What is the downside to living in Oregon? (Medford: environment, agriculture)

[jiffin4java]

Originally Posted by ladysrodgers

Well luckily I had "Oregon" plates on my car when I moved here, but I mentioned in the Dallas - CD forum that I was a California native.........well, you can imagine what happened next!

Is your husband in flight school, or training to be an air traffic controller? If so, I believe the Medford, OR airport is expanding. Maybe that's a possibility? Southern Oregon is definitely better living than the northern part of the state. The weather is MUCH better!!!

Yes, he is finishing air traffic control training in February. Portland or Eugene areas are our options for Oregon for now but if the FAA controls the tower in Medford that may be an option as well. We get to pick states and they just place us according to their need. He can trasfer to where he wants in five years or so if we're not happy where they send us, but I don't really see us not liking any of Oregon. LOL! We're really hoping this is our last big move and we can buy a house and stay.

[ladysrodgers]

Originally Posted by jiffin4java

Yes, he is finishing air traffic control training in February. Portland or Eugene areas are our options for Oregon for now but if the FAA controls the tower in Medford that may be an option as well. We get to pick states and they just place us according to their need. He can trasfer to where he wants in five years or so if we're not happy where they send us, but I don't really see us not liking any of Oregon. LOL! We're really hoping this is our last big move and we can buy a house and stay.

Well good luck to you. Portland has a ton of rain pretty much year round but it is a beautiful city. Eugene would be my first choice of the two.

[jiffin4java]

Originally Posted by ladysrodgers

Well good luck to you. Portland has a ton of rain pretty much year round but it is a beautiful city. Eugene would be my first choice of the two.

Thank you! Yes, our first choice is Eugene. Seems like it fits us better. I'm not worried about the rain. I love it. Not having impressive storms is the only part I'll miss out on. We had almost constant rain around San Antonio this past summer (very unusual I hear) and I was in complete heaven. Rain is comforting to me. I must be nuts, I know. LOL!

[ladysrodgers]

Originally Posted by jiffin4java

Thank you! Yes, our first choice is Eugene. Seems like it fits us better. I'm not worried about the rain. I love it. Not having impressive storms is the only part I'll miss out on. We had almost constant rain around San Antonio this past summer (very unusual I hear) and I was in complete heaven. Rain is comforting to me. I must be nuts, I know. LOL!

Yes, the rain caught me totally off guard. I'd left both of my umbrellas in Oregon......doh......lol

[jiffin4java]

Originally Posted by ladysrodgers

Yes, the rain caught me totally off guard. I'd left both of my umbrellas in Oregon......doh......lol

AAAAAAAAAAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!!!

[coocoo4popocuffs]

My take:

I moved to PDX from Atlanta Jan of 07. I had been flying and traveling out to Oregon for about a year looking for a place to live/work. I am/was planning on opening a music studio out here. I needed a decent amount of space to rent or buy. I have always rented lofts in other cities. Mainly old turn of the century buildings or warehouses that are fairly wide open that can be built out. That's very hard to come by here. What is happening here in Oregon and specifically PDX is what has already happened around the rest of the US. Big corporations and heavy pocket speculators came in a long long time ago and bought out all the good property. They sat on it forever waiting for the right market. Now they are selling it or leasing it for way over-inflated rates. Most of the people buying it or renting it are transplants. Portland in general has been way over hyped. A lot of people here are all talk and no action. The work here is mainly service based. A lot of restaurants and bars. Most people tip like crap, so the staff have little incentive to give good service. You get a sense that the people don't have any money here. It's rather discouraging when your self-employed and looking for customers. There are lots of bands here in PDX, but it does little good if they have no money. There is a definite hipster population that is ignorant and arrogant. There are the baby-boomers and yuppies with the Subarus who are always on their cellphones while driving that will hit you when your walking across the street because they can't be bothered to pay attention. There are the cyclists who don't obey traffic signals and signs and who act like it's your fault when they almost or do get hit. There is a mass idiot population hell bent on Socialism. There is corrupt government that milks taxes and building projects (THAT'S WHY IT TAKES SO LONG - Happens everywhere else too, especially when Federal Funds are involved.) The traffic isn't that bad except in rush hours. Most people haven't seen BAD traffic like LA, DC and Atlanta. It doesn't rain that much. You get most of it between Dec and March. Late April to October is hardly any rain at all. And yes, it will get hot here. Up to and over 100 sometimes in the valley. The rain is mostly mist, but it can downpour occasionally. Sometimes hail. Snow is confined mostly to mountain areas. The worst part is the grays and the time change in winter. It can feel like it is always dark( Reminds me of DARK CITY) The urban growth boundary has not helped the city either. It has helped increase the real estate prices, along with speculators, to unrealistic levels. Expect to see a reduction in 2008. You don't have to worry about being shot or mugged, but theft and vandalism is rampant. The mass transit here is no BART system. Don't believe the hype, again..

I would some it up like this:

Do you want the ability to get great local food, go to the beach/mnts/desert/hills in an hour or less, be able to not have to drive and walk or ride a bike, have culture and things to do BUT deal with ignorant people, pay for outrageous real estate and probably not make that much money

OR

Make money and pay a little less on housing and be around slightly less ignorant and annoying people BUT have to drive a lot moreand not have as much local resources

That's basically the Portland choice.

As far as the rest of the state: farmers, struggling blue collar and a smattering of tourism (mostly retirees - speculators again) If you aren't monopolizing on an industry or commuting, you won't make much in the small towns. Eugene is supposed to be more "artsy", but, again... The long term benefits of being in Oregon are starting to not look good. Especially when you consider that the US now has inflation going over 10% and that we going into stagflation with the threat of depression. A long term bust is coming and it would be wise for anyone to pick their surroundings wisely. That being said, Oregon does have abundant natural resources unlike other states. When you factor in the price of oil and how it going to effect industrial farming and shipments, Oregon has benefits. Lot's of local, naturally raised food. That's good. With the price of gold going up, maybe over $1000, mining might resurge. You might see what happens like in Rock Springs, Wy. All the hotels are always full because of all the oil workers.

Lots of hype about this area. Be careful. Have an exit strategy.

[503Aviator]

As a native Oregon who now goes to a college in Arizona, I want to give some perspective of the state from someone who has spent considerable time here and now sees it from an outside perspective.

First off, if you live anywhere in the Northwest part of Oregon( where most of the population lives i.e. Eugene, Salem, Portland) it Rains A LOT. Don't let anyone fool you, I hear people tell other people, "No, it really isnt that bad, it doesnt rain all that much." That is utter B.S. In Southern and Eastern Oregon it is much dryer, so be wary if someone from those areas tells you that it doesnt rain a lot, they arent speaking for the whole state. It is true that most of the rain is a steady, continuous rain versus torrential short downpours, but I can remember many winter months where it would rain everyday continuously with the exception of 1 or 2 days of the month. Many of the Arizonans that I go to school with tell me that they love rain, some even go outside and dance when it rains in Phoenix--this makes me nauseous. However, I will admit that it's all relative, because I love all of the sun in Arizona, but you will find many Arizona Natives who hate sun because that's all that they have ever known.

Secondly, about the whole "Oregonians hating on Californians" thing. Not all Oregonians hate people from California. There are just some reasons--some fairly justified and some unfairly justified--why some Oregonians dislike Californians. Let me try to summarize some below:

1. Jealousy--It pains me to admit it, but some Oregonians are secretly jealous of California's recognition and "coolness." California has many big cities, sunny beaches, exceptional college/professional sports teams, poolside mansions, and rich, famous hollywood megastars. Trust me, its not just Oregonians either, but many people from other states wished they had that kind of recognition. With that said, there are also many people in Oregon who are not jealous of California what-so-ever, so dont start screaming at me with "Hell no, I am not at all jealous of them!!!!!!"

2. Materialism--This could be said about Arizonans as well, but Californians come off as more materialistic. There arent many Oregonians who own, let alone know what Luis Vuitton or Coach wallets/handbags are. Also, it is funny, but after spending time in California/Arizona, I notice that it seems like the number of new cars on the road is much greater than in Oregon. Some may say its because oregonians dont make as much money. I disagree, however, because I see young lower-income people buying newer cars in these states as well. I believe that its just because Oregonians dont see the point in buying a new car every two years. Also, T.V. shows such as "Laguna Beach, The Hills, The O.C." all show California as being stuck-up, rich snobs. While this is undoubtedbly an unfair assessment of Californians, many people see these shows and think this is how it is. You dont know how many Southern Californians I have met who say that these shows are so unreal and far from reality, but that is what people think of So Cal to a certain extent.

3. Driving. It really goes both ways, because when Oregonians are in california we **** you off and when californians are in Oregon, your driving pisses us off. I will admit that merging is not our strongpoint. And yes, there are probably a few too many people who hang out in the fast lane who only go 5mph over the speed limit. BUT, I have been cut off quite a few times by Californians, and please please please use your signals when turning/making lane changes.

4. About the Sales tax/pumping gas issues: Listen, these are two issues that most Oregonians feel strongly about and in order to avoid starting a fight, its best not to knock them. We dont want a sales tax, period. As far as the statement, "They wont even let you pump your own gas" is concerned, we dont see it like that. We see it as, "We dont have to pump our own gas." You have to understand that Oregonians, especially the Natives, have never had it any other way and do not enjoy the idea of getting out of their car to pump their gas. Anyways, its wet and cold here and we dont want to get gas all over ourselves, give us a brake!. With that said, if you ever get the chance to see an Oregonian with his car in another state, its always funny to watch them struggle to pump their own gas.

With all that said, I dont mind Californians all that much, as long as they are respectful and dont talk my ear off all day about why California is so much better than everywhere else. Everyones got pride about where they are from, but their is a difference between being proud of where you are from and being arrogant about it.

[jiffin4java]

Originally Posted by 503Aviator

I notice that it seems like the number of new cars on the road is much greater than in Oregon. Some may say its because oregonians dont make as much money. I disagree, however, because I see young lower-income people buying newer cars in these states as well. I believe that its just because Oregonians dont see the point in buying a new car every two years.

My husband was raised in northern CA and we lived there for a few years. I don't think the new car thing is as much about having the newest, latest vehicles as it may come across (I could be wrong though). We lived in northern CA, which I understand has a much different attitude than So. Cal.

I was really shocked at how strict the smog laws were when we moved there. It makes it almost necessary to have a newer vehicle because it's very hard to get an older, cheaper one that will pass the smog testing. And the regulations are becoming tighter through the next several years. You can get around the laws for a short time by getting extensions but those only last for so long. At some point you either have to suck it up and get a car that will pass or start all over with another car. If I understand correctly, Oregon doesn't have these smog laws and so those who are perfectly content with an older car (as we were) don't have to worry about whether it'll pass. CA was the first state I lived in that had these laws and though I agree we need to protect the environment, the laws were a pain in my rear and basically forced us to purchase a vehicle we couldn't really afford at the time. That being said, I agree it's not necessary to go out and buy something brand new off the lot and that would be the point of materialism, IMHO.

[sharonaly]

I think the reason we say the rain isn't so bad is we're used to it. It really doesn't seem to me as if it rains as much as people say.

I'm a Realtor and I'd compare it to a person trying to sell a house that backs to a freeway. They will always tell you the noise isn't bad, you get used to it, and they won't understand why it's an issue for buyers. And they mean it. What's the big deal with a little noise.

That's what we're like. Or at least what I'm like. You could ask me if it rained yesterday and I wouldn't even know. Probably. Why? Except for late Dec./early Jan. it isn't even cold. I never carry an umbrella and don't have a hood on my coat. It's just water.

I lived in San Diego for a few years and enjoyed the weather, but when I came back I discovered I like seasons more. We had the most gorgeous fall this year...just breathtaking! And even though the rain doesn't bother me (it's part of the deal) I get giddy in the Spring. Look! Daffodills...here come the Forsythia and Lilacs!

Otherwise, I agree with the poster who said these complaints are true everywhere. Middle class getting shoved out, lack of health care for the poor, McMansions, and farmland eaten up by developers.

I will say I went through the Eugene School System and my daughter is a Senior at South Eugene High School in the International School and we have no complaints about the schools. Thank goodness we don't live somewhere that everyone thinks they have to send their kids to private school!

My 2 cents!

[sharonaly]

When you first move here the drivers can really annoy you. They are somewhat...purposeless. I used to think "Drive like you're trying to GET somewhere!" when I got back from Socal.

But it's because they aren't as stressed and angry and driven...they know they'll get there without squeezing out the other guy or using every last open bit of freeway.

Another thing: the local newscasters are pretty amateurish. I just watch CNN.