Hermiston (Portland, Pendleton, Umatilla: relocating, housing, income)

[fremela]

My hubby works for the railroad and we are considering relocating to Hermiston from California. After checking city data, we saw that the crime is high. Does anyone have imput about this? Do specific neighborhoods matter? Also, we have a little one, how are the schools in the area? What is the average weather in the winter? I assume low precipitation, but do the roads get icy or difficult? Any information is helpful.
Thanks.

[nbres]

I lived in Eastern Oregon in the late 1990s and my in-laws still live there. I guess I could give you some advice.

The weather is very dry and sunny. Not much snowfall, but it can snow in large amounts when it does. However, its nothing like it is here in the northeast where I live now. Winters, to me, seemed rather mild. There are cold snaps, but they don't seem to last long.

I know there are lots of new homes in the Hermiston area for very reasonable prices. But the town doesn't have a great reputation. There are many Mexicans living in the general area to serve the agricultural industries. However, I don't really know what the schools are like there. Go to GreatSchools.net for more information.

If you do not mind a half-hour commute I would say check out Pendleton. It is pretty nice and the schools are fine. That being said there are not as many housing choices. Also, the whole town sits in an ancient lake bed with development pushing up the sides of this hole. This means there are few flat home sites - something I like, but maybe doesn't matter to you.

One last thing and this may not be important. If you are leaving a larger metropolitan area of California Eastern Oregon might be a little too country. The nearest real city is Portland which is over three hours away by car. The tri-cities in Washington are closer, but lack any refined cultural activities. Richland-Kennewick-Pasco do have shopping malls and an airport, but not much else. Also, medical services are limited in that part of the country. If you require any kind of specialized attention be prepared to go to Portland.
But it all depends on your situation.

I personally think Eastern Oregon is a great place.

[mdvaden]

Summer is hot / wam and dry.

Winter is cold and dry.

For the more part.

Tons of open flat land with few hills.

Sort of like tumble-weed looking country.

Not flat as a pancake, but it sort of seems that way for a lot of the area.

I'd question the high crime.

Virtually famous for the "Hermiston" watermelons.

[nbres]

There is one problem with Hermiston, the Umatilla Army Depot. You will see from I-84 (I think its I-84?) hundreds if not thousands of little mounds that are serving as storage for nerve gas containers. Kind of scary. I know they were supposed to incinerate all that nerve gas - does anyone know what is going on with that? Did they start yet, are they doing it now, or is it done?

[fremela]

Thanks for the info. I researched it a little more and found a website that talks about the clean up measures. Umatilla Chemical Depot (UMCD) - United States Nuclear Forces

Also, does anyone have imput about Echo?

[tigress]

Echo was ranked (tied) for third place recently for cities with certain populations for livability, and the schools have a good reputation. I have only been thru there once or twice in 25 years. However, you'd still have to go to Hermiston or Pendleton to shop -- Hermiston is growing, but is a great place to live, and because of its growth now has places like Home Depot and Starbucks. It still needs more decent restaurants, but a lot of the population is lower income so I'm guessing they don't eat out much. The roads do get icy sometimes, but it's worth it. And don't worry about the Chemical Weapons, the home alarms are overkill. There are a lot of Hispanics, which can be a downside, because it is like pulling teeth to get a job where you don't have to be bi-lingual. The Highland Hills neighborhood is a very good and safe one; most of the new housing is not as well built as there. The most common crimes that I see in the paper are just everyday stuff. Murder is rare and always makes major headlines. Usually family stuff. I raised my kids there; it is conservative, but very welcoming to new folks. Good luck!

[chrisruns2far]

I posted this yesterday on another thread.

I think Oregon has so many attractive places to live....why are you choosing Hermiston??? You will be in the midst of the dumping ground for all of Oregon's 'out of sight-out of mind' waste and polution issues. The air quality is the worst in the state, massive dariy operations in place and continuing to come in (have you been here yet to smell the stench?), our nations chemical weapons will continue to be 'disposed of' for a number of years to come within 10-15 miles of downtown Hermiston and now there are safety issues/school problems with gangs taking up residence in Hermiston due to all the illegal immigrants that the local industrial daries and food processors employ. I would encourage you to look elsewhere and I sincerely hope that you do.

[SkipNChurch]

As for the poster assuming that this part of State is "dumping ground" for *whatever*, he/she is entitled to an opinion.

You'll find that this area is having the growing pains of any small formerly little town growing into a small "Metro" area will have. Folks might not consider 15-20k persons "bigger'n a gnatsass" as far as size goes, however Hermiston area is adding the amenities and franchise spots and stores that some consider 'success'.

Folks are still friendly. Work of most sorts is plentiful. There is an overall positive 'feel' coming from those doing business here, despite gloomy trends and prognostications from press and experts.

Yes, there is an awful problem at moment with 'youth gangs' and the wannabe BS. Paint, intimidation, loud cars, and large groups of young thugs after hours.
Wouldn't try and shine over this, but understand, they are VERY respectful of most adults id not to point of saying "Yes Sir, Yes M'am".

Oregon is a CHL (Concealed Handgun Licence) "Shall Issue" State, one does not have to wait for Officers Glazed and Jellyfilled to show up for "protection".

There is like any other place, good, bad, and somewhat ugly.
I would prefer that anyone looking to area look outside Hermiston town itself. Plenty of opportunities and communities to choose from in an area that is decent, clean and for most part a cool place to live in.

Moved here back in '87 for a temporary position. Married a local lady, our son will graduate in '11 from Umatilla HS.

I like it here.

SnC

[kugelhoopf]

I'm applying for a few jobs in Hermiston with the railroad. I'm hispanic, but have I have lived the last 21 yrs. married to a German angel living in Germany. I've just moved back to my birthplace of Albuquerque. My old neighborhood where I grew up resembles Juarez. Spanish was a second language here when I left, now its the first. I don't think Hermiston can compare(I hope I'm correct). As for crime, there are meth-labs all over here in Albq. and people are frequently shot in arguments over traffic. Can Hermiston be worse than this?

[bobmulk]

The 7th poster rarely has anything good to say about Oregon and never has any facts to back up what are, basically, assertions. Listen to the other posters.