd child and will need a homebirth midwife and I also only found 3 on-line. There may be many, as some people say, but if they don't have a website and aren't listed I'm not sure how I'll find them!

I'm not sure about the weather, but when we visited it was mid Oct, VERY sunny, but only about 65deg. In the sun it was felt hot but in the shade it was freezing. It was beautiful and felt like a safe town.

We also like Jacksonville, a nearby town. It's very small downtown is surrounded by farm land and was close to both Medford and Ashland.

It is a nice area. And congrats to your husband on landing a job in the area in this economy. I would look closely at E. Medford for housing. Ashland is great, but the value differential is shocking now. $250 will by you a very modest home in Ashland (which is a great improvement from recent years!), but it will buy you a lovely family home in a great neighborhood in Medford. Medford deflated more than Ashland, because more of the people in Medford work to pay their mortgages, in Ashland, prices have not fallen as far yet, because more of the people are independently wealthy or equity-rich. Point is, the price to value levels are far better in Medford right now.

It sounds like you are in a wealthy (urban?) area. Coastal California? If so, that would match very close with the demographic of Ashland. If you want to live with almost exclusively wealthy exurban people (largely from the Bay Area of Cal.), choose Ashland. If you want to mix with a broader spectrum of people who have longer roots in the area, choose Medford. Talent and Phoenix are nice compromises, though a bit small.

As an Ashland parent who supports the public schools and cub scouts, I say please come to Ashland, and bring the kids, but don't overpay on your new home, as that just reinforces the Ashland is for wealthy aging Californians, Oregon families need not apply pattern of the last decade or so.