Leaving WI...moving to OR?? (Portland, Eugene: apartment, to rent, insurance)

[Emeralds52376]

Hi !

[SIZE=2]I am 31 year old single mom with 8 and 9 year old boys. We currently live in Appleton, WI - approx 68,000 people. I love the city we live in (the schools are great, it's extremely safe, cheap, my commute to work is only 7 minutes). I am just sick of the extreme cold, ice and snow! It was -47 below for a whole week and we are supposed to get another 12 inches of snow this weekend. Ideally I want to move somewhere warmer with a much milder climate! [/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]I am white, and my two boys are african american/white - you'll see why I mention this as you keep reading... [/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]I originally started looking at cities down south but I was told beware of 'blackstabbers' & that Northerners are not welcome at all. I was also told that many people are still fighting the 'war'. Call me naive or whatever you wish; but I truly was shocked by this. I live a predomiantly white city and my boys have never been treated poorly or treated differently than their white friends. The school they go to is very diverse; many mexican migrant workers, a few russian students, many asian students, white students, and only a small number of black or biracial students. Don't get me wrong, I have experienced racism here while I have been in smaller towns by older people - but nothing like what I'm told I'll experince if I move down south. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]I have heard great things about Oregon and Washington - I just don't know where to begin - HELP![/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]I would like to live in a city of less than 100,000 people or less with good schools, job opportunities and many activities to keep us busy. Sports, theatres, museums, malls, parks are important to us. As well as nothing too pricey or commercialized. I currently work in the insurance industry (not selling; LOL). I don't have to stay in this field though.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]My mother is moving with us too and she is retired and looking forward to a milder climate. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]I would like to rent an apartment or duplex for a while until I am sure on a city and most of all a neighborhood. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]Thank you for all your help, ideas and suggestions. Please - don't hold back in your comments. I was brutally honest and would like to hear the same. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Thanks again![/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][/SIZE]

[Dangerous Dave]

Emeralds, I don't know where to begin because I think you'd do fine in any town here, although some of the real small ones you may find a little "ignance".

We have many Russian and Hispanic immigrants here also. I live in Albany, and we're close to Corvallis. I would think that any town in the area will give you what you want. Salem is a bit bigger than 100k, but the outlying area would do you well.

As for museums and cultural events, etc. there is a good deal to choose from, but you're more likely to end up driving to Portland for those things. Not a bad drive, though.

If you work your way east of I-5, at least south of Portland, you're going to run into some redneckish towns. you probably wouldn't get hassles, although moving west is going to narrow the chances that it happens.

The winters are nothing compared to what you're used to.

[Silverfall]

Well Oregon has 4 major metro areas, Eugene, Portland, Salem and Bend. Bend is the only one less than 100,000 people but it is really expensive. You'll probably want to look in an outlying metro city, which are much smaller.

Price is going to be a huge factor. We are not the cheapest out here on the West Coast. In the Portland area, I would look at Beaverton and Hillsboro, but traffic is really bad out there. That 7 minutes to work might not happen out there.

In the valley, I would look at Salem and Keizer, North Albany, and Corvallis. There are a lot of smaller towns that surround the larger towns, so you can have a smaller town feel if you want. Salem is the capitol so state jobs are the main employment here. Visit City of Salem, Oregon - Official City Website for more information about Salem.

Oregon does not have a huge African-American population here compared to other states, but I don't hear about issues with it either. Oregonians are fairly tolerant of each other. Smaller towns can be more conservative so I would just stick with a major metro issue, and I don't think you would have any serious problems.

[Dangerous Dave]

Gee, Silverfall, what's wrong with we unwashed po folks in Albany proper? ;-)

[hawaiigirl87]

I love our SE Albany neighborhood!

[cooLman_]

Wow if you have a job offer in Corvallis you are very lucky! It's a fantastic place and just about everyone wishes they could live there but can't because there aren't a lot of job opportunities. It's a wonderful family environment and the parks and town itself is green and gorgeous. There is a TON of information from locals in Oregon on this relocation forum. It is a college town and Oregon is a great place to live. It is located on the Willamette River between the Coastal Mountain range to the west and the Cascades to the east. Go east to the coast and west to the mountains to get away from things. It is a relatively small town which is excellent. Try to get your kids into the schools where the professors kids attend. It is not all that far to Portland if you need a big city fix.

[John Smart]

I like the Hillsboro/Beaverton areas. You will be able to find a job here without having to commute to Portland. Portland is still only 10-15 miles away when you want to visit but the commuting hours have horrible traffic. You could use the MAX train as well. Its just 65 miles west to the Pacific and 65 miles East to Mt Hood. The combined area is about 75% white but very tolerant. There are many nice neighborhoods, schools and parks. There is quite a bit of culture and diversity considering its suburbia. Low crime too.