What is the downside to living in Oregon? (Portland, Eugene: real estate, property taxes)

[Kristynwy]

We had to move out of Oregon... I was born in CA (Twentynine palms, Ca) moved when I was three to the Salem area, and my husband and I left from the Silverton area just outside of Salem...

Real estate is skyhigh there now.. I remember when I was a kid you could buy a home for 100,000-130,000 that was pretty decent. Last time I checked a 2 bedroom starter home that needs work is 200,000 and up.

My husband and I were living rent free on some property of his parents, he is originally from Louisiana. Anyway he worked in heating and air conditioning a decent trade/profession and we were living paycheck to paycheck not really making it at all... if we had to pay rent we would have had to apply for assistance and maybe wouldn't have qualified even, yet we were in the working class...

Oregon has a huge over taxation problem and the state overspends like you would not believe... My dad that works in the state told me of all kinds of state workers going to see movies in the afternoon and still getting paid! No joke! Or half the time they don't even show up to work and still get paid! Meanwhile all the problems that help the working class citizens are getting cut more and more. The Gas tax is high too!

When we got our first paycheck in Wyoming I about fell over at how much more of our money we were taking home...

We could never afford to move back to Oregon.

I was very disheartened by the overwhelming population of illegals overtaking the state and demanding rights... while my family is working their butts off and getting no where and we are legal citizens with family members that have fought and served in the military as well...

Unless you are a new age liberal that loves over taxation, rain almost constantly, or don't mind big city politicians pushing the farmers around on the eastern half of the state, Oregon is the place for you...

In my opinion Oregon has beauty yes.. but there are 49 other states in this nation I would rather live than Oregon.

Oregon's government grows an average of 7% a year and the middle class is fading away, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. I know this for a fact by being raised there and my father works for the state as I mentioned earlier in Employment specifically for vets, but he knows statistics.

More than 50% of the working class that have both husband and wives working can not afford the cost of living in Oregon... if that tells you anything... You know why, the wages are being lowered to 1970's wages in some cases, cause an illegal has no problem working for 8 bucks an hour, and/or the cost of living is ridiculous, so even if you made a decent wage like my husband you still couldn't make it anywhere...

Just some food for thought....

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by Imperial1904

Can you explain a little more?

Once upon a time, Oregon had a pretty honest government. When the out-of-state people started moving in, all that changed. Now, it's as corrupt as anywhere else. It's not what you know, it's who you know, and the law somehow doesn't apply to anyone who has an in with Boss Hawg.

[tablemtn]

In my opinion Oregon has beauty yes.. but there are 49 other states in this nation I would rather live than Oregon.

Hyperbole alert!

[Imperial1904]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

Once upon a time, Oregon had a pretty honest government. When the out-of-state people started moving in, all that changed. Now, it's as corrupt as anywhere else. It's not what you know, it's who you know, and the law somehow doesn't apply to anyone who has an in with Boss Hawg.

You're kidding, right?

What corruption? State workers taking off from work to go to the movies? Yes, it's true in Oregon that it's who you know (especially if you're an out-of-towner looking for work). The poster I replied to mentioned cops, notexactly sure how the police in Oregon are 'crooks'. With as little crime as Oregon has, I think the word 'exaggeration' is appropriate.

[Kristynwy]

Originally Posted by tablemtn

Hyperbole alert!

That is your opinion! But I am entitled to mine... I lived in Oregon all my life and I won't look back. I missed it for sentimental reasons because of family memories when I first moved out of Oregon. I recently visited again, and it is awful and reminds me of why I left. It is not the same place I grew up in as a little girl. Change is unavoidable yes, but the change Oregon has undergone is ridiculous and excessive!

You may think my words are exaggerated, but I know them to be true, I have seen and witnessed with my own eyes much of the crap that has ruined that state. In fact my dad just called me the other day and gave me the latest statistics on living in Oregon. The statistics showed that two working adults in a household are not making enough money to survive and have all of their necessities and housing be provided with their incomes. Originally it was about 50% now it is more like 75% and construction work is going down in wages not up, and taxes continue to go sky high. The livelihoods of people are being sucked right out from under them...

You may think I am exaggerating all you want like I said, but I tell you what if I would have stayed in Oregon, it would have slit my families throat financially. We were so over taxed we were forced to buy groceries on credit cards at times! Just so we could pay basic bills and utilities.

Where I live now in wyoming we are so under taxed, we do not live paycheck to paycheck, we can save, and we are actually getting ahead and paying off the leftover debt we were forced to go into because of living in Oregon. I just recently found out also here if you get an ACT score of 25 or higher you can get a full ride scholarship to any Wyoming college. Never would happen in Oregon, in order to get financial aide you have to marry young, have a child out of wedlock or be poor and on welfare. The more you work and try to be responsible the harder it is to go to school in Oregon! In fact my little sister that works for Salem Hospital as a CNA is paying for her schooling, supporting herself and get shafted everywhere she turns. Soon she is talking about moving out of Oregon as well, to Billings, Mt where she could easily make a livable wage and get in school and a nursing program a heck of a lot easier, rather than waste several years of Oregon's regulated bull crap and struggle just to make ends meat.

The sad thing is my family is not the only family affected by the stench of Oregon, so are many other families. More and more businesses are refusing to relocate to Oregon and families are continually moving out.

I am am still reaping the consequences of not leaving Oregon sooner than I should have, but thank goodness I left while I am still young and I can still recover financially...


My point is this, Oregon which was once a beautiful place has turned into a sess pool morally, financially, ect. Which does nothing but diminish the beautiful climate. It is not worth it to live there...

Hyperbole is not what I would call my opinion. Close to Reality is more like it.

[florida transplant]

Originally Posted by tenacity

We are looking to move to Oregon and or maybe Washington and could use a little help. If you know of any quaint little towns or cities that haven't gone ballistic.. we could use some ideas.

We are Californians being pushed out by development. We have horses and raise Boer & Nubian goats.

We are retiring and looking for a small town, trees are important, wind less than 20 mph, has 4-H or FFA , I do therapy on horses and teach dog obedience, we'd like to be within 30 min. of a hospital and prefer a drier climate to the wet climate.
I've never lived in the snow.. so I would probably not want more than a couple of feet.

I'm not real familiar with Oregon other than driving through, so any help we would appreciate.
We shop at Trader Joes and eat mostly organic..

We are planning a visit the end of Sept to the Sisters area and will be looking around. If anyone has any ideas or wants to share an area they think we should look at.. that would be appreciated.

You are looking in the right area of Oregon I think,I've only been living here for two years but this area is horse country and i've heard that Bend has more dogs per capita than any other in U.S. I live in redmond (15min from Bend or Sisters) it is a little smaller but not what your looking for. Prineville is about 20 min east of Bend and Redmond and is much smaller but has little snow and still has amazing views. You can find land much cheaper here compared to Bend or Sisters.

[nanannie]

The only thing bad is the rain,,rain,rain and the grey that goes with it.Other then that...WONDERFUL..Just get those schools in order again

[tiffela74]

Originally Posted by Kristynwy

That is your opinion! But I am entitled to mine... I lived in Oregon all my life and I won't look back. I missed it for sentimental reasons because of family memories when I first moved out of Oregon. I recently visited again, and it is awful and reminds me of why I left. It is not the same place I grew up in as a little girl. Change is unavoidable yes, but the change Oregon has undergone is ridiculous and excessive!

You may think my words are exaggerated, but I know them to be true, I have seen and witnessed with my own eyes much of the crap that has ruined that state. In fact my dad just called me the other day and gave me the latest statistics on living in Oregon. The statistics showed that two working adults in a household are not making enough money to survive and have all of their necessities and housing be provided with their incomes. Originally it was about 50% now it is more like 75% and construction work is going down in wages not up, and taxes continue to go sky high. The livelihoods of people are being sucked right out from under them...

You may think I am exaggerating all you want like I said, but I tell you what if I would have stayed in Oregon, it would have slit my families throat financially. We were so over taxed we were forced to buy groceries on credit cards at times! Just so we could pay basic bills and utilities.

Where I live now in wyoming we are so under taxed, we do not live paycheck to paycheck, we can save, and we are actually getting ahead and paying off the leftover debt we were forced to go into because of living in Oregon. I just recently found out also here if you get an ACT score of 25 or higher you can get a full ride scholarship to any Wyoming college. Never would happen in Oregon, in order to get financial aide you have to marry young, have a child out of wedlock or be poor and on welfare. The more you work and try to be responsible the harder it is to go to school in Oregon! In fact my little sister that works for Salem Hospital as a CNA is paying for her schooling, supporting herself and get shafted everywhere she turns. Soon she is talking about moving out of Oregon as well, to Billings, Mt where she could easily make a livable wage and get in school and a nursing program a heck of a lot easier, rather than waste several years of Oregon's regulated bull crap and struggle just to make ends meat.

The sad thing is my family is not the only family affected by the stench of Oregon, so are many other families. More and more businesses are refusing to relocate to Oregon and families are continually moving out.

I am am still reaping the consequences of not leaving Oregon sooner than I should have, but thank goodness I left while I am still young and I can still recover financially...


My point is this, Oregon which was once a beautiful place has turned into a sess pool morally, financially, ect. Which does nothing but diminish the beautiful climate. It is not worth it to live there...

Hyperbole is not what I would call my opinion. Close to Reality is more like it.

--
actually, I would like to counter a few of these "points"
I dont work full time, nor do I make a whole lot of money. I am a specialist in a very specific field, which I do for the love of children, NOT $$$, my husband has a pretty good job, but he's not exactly raking in the cash either, but together, we have just bought a very nice little 4bdrm house. We are able to pay for our house, our bills, and still have enough to put some into savings. And ya, we have 3 kids to boot! So I argue your quote on
"two working adults in a household are not making enough money to survive and have all of their necessities and housing be provided with their incomes."
You just have to live within your means.
As for this...
"I just recently found out also here if you get an ACT score of 25 or higher you can get a full ride scholarship to any Wyoming college. Never would happen in Oregon, in order to get financial aide you have to marry young, have a child out of wedlock or be poor and on welfare. "
I work with a wonderful girl who is on a full ride scholarship to a local OREGON college based on her scores, and they were NOT perfect. If you have a certain ACT/SAT/GPA, you qualify for free credits at the college if you stay in state. Probably the same program you have there in Wyoming.
Now for your sister...
"In fact my little sister that works for Salem Hospital as a CNA is paying for her schooling, supporting herself and get shafted everywhere she turns. "
thats interesting...because I got into CNA work here couple years back. All my schooling was paid for, and I was locked into a job where I trained. See, they have all these great nursing programs, where they will pay for all your schooling and supplies, in exchange for you working for that paticular hospital/facility for a certain length of time. Plus, you then get a bonus and a raise if you stay with that place when your time is up. And we're not talking years here, mine was 6months. I dont know anyone who has CNA or higher that is having any difficulty finding good paying work here in Oregon. Plus, many places will pay and do the same program to further your education. One of my co-workers wife just did that and she is making 38.00hr. I wouldnt say thats too terrible....makes me wonder why it is when theres so many places so dearly in need of CNAs, RNs, etc. why it is your sister is having these difficulties.
Its very very clear you did not like Oregon, or want to be here. And thats fine. You should never stay somewhere you are so miserable. But dont exaggerate and try to make it out that its fact that Oregon is some horrid "sess pool" and frankly, my morals are quite well and good, thank you.

hummm...a downside on living in Oregon.....well, i cant say I like it too much, hearing the exaggerations of others about stuff like "it rains 9months out of the year there"....."people are all depressed and wont look you in the eye as you all slosh through the constant rain".."everyone has SAD"...stuff like that. It really bugs me. It shouldnt, its not personal, but still....you'd think from hearing some, that the second you cross over the state line (in any of the three directions you can) the downpour begins. One foot in California..dry, other foot in Oregon, soaked. lol ........um, I don't like camping..and so Im a minority. thats bad. lol Oh, I know, Oregon has lots of tater bugs, and I cant stand all of them!! Ugh. And if you live at the beach like I do, you have to be careful about mold. We lived in a house w/a horrid mold problem, to fix it, all the walls have to be replaced. more or less, rebuild the whole house! So, we moved instead. lol I did hate all that mold. I hear thats not such a problem in states like Arizona....
Tiffany

[Waterlily]

Good post Tiffela. I agree with you. My husband and I are making it. We are not starving. We have been middle class most of our lives. I do believe it would help your lifestyle if while looking for a job people would consider their education and training. I am afraid that some people may have been priced out of the state. That has happened in all the other states along the Pacific ocean. No it's not just here in oregon. Things, including housing are getting more expensive.
If you think it's bad here just compare it to most of California. Paying a half a million to get a small home is not an option for most of us but that's the price in many California cities.
Nobody is forced to stay in Oregon. If you don't like it then it's a good thing to move on with your life.
Me I'm enjoying a nice ocean breeze by the Oregon coast right now. The sun is out and it's in the 60 something degree range. I have no complaints about being here.

[massdane]

Have been interested in this thread! I currently live in Arkansas and am planning on moving back to OR when my husband retires next year. I can tell you that cost of living is getting crazy everywhere. When I moved to AR back in 1992, we bought a 2500 sq foot home in a lovely neighborhood for about $100K. That same house would now cost over $200K. Fayetteville, where I live, has gone crazy with building, and there are numerous McMansions throughout the area, with most costing between $300 and $400K. Additionally, we pay almost 13% in taxes here locally...which means about $13 for every $100 we spend. When I go to the store and buy something for $17, it's $20 before I leave, due to taxes. That adds up very quickly!

In my opinion, one needs to live where one wants to live, as well as where one feels good. As much as I love my family and friends here in AR, I'm eager to leave the heat, humidity, bugs (ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes) behind. When I lived along the Northern CA coast and in Eugene in the past, I was outside all the time, even in the rain. I wasn't bothered by allergies like I am here in AR. OR is my personal heaven...I love it and can't wait to return.