Pro and Cons on Klamath Falls (Portland, Medford: condos, houses, neighborhood)

[Vertigo]

Well, we could count the woman that stabbed a man to death at a party last fall...or the uncle that ended up shooting his own nephew in his front yard for fear of being killed himself, or the shoot-up at the retirement home, or the guy that killed his friend in detox.

How about the guy that broke into a 14-year-old girl's home with a loaded shotgun after she reported him for molesting her? Or the Grandma in Keno who was hiring out her 7 and 11-year-old grandsons to rob homes for her meth money? Just off the top of my head...

I've lived here a year and one month. It was all within that span of time. I call that a lot of violent/whacked out crime for a small town. I've lived in them all my life, in various areas of the county, with the exception of a 10-year hiatus in Milwaukee. It's not the stifling feeling of a small town. I like small towns.

I just find it to be the strangest place I've ever lived. But, yes, I know there are people who love it and there ARE certain attractions. The weather is gorgeous. The mountain scenery is breathtaking. It's so beautiful here when there is a snow cover. And I can see the attraction of moving here if you've spent a large portion of your life in a large city. Other than that, I'm sorry, I don't see the charms. Except for the downtown...it could use a nightlife boost, but it is historically charming.

[Imperial1904]

Originally Posted by Vertigo

Well, we could count the woman that stabbed a man to death at a party last fall...or the uncle that ended up shooting his own nephew in his front yard for fear of being killed himself, or the shoot-up at the retirement home, or the guy that killed his friend in detox.

How about the guy that broke into a 14-year-old girl's home with a loaded shotgun after she reported him for molesting her? Or the Grandma in Keno who was hiring out her 7 and 11-year-old grandsons to rob homes for her meth money? Just off the top of my head...

I've lived here a year and one month. It was all within that span of time. I call that a lot of violent/whacked out crime for a small town. I've lived in them all my life, in various areas of the county, with the exception of a 10-year hiatus in Milwaukee. It's not the stifling feeling of a small town. I like small towns.

I just find it to be the strangest place I've ever lived. But, yes, I know there are people who love it and there ARE certain attractions. The weather is gorgeous. The mountain scenery is breathtaking. It's so beautiful here when there is a snow cover. And I can see the attraction of moving here if you've spent a large portion of your life in a large city. Other than that, I'm sorry, I don't see the charms. Except for the downtown...it could use a nightlife boost, but it is historically charming.

I still wouldn't be worried. I've read and seen news reports of people being shot dead by people just walking up and not saying a word (in California). Yes, there are wack jobs in Klamath Falls, but it's not dangerous. Crime goes up and down all the time everywhere. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Klamath Falls recorded 0 murders or even 1. I'm not sure what it is so far this year.

When I first moved there, alot of people have said Klamath Falls has a high rate of mentally ill people. Not surprising. This town really needs a reality check. I think it is the kids who are ruining it by acting like gangstas.

I actually have a funny story, atleast to me it is.

I was working in a fishery here in Coos Bay and there was a guy working there. A white guy with a shaved head. Not until he spoke, I asked him where he was from. As soon as he said Klamath Falls I shook my head. He went on bragging about how he dealt drugs and how much "respect" he gets in Klamath Falls and all this BS. I have never met anyone who actually brags about getting "respect" and I've been around actual California gangmembers (when I was raised in Southern Cali by the way). He was talking like he was from South Central L.A. I couldn't stopped laughing. Yeah, real scary out there in the Mills area! LOL

[Vertigo]

Originally Posted by Imperial1904

I still wouldn't be worried. I've read and seen news reports of people being shot dead by people just walking up and not saying a word (in California). Yes, there are wack jobs in Klamath Falls, but it's not dangerous. Crime goes up and down all the time everywhere. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Klamath Falls recorded 0 murders or even 1. I'm not sure what it is so far this year.

When I first moved there, alot of people have said Klamath Falls has a high rate of mentally ill people. Not surprising. This town really needs a reality check. I think it is the kids who are ruining it by acting like gangstas.

I actually have a funny story, atleast to me it is.

I was working in a fishery here in Coos Bay and there was a guy working there. A white guy with a shaved head. Not until he spoke, I asked him where he was from. As soon as he said Klamath Falls I shook my head. He went on bragging about how he dealt drugs and how much "respect" he gets in Klamath Falls and all this BS. I have never met anyone who actually brags about getting "respect" and I've been around actual California gangmembers (when I was raised in Southern Cali by the way). He was talking like he was from South Central L.A. I couldn't stopped laughing. Yeah, real scary out there in the Mills area! LOL

That sounds like someone from Klamath!!! You and I are going to differ on the crime analysis I know a couple of older guys from L.A. that live here now and they love it, other than the lack of entertainment possiblities.

Coming from there, I'm sure this place is mellow, laid back and extremely small town. I guess I would say if you have lived in the small town atmosphere all your life and you're considering Klamath as a new small town to live in...well...be prepared for some differences.

I don't think anyone can deny that there are some very strange people and things that happen in Klamath Falls. The second week after we got here we were out shopping and my girlfriend leaned towards me and whispered, "there are a lot of ugly people in this town."

I try to remember that this place will make for some good stories someday and in the meantime enjoy the scenery.

[Imperial1904]

Originally Posted by Vertigo

That sounds like someone from Klamath!!! You and I are going to differ on the crime analysis I know a couple of older guys from L.A. that live here now and they love it, other than the lack of entertainment possiblities.

Coming from there, I'm sure this place is mellow, laid back and extremely small town. I guess I would say if you have lived in the small town atmosphere all your life and you're considering Klamath as a new small town to live in...well...be prepared for some differences.

I don't think anyone can deny that there are some very strange people and things that happen in Klamath Falls. The second week after we got here we were out shopping and my girlfriend leaned towards me and whispered, "there are a lot of ugly people in this town."

I try to remember that this place will make for some good stories someday and in the meantime enjoy the scenery.

I also know some people from Southern California who moved there. They didn't like it after a few months. I liked it when I first got there though.

Your girlfriend is 100% right!!! I couldn't believe the difference between that place and the coastal area. I remember going to Thunderbird grocery store in Klamath and saw 2 large women with daisy duke shorts and the kind of shirts that show their belly button. Not a pretty sight!!

[PNW-type-gal]

We're in the process of building a house up on Agency Lake (Chiloquin, OR, about 35 miles north of Klamath Lake). We chose the area after looking extensively in Oregon, Washington, Arizona and California. We currently live outside of Portland, OR, and I love the city and the people, but, after 25+ years here, can't stand the weather and the house prices. My first choice would have been Bend, but I wanted acreage and an affordable house, neither of which were available there. We're a little over 100 miles south of Bend, so I figure it'll make a fun overnight destination, and for longer trips/shopping, I can head south to San Francisco (or catch a plane at Medford Airport) or north to Portland.

Compared to other cities we looked at with similar employment and income statistics, the level of crime in Klamath Falls is completely on par - no better, no worse.

[Cynthia Blue]

Hmm interesting. My husband and I are considering moving to Oregon or Washington State when I retire in about 7 years. I would like something dog friendly (I do a lot of dog agility), and semi-rural but not too far from a largish city. We are not night-life people and mostly stick to ourselves. An acre would be great.

We are now in Salt Lake City, Utah, and I'd really like someplace warmer in the winter... but from what I'm reading neither Oregon or Washington are warmer unless you are on the coast.

I'm just looking at options, now. My husband might still have to work, so that is a concern, too.

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by Cynthia Blue

Hmm interesting. My husband and I are considering moving to Oregon or Washington State when I retire in about 7 years. I would like something dog friendly (I do a lot of dog agility), and semi-rural but not too far from a largish city. We are not night-life people and mostly stick to ourselves. An acre would be great.

We are now in Salt Lake City, Utah, and I'd really like someplace warmer in the winter... but from what I'm reading neither Oregon or Washington are warmer unless you are on the coast.

I'm just looking at options, now. My husband might still have to work, so that is a concern, too.

Pretty much anywhere on the west side of the Cascade Range (the Willamette Valley and the coast) will be warmer than SLC in the winter. Not sunnier, and a lot wetter, though. Central and Eastern Oregon/Washington won't be warmer or will be only slightly warmer.

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by Balco9

I checked out the Windermere website and only 4 homes came up that matched what i was looking for. 4 beds, 2.5 baths, atleast 2200 sq ft, 8000 sq ft lot plus, and 1995 and newer...
Foe what i need it appears i need to spend 500k plus, maybe i am wrong.

You missed a lot of FSBO (by owner) homes that way.

Klamath Falls is interesting. I just did some tree consulting over there, and found the drive quite attractive. It was autumn and the Aspen trees were golden. Crater Lake is not far away, but that's not going to do too much for recreation.

As an adult, I think I'd like Klamath Falls as a retired person, or professional in a particular field. As a youth, it may feel a bit isolated, unless there was a lot of outdoor or livestock activities.

If someone has children there, they will need to figure out activities besides just internet.

[Norsk]

Take a peek at the air quality in KFalls. I've been watching air quality for all of Oregon all winter because I'm trying to find a better place to live in Oregon but have now given up. K Falls is nearly always very bad in the wintertime. I'd guess it's all the woodstove smoke. http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/index.aspx

[Cornerguy1]

Take a peek at the air quality in KFalls. I've been watching air quality for all of Oregon all winter because I'm trying to find a better place to live in Oregon but have now given up. K Falls is nearly always very bad in the wintertime. I'd guess it's all the woodstove smoke. http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/index.aspx

The Klamath Basin seems to be a haven for smoke all year round. Smoke from summer forest fires has been known to collect in the basin for weeks on end. It's certainly not the ideal location for anyone with breathing problems like asthma.

Perhaps it has to do with the combination of mountain to the west, relatively high altitude, and little. or no surface wind.

Regardless, if there is smoke about, it will find its way into the Basin.