How do Oregonians feel about outsiders? (Portland, Roseburg: attorney, relocation, transplants)

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by Investrman

I don't know what to think, but my wife and I were
really thinking of picking up, with what little we have, and driving across
country to re-establish in Oregon and build our futures there; until we read
about this California invasion happenign there too.

This is just how I see things and would appreciate any e-mails from anyone
regarding Oregon and the facts and what is going on there..

The Californian influx into Oregon has been happening for a long time, and
the state has handled it well, thanks to some aggressive land use planning.
Unfortunately, the new generation of Californians is not interested in
livability. Remember the "Me Generation?" Hand them millions of dollars,
and they still think they have to get theirs. They are playing, "Whoever
dies with the most toys wins," and don't care what kind of a mess they leave
behind them.

Oregon's land use laws have needed reform for a long time, but the newbies
are intent on gutting them. The big industrial timber corporations, mostly
owned by China, are setting up to convert Oregon's private forest lands to
housing developments. In the general election this November, the voters
will decide if they get away with it or not. If you want to know what
Oregon will be like in 20 years, watch the election results. If Measure 49
passes, the livability of the state will survive. If it fails, Oregon will
become LA North in 20 years.

[chrisruns2far]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

The Californian influx into Oregon has been happening for a long time, and
the state has handled it well, thanks to some aggressive land use planning.
Unfortunately, the new generation of Californians is not interested in
livability. Remember the "Me Generation?" Hand them millions of dollars,
and they still think they have to get theirs. They are playing, "Whoever
dies with the most toys wins," and don't care what kind of a mess they leave
behind them.

Oregon's land use laws have needed reform for a long time, but the newbies
are intent on gutting them. The big industrial timber corporations, mostly
owned by China, are setting up to convert Oregon's private forest lands to
housing developments. In the general election this November, the voters
will decide if they get away with it or not. If you want to know what
Oregon will be like in 20 years, watch the election results. If Measure 49
passes, the livability of the state will survive. If it fails, Oregon will
become LA North in 20 years.

I agree!

The majority of the anti-land use regulation crowd does not have the proper historical prespective to attempt to undo what has made Oregon great. I will never understand the number of people who have moved here the last 10-15 years who seek to undermine the very thing that brought them to Oregon....open space, limited sprawl and protection of natural resources. 23% of Oregon land is in private timber land ownership and nearly 1/5 of it is tied up in land-use claims via Measure 37 passed in 2004, seeking large-scale and high-end homesite development.

[jadgeb]

Originally Posted by Samantha P

I am sure if you look hard enough you will find some one who complains about outsiders... but it will take a while...

Oregon is populated with californians and others who moved here in the last generation or two. You will be hard pressed to find anyone who can say that there grandparrents are from here. Our circle of friends consists of couples from, LA, Chicago, London, Australia, Seatle, Bend, NEw York, Texas and about 6 couples from oregon but none of whom had perents born here.

You will find people complain about the california attitude. But I am guessing that they are compaining about what makes you want to leave in the first place. If you do not bring your traffic, bad driving habits and beg city attitudes (people in small towns like to have people respond when they say hello on the street).

ALso you will find that the restruants and shops are great! Fewer peole to stand in line with and better service. Take UrbanMinx, a small boutique in Ashand - the english born owner and her californian manager run a wonderful store loaded with the latest desginer fashion from all over the world - if this shop was in LA, they probably would not let me in but as it is, I am welcomed on a first name basis In fact, I have been in there when californians have ask them to open in california... but all they get is " you can buy online at www.urbanminx.com"

S o you may find that you are not only welcomed but that you fit right in!

Hope you haven't forgotten your Oregon history lessons! The end of the Oregon Trail was at Oregon City, so remember: many, many families came overland and their descendants are still here in Oregon. My great-great grandparents came to Oregon in the late 1880s, my grandparents and parents (both sides) were born here, as were my generation of family. Deep roots in Prairie City, Hood River, Portland, Odell, ranches and miscellaneous logging camps. I have relatives all over the state.

RE: Californians, newcomers to the state, etc.
It depends on where you live, how long you have lived here and tried to assimilate with the locals, and what part of the state you live in. Oregon has several different "substates": Eastern Oregon, Central Oregon, Bend, Metro Area, The Valley, Eugene, Salem, SW Oregon, The [Columbia River] Gorge, The Coast, NE Oregon. Having studied this phenomenon for many years I can tell you that each "substate" has its own attitudes and cultures. Fascinating!
That said, let me say that when someone from "outside" the state, or a newcomer to the state, brings an overbearing "I've got money" attitude into your face (or business or workplace), demanding goods and services that are not available, or not feasible, or demanding "just because I can, and I am from ..., where we do things that way", you will not win any points. It doesn't matter where you come from, if you act like an a**hole, then expect to be treated like one. I have been on the receiving end of this treatment many times in my place of work (library). Of course we are always courteous! You might not always get such a decent response. Common courtesy is best no matter where you come from.
People in Oregon do not like to be told what to do, period. Especially ranchers and the folks living in Eastern Oregon! Especially by people new to the area, and who don't know or care about the local culture and mores. The pioneer spirit still lives strong in many people.

P.S. The ultimate faux-pas: NEVER ask a rancher, cattleman, or sheepman how many head of cattle or sheep they have or how many acres they own!

[KarlaT2]

Well, interesting thread. I'm a native Oregonian currently living in So Cal. LOL. I was born In Oregon and lived there over 30 years. I personally don't care where anyone is from as long as they are not insulting to the local people and area. My husband was born in Cal, and has lived here all his life. I'd say there are a couple of things that do irritate me, and some other Oregonians, but in general I like people as long as they are nice. The main one for me is the honking when driving. I've lived here for 5 years, and still hate it. In Oregon we were raised to never honk at someone-it's incredibly rude and insulting. The first time someone honked at me I was in total shock. Oregon is a little more laid back. Other than that the only thing would be people making comments about hicks, and rednecks, and uneducated just because we do things different than they might do. Anyway, my two cents. Oh yes, there are some things from California I'm happy to see have made it up to Oregon - Trader Joes, Whole Foods come to mind. LOL.

[girlbard11]

I am a Maine native and I think you would find the Portland, Maine area to your liking. A very happening progressive city. Good luck and have fun.

KimYoung
(in exile in New Mexico looking to move to Oregon)

[Be Right Back]

Investrman: You stated that you have been reading about the "California invasion" into Oregon; I have too. I just caution you to take the posts with a grain of salt. To be honest, I think that a lot of them speak the truth - generalizations and racism aside though!

The Oregonians that are upset with the influx of Californians, and all outsiders for that matter, have experienced the negative things they talk about here. The ones that state they have friends from all over the country and see nothing negative happening are speaking the truth as well.

Because of the big mix of people and their individual lives, this debate will be never ending!

I remember one poster saying it is all what you make of it, and I agree. Until you experience it for yourself, you should keep an open mind. I encourage you to make a visit to the top cities on your relocation list. Give yourself a good amount of time and talk to everybody you can! Form your own opinions, based on your own experiences, and you should be just fine.

I would suggest, as many other Oregonian posters have, being NICE. You catch more bees with honey than you do with vinegar. As with any place, job, town, school, neighborhood, if you don't try to assimilate and belong there, than you won't. That is a life leason, and really has nothing to do with the state or town or culture or background you come from.

[SweeterSix]

As many have stated on this thread, I think the main thing is as long as your polite and nice to an Oregonian than they are nice back. I speak as a true blue Oregonian. My parents, Grandparents and so on were Oregonians. I have been all over the world and to me Oregon is beautiful. Most of us are really laid back and just enjoy life. But that depends on the city too. As each city has it's own little world and attitudes.

I do see reasons why Oregonians get cranky with outsiders.... as many stated, it is their big city attitudes they bring, the honking, the road rage etc...

I do have to include a funny that well really is not that funny. Recently my son and I went to L.A. and stayed for a few days..... Now the hotel staff was friendly, the Dr and his staff I went to see were divine, the cab driver Al we had was FAB! But when we rented a car to drive to see my boy's girlfriend that was INSANE. We get the car, it is all good, we get on the highway and I had wished I was back at the hotel.

The driving is insane, aggressive and total mayhem. We had people literally cut us off, ride our bumper ( so close if I hit the brakes I would of been eating their car) honk, swear, scream at us... I actually had one guy who tried to cut us off ( we are doing the speed limit and he is doing about 10 over that) tries to swerve us off so he can get in and when he couldn't starts swearing and screaming that we could of killed him ( UMMMMM HELLO we were following the traffic and rules of the road, YOU tried to cut us off)

He continues trying to ride our bumper, then go around us then pulls back and continues his road rage this goes on for 15 minutes, where I am getting mad now, but what finally p.o.'d me was when he yells I hope you and your children die... OK now I am mad... so I calmly looked at him and asked if he was stupid... he looked shocked, I again asked are you stupid? his reply is no B**** why? I told him very calmly that only someone stupid or a total ignorant person would abuse someone on a Cali highway as well people are known for pulling out guns... I have to admit it shut him up pretty quickly he backed off and left us alone... apparently he had not thought his road rage through before pulling what he did...

I have to admit I have seen some of the same behavior here in Oregon, not just Cali's but others too but most are from Cali so it does give the good people from Cali a bad rap before they even get here.

We live in a pretty tight knit community and we had a neighbor move in from Cali, now we are all for watching each others places and property and helping each other out. He wanted no part of it, he was rude, cranky and just a jerk to us all.... He died recently in his home, he had been gone (dead in his house) for 3 weeks and no one noticed.... ( the reason he was mean and rude and did not want to be known to his neighbors) .... I have other neighbors from Cali, and Sweden that are sweeties... I guess it depends on how much they want to re-adjust to fit in... Big city tudes usually don't make it far in Oregon...
just my 2 cents...

[Imperial1904]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

If it fails, Oregon will
become LA North in 20 years.

There is nothing that will make Oregon like L.A. County. Maybe in the state population will reach what L.A. County is now, but still, it's Oregon.

[Imperial1904]

Originally Posted by SweeterSix

I do see reasons why Oregonians get cranky with outsiders.... as many stated, it is their big city attitudes they bring, the honking, the road rage etc...

I do have to include a funny that well really is not that funny. Recently my son and I went to L.A. and stayed for a few days..... Now the hotel staff was friendly, the Dr and his staff I went to see were divine, the cab driver Al we had was FAB! But when we rented a car to drive to see my boy's girlfriend that was INSANE. We get the car, it is all good, we get on the highway and I had wished I was back at the hotel.

The driving is insane, aggressive and total mayhem. We had people literally cut us off, ride our bumper ( so close if I hit the brakes I would of been eating their car) honk, swear, scream at us... I actually had one guy who tried to cut us off ( we are doing the speed limit and he is doing about 10 over that) tries to swerve us off so he can get in and when he couldn't starts swearing and screaming that we could of killed him ( UMMMMM HELLO we were following the traffic and rules of the road, YOU tried to cut us off)

He continues trying to ride our bumper, then go around us then pulls back and continues his road rage this goes on for 15 minutes, where I am getting mad now, but what finally p.o.'d me was when he yells I hope you and your children die... OK now I am mad... so I calmly looked at him and asked if he was stupid... he looked shocked, I again asked are you stupid? his reply is no B**** why? I told him very calmly that only someone stupid or a total ignorant person would abuse someone on a Cali highway as well people are known for pulling out guns... I have to admit it shut him up pretty quickly he backed off and left us alone... apparently he had not thought his road rage through before pulling what he did...

Interesting you bring this up because when I took a trip to SoCal from Oregon a couple years ago, the further south I kept going the better the driving became. I'm originally from SoCal and learned to drive in SoCal. If you can't keep up with the flow of traffic, you really have no business on the road. Not to sound mean or anything, but that's the way it is down there. Yelling at people in L.A. is really stupid (again, not to sound rude), and as you mentioned people have been shot randomly out there. You're pretty lucky nothing came out of it. On the other hand, you can yell as much as you want at other drivers in Oregon, they really won't do anything LOL.

It was actually nice to drive in the congested highways in L.A. and San Diego. Alot better driving there.

[socal john]

Well all you Oregonians get ready 'cause I'm headin up. Born & reared in Socal. Use to love it 'till it was willingly annexed to Baja, Mexico. Retired last May after 25 yrs in Law Enforcement. Paid my dues as a good, tax paying citizen so move over! I'm not a snob, don't drive like a drunken sailor, AND will probably go to work up there. I have family in Roseburg so that's my first stop. I'll even buy ya a beer just to show there's no hard feelings. I speak fluent English, don't use drugs, and love animals. Just gotta be a spot up there for a guy like me.