Klamath Falls (Portland, Medford, Bend: high crime, home, employment)

[wildberries61]

Can anyone give me information about Klamath Falls? I had heard there is alot of gang activity & not a safe place to live. What about areas outside of there? Thanks

[Clear2land]

Crime in Klamath Falls is 9% below the national average. Chances are good you would not be residing in a high crime area. Most crime is centered around less affluent areas. After my recent visit to Oregon, I did not feel my safety was in question at any time. In addition, most of your property is insured via homeowers or auto. If you choose to live in the nicer areas, crime should not be a significent factor in your decision to move to KF. You can see the statistics for yourself here:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Klamath-Falls-Oregon.html

Dan

[wildberries61]

Thanks, for the info. I didn't even want to plan a trip there if crime was a problem. Even though I believe drugs and crime is something we won't be able to escape much anymore. But, some places tend to have more than others. Just finding Oregon very interesting.

[bobmulk]

I am not familiar with any gang activity in Klamath Falls. I was just there over Labor Day Weekend and was mightily impressed with what's going on. The city is definitely up-and-coming. I think that if you relocate there, you will witness tremendous change in the next ten years. It's the next Bend, if that means anything to you.

K-Falls as we Oregonians call it, is transforming itself from a timber and agricultural community to a service, tourist and high tech center. It's home to Oregon Technical Institute which has a sterling reputation and that has helped the town attract a certain number of small high tech companies. In addition, Jeld-Wen, the largest privately owned company in Oregon is based in K-Falls and has opened a HUGE destination resort that is populated mostly by Californians. Although, I saw a large number of people from all over the country--Virginia, Ohio, Minnesota, Washington, etc. These sorts of developments are helping to put K-Falls on the map.

The city is progressive in that they want growth and development because for decades they suffered from the decline of the timber industry. They are on their way now and will most likely continue on an upward trajectory. There's 40,000 people in the immediate area so it's decent-sized without being truly crowded and it's just gorgeous around there.

As for development, you probably don't have to worry about it being over-developed as Oregon has very stringent land use laws designed to protect farmland and forests and rivers. I don't know where you're coming from, but we protect our environment here.

Hope this helps. Welcome to Oregon.

[rosettegarbanz]

On my last couple of visits to Klamath I was really impressed at how many law officers were always visable. I'm from Central California and you have to wait hours for a policeman to show up. It made me feel very safe. I also thought the people in Klamath were very friendly. But, I did notice very few minorities working in retail establishments.(I'm taking population ratio into consideration) Being a minority myself I'm worried about obtaining employment when I move there. I hope thats not the case. Is it?

[Imperial1904]

Originally Posted by wildberries61

Can anyone give me information about Klamath Falls? I had heard there is alot of gang activity & not a safe place to live. What about areas outside of there? Thanks

LOL
Gang activity in Klamath Falls? Not safe? There are no gangs and the town has very little crime. I'm originally from Southern California and Klamath Falls is a joke. Folks here (in Klamath) like to exaggerate. I've gotten a chance to talk with an ex-cop from Klamath and he said there are no gangs, all the kids are wannabe's and I have to agree. You'll see Sur-13 taggings, but that's about as bad as it gets. Actually, the graffiti is much better on the trains than the kids who do them here. Crime is low. The town is safe enough to walk around in the middle of the night and I've done it before.

I don't know where or who told you there's gang activity and Klamath is not safe... I wouldn't be surprised if it came from a native of Klamath Falls.

[mdvaden]

I'd expect to see gangs in Klamath Falls as much as in Anchorage Alaska.

Even Portland is not much of a gang town even though its got a few of them. And its quite big.

[Imperial1904]

Originally Posted by mdvaden

I'd expect to see gangs in Klamath Falls as much as in Anchorage Alaska.

Even Portland is not much of a gang town even though its got a few of them. And its quite big.

Anchorage actually has some gang activity but not a whole lot. Portland is a bigger city so you have to kind of expect they have a few.

You got a better chance of finding Klamath's 'Falls' than you do finding an actual gang here.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by wildberries61

Can anyone give me information about Klamath Falls? I had heard there is alot of gang activity & not a safe place to live. What about areas outside of there? Thanks

Wherever you are getting your information, get it somewhere else.

[treesap]

I grew up in KFalls. I agree there are no gangs there. That is crazy. There is more there now than when I grew up. I left and moved away at 20 years old. I couldn't move back unless there was more to do there. So far, that hasn't happened. I visit every once in a while to see my parents. They will never leave. My dad likes the smaller population. Even Medford has too much traffic for him. He's an old grouchy guy.