Is Grants Pass "odd"? (Riverside, Unity: real estate, houses, rent)

[Culture_Withdrawal]

Originally Posted by freedom

It shouldn't be disconcerting, Extreme Enviros do not see the consequences of their actions on the human race. We have more trees in Oregon than when it was first settled. We have better more efficient ways of harvesting and producing timber products without waste. The Enviro lawyers have crippled a thriving industry and put many out of work and gutted the treasury of most So. Oregon Counties.
They also are on the attack of residential and commercial development, which also limits the tax payers desire to become more independent of the counties timber resources.
We are addicted to breathing air as well, i don't recommend stopping its use.

Transitions are usually painful. Many move here not requiring employment or financial opportunities. Which also creates an atmosphere of limited gov't, due to property tax being the only way to offset the lack of the federal gov't following through with its promises. The retirement community is frugal and not willing to spend more on ineffecient gov't.

freedom

Referring to someone as a Nazi is a little much. I’ve had posts that were tamer and more on topic than that get deleted by the mods here. You are suggesting that the federal government are Nazis by proxy and I do find that to be disturbing. I’m not going to get into a timber debate with you. The topic is – Is Grants Pass Odd – and my point is that any town (or county) that is absolutely dependent upon an industry that is not allowed to function is a little odd. Regarding your silly “addicted to air” comment, the federal government has not stepped in and said that you are breathing too much air and you need to stop. You really do seem to be reaching to extremes in order to make this place seem halfway normal. I will address your "commercial development" comment only to say this – local homeowners here are protesting the opening of a Starbucks and Del Taco. Both companies want to build on land that is zoned for commercial use but the locals still resist…and not all of them live near this location; many are long time locals who simply resist change. Personally, I think this town is saturated with coffee, so I couldn’t care much less one way or another.

FYI, I am one of the many who moved here not requiring employment or financial opportunities and I speak to others like me AND to anyone moving here looking for work. Moreover, the timber situation is NOT the only thing that makes this place “odd.” I stand by my first post (http://www.city-data.com/forum/3734754-post66.html) and I have no desire to repeat myself. I’ve made myself clear enough for those who are thinking of moving here to see the ugly side of Grants Pass.

[freedom]

Originally Posted by Culture_Withdrawal

Referring to someone as a Nazi is a little much. I’ve had posts that were tamer and more on topic than that get deleted by the mods here. You are suggesting that the federal government are Nazis by proxy and I do find that to be disturbing.

I've said no such thing. That is your word.

I’m not going to get into a timber debate with you.

You are wise.

The topic is – Is Grants Pass Odd – and my point is that any town (or county) that is absolutely dependent upon an industry that is not allowed to function is a little odd.

It's not absolutely dependent, the treasury does take in approx. 5 mil per yr. from assorted fees, and taxes.
FYI, most towns have the same issues if not on a grander scale as G.P.

Regarding your silly “addicted to air” comment, the federal government has not stepped in and said that you are breathing too much air and you need to stop.

Give em' time, they are working on water right now.

You really do seem to be reaching to extremes in order to make this place seem halfway normal. I will address your "commercial development" comment only to say this – local homeowners here are protesting the opening of a Starbucks and Del Taco. Both companies want to build on land that is zoned for commercial use but the locals still resist…and not all of them live near this location; many are long time locals who simply resist change. Personally, I think this town is saturated with coffee, so I couldn’t care much less one way or another.

THat's not the point, Right to Property is the point, Private Property rights are guaranteed under our Constitution and certain "Not See" type of people are blinded to that.

FYI, I am one of the many who moved here not requiring employment or financial opportunities and I speak to others like me AND to anyone moving here looking for work. Moreover, the timber situation is NOT the only thing that makes this place “odd.” I stand by my first post (http://www.city-data.com/forum/3734754-post66.html) and I have no desire to repeat myself. I’ve made myself clear enough for those who are thinking of moving here to see the ugly side of Grants Pass.

And there you have it, I prefer to fight the ugly dark side and make a better community for my children to live in. Rather than educate them and send them somewhere else for opportunities after we've put the time, love and dollars to make them productive human beings, the benefit should be for those that have done so.

[Culture_Withdrawal]

Originally Posted by freedom

...I prefer to fight the ugly dark side and make a better community for my children to live in. Rather than educate them and send them somewhere else for opportunities after we've put the time, love and dollars to make them productive human beings, the benefit should be for those that have done so.

I prefer to educate my child and give him as many opportunities possible, rather than have him stuck in ANY town...to each his own, I guess.

[freedom]

Originally Posted by Culture_Withdrawal

I prefer to educate my child and give him as many opportunities possible, rather than have him stuck in ANY town...to each his own, I guess.

THe point was so they wouldn't be stuck, we always have freedom, but when one of my children don't want to leave this beautiful area and have to move in order to live, that is a shame.
You sound like a loving mother.

freedom

[Culture_Withdrawal]

Originally Posted by freedom

THe point was so they wouldn't be stuck, we always have freedom, but when one of my children don't want to leave this beautiful area and have to move in order to live, that is a shame.
You sound like a loving mother.

freedom

I'm a dad...and this area IS beautiful. I would hate to force a child to move anywhere they don't want to live. It's a good thing our whole family agrees on the decision to relocate. We are all eager to move. However, if we did stay, our son would move away at some point anyway because he is going to college. If he makes a decision to chop down trees for a living, that's his choice but it would be a choice he'd make with a college education.

[freedom]

Originally Posted by Culture_Withdrawal

I'm a dad...and this area IS beautiful. I would hate to force a child to move anywhere they don't want to live. It's a good thing our whole family agrees on the decision to relocate. We are all eager to move. However, if we did stay, our son would move away at some point anyway because he is going to college. If he makes a decision to chop down trees for a living, that's his choice but it would be a choice he'd make with a college education.

Pardon, you sound like a loving Dad.
That's great that your son desires to go to college. Not everyone wants to go to college.
I hope you find a place you enjoy.


freedom

[ConeyIsBabe]

After reading so many negative things about Grants Pass (some of them are true) I would like to add my two-cents worth of positive reasons why I like living in the area. OK, I'm thinking of relocating back to Florida for personal reasons, but there are so many positive lifestyle experiences to mention: People are truly friendly; almost everyone in passing has a smiling face and makes eye-contact, often expressing a welcome greeting. Traffic is managable, not stressful. Almost 100% of the time I go shopping at the supermarket, banks, stores, etc. I can park in front of the business or a very short walk to the door. Cost of living is affordable as long as one is either employed or retired, but you can't say that about other big cities or in CA. I have never felt unsafe regarding crime or the alleged shortage of law enforcement personnel. Most school children appear to be very polite and respectful. In the 5 years I've lived in the Grants Pass area I have experienced no intolerance of color, religion or class. This is small-town America at its finest, in my humble opinion.

[westvillemama]

Originally Posted by TribalCat

I was reading a thread about Southern Oregon (I've forgotten which one), and the poster was talking about the different towns. He wrote that Grants Pass was "odd". Is it?
*I ask, compared to what? Is it odd compared to most of the mainstream mid-sized town US? No. Is it odd compared to urban areas, or liberal meccas? Certainly so.

Here's my little list of odd questions:

Is it a liberal town?
*Why no, in fact, it is not. The majority rule is one of conservativism and nationalism.

Are they tolerant of different spiritual traditions?
*Different meaning can all branches of the Judeo-Christian faith live in harmony? Then, yes.

Are there any health food stores there?
*A few.

Is there a market for alternative medicine in GP?
*A market? Probably, depending on the type.

What's going on with the closing of public libraries in that area? That seems scary to me.
*Funding, yadda yadda.

Does the temperature really reach 90 degrees, and for how long does it stay that high?
*Yes it really does. It can also reach into the 100's, but not for too long. Humidity is quite low in summertime, but there is also not much air flow to speak of.

Is it dog-friendly? Are there hiking trails that dogs, horses and bicycles are allowed on nearby?
*Dog-friendly... not exactly. You won't see people browsing downtown shops with their dogs on leash, if that's what you are looking for.

Would it be hard to get around town on a bicycle?
*Hard? No. Dangerous? Quite.

Does it stay green year-round?
*No, sorry. There is little to no rain after the middle of June until October, so things can get quite dry and brown under the evergreen canopy.

In the winter, do the roads get very icy, and are they well maintained?
*Some roads can ice over-- black ice, it is called. Hard to see, very hard to drive upon. Yes the roads are well maintained.

Are there any local Country music stations?
*Oh, yes. Yes, there are.

Is there a seedy part of town, or areas that should be avoided?
*N/A, define seedy.

Is a lot of new construction being built green?
*Nope!

What is the terrain like? Is GP on the bottom of a valley or in the foothills, how close are the mountains, how forested is it?
*GP is in a flat mountain valley, with mountains all around.

What kind of wildlife could I see there?
*Deer, elk, bear, bobcat, etc... not in TOWN, though.

I'll probably have more questions later

It sounds to me like you might be looking for something that GP is not. I was born there, went to Jr. High and High School there, spent a good deal of my early adulthood there. It is QUITE conservative-- socially, politically, religiously. The dominant mindset is that xianity is right, thus the god-theme in several of the PP's defensive posts. It is a pretty uptight place, unless you happen to be an xian conservative, in which case it's close to paradise. If you are looking for a community with a socially open mindset, I'd highly recommend Eugene or Ashland instead. GP is not an armpit of society, but neither is it a progressive town. It is basically middle America, and all that goes with.

There is a huge divide between have's and have-not's. The housing is not affordable compared to average wages. Since as far back as I can remember, it has been first a retirement market, second a timber market, third a tourism market, and a lowly fourth for professional type employment. Everyone else sort of flounders in fifth place and downward.

I HATE to say this, but it's not a welcoming place for everybody. If you are white, xian, conservative, and have a good stash of money to get you by, you will definitely feel right at home in GP. There are certainly pockets of what I think you might be looking for, but that widespread sense of community that is tolerant and progressive just isn't all that common. Sorry. Beautiful place, but that's why I left.

[Culture_Withdrawal]

Originally Posted by westvillemama

If you are white, xian, conservative, and have a good stash of money to get you by, you will definitely feel right at home in GP.

Exactly - and finally the truth comes out from someone who lived here for a long time! Thank you for coming forward, westvillemama.

[freedom]

Originally Posted by Culture_Withdrawal

Exactly - and finally the truth comes out from someone who lived here for a long time! Thank you for coming forward, westvillemama.

Since when is it bad to be a white Christian that works and makes a living?
Cuz, your making it sound like its a bad thing!

If your saying that these people are bigots and selfish, then your very, very, wrong, and looking at it through eyes of jealousy and confusion.

freedom