If you could live anywhere in OR or WA (Portland: sales, rental)

[xtin]

..where would you pick?

We need a house between 200-300k and preferably near parks, outdoors type things. My husband is an avid runner and skier and Im a snowboarder at heart. We have a infant daughter so schools will eventually be a concern but we have a few years before that. We originally considered Seattle but its too rainy....reading about Tacoma is scaring me and Spokane is the same way. Is there any REALLY cool towns (not too big or small) with decent housing?
We live in the DC area and Im longing to move West. I LOVE it out there. My husband works for the Discovery Channel but telecommutes so proximity to work is not an issue. Im finishing my nursing degree (slowly) and right now Im a stay at home mom.

Its so overwhelming I dont know where to start!
http://www.****** pointed me to Bend, OR or Tacoma, WA but after reading here about those places, Im scared for my life and the well being of my family

Can anyone give me some thoughts? If you could live anywhere in the Northwest (WA, OR, ID) where would you pick and why ?

[cvanripe10]

Hood River. Scenery, outdoor recreation, climate

[freedom]

I'd live right where I do, and that is Southern Oregon.
Mt. Ashland and Mt. Shasta are close by, the ocean is a couple hours, the people are great, the climate is the best.

freedom

[StealthRabbit]

Due to desired outdoor activities...

(OR) no sales tax, but questionable state funding viability (low state bond rating, poorly funded schools)
Bend, Hood River,

WA (no income tax, adequate property tax...strong State funding) 8% sales tax
White Salmon (Border town, is a good idea, and only 1 hr to PDX)
Trout Lake (quiet and nice)

Leavenworth would be good too (east, and very nice area)

Home prices in desirable areas will be a challenge, but bargain hunting will be possible in not too distant future, you could rent for awhile. It is best to pay a little extra for a cheaper home in desirable area. I would not want to be trying to sell an "average Home" in an "Average area". Get something with a view and resale will be a breeze.

I'd suggest you stay on the eastside, and the west side is too wet for most.

We really can't give you a comprehensive opinion on OR vs WA from the OR forum, but it is acceptable to do so from the WA forum.

[missthecountry]

I'm exploring the possiblity of moving to Southern or Central Oregon. I'm looking for a small town feel. 10,000 people or less would be ideal as long as there are houses to rent and jobs to be found. Schools are not of any concern. I've considered Brownsville, because it sounds charming. I'm not sure I'd find a rental home, though. I've also considered Ashland and Grants Pass. I live in Southern California and would love some suggestions. Not too far west or east of I-5 would be great.

[little peg]

Originally Posted by xtin

..where would you pick?

We need a house between 200-300k and preferably near parks, outdoors type things. My husband is an avid runner and skier and Im a snowboarder at heart. We have a infant daughter so schools will eventually be a concern but we have a few years before that. We originally considered Seattle but its too rainy....reading about Tacoma is scaring me and Spokane is the same way. Is there any REALLY cool towns (not too big or small) with decent housing?
We live in the DC area and Im longing to move West. I LOVE it out there. My husband works for the Discovery Channel but telecommutes so proximity to work is not an issue. Im finishing my nursing degree (slowly) and right now Im a stay at home mom.

Its so overwhelming I dont know where to start!
http://www.****** pointed me to Bend, OR or Tacoma, WA but after reading here about those places, Im scared for my life and the well being of my family

Can anyone give me some thoughts? If you could live anywhere in the Northwest (WA, OR, ID) where would you pick and why ?

you honestly live in the DC area and are afraid of crime in Bend Or? Is anyone else noticing this?

[Silverfall]

Due to your outdoorsiness, Bend would be a great place. I agree with little peg, that our crime here is NOTHING like DC. You could also consider the Portland area. There are some great running clubs there, but you would need to live in one of the burbs to get a more affodable home, and then it would be smaller. Forest Park in Portland also has phenominal running trails. I used to live in the West Hills of Portland before moving to Salem. If you wanted to work as a nurse in the future, you would have plenty of choices of hospitals in Portland as well.

If you don't mind small town, Sisters OR is a wonderful small town, but it is small.

[Patricia42]

Originally Posted by xtin

..where would you pick?

We need a house between 200-300k and preferably near parks, outdoors type things. My husband is an avid runner and skier and Im a snowboarder at heart. We have a infant daughter so schools will eventually be a concern but we have a few years before that. We originally considered Seattle but its too rainy....reading about Tacoma is scaring me and Spokane is the same way. Is there any REALLY cool towns (not too big or small) with decent housing?
We live in the DC area and Im longing to move West. I LOVE it out there. My husband works for the Discovery Channel but telecommutes so proximity to work is not an issue. Im finishing my nursing degree (slowly) and right now Im a stay at home mom.

Its so overwhelming I dont know where to start!
http://www.****** pointed me to Bend, OR or Tacoma, WA but after reading here about those places, Im scared for my life and the well being of my family

Can anyone give me some thoughts? If you could live anywhere in the Northwest (WA, OR, ID) where would you pick and why ?

Thoughts on Moving...
If I could pick a place that is beautiful, has friendly people, has plenty of room to run...Lots of things to do..Snow mtn. not far away. i would live in Grants Pass, OR. Medford is not that far away for bigger shopping, but Grants Pass has a lot to offer. Beautiful parks, the Rogue River, Not to far to drive to the coast for a week end jaunt. I lived in Medford, OR for about 40 years, and i still say, I would live in Grants Pass. In Medford there is a huge hospital and all kinds of medical services. Grants Pass is a slower pace aera however.
pt

[Tesaje]

Um, she said the DC area. Depending on where that actually is, it can be extremely low crime. I live in the DC area and the only crime that has occurred in 17 years is mailbox bashing. This is an extremely low crime area backed up by the stats reported in City-Data. So, it depends on where she is.

The most striking thing I learned when I moved from the west coast to the east coast is that almost everything I heard from westerners about the east coast was wrong. I really had to peel back the stored prejudice.

[Waterlily]

If I were to choose somewhere else to live I'd pick southern Oregon. Some place from Roseburg to Medford. There is more sun and less rain than the northern part of the state.
You could go to the eastern part of either Washington or Oregon. It is not so wet there but you will get snow and cold.