thinking about moving to Hermiston (Portland, Pendleton: agriculture, travel, jobs)

[abellanados]

Thinking about moving to Hermiston and I like to know more about it. Any comments about....schools, jobs, churches and everything in general?
Thank you


Anna

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Originally Posted by abellanados

Thinking about moving to Hermiston and I like to know more about it. Any comments about....schools, jobs, churches and everything in general?
Thank you


Anna

Hermiston is a very conservative agriculture community in a rather dusty area of east Oregon. Heavy Mexican population with the usual problems as a result when two completely different cultures collide. Churches will be generally conservative as well. Jobs are there, but low paying. Initially, you'll be an outsider in a close community so a job may not be too easy to get unless you're an RN or some other highly skilled technician. The schools have a decent reputation.

[abellanados]

Thank you for the response Blazer, I think the move will be for Portland. I see better paying jobs and more trees...which is what I love about Oregon. I really appreciate the information. Thank you and God Bless

[uncleron]

I think that Hermiston is one of the best places to live. Of course I am biased, I have lived here for about 30 years. The cost of homes is very reasonable, I am a builder, The people here are great. very friendly. It is close to good shopping and dining (about 30 miles.) The weather is probably the best in the state. Winters are usually mild with very little snow. We are 183 miles from Portland, about 230 miles to Spokand wash, about 230 miles to Seattle. The Columbia River is approx 6 miles from here with year around fishing and great for summer fun. There are approximatly 26 churches in this town. If you want good music and very little substance the big church is New Hope, If you want Excellent teaching I'd go to Standfield. The schools here are good. Teachers seem to care and this community is really sports minded. The city government is trying to keep up with the needs of the people and necessary changes. So having said that I hope that you like it here.

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Originally Posted by uncleron

I think that Hermiston is one of the best places to live. Of course I am biased, I have lived here for about 30 years. The cost of homes is very reasonable, I am a builder, The people here are great. very friendly. It is close to good shopping and dining (about 30 miles.) The weather is probably the best in the state. Winters are usually mild with very little snow. We are 183 miles from Portland, about 230 miles to Spokand wash, about 230 miles to Seattle. The Columbia River is approx 6 miles from here with year around fishing and great for summer fun. There are approximatly 26 churches in this town. If you want good music and very little substance the big church is New Hope, If you want Excellent teaching I'd go to Standfield. The schools here are good. Teachers seem to care and this community is really sports minded. The city government is trying to keep up with the needs of the people and necessary changes. So having said that I hope that you like it here.

Wow, you are biased.

Like Pendleton, Hermiston is a very dusty area with few (if any) conifers. I do not doubt the people are still friendly, but my current sources there tell me of a deep culteral divide.

[uncleron]

Definitly I am biased. A good city is like a good wife. If you've found her why look elswhere. We do have alot of dust and few trees but in 45 min I can be in all the conifers I want. And Then what do I do for the good temperature? As for the cultural divide I suppose that there is one with about a 25% Hispanic population, but I'm an optomist and hoping that they will join our culture rather than the other way. Also I just checked Craigslist for jobs and found several. Surly you must admit that it beats Portland.

[nbres]

Comparing Hermiston to Pendleton

From what I see online and what I hear from my relatives is that Hermiston is growing.
Lots of new homes at reasonable prices. Also, the weather is great - dry and sunny. It has some advantages over Pendleton in that its location is closer to the Tri-Cities about an hour away (airport and shopping mall) and of course it is a little closer to Portland (medical resources). Also, the Hermiston area is flatter than Pendleton. Remember Pendleton is in a big hole - there are very few flat lots. Also, the Columbia river, McNary Dam and Hat Rock State Park are close by for fishing and boating.

On the other hand there is a cultural divided. Even back in the early 90s when I lived out there people would call Hermiston "beaner town." Now that the Mexican poplation has grown have things changed? Probably not much.

I don't know what the schools are like there in Hermiston personally. Hermiston never had a great reputation, but that might be the reason for why the area is not growing even faster and why the homes are cheaper than in Pendleton. Problem is is that there is hardly any new construction in Pendleton while in Hermiston whole new subdivisions are going up.

I think at some point Hermiston is going to outgrow Pendleton in population and become the main city in Eastern Oregon given its location advantages. The area is attracting jobs and there are new homes going up. It would be a great place to live if the schools were better.

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Originally Posted by uncleron

Definitly I am biased. A good city is like a good wife. If you've found her why look elswhere. We do have alot of dust and few trees but in 45 min I can be in all the conifers I want. And Then what do I do for the good temperature? As for the cultural divide I suppose that there is one with about a 25% Hispanic population, but I'm an optomist and hoping that they will join our culture rather than the other way. Also I just checked Craigslist for jobs and found several. Surly you must admit that it beats Portland.

And stop calling me Shirley.

[abellanados]

Thank you for all the helpfull information...just yesterday I called a staffing office in Hermiston and a representative was very nice. I have to admit that I was a little spectical to tell the staffing associate that I was moving from CA, but she was very nice and she gave me many web links to help me find a job that better meets my criteria. She was actually motivating me to move to WA! Tri-cities. But so far I've been blessed to have encountered very nice people with helpfull informations staring here at this forum. I really appreciate it!!!

[banshee24]

I absolutely love Hermiston, I lived there for 9 years and am hoping to go back. The people are great, the weather is awesome, and there is always something to do as far as outdoor activities. I have lived in San Diego and now in AZ and I prefer Hermiston over both places. I also have looked at the jobs on the employment department website and I see quite a bit available. I have traveled quite a bit and I feel Hermiston is the best place to live, I wish I had never left. You should give it a try!