small to med towns (Portland, Eugene: real estate, income, job)

[Bill Marriott]

I'm looking for a small 10k to med size 30-50k town to move to in Oregon, Washington area. I like to be near the forest and mountains, needs to be on or very near a large boating lake or river(s). I work on boats,
(boat seat designing, prototyping and patern making of boat seat upholstery and canvas covers.
I'm not looking for a fancy new home community, prefer rustic or older cape cod style house, cottage with a porch on the front and a little room to breath, (do not want to open my window and hand sugar to my neighbor thru their window). A 1/2 hour drive to a larger city is fine.
I like the idea of warm summers without an extreme amount of rain (I like sunshine). I enjoy snow and the crackle sound & smell of wood burning in my fireplace. Love to lay in bed at night and hear the sound of a train off in the distance.
In the winter I like eating chili at the local pub,tavern. The kind of place you throw your peanut shells on the floor.
Is there such a place? (please say yes)! If so, photos please!

To help me with my income during the winter months, I would like to explore any new job options, working indoors or outside.
Again any ideas will help!
Look forward to hearing from you!
Bill Marriott

[Larry Caldwell]

I suspect you will need to be somewhere along the Columbia to find much work on boats. There are some small towns along the Columbia from The Dalles to Astoria that might suit you. There are more trees along the lower Columbia.

You won't get far in a larger Oregon city in 1/2 hour. It will take you that long to find a parking space. You might check out Clatskanie (prounounced KLATS-ka-nye).

[seekNsun]

Check out Hood River and The Dalles, Oregon. HR's real estate is more expensive, and wages aren't that much different, but its closer to Portland. The Columbia River Gorge is absolutely beautiful. Weather is great, unless you detest the wind.

[LISA IN LONGVIEW]

Lake Chelan in Washington would be perfect for you, Everything you are looking for is there. Check it out.

[gts]

Hi Bill,
I am a manufacturer of seats and maybe we could worktogether.Normally I design all sats myself, but maybe we have common ideas or something that we can create together.
regards Stefan

[ClassicalContractor]

Except for the size of town, you are describing Oakridge to a "T". It's a little over 3000 in population, but only a 30-45-minute drive to the Eugene-Springfield area.

You like to be near the forest and mountains?

We're in the foothills of the Cascades and surrounded by National Forest land.

Want to be by large boating lake or river(s)?

We have many bodies of water only a short distance away. In fact, due to our proximity to perfect boating areas, there's a new speed boat manufacturer coming to town to set up shop. You can read/watch about it here - Boat manufacturer may be headed to Oakridge | KVAL CBS 13 - News, Weather and Sports - Eugene, OR - Eugene, Oregon | Local & Regional News

There are many housing and construction possibilities in Oakridge and very reasonably priced.

We have warm summers and about as much precip as Eugene. We average about a foot of snow a winter, although this past winter we got a bit more than that, which was good. The mountains needed the snowpack. You'll have plenty of chances to enjoy a fireplace.

Love to lay in bed at night and hear the sound of a train off in the distance?

The railroad comes right through town, carrying freight and passengers (Amtrak), and yes, it's a soothing sound at night.

You can see many pictures and read up on Oakridge here - http://www.city-data.com/city/Oakridge-Oregon.html