Would like information on Enterprise or Joseph, OR (La Grande, Baker City: job, house)

[Marathonmom1]

Hello, my husband and I live in Central OR and are looking at the Enterprise or Joseph area to possibly move to in the near future. We have two young children and my husband has his own small excavation business. We are looking for good hunting, camping, fishing and ATV riding! We are eager to live in a small close-knit community with low crime and a good Christian Church. My children attend a very small school right now and I was also wondering how the public schools were and how the class size was. Oh, and would I be safe if I went out for a long run...safe from vicious animals and/or humans Thanks to anyone who writes back!

[missykel3]

Hello Marathonmom1, I just happen to browsing through cities in Oregon...trying to find the best place to live for me and my family. Joseph is a great place, and I have a link here http://www.****.com/images/r...s/JosephOR.pdf

Also, you can search using Best Places to Live: Compare the Best Cities & Small Towns for You! I really like the site and it gives a lot of useful information on the towns that match your criteria. Good luck! God Bless

[Marathonmom1]

Missykel3, thank you so much for the useful website links. The website about Joseph was extremely helpful, now I can't wait to visit!!! I appreciate your kindness in taking the time to tell me about the websites.

[dachmom]

That's a beautiful area of Eastern Oregon. When you visit, you have to check out Wallowa Lake, it's not too far from Joseph and it's beautiful! You can take a tram ride up to the top of the mountain. Once you're there you can see for miles. It's a nice little resort area with cabins, the lake you can go boating on, horseback rides, etc. The best time to visit is in the summer. Most places there are closed in the winter anyway.

[Marathonmom1]

Thank you for the input Dachmom, I have heard wonderful things about Wallowa Lake!

[LisaS]

My family moved to Joseph about 2 years ago. We love it here and were especially fortunate to find a lovely home. If you are planning to buy a home, be aware that there are very few on the market and they go fast. The prices are higher than other Eastern Oregon areas, and I would say an annual appreciation of 10% is to be expected if things keep going at the current rate. We have 2 boys in school here . . . it is a small school with 5 - 12 grades in one location and the younger children at the elementary school a few blocks away. We have a 4-day per week school schedule.
Joseph is beautiful in the late spring and early summer right on through September when the days shorten and nights starting getting pretty cold. By Halloween we are usually seeing temps in the low teens at night. This winter has been a little more brutal than usual . . . we have had snow on the ground since before Thanksgiving and it has been continuous. We had 1 snow day from school. The roads can be very treacherous, so if you are into going to the Mall or doing department store shopping, you will be in for a difficult drive in the Winter and most likely an overnight trip. Lewiston, Idaho-Clarkston, Washington is where I like to do major shopping every 6-8 week shopping trips. It is about 90 miles, but on a good day takes 2-1/2 hours. Walla Walla is similar. Kennewick is about 4 hours. We have a Safeway in Enterprise and two smaller local groceries. Everything else is little specialty shops.
Things to do: Winter - school sports are big and a great form of entertainment; we have a theater in Enterprise that is open on the weekends; a bowling alley in Joseph (nice); a little local ski resort is sometimes open; cross country skiing; snowmobiling; restaurants are hit and miss in the winter; a few quaint shops in Joseph are open pretty regular hours; quilt shops in Enterprise and Joseph; lots of Art Galleries.
Summer - Wallowa Lake is flooded with visitors, but still can be fun and is definately refreshing;4th of July is wonderful; Car Show; Chief Joseph Days Rodeo; long days, cool nights, atvs, camping, fishing, hiking.
Wow, maybe that is a pretty good overview?
If you have any specific questions, let me know and I will try to respond.

[Marathonmom1]

Thank you LisaS, I was so happy to get a response from someone who actually lives in Joseph! Our Winter here in Central Or has been pretty snowy as well! My husband and I were concerned about the drive to any big city from Joseph, mainly because of work reasons. Do you happen to know much about Cove or any of the other little towns in between La Grande and Joseph? We were also interested in Cove, on the computer it looked like a nice little town, but first hand knowledge is always best. I like the idea of the 4 day school week, gives the kids a chance to catch up on school work and/or family time! I sure appreciate your response, hope to hear from you again.

[LisaS]

We had an offer on a house in La Grande before we found our place in Joseph. There are distinct differences between Union Co. and Wallowa Co. The one MAJOR difference that I didn't know about until now is the wind . . . yes WIND! It always blows in La Grande (and Cove and Union). My husband goes to Baker City 2x per week for work. He says the wind is always blowing. Everytime I go to La Grande it is blowing. And I don't mean a breeze . . . I mean hard wind!
Cove seems to be a nice little community. There is quite a bit of building going on, but very little services. You would have to drive to La Grande for everything except school. We play them in sports and the school seems nice and well funded.
I would almost guarantee that your husband would have no shortage of business around here. I can elaborate more on that. Email me direct if you like . . .

[BlueMtn2]

Hello,
I was born and raised in Enterprise. Moved away when I was 20. I probably wouldn't have left if the job market was better.
It's a wonderful place to grow up. I have nothing negative to say. Your husbands business will probably do well. Your children will be happy. You will also find there are a few Christian churches to choose from. I can answer any other questions you may have. Hunting, camping, Great. I have heard that in 2010 the forest service is going to make alot of some area's non-motorized. But who knows until it happens.

See Ya...................

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I think you're looking at an excellent area. You also may want to think about Baker City.