What areas around Medford are nice/affordable? What areas to avoid? Is White City trashy? (Ashland: employment, live in)

[MommaBee28]

I lived in White City for a while and I myself would avoid it, its very small with not much to do. But I personally would never move back there. You should look into Eagle point.

[fredaevans]

Stumbled on to this Forum/thread quite by accident. Come November 6th there will be a ballot measure to Incorporate White City. At present, name not withstanding, we're just part of Jackson County. At one time WC was referred to as "Felony Flats," and that was a reasonable description.

All that ended years ago when Jackson County 'sank' about $85 million in Urban Rehab funds into the area. Money well spent. The only time it gets 'noisy' around here is the 4th of July and New Years Eve. Crime rate is minimal and well in line for any other So. Oregon Community.

The 'old' WC was someplace to avoid, but after the U-Rehab it is now one of the most affordable places in all of Jackson County. Brand new home (1400 - 1500 sq feet) will run in the mid-$170's. And that usually includes landscaping. As to 'brand new homes,' something like 350 of them have been built in the past 5 years. Reason being was the original cost of the land for development; far less than anyplace in the area.

Average residents age is in the low 30's, but this is changing as older 'empty-nests' sell their high value home and relocate. Which is how I got here.

But back to the Incorporation for a moment. Personally I'm going to vote 'No' as I can't find out a thing that suggests what the new Cities budget might be. Tax wise it's supposed to be $1.45/$1,000 valuation; but no clue as to how that stacks up to financial realities. Obstinately there will be about 8,600 residents, but no word as to how many properties are really covered (or the combined valuation vis a vis the buck forty five). Etc.

Fred Evans

[tlimbert]

Incorporate as a separate city or merge into Medford?

[jimj]

Originally Posted by tlimbert

Incorporate as a separate city or merge into Medford?

Two different things. Incorporation= stand alone city. Merge (Annexation) =just changing the name to Medford.
Neither are good options in my opinion. Incorporating or being Annexed seem to never,ever provide anything equal to (or worth) the cost of membership and certainly not the loss of some freedoms.
I've always looked to live in the county and fought to stay in it. Most times it means less restrictions, less tax and less layers of redundant government but that's just me.

[Ladyjay53]

I have been offered a job in the Medford Schools as a Speech Pathologist. I am from Michigan and have lived here most of my life. My husband is from Washington and desires to be back out west. Can anyone tell me about the schools there and does Medford get snow?? My husband and I are in our 50's..empty nesters. We are just looking for a nice small town that we can enjoy the scenery and live comfortably. We are conservative Christians and hoping this is the right comunity for us. HELP!!

[Hawk J]

We live happily in the mountains about 80 mile nw from Medford. They get very little snow, if any, most winters. When Medford gets a dusting, it's usually melted later that day.
www.kobi5.com <<< Medford TV

[ExNooYawk]

White City may be very much improved but the moniker will always stick with locals as a negative. In Westchester County where I grew up in NY, there was a town called Port Chester. It had a very bad reputation. Over the years it improved a lot but that name was detrimental to real estate values. Part of the town was annexed to Rye and became Rye City which removed some of the stigma.

[fredaevans]

Originally Posted by Ladyjay53

I have been offered a job in the Medford Schools as a Speech Pathologist. I am from Michigan and have lived here most of my life. My husband is from Washington and desires to be back out west. Can anyone tell me about the schools there and does Medford get snow?? My husband and I are in our 50's..empty nesters. We are just looking for a nice small town that we can enjoy the scenery and live comfortably. We are conservative Christians and hoping this is the right comunity for us. HELP!!

You will find our area a delightful place to live. Want to live in West Medford? Some area's yes, some no. Just personal opin. I'm in a new'ish subdivision (many are) in White City and I don't even bother to lock my doors/windows. Schools are all really quite good, as well as all the 'other' City/County services.

Get a 'bill' that you have a question on (utility, etc.) dial up and you'll have a very nice person on the phone in moments. "Ah, that's what means. Thank you Very Much."

Like the 'out of doors?' Minutes drive away in almost any direction. Fish? You'll love it here.

Etc.

Fred Evans

Nuts! Missed your question about snow. We get a light dusting a couple of times per winter. Odd off would be a major storm moving over the area.

[Terryj]

Originally Posted by Ladyjay53

I have been offered a job in the Medford Schools as a Speech Pathologist. I am from Michigan and have lived here most of my life. My husband is from Washington and desires to be back out west. Can anyone tell me about the schools there and does Medford get snow?? My husband and I are in our 50's..empty nesters. We are just looking for a nice small town that we can enjoy the scenery and live comfortably. We are conservative Christians and hoping this is the right comunity for us. HELP!!

There a a few towns in Southern Oregon (Rogue Valley) that fit your needs, it just depends on if you like to commute to work. Commuting in the Rogue Valley isn't all that difficult (except for hwy 62), it seems that everything is about 20 minutes away. Most of the towns outside of Medford are small. If you choose to live in Medford then you'll find the communities diverse both on the west side and east side and both have their pluses and minuses.

As for snow, we get, on the average, about 2-4" of snow per year on the valley floor, however, it doesn't last long. If you live at the higher altitudes, above 2000' then you can expect a little more snow. I've lived in the Rogue valley most of my 62 years and only on rare occasions have I seen any snow of substantial amounts, 1' or more.

[WolfBoy914]

Hi Ladyjay53

This is a fantastic place to live with so much to offer; camping, cycling, hiking, rafting and fishing are just the start. It's also pretty affordable as long as you don't mind paying a little more for gas. Plus we just got a REI and Trader Joe's.

I will say that this area isn't that religious, church isn't a main activity here. Most folks are pretty laid back and don't talk about their religious beliefs compared to my time in much more conservative areas, for example Texas. If you can adjust to doing your thing and not mind others doing theirs you'll enjoy it here quite a bit.