Tell me about Ashland, Oregon (Medford, Bend: rentals, hotels, home)

[rnb17]

Hi everyone,

I'm wanting to know a little more information on Ashland. I've never visited before, but really want to as it looks like a beautiful and quaint town.

My questions are:

Coming from Northern California, how hard would it be to get a job in Ashland? I'm 22 and almost out of college getting a bachelors in communications, but I realize the job market there isn't that great.

Also, how's the weather, especially in the summer? I'm from Sacramento and the summers are pretty brutal, so I'm looking for a bit of a cooler weather town during this time of the year.

I appreciate anyone's help. Thanks a lot!

[Nightdiver13]

If you include Medford in your job search radius, it will make it a lot more likely you'll find a job. Ashland is pretty small and there aren't many jobs there. It's an easy and short commute if it comes to it.

Compared to Sac, Ashland has nicer summer weather, although it still gets really hot at times, just not for as long of stretches. Air quality seems better though, unless there is smoke from a forest fire.

[PNW-type-gal]

Ashland will be cooler, although still hot in summer, plus a little wetter and cooler in winter with less sun and the occasional road ice and spit of snow. Ashland will also be more expensive than Sacramento, as far as housing.

Compared to Sacramento, Ashland is TINY and most of the available jobs are in service industries. There is a lot of competition for intro level white collar jobs.

Sacramento


Ashland

[Carlyee3]

My impression of Ashland is that they like to think of themselves as an Arcata or Berkeley, CA for southern OR. Liberal outlook in every way. Jobs will be hard to find for any kind of a living wage. I doubt if most of the tourist workers (wait staff, hotels) can afford to live in Ashland.

[eric351982]

There are two reasons I've been to Ashland. The first is to fill up on gas while passing through. The second.....oops I guess there was only one.

[PNW-type-gal]

If you've only stopped for gas, you haven't actually BEEN to Ashland. The city proper is off I5 a bit, which certainly makes for a nicer downtown without the freeway roar (something downtown Medford admittedly suffers from).

The downsides are tight rentals and very little employment outside of the service industries (lower key on the south side of town, much more expensive and geared to wealthy retirees and tourists on the north side of town). It's nice in that there aren't a lot of big box stores - you've got to go to Medford for those. Businesses tend to be smaller and local, but also on the expensive side for the area. For the size of city, there are a ton of restaurants and art galleries (more, per capita, than Bend).

[TheDaveMaybe]

I like Ashland. Ashland's expensive though. I suggest checking out Lithia Park

[Larry Caldwell]

Ashland is a great little town if your IQ has three digits to rub together. The citizens are affluent and highly educated. The primary industry of the town is Lithia Park and the Shakespeare festival. They cater to high dollar tourists, so if you end up working in a bar or full service restaurant expect great tips. You should visit. If you network a little you can probably negotiate couch surfing with a student at the university.

[Me&T]

Where do you live in Sacramento?

Our family relocated from Sacramento to Ashland and have greatly appreciated the change in temps! Yes, the summers do get hot, but they don't stay hot nearly as long as Sacramento, and it seems to cool down nicely at night into the early mornings. This makes summer much more tolerable!

As far as jobs go, I can't be of much help. My husband still works in Sacramento and I'm a stay at home mom. Housing is expensive compared to Sacramento. It's worth it to us though as the quality of life is 10 times better!

Best of luck in your decision.