Moving from Columbus, Oh to Oregon coast (Portland, Eugene: environment, credit)

[roaddevil]

Hello from Ohio,
My fiance and I (and 4 dogs) have been seriously considering a move and change of life to the northern Oregon coastal area. She has lived Seaside previously and loved it and still misses it. I've been land locked all my life and really want to live on or very near the ocean. I'm not afraid of the rain or snow. I'm from Ohio where its above 100 with 100% humidity in the summer and city stopping ice storms and below freezing weather 6 months of the year. Ohio is a state of extremes when it comes to weather. Plus its becoming harder and harder to live here economically for the working class. (I'm a welder by trade but work for Waste management, she works with special needs (retarded and developmentally challenged adults) You cannot make a living wage here unless you're a professional and live on credit. And crime is rampant along with shootings and murders everyday. Foriegn immigration is skyrocketing also. You also can't go anywhere in your car without being subjected to blaring hip hop and rap and outrageous loud bass thumping. Its like being in a hip hop club everywhere you go!
Anyhow, does anyone have any suggestions as far as town to live in go? We're thinking between Newport up the coast to Astoria. I no longer want to live in a city unless its nicer than Columbus. We're both working class with little college experience (we also want to go back to school). We really want to be close to the ocean, but not have to live to work to pay rent. We want to enjoy the outdoors and not have to suck up all the overtime possible to pay utilities and rent. A small quiet town near the ocean, yet close to a larger city (for shopping, evenings out, sight seing) would be perfect.
Any help or ideas would be very much appreciated.

[Waterlily]

Some smaller cities that are a short drive from Portland and the coast would be McMinnville,St.Helens and Columbia city.

The jobs you'd have to look for. Sometimes when people move here they have to take a job doing something different than they did before moving here. However I do think there is some demand for welders at least along the coastal area.

[tiffela74]

I had a friend who moved here from Columbus, Ohio to Oregon about 10yrs ago and he loved it here! So I cant speak from experience, but some second hand words. He said his only regret for moving here was it wasnt sooner. Eventually, his entire family relocated here as well and as far as I know, are all still happy and thriving.
- wow, my husband used to work for Waste Management. That was about 3 years ago, I know they do(or did) service the northern coast, but it may be out of Forest Grove (about an hour and a half inland) Very small crew for that area, so might be hard to get into. Careful too, my husband got out cuz they kept changing his days off/hours about every 6months. Hard to work around if you have a family. But it might be something good to get you started down here. -
As far as towns go that would be near larger cities, youre looking at a good 2 hour drive for the most part. Both Newport/Lincoln City area and Astoria are growing, but sure arent what one would call a large city. You might look into contacting the Chamber of Commerce in each town and see if they can give you exact miles to Portland/Salem/Eugene etc.
Good luck with your possible move!
Tiffany

[roaddevil]

thanks for replying to my post. We're planning a trip out to the Newport area mid October for a week. We're just going to drive from Newport north and see whats there and check out the possibilities.

[Steve97415]

Realize that Oregon is not economically homogenous, and the entire coast is basically a retirement zone. Living by the sea sounds appealing from afar, but basically you'd be moving into the PNW's version of Sun City, AZ (minus the sun...and in a big way). That's why you'll find people steering you into the Willamette Valley. Work in the valley; vacation on the coast.

[Stonecoldharbours]

Could a small family with little debt live on 78,000 or so a year here? How affordable is housing? We just want something decent with no riff raff like everyone here I suppose...we are laid back, friendly and do not talk religion, politics unless asked! We do not attend church, don't expect too, but we are not real liberal either. We just want a nice area, decent housing and a good safe school! Thanks in advance and have a great nite!

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by roaddevil

We're both working class with little college experience (we also want to go back to school). We really want to be close to the ocean, but not have to live to work to pay rent. We want to enjoy the outdoors and not have to suck up all the overtime possible to pay utilities and rent. A small quiet town near the ocean, yet close to a larger city (for shopping, evenings out, sight seing) would be perfect.
Any help or ideas would be very much appreciated.

Were you planning to move to the coast, then move again to another city for college? Or do you need housing and college in the same town?

[WicketsMom]

Hello there!

I am a transplant from Ohio to Portland. I lived in and around many suburbs while growing up in Columbus (graduated from high school in 1999). I moved to Portland July 2002 and it was a great choice for me.

I know what you mean about the weather. I always visit my family for Red, White & Boom (no big event like that here and my husband - from Portland - LOVES fireworks). I never remember truly the Ohio humidity until I get there! Oregon is good-pretty much you are guaranteed nice weather from July-October. Last summer we had some hot days, but nothing like humidity in Ohio!!
We did get some snow this year, and pretty much the town shuts down with andinch or so It is sorta nice, but also sorta odd. They do not salt the roads here (bad for cars and environment) so your car is dirty with sand and gravel...but not rusty with salt!! Since I have lived here, I think we have had maybe 1 or 2 days a year with snow and ice, but nothing like a whole week where schools are cancelled, etc. You know how they say in Ohio "don't like the weather? wait 5 minutes!", in Oregon it's more of a few hours before any drastic changes!

Where abouts do you live? Do you actually live in Columbus? My mom was visitng one time and we took her downtown Portland at night and were walking around, she kept saying that she could not believe it was safe! There were lots of people out with dogs, riding bikes, very friendly.

The move to Oregon was not as hard as say: moving from Ohio to Los Angeles. Oregon is different, but you will not experience too much culture shock.

As far as schools on the coast...I am not too familiar. Personally, I have taken classes at both Portland State and Clackamas Community College.

The 'cost' of things is more expensive if you compare, but the wages are higher, so the ratio is the same - I hope that makes sense? My first apartment here (2 bedroom, 1 1/3 bath, 900 sq feet, all utilities, etc) was $575 per month. My brother in Cbus for about the same was cheaper...but comparing crime, etc, mine was.

What I like about living in Portland (well, a suburb) is that I have a 15 minute drive if I want the 'city' and I am an hour away from the beach and the mountain. There are dog parks (very important!!) and people are very outdoorsy. Biking, hiking, rafting, etc.

Hmm, that's really all I can think of now! There seem to be a lot of people from Ohio in Oregon...I see license plates all the time from Ohio!!!!

Let me know if you have any other questions. I try to head to Seaside several times a year - it is great no matter when you go!

Originally Posted by roaddevil

Hello from Ohio,
My fiance and I (and 4 dogs) have been seriously considering a move and change of life to the northern Oregon coastal area. She has lived Seaside previously and loved it and still misses it. I've been land locked all my life and really want to live on or very near the ocean. I'm not afraid of the rain or snow. I'm from Ohio where its above 100 with 100% humidity in the summer and city stopping ice storms and below freezing weather 6 months of the year. Ohio is a state of extremes when it comes to weather. Plus its becoming harder and harder to live here economically for the working class. (I'm a welder by trade but work for Waste management, she works with special needs (retarded and developmentally challenged adults) You cannot make a living wage here unless you're a professional and live on credit. And crime is rampant along with shootings and murders everyday. Foriegn immigration is skyrocketing also. You also can't go anywhere in your car without being subjected to blaring hip hop and rap and outrageous loud bass thumping. Its like being in a hip hop club everywhere you go!
Anyhow, does anyone have any suggestions as far as town to live in go? We're thinking between Newport up the coast to Astoria. I no longer want to live in a city unless its nicer than Columbus. We're both working class with little college experience (we also want to go back to school). We really want to be close to the ocean, but not have to live to work to pay rent. We want to enjoy the outdoors and not have to suck up all the overtime possible to pay utilities and rent. A small quiet town near the ocean, yet close to a larger city (for shopping, evenings out, sight seing) would be perfect.
Any help or ideas would be very much appreciated.

[WicketsMom]

Originally Posted by PghPaNative

Could a small family with little debt live on 78,000 or so a year here? How affordable is housing? We just want something decent with no riff raff like everyone here I suppose...we are laid back, friendly and do not talk religion, politics unless asked! We do not attend church, don't expect too, but we are not real liberal either. We just want a nice area, decent housing and a good safe school! Thanks in advance and have a great nite!

Guess I should have read the replies and looked at dates before I responded to the beginning poster!!!!!

When you say small family...you mean 2 adults, 2.2 kids right? I think you can live on that, yeah. Not in the fancy fancy areas, but nice places with nice schools, lots of sports, people activities, malls, fast food, etc...
Gladstone, Milwaukie, Clackamas...those are the ones closest to me and ones that come to mind!

You may be able to make it in 'Portland' with $78k...but prices for things there tend to be higher.

[RockyMtnr]

I grew up in Columbus ... hard not to find a better city anywhere ... but by round-about methods, ended up here on the Oregon coast a couple of months ago.
The moss-covered, old-growth rainforest will differ quite a bit from the hot & humid Ohio summers - but at least you've got a head-start. I came after acclimating many years to the Rocky Mountain dry.
The prices for everyday needs are a tad high at the coast. Even though there is no sales-tax to the consumer, the retailers still have to cover their ends and it reflects in the prices. Many folks make a grocery & supply run once or twice a month to larger towns like McMinneville or to cities like Salem, Corvallis and Portland.
What really isn't here at the coast is a fantastic job-market. So much is tourist oriented that it only leaves the same, standard, tourist-town jobs for the quick-fix so, better to have your jobs lined up before you come - if you can. I did - but it's fairly common in my career field.
For real-estate prices, they run the gamut. Remember that, when living at the coast, almost everybody else wants to be here and housing prices go from around 100grand to 3 & 4 mill. You can find you a house in the neighborhoods for around 200 grand. Depends on the town you choose as well.
You'll have to get used to having another OSU. It'll be hard - their colors aren't scarlet & gray and they don't always end up in bowl-games or finals - but they're into their teams here.
Replace Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians with Seattle Mariners. Try and replace Cincinnati Bengals with Seattle Seahawks and replace Cavaliers with TrailBlazers. Need to replace the Browns?
Only gets cold enough to snow once or twice a year at the coast, if that. Always a few surprises with the weather. Rains plenty so far - but is slacking off.
The all-powerful Pacific Ocean solves many incidental problems associated with moving - it'll flat take your breath away nearly every day ... if you let it.
And you can't see whales in Ohio.
Many public hiking trails where you don't have to make a 6-month reservation in advance. A little pricey on the plates & licenses - but worth it. Cheaper on the insurance.
And I gotta love this new motto-sign I've been seeing on the highways: "I think. Therefore, I am Oregonian".
Before you endure one more hanging-chad, come to Oregon!