Best cities in OR for single mom w/ toddler & experienced psychiatric RN (Portland: home)

[ljh3501]

I am looking to move to Oregon within the next year and was looking for suggestions as to what areas/cities/towns might be a good fit. Wondering if any of y'all can help me out...

I am a single, 31 y/o mom of a 3 y/o boy. I have been a registered psychiatric nurse for 7 years (love psych nursing). I currently own a home just outside of Austin, TX, where I've lived for the last 4 years. Prior to that Tulsa, OK, and Kansas City, MO (grew up in Midwest).
Last September I visited Bend, OR, and Sisters, OR, for my brother and SIL's wedding (her family lives in that area). I fell in love with the beautiful trees, the nature, the lack of people (I felt like I could actually breathe again).

I've heard Portland is a lot like Austin. Originally I was 28 (and not pregnant) when I moved to Austin looking for the live music scene, outdoor festivities and bar/concert scene. Well, life decided to throw me that proverbial curve ball... so now that I'm 31 with a toddler I'm looking for a different scene, something a little quieter, more family-oriented, good schools, and surrounded by nature not buildings, not packed with people but big enough to feel safe. I'm sure it's a lot to ask, but if there wasn't wall-to-wall traffic like in Austin..that would be magnificent!!! Oh! And also would have to be within driving distance (<1 hour) from a psychiatric hospital (no, not for me in case I go crazy...I'd have to choose another in that case, bc that would be my place of employment!) Seriously though..
ANY and ALL advice would be so incredibly appreciated!!!!!
Thank you so much!

[Nite Ryder]

I would think Portland, Salem or Eugene would be the best place for employment, however, there are other things to consider. Wherever there are plentiful jobs there are lots of people to work those jobs. I suspect you will find the cost of housing to be surprising higher than it is where you are now. The cost of living is probably also higher, and you know the state tax is higher. I'm sure many of the states in the eastern part of the U.S. are even more expensive to live in. In Oregon you need a license for almost any job you do, I think of it as being a tax on making a living. I have lived in the Southern part of the state for over 70 years and I like the weather better than anywhere else in the state. We have lots of sunshine and not very much rain, but we have cold winters with lots of snow, and I don't care for that. I think if I were a young single person who owned a house, I would stay where I am and spend the extra money I make on vacations until I could actually nail down a job somewhere else and know that I would like my new location. Most of the people I've worked with before I retired were new comers moving to Oregon for the first time. Most of them were happy they moved, but some of them moved back to the same state they lived in before moving. I probably didn't answer your questions, but I would think long and hard and visit this area and spend more time here before I decided to move here.

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by Nite Ryder

I have lived in the Southern part of the state for over 70 years and I like the weather better than anywhere else in the state. We have lots of sunshine and not very much rain, but we have cold winters with lots of snow, and I don't care for that.

"Southern Oregon" can mean from the coast over to Lakeview in the broadest sense and Roseburg to Ashland in the narrowest sense. Covers a lot of territory and several significant climate zones.

I believe you live on the east side of the Cascades in the Klamath area - yes, cold winters and snow and freezes into May and sometimes June, but "Southern Oregon" is also the Rogue Valley (Grants Pass to Ashland, along I-5), which does not get a lot of snow and is not that cold. It's very hot in summer and can be rainy and cool for several months in the winter - sort of much shorter "Willamette Valley" winter.

[Nite Ryder]

Originally Posted by PNW-type-gal

"Southern Oregon" can mean from the coast over to Lakeview in the broadest sense and Roseburg to Ashland in the narrowest sense. Covers a lot of territory and several significant climate zones.

I believe you live on the east side of the Cascades in the Klamath area - yes, cold winters and snow and freezes into May and sometimes June, but "Southern Oregon" is also the Rogue Valley (Grants Pass to Ashland, along I-5), which does not get a lot of snow and is not that cold. It's very hot in summer and can be rainy and cool for several months in the winter - sort of much shorter "Willamette Valley" winter.

You are absolutely correct! Ashland is in Southern Oregon, and so is Cave Junction and the climate in both places is warmer in the Winter than Klamath Falls. Lakeview's climate is similar to Klamath Falls, and both of these area's are cold in the Winter with snow. I guess I just don't think about Cave Junction and I admit, I try my best to forget about Ashland.

I've read many of your posts and find your advice and general knowledge about the state to be very, very good. While mine is seen through the eyes of an old crotchety guy that has lived here too long...

[Brett]

The state Hospital is in Salem, and most of the major Hospitals are in Portland, though Salem and Eugene have some as well. Most of the smaller Hospitals I have seen are little more than places where paitents are stabilized before they are transported to larger hospitals, but I dont really know what the psych job scene looks like.

I live outside Eugene and it is very family friendy, Portland is a tough place to raise kids (I did, my oldest is 19) due to the high cost of living, but it can be done- my 19 YO is in college, works FT, has a path in life so I guess we did OK.

My advice is to get the job first then pick the place you want to live. There are many fine places near all the major hospitals and I am sure with a little sluething you can find a place that meets your needs neat any of them

[Steve Pickering]

Originally Posted by Brett

... ...

My advice is to get the job first then pick the place you want to live. ... ...

Great Advice.

[ljh3501]

Thank you all so much for your advice and thoughts. I definitely agree that securing a job first and then deciding where to live would be the best thing to do. Thanks!