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It's very easy to find things to rent, but it might start getting harder because housing prices have increased. You can get a one bedroom for anywhere from $400-$800/month. Average probably around $550 I'd say for something good. Homes rent for $800-$2000+. Of course, the higher you go, the nicer the housce. A regular ranch style house in good condition in a nice neighborhood will run $900-$1200/month.
The downtown is nice. I don't know how old you are or what you're looking for in nightlife. Last night I went downtown to meet two buddies for drinks and was shocked that I couldn't find a place to park. That's a good thing because it suggests businesses are open and successful. There's a number of restaurants, pubs downtown, but only a handful of live music joints. Lefty's, one of the most popular, recently closed--owners had personal reasons for doing so.
There's performances at the Pentacle Theatre and the Elsinore. I saw "Who's Line is it Anyway" at the Elsinore as well as a one woman show performed by Bea Arthur there. Going to see "Gypsy" at the Pentacle.
The downtown is totally safe at night. Of course, I'm a man so threats towards me in society are fewer. Nevertheless, there's enough people around where you would feel fine. Salem is pretty white bread, almost no African-Americans, a handful of Asians, but 20% of the population is hispanic.
As for the police, I've never had any problem with them. But then, I'm a law-abiding citizen. I don't often read of police abuse or things like that. Does it happen? Sure, this is a city of 150K, but it's not the big city problems.
The previous poster was right about administrative jobs. Trying to get into government is almost impossible, yet I know many who've done it. Guess I just didn't write my resume or app correctly. There's also administrative positions in the private sector. The economy is humming along quite nicely and there's some big projects in the pipeline. Salem is going to be on the map in the next ten years, definitely.
Traffic does kinda suck. Only one freeway, Interstate 5. Trying to get downtown there's no efficient way of doing so although they're working on a new bypass and third bridge proposal. Mostly it's surface streets. Sometimes traffic can be awful. But, after living in Orange County and up near Portland, we really have it made.
As for other things to do...Portland is an hour away with all of the delights of a major urban area. The wine country is right at our back door. The coast is an hour away, skiing is an hour away. Central Oregon with all its bounty of activities is two hours away. The Willamette Valley is heaven.
I hope I've helped. Good luck and welcome to Oregon!!
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Questions about Salem
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