New-From East coast (Portland, Eugene, Salem: renting, crime rate, house)

[volare6]

I am moving to oregon from the east coast. i need to know where a good small town would be, relatively cheap, no crime, and good schools. also, does oregon have earthquakes??

[seashelly]

Our earthquakes (South Coast) are mostly out at sea. We get the resulting sneaker waves.

[Waterlily]

The most inexpensive part of Oregon would be most of the eastern part of it. The crime rate would vary. Most of western Oregon is not very cheap by most standards.

[Clear2land]

Where do you currently live in the East Coast? Will you need to find work? If so, what is your profession? Do you want to live around mountains? What outdoor sports do you like? What kind of weather are you looking for? Crime is not likely to come knocking at your door. You can live your entire life in Oregon and only read about crime. That is my way of saying that other factors are more important than selecting a city. How inexpensive does it need to be? Will you be buying or renting? Have you ever been to Oregon? What made you decide on Oregon?

You can read the Oregon Forum and use Google to check out what is important to you.

I'll need some answers to point you in the right direction. Oregon has no history of earthquakes.

Dan

[Cornerguy1]

With all due respect, Clear2Land, the state of Oregon has an earthquake history that, although not as gaudy as California's, is certainly worth taking into account.

According to the US Geological Survey, the entire area of Oregon west of the Cascades is known as the Cascadia Subduction Zone and is at definite risk of major activity. This seismic activity mostly takes place offshore in the Pacific ocean, but the effects can be felt on land. Notable quakes include a 6.2 event in 2003 and a 4.9 episode in 2004.

In southern Oregon the area around Klamath Falls has notable seismic activity. A September 20, 1993 quake measuring 6.0 on the Richter caused at least one fatality in the Klamath area.

A related danger is that of tsunami, which accounts for all those pretty blue Tsunami Hazard Zone signs scattered up and down the coast.

[Clear2land]

You are right.. here is the Earthquake History of Oregon..

A strong earthquake in Del Norte County, California, on November 22, 1873, caused chimney damage in many places as far north as Port Orford, Oregon, and east to Jacksonville, California. The tremor was felt from Portland to San Francisco and onboard ships at sea. Chimneys were damaged (intensity VII) in the Portland area from an October 12, 1877, earthquake apparently centered in the Cascade Mountains.

Another severe shock affected Portland on February 3, 1892. Buildings swayed, and terrified people rushed into the street (VI). The earthquake was felt strongly at Astoria and Salem; the total area affected covered about 26,000 square kilometers. Some damage to buildings at Umatilla (VI-VII) resulted from a March 6, 1893, earthquake. Details on this shock are lacking.

On April 2, 1896, three shocks in succession awakened everyone in McMinnville (VI). The main shock was felt at Portland and Salem. A similar occurrence on April 19, 1906, awakened people at Paisley (V). Three additional shocks followed within 1 1/2 hours. A strong earthquake on October 4, 1913, in the Seven Devils Mountains of western Idaho broke windows and dishes (V) in the area. On May 18, 1915, a sharp local earthquake rattled dishes, rocked chairs, and caused some fright (V) at Portland; three shocks were reported.

Three shocks were felt at Fort Klamath (V) on April 14, 1920. The center was probably in the vicinity of Crater Lake. People in a small area around Cascadia felt an earthquake on February 25, 1921 (V). A shock that was probably rather strong in an unsettled region of southern Oregon occurred on January 10, 1923. Plaster fell at Alturas, California, and the tremor was felt strongly (V) at Lakeview, Oregon. The felt area extended to Klamath Falls. Another earthquake was felt widely over a sparsely settled area in eastern Oregon on April 8, 1927. The center was apparently in eastern Baker County; the maximum intensity (V) was noticed at Halfway and Richland.

A damaging earthquake occurred at 11:08 PM PST on July 15, 1936, near the State line between Milton-Freewater, Oregon, and Walla Walla, Washington. The magnitude 5.75 shock affected an area of about 272,000 square kilometers in the two States and adjacent Idaho. Ground cracking was observed about 6.5 kilometers west of Freewater, and there were marked changes in the flow of well water (VII). Many chimneys were damaged at the roof level in Freewater; in addition, plaster was broken, and walls cracked. Similar damage was reported from Umapine. Total damage amounted to $100,000. There were numerous aftershocks up to November 17; more than 20 moderate shocks occurred during the night, and stronger ones were felt (V) on July 18 and August 4 and 27.

A shock of intensity VI affected about 13,000 square kilometers in the vicinity of Portland on December 29, 1941. A downtown display window was shattered, and a few other windows were broken in other parts of Portland. The earthquake was also felt strongly at Hillsboro, Sherwood (where many were frightened), and Yamhill. The felt region extended into Washington; Vancouver and Woodland experienced minor damage.

On April 13, a major earthquake (magnitude 7.0) caused eight deaths and an estimated $25 million damage at Olympia, Washington, and a broad area around the capital city. The depth of focus was estimated to be slightly greater than normal, which, in part, accounted for the large felt area - 388,000 square kilometers in the United States. In Oregon, widespread damage was observed, several injuries occurred at Astoria and Portland. A maximum intensity of VIII was experienced at Clatskanie and Rainier, where many chimneys twisted and fell, and there was considerable damage to brick and masonry.

Minor damage in the Portland area resulted from a December 15, 1953, shock. There was one report of a cracked chimney and slight damage to fireplace tile (VI). Additional reports of plaster cracking were received from Portland and Roy, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. The total felt area covered about 7,700 square kilometers.

Similar damage occurred at Salem on November 16, 1957, from an earthquake felt over a land area of 11,600 square kilometers in northwestern Oregon. The tremor frightened all in the city (VI) and caused some cracked plaster in West Salem.

On August 18, 1961, another earthquake caused minor damage at Albany and Lebanon, south of the 1957 center. The magnitude 4.5 shock was felt (VI) by all in the two cities. Two house chimneys were toppled, and plaster cracked.

[DavePautsch]

Originally Posted by volare6

I am moving to oregon from the east coast. i need to know where a good small town would be, relatively cheap, no crime, and good schools. also, does oregon have earthquakes??

Volare6 I moved here (at least indirectly) from the east coast. I grew up in PA, although I spent a long time in the Navy before I settled here. You will find Oregon (especially the mid-Willamette Valley) very similar in a lot of respects to PA. Even some of the city names are the same!

Looking for a good "small town" you can find a pretty wide range here. Really small...head to eastern Oregon! If staying near the I-5 corridor is important for you at all...the valley has some reasonably affordable areas (Albany/Scio/Jefferson)...compared to Eugene or Salem. My family and I live in Albany and have been really pleased with the schools and the school system as a whole. I was particularly impressed with the Character Education program at the elementary school that my daughters went to.