Sunniest areas of Oregon (Portland, Eugene: employment, good schools, shop)

[Tired of Chicagoland]

We have been on a quest to move out west and out of the Chicago area but keep going back and forth as to nice areas to find. So far we visited CA in the Sacramento suburb area and also spent time in San Fran, and Napa valley. The temps were perfect and beautiful bright sunny days but the over all areas didnt appeal to us or is way to expensive.

We are trying to find an area with very little snow (none preferred) that is good for hiking, biking, kayaking, ect. We are after the beautiful mountain scenery. I like the idea of low humidity that California had, since that makes high temps a non issue for us. We also have a 3 and 5 year so a area with good schools is a must. We are suburbanites and enjoy the area around larger cities so there would still be all the local shopping and things to do available as well.

We were looking heavily into the Portland and Eugene areas a few months ago but the more research I did the more I found that it appears these areas are very gloomy throughout the year except in summer. That is also a big requirement for there to be some good sunshine as the chicago area in late fall thru spring is just dreary and gloomy and I am looking to get out of that for good.

What areas can you recommend? I have also heard that most OR people keep to themselves and are not very outgoing, friendly but not outgoing. I am just wondering if this is true or not as it may make it more difficult to meet new friends.

[bler144]

Originally Posted by Tired of Chicagoland

We have been on a quest to move out west and out of the Chicago area but keep going back and forth as to nice areas to find. So far we visited CA in the Sacramento suburb area and also spent time in San Fran, and Napa valley. The temps were perfect and beautiful bright sunny days but the over all areas didnt appeal to us or is way to expensive.

We are trying to find an area with very little snow (none preferred) that is good for hiking, biking, kayaking, ect. We are after the beautiful mountain scenery. I like the idea of low humidity that California had, since that makes high temps a non issue for us. We also have a 3 and 5 year so a area with good schools is a must. We are suburbanites and enjoy the area around larger cities so there would still be all the local shopping and things to do available as well.

We were looking heavily into the Portland and Eugene areas a few months ago but the more research I did the more I found that it appears these areas are very gloomy throughout the year except in summer. That is also a big requirement for there to be some good sunshine as the chicago area in late fall thru spring is just dreary and gloomy and I am looking to get out of that for good.

Curious why those other areas didn't appeal to you. Oregon's population (and the 'cities') are basically all in the valley, and the valley is quite grey for several months during winter. If you don't want snow that also largely blows out Bend (though Bend, despite ample outdoor opportunities isn't exactly a metropolis).

I'm not sure you're going to find a place that's perfect. My best suggestion would be Ashland/Medford/J'ville. Maybe SE Medford by the golf course/hospital? Though the area has drawbacks -for example, it's going to feel verrrry remote compared to Chicago. But it's probably going to be the most appealing combo of metro/climate/outdoors/schools that Oregon has to offer.

[hush.bereel]

I'm not an Oregonian, but having spent a bit of time out there I think I can safely say that most of the areas in OR that get lots of sun also tend to get snow. I think you might have to choose whether you are okay with snow, even though during the day time the sun will be out... or no snow, even though there might be gray skies. I spent a lot of time in OR this past winter, actually, and while it was relatively mild in Portland, it was snowing in Bend. Yet, during the daylight hours in Bend, I was walking around in a short sleeve t-shirt and jeans. Night time came around and I was busting out my long johns and my heavy coat though!! I experienced the same thing further East out in the John Day area, too. But there was LOTS of sunshine.

Remember though, I am not an Oregonian. (Yet).

[PNW-type-gal]

The sunniest part of the state is the Klamath Falls-Lakeview area: small, remote, long cold winter, snowstorms that can drop a couple feet of snow (but the snow generally doesn't linger).

The Rogue Valley (Ashand Medford, Grants Pass) would be next in terms of sunny days. It might snow a couple times in the winter, but if it does at all, it is just a dusting and quickly gone. The area does have the "Portland" gray winter, but much shorter and more broken-up.

However, I think from the OP's post that the Rogue Valley would be too small (as far as shopping and nightlife) and likewise isolated for someone used to Chicago suburbs.

Employment isn't mentioned in the first post, but unless the OP is bringing jobs (or is in the medical field), Portland is the biggest area in Oregon with the largest diversity of employment opportunities and the lowest unemployment rate.

[phlinak]

I totally get the "gray gloom".

That's what I hate about winter here in Alaska. On many days, the landscape is nothing but white (from the snow) and literally, shades of gray (from the mountains, fog, "evergreen" trees, clouds, etc.).

When I was in Portland during the Fourth of July week, I was told by many of the locals that in spite of the gray, it stills remains very green from the trees and grasses and that the sun still comes out several days a month.

If this is true, then it can make a huge difference between gray and overcast and truly, soul-sapping, suicidal-thoughts inducing "gloom".

Hopefully, I will get to visit sometime this winter and see it for myself.

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by phlinak

I totally get the "gray gloom".

That's what I hate about winter here in Alaska. On many days, the landscape is nothing but white (from the snow) and literally, shades of gray (from the mountains, fog, "evergreen" trees, clouds, etc.).

When I was in Portland during the Fourth of July week, I was told by many of the locals that in spite of the gray, it stills remains very green from the trees and grasses and that the sun still comes out several days a month.

If this is true, then it can make a huge difference between gray and overcast and truly, soul-sapping, suicidal-thoughts inducing "gloom".

Hopefully, I will get to visit sometime this winter and see it for myself.

It's true. When I read the posts here about the Oregon weather being "too much" for some people, I...well, you know.

My part of Alaska doesn't get much snow, but it gets the gloom in spades -- sort of like Portland times ten -- or maybe twenty.

[bler144]

Originally Posted by phlinak

When I was in Portland during the Fourth of July week, I was told by many of the locals that in spite of the gray, it stills remains very green from the trees and grasses and that the sun still comes out several days a month.

Winter is usually quite green in the valley - it rarely gets down to freezing, and there's ample precipitation. So yes, while the skies can be grey, the landscape usually remains quite green. You even start to get a handful of plants flowering in Feb/March, even if the roses will hold off til spring.

[pdxMIKEpdx]

Originally Posted by tired of chicagoland

we have been on a quest to move out west and out of the chicago area but keep going back and forth as to nice areas to find. So far we visited ca in the sacramento suburb area and also spent time in san fran, and napa valley. The temps were perfect and beautiful bright sunny days but the over all areas didnt appeal to us or is way to expensive.

We are trying to find an area with very little snow (none preferred) that is good for hiking, biking, kayaking, ect. We are after the beautiful mountain scenery. I like the idea of low humidity that california had, since that makes high temps a non issue for us. We also have a 3 and 5 year so a area with good schools is a must. We are suburbanites and enjoy the area around larger cities so there would still be all the local shopping and things to do available as well.

We were looking heavily into the portland and eugene areas a few months ago but the more research i did the more i found that it appears these areas are very gloomy throughout the year except in summer. That is also a big requirement for there to be some good sunshine as the chicago area in late fall thru spring is just dreary and gloomy and i am looking to get out of that for good.

What areas can you recommend? I have also heard that most or people keep to themselves and are not very outgoing, friendly but not outgoing. I am just wondering if this is true or not as it may make it more difficult to meet new friends.

Bend, Oregon is your best bet.
It don't have it all, but has most of it.