Mid Twenties Couple Possibly Moving to Coos Bay from Indianapolis
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This handy-dandy tool provides counts and average income. With respect to Coos County I notice that in-migration is largely southern California, out migration to other Oregon counties, Seattle metro and Spokane.
The coast of Oregon is very, very different from the California coast. You need to understand that the whole Oregon coast is a retirement belt and physically isolated from the rest of western Oregon by the Coast Range. That's one of the reasons there is no economy of scale there. It would be EXTREMELY unusual for people in their 20's to move there. As jjpop accurately observed, it is a place that young people are dying to get out of. Check back in 50 years.
I have my final interview Monday, but it looks like my fiance, after reading all the your comments, really doesn't want to move there mainly because of her slim chance on a good job. I was willing to give it a try because of the awesome career move taking this job would be, and also because I thought the area was pretty and I like the mild climate.
This forum is an awesome way to get some good information, and I appreciate everyone taking the time to offer their advice.
~Matt
One bit of caution: Please don't make your decision entirely based on the opinions here. Most of us have good knowledge, instincts, and experience, BUT, this is just a snapshot. If possible, your wife should also visit the area, that would be much more important.
One bit of caution: Please don't make your decision entirely based on the opinions here. Most of us have good knowledge, instincts, and experience, BUT, this is just a snapshot. If possible, your wife should also visit the area, that would be much more important.
+1. Good advice. What doesn't work for some might be heaven for others.
I will agree that the OP has to judge for himself on how they will adapt. However, it will certainly be a huge change from a metro area where every shopping option is available.
While there are things to love (they have become increasingly difficult to find) the politics suck, the beaches are now dirty, the environmentalists drive locals nuts with their constant protection of non-native birds, tracks in the sand dunes, and such. There are no jobs - just drugs. Lots of drugs. Schools are either closed or packed with kids who should be separated (4-8th grade now = middle school). Would you want a 9 or 10 year old girl in school with a 13-14 year old boy? Not to mention academics... argh!
Been here more than 3 decades and still asking ourselves why. Love the ocean. Maybe that's it. But it's getting more difficult to enjoy it due to crime, filth and politics. Jus' sayin'...
Last edited by Connie J Lewis; 09-22-2011 at 08:25 AM..
I moved to Coos Bay from Northern Indiana just over four years ago. I am an empty nester, but miss my adult kids back there something fierce. I lived rurally back in IN, so the slower pace of life doesn't bother me as much as it may someone of your wife's age and urban style. I do miss the nightlife opportunities, but life is what you make it...there are places to gather here, you just need to know where to look.
But if you enjoy the outdoors, this place is incredible.
When you live in Coos Bay, you are just four hours north (along a beautiful stretch of Hwy 101 to the redwoods of Northern California -- it's a day trip! Four hours to the east, and you're in the high desert; northeast, in Sisters area; and four hours to the north, you're in Portland, with amazing nightlife and lots of fun things to do. Four hours north on Hwy 101 is also an incredible drive. And if you want fun closer, 2-1/2 hours to the north east is Eugene, a great college town with lots to offer.
Cold? Well, it's not as cold as Northern Indiana could get. I've lived here four years, and warmed up my car about as many times. The climate is moderate, but even though the temps in winter are higher than home, it can get more wearing, as we frequently go days without sun -- lots of rain, lots of gray -- but again, you're just a short drive to incredible places. I do miss the four seasons, as I tend to like extremes...but it's true, you don't have to shovel rain!!!
I came out here for other reasons, and it did take me about one full year of serious looking before I found a job that matched my skill set. Your wife shouldn't have too much difficulty, as we have a number of downtowns in the area now getting involved in downtown revitalization and historic preservation. She would be on the front end of it throughout a multi-county region. Some are saving historical theaters, etc.
Here's one thing I've discovered. The people here are warm and welcoming -- amazing. Yes, the area is economically depressed, but good things are happening here that can signal a new future. We recently saw the opening of a $90 million dollar mining operation here in Coos Bay; the abandoned rail line has been saved and recently reopened, through the work of the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay. The bay is positioned to be a major economic development opportunity in the future for waterway shipping and commerce. All of these things have alot to do with the long-time residents beginning to look forward to their opportunities, instead of looking back to what they lost when the timber industry was up-ended.
What's amazing here is the tremendous opportunity that this area offers, and will no doubt work towards taking advantage of.
And if you find that you miss the traffic congestion...the mass of people...the bustle of busy stores...and major concerts and off-broadway plays -- they're just a (beautiful, romantic) drive away.
Good luck, wherever your heart and opportunity leads you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by musicalmatt
Hello,
I am writing with hopes of getting some decent, honest advice for my soon to be wife and I, who are strongly considering moving to Coos Bay for a job that I am currently finishing the interview process for. I am confident I will enjoy the area, having visited it two weeks ago, but as for my fiance, I am not certain she will. We live in Indy, which is a pretty happening, fun place as far as restaurants, night life, and city life go. She and I are both fans of nature: camping, kayaking, hiking, backpacking, biking, but I am still afraid she will end up unhappy there because of the slower "pace" of the Coos Bay area. Also, I am worried she will have trouble finding work, even though she is educated with a interior architecture degree and currently works in sales in that industry. She is not stuck on staying in that industry, so she is flexible, I am just wondering if the job availability in the area is as bad as people make it out to be in that area?
Also, she hasn't been their yet, but one of her main worries is that its too cold there. When I was there the weather was awesome, it only rained as I was getting on the plane to leave. Is the weather through the summer warm enough to wear shorts comfortably, perhaps even lay out and get some sun occasionally?
Last question, does anybody know of any social activities or clubs to get involved in that area? We will not know anyone if we move there, any ideas?
Thanks in advance for any help you may offer!
Matt
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Coos Bay Answers
