Best city choice for families/surfers (Portland, Eugene: houses, transfer, construction)

[Nalu]

Hi everyone,
We are considering making a move from Hawaii to Oregon. Our little one is going to be starting school in 2 years and the schools aren't that great here, and unfortunately we can't afford private school. We've also just found out I'm pregnant! My husband surfs every morning before work, that is a big consideration for us. He's a Contractor here, so we will be loking into transferring license over there.
What we are hoping to find is:
1. A house with a couple acres within a 30 minute drive to the surf.
2. An area where construction/carpentry is in demand.
3. Good public schools.
4. Maybe inland a bit to get a little warmer weather.
5. An hour or less from an airport.
Could anyone give any suggestions on some smaller towns? Ideally, we'd love to live in a small town, but within 30-45 minutes of shopping stuf, ie. Costco etc.. Thanks so much..Angela

[freedom]

Originally Posted by Nalu

Hi everyone,
We are considering making a move from Hawaii to Oregon. Our little one is going to be starting school in 2 years and the schools aren't that great here, and unfortunately we can't afford private school. We've also just found out I'm pregnant! My husband surfs every morning before work, that is a big consideration for us. He's a Contractor here, so we will be loking into transferring license over there.
What we are hoping to find is:
1. A house with a couple acres within a 30 minute drive to the surf.
2. An area where construction/carpentry is in demand.
3. Good public schools.
4. Maybe inland a bit to get a little warmer weather.
5. An hour or less from an airport.
Could anyone give any suggestions on some smaller towns? Ideally, we'd love to live in a small town, but within 30-45 minutes of shopping stuf, ie. Costco etc.. Thanks so much..Angela

You would be about 2 1/2 hrs from the coast in order to be near Costco shopping, the best surf in Oregon is southern. Brookings area down to the California border and Crescent city.
Brookings is in a banana belt so the winters are warmer than anywhere in Oregon. Christmas time can see 70's. Construction has slowed, but will hopefully pick up after the 09 election.

best wishes

freedom

[Nalu]

Thanks Freedom for the quick reply. Brookings does seem like the winner weatherwise. I used to work for the airlines and am hoping to do so again after little ones go to school, so I was hoping to be within an hour or so commute of the airport as well. I know a lot to ask. How is the surf scene around Florence? It seems like a reasonable drive to Eugene. Thanks Angela

[Eury]

Crescent City not only has great surfing, but we have Greg Noll himself. We have a small airport, and there are Malls and Costco about 80 miles South (Eureka) and 105 miles North (Medford) plus shopping in Grants Pass (87 miles north on 199).

Pine Grove and Redwood schools are good, and we now have several charter schools, including one that is based on several grades in a single classroom.

Brookings, OR is only about 20 miles North on Highway 101.

It might be worth looking at both places.

[Oregoncoasty]

Mahalo! Just a suggestion, you should check out the Newport/Toledo area...We drive over to Costco every other week in Albany (45 miles?) and the Eugene airport is still convenient (take South 3rd/99 out of Corvallis then 30 minutes south) Corvallis airport (40 miles away, has hopper flights to Portland and more I'm sure). Newport Otter Rock and even South Beach has good surfing (esp long board) and Lincoln city is right up the coast (30 minutes) for more big waves. Toledo usually escapes the brunt of the storms and is sunnier and warmer than the coast line. Houses are also cheaper! Big Construction carpentry demand in the whole area...the sticky part is the schools. They are 'ok'...someone else could say more, since we homeschool.
Toledo/Siletz may be a few of the last places that you can get a couple acres for under 300k.
Good Luck!

[seashelly]

Originally Posted by Nalu

.....How is the surf scene around Florence? It seems like a reasonable drive to Eugene......

I, personally, don't think Florence has that many or great beach accesses in comparison to many of our other coastal communities. The few Florence Surfers that I see are out along the Jetty. Florence is the beginning of the Dunes so Sand Board Surfing is big up there. I agree with previous poster, South Coast surfing is best.

[tiffela74]

florence is rather spendy too....very pretty though...

[Nalu]

Thanks everybody. Some great information here. I had read about Toledo somewhere else as well. We're going to book a trip for Spring and take our time and stay in some of the towns along the coast starting in Brookings. I've driven and stayed along the coast from Astoria to Lincoln city, so this time we'll go the southern route. Aloha, Angela

[Shay Weathers]

We have a beautiful woodsy property of 4.5 acres in the Manzanita UGB and it has a beach cabin, 2 bedroon, 1 bath. There are several beach areas that the surfers use, the busiest being 5 miles North at Oswald West State Park and Seaside (20 miles North). We also have very good schools that have excellent records. We have decided to sell our property & house. The property is zoned R2 which means that there are at least 19 lots that could be divided and homes built. Just a thought for you.

[tracylee]

WOW - when I read your thread, I thought I wrote it! We're looking to relocate to Oregon from Hawaii also, my husband loves to surf and is also a Contractor. An airport close by, good schools and Costco (and Target!) are musts on my list! What made you decide on Oregon? What do you know about it?