looking into relocating to Roseburg (Portland, Salem: lawyer, military, mcmansions)

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by jvorn

I read that Roseberg has the lowest wind of any city. Does anyone know if that means air pollution? I see rt 5 runs through it so I'm wondering.

thanks Joan

The biggest air pollution problem in Roseburg is the Sun Studs lumber mill just south of town. It burns wood waste to power the mill, and sometimes puts out a lot of smoke. When the air is still, it can be a nuisance. Fortunately for Roseburg, the worst air quality is just outside of town. It can get hard to breathe on the freeway sometimes. In Roseburg, it's not quite as bad.

[seashelly]

Another question. since we're talking Roseburg -- What is that 'Green District' just SouthWest of Roseburg? Is that the name of a subdivision town or is it an environmentally correct area? Always catches my eye along I-5.

I haven't really spent any time in Roseburg (other than waiting for some L-O-N-G train crossing through the center of town, lol) except stopping at the Fairgrounds Tourist Information Center off I-5 (I'm the one always asking for Forest Service Information and directions) but I've always found the Roseburg people VERY friendly. It seems like they do have a lot of events advertised regarding monster trucks, speed racers, and car shows.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by seashelly

Another question. since we're talking Roseburg -- What is that 'Green District' just SouthWest of Roseburg? Is that the name of a subdivision town or is it an environmentally correct area? Always catches my eye along I-5.

I haven't really spent any time in Roseburg (other than waiting for some L-O-N-G train crossing through the center of town, lol) except stopping at the Fairgrounds Tourist Information Center off I-5 (I'm the one always asking for Forest Service Information and directions) but I've always found the Roseburg people VERY friendly. It seems like they do have a lot of events advertised regarding monster trucks, speed racers, and car shows.

The Green District was originally "Green's Siding" on the O&C railroad. It just kind of grew out there. I think it's in the Winston urban growth boundary, but it has a Roseburg zip code. I suppose that will change, maybe just before hell freezes over. Roseburg has no plans to expand to the south, and I don't think Winston wants the headaches either. Developers have been happily building housing subdivisions out there, outside of any city. I have no idea who is providing sewer and water services, if anyone is. Douglas County is not known for doing any land use planning.

For that matter, the County Fairgrounds where you stop is not in Roseburg either.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by Steve97415

1. Be careful about generalizing the housing costs in Roseburg. Roseburg has more dilapidated and desperation housing than most other cities, which drives down the averages. There are also some problematic neighborhoods in Roseburg in terms of age and general conditions of yards and houses. What I'm saying here is don't assume a house that you'd actually want to live would actually cost you less in Roseburg than it would elsewhere. On-line realty company photos are usually cropped to highlight only the positives. Housing costs are also lower in markets that have a higher proportion of housing vacancy. That's usually an indicator of economic health and overall desireability, though your personal needs may vary.

2. Remember that Roseburg is south of the Willamette Valley and summers can be quite hot with many days over 100F. Again, that may meet with your personal preferences (it's certainly a good gardening climate), but the general impression is often that western valleys have mild summers, and that's not the case in the Umpqua.

3. Don't think that fewer inches of rain means less gloom. The windward side of the mountains might wring a lot of moisture out of the clouds, but that doesn't mean that the clouds disappear. Rainless overcast is common. I wouldn't use amount of average rainfall as a criterion for evaluating the climatic liveability of different areas in western Oregon. The experiential effect doesn't vary that much.

I lived there from 78 to 87 and I don't remember 2 days a summer over 100, maybe Im wrong but this info is nuts.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by gonbck2cali

After reading all these posts regarding the city of Roseburg OR, I would like to add just a little. We moved to the Roseburg area and purchased a business as well a little over 8 months ago. This is what we have experienced here. The people in this State hate "outsiders" especially if you are from California. (God forbid we bring a little money to the community or raise our neighbor’s property values). There is no way to survive financially here. The general public has little disposable income, if any. We thought the California educational system was bad until we moved to Oregon. I have never heard the English language slaughtered so badly as I have in the last 8 months. The dining is atrocious; the portions are disgustingly huge and usually deep-fried (which may explain the obesity problem in Oregon). "Pride of Ownership" does not exist here. You will undoubtedly find at least one blue tarp roof per block as well as not just one broken down car, but usually 3-5 in the front yard. People seem to not be aware of the fact that there is a dump here......and it's FREE. But hey, if yer a beer bellied jesus fearin right wing war hero that shoots any animal that moves, you're IN!

your post ticked me off....but your right I guess. I grew up in the Eastwood District and you described my hood back then. I guess most things don't change much. My wife does not want to move there because of the love of animals and the areas general populations desire to shoot them. I don't know how I emerged a liberal, tree hugging, animal rights fighting, man, considering I spent the 5th grade all the way though 12th grade there. I had no desire to make very many friends there because I was so out of place. Still the place is one of the most beautiful places I have ever lived. I would go back in a heartbeat if more people like me lived there. I think right now I would be that lonely kid again, only 30 years older.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by sberdrow

your post ticked me off....but your right I guess. I grew up in the Eastwood District and you described my hood back then. I guess most things don't change much. My wife does not want to move there because of the love of animals and the areas general populations desire to shoot them. I don't know how I emerged a liberal, tree hugging, animal rights fighting, man, considering I spent the 5th grade all the way though 12th grade there. I had no desire to make very many friends there because I was so out of place. Still the place is one of the most beautiful places I have ever lived. I would go back in a heartbeat if more people like me lived there. I think right now I would be that lonely kid again, only 30 years older.

I think a failing business soured his attitude. If he was raking in the bucks, he would think Roseburg is the greatest little town in America.

I find the intolerance of tree huggers to be a little grating. Just last week, I was serenaded at a fast food joint by an ignorant kid who told me logging should be banned, while he was handing me my burger and fries in cardboard containers, bagged in a paper bag, with a big handful of paper towels. I think the irony of the transaction was lost on him.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

I think a failing business soured his attitude. If he was raking in the bucks, he would think Roseburg is the greatest little town in America.

I find the intolerance of tree huggers to be a little grating. Just last week, I was serenaded at a fast food joint by an ignorant kid who told me logging should be banned, while he was handing me my burger and fries in cardboard containers, bagged in a paper bag, with a big handful of paper towels. I think the irony of the transaction was lost on him.

I don't think logging should be banned. I live in a wood house, spend paper money....but I still love trees. Im not that kid at the fast food joint. I grew up with all of you. I never complained.

[gonbck2cali]

Originally Posted by sberdrow

your post ticked me off....but your right I guess. I grew up in the Eastwood District and you described my hood back then. I guess most things don't change much. My wife does not want to move there because of the love of animals and the areas general populations desire to shoot them. I don't know how I emerged a liberal, tree hugging, animal rights fighting, man, considering I spent the 5th grade all the way though 12th grade there. I had no desire to make very many friends there because I was so out of place. Still the place is one of the most beautiful places I have ever lived. I would go back in a heartbeat if more people like me lived there. I think right now I would be that lonely kid again, only 30 years older.

You are absolutley correct. This is one of the most beautiful locations and it is truly a shame we will leave it. It's just too bad about the people and the politics here (Douglas Co. voted 75% Bush). We are the same age as you 30-55 and there is no one here our age that we can relate to as peers. Most people who have a college education have either left town or are 75.

As far as our buisness goes...we are actually doing quite well considering our location. We simply can not deal with our customers. The daily dose of racism, ignorance and lack of respect for nature and our enviornment is not what we want to live with the rest of our lives. Roseburg was apparently a "sundown town" up until about 50 years ago, meaning all Blacks (and probably Jews, Asians, Mexicans, etc.) had to leave town by nightfall. I actually had a customer say they would not shop at the store down the street because it was owned by an Indian (east Indian of course) and what happened to good ole caucasian America? In the bank we heard a man say to the teller "Looks like you just got ******ed!" People in Roseburg even resent the Cow Creek Indians, the only entity making money in the county and donating it back. I am forced to smile and nod my head in feigned acceptance in order to maintain a customer base and I will no longer abide by it. I certainly would not want to raise children in this kind of hateful and ignorant enviornment.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by gonbck2cali

You are absolutley correct. This is one of the most beautiful locations and it is truly a shame we will leave it. It's just too bad about the people and the politics here (Douglas Co. voted 75% Bush). We are the same age as you 30-55 and there is no one here our age that we can relate to as peers. Most people who have a college education have either left town or are 75.

The lack of education and educational opportunities in Roseburg is probably the worst feature of the town. UCC is the most pathetic excuse for a community college I have ever seen. It reminds me of community colleges from the 1960s. I have signed up for five night classes in the last two years, and every one of them has been cancelled for lack of students.

Originally Posted by gonbck2cali

As far as our buisness goes...we are actually doing quite well considering our location. We simply can not deal with our customers. The daily dose of racism, ignorance and lack of respect for nature and our enviornment is not what we want to live with the rest of our lives. Roseburg was apparently a "sundown town" up until about 50 years ago, meaning all Blacks (and probably Jews, Asians, Mexicans, etc.) had to leave town by nightfall. I actually had a customer say they would not shop at the store down the street because it was owned by an Indian (east Indian of course) and what happened to good ole caucasian America? In the bank we heard a man say to the teller "Looks like you just got ******ed!" People in Roseburg even resent the Cow Creek Indians, the only entity making money in the county and donating it back. I am forced to smile and nod my head in feigned acceptance in order to maintain a customer base and I will no longer abide by it. I certainly would not want to raise children in this kind of hateful and ignorant enviornment.

It sounds like you need to start being more honest. There is no reason to let people buy your silence for a few bucks worth of profit. Most of the convenience stores in town have been purchased by Indians (the Asian variety). The last time somebody made a comment about that, I asked him what he had against Aryans. Northwest India is the Aryan homeland. Iran takes its name from Aryans. That's pretty much what a pure Aryan looks like. Not only that, but the whole Indo-European language started there. I point out that if it weren't for Indians, he wouldn't be speaking English today. By this time his eyes were glazing over, and he was looking really confused.

If you are so well educated, share the wealth. If they won't seek out knowledge, stuff it down their throat. Rather than hating people, help them out. Trust me, you will make a lot of friends that way.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

The lack of education and educational opportunities in Roseburg is probably the worst feature of the town. UCC is the most pathetic excuse for a community college I have ever seen. It reminds me of community colleges from the 1960s. I have signed up for five night classes in the last two years, and every one of them has been cancelled for lack of students.

It sounds like you need to start being more honest. There is no reason to let people buy your silence for a few bucks worth of profit. Most of the convenience stores in town have been purchased by Indians (the Asian variety). The last time somebody made a comment about that, I asked him what he had against Aryans. Northwest India is the Aryan homeland. Iran takes its name from Aryans. That's pretty much what a pure Aryan looks like. Not only that, but the whole Indo-European language started there. I point out that if it weren't for Indians, he wouldn't be speaking English today. By this time his eyes were glazing over, and he was looking really confused.

If you are so well educated, share the wealth. If they won't seek out knowledge, stuff it down their throat. Rather than hating people, help them out. Trust me, you will make a lot of friends that way.

Or tell you have until sun down to GIT outa this here town, if you knows whatsa good fir ya...dangnabit.