Introduction (Portland, Eugene, Salem: real estate, housing, rent)

[yakker]

My wife and I live in Seaside California (Monterey area) and will be moving to Oregon when we retire in about two years. She lived in Dallas Oregon for awhile and my parents lived in Oregon City when they were young. Like everyone else who has little choice in the matter, we will sell our house and buy another with the equity. We will probably rent first to make sure we like the particular area in which we will eventually buy.
This year we took three weeks and brought our kayaks on a trip up through southern and central Oregon, fishing in five lakes and a couple of rivers. We went in early June and I've got to tell you, Oregon was more beautiful than I ever imagined. What what most gratifying though was the friendliness and acceptance we experienced from the locals where ever we went. I guess people anywhere can sense when you're honest and friendly and want to reciprocate, but we never felt it so much as in your great state.
Next year we will be concentrating more on the particular regions where we will most likely settle, foregoing the fishing to focus more on the real estate. First on the list is the Roseburg area, possibly Winston or Sutherlin. The reason for that choice would be the comparatively lesser amount of rainfall than in our second choice, which is the outskirts of Eugene. We fell in love with Cottage Grove, and also liked Springfield which is closer to the fishing we both enjoy. The last choice would be in the Rouge River area, but I was a little disappointed in Grants Pass, which was not what I was expecting. The Bend area was wonderful, but five to six months of freezing weather isn't what we're looking for.
I do realize that what we were looking at were snapshots of areas and sometimes only from the perspective of I5. What we're searching for is the perfect mix that probably doesn't exist, with the benefits of nature and the opportunity to shop when the fancy strikes. (I've learned my personal happiness is most easily attained when my wife is content ).
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I will be posting questions as they arise.

Dave

[Waterlily]

Hi Yakker. Well I like the area around Roseburg. I have not spent much time doing any shopping there but I drive through there a a few times a year. Myself I kind of like the smaller towns around it like Winston. There's forest,a river,mountains and it's not too crowded.

There will be a lot less stores for shopping. Now if you go up to the Eugene area there's a larger shopping selection. It's going to depend on what you prefer.

I think you are going about it the right way. Take some time and look around the towns. Good luck from Oregon!

[Clear2land]

Hi Dave:

Welcome to the forum!! I grew up in Roseburg and have some recent pictures if you would like to see them. Just shoot me a private email with your address and I'll send them over. I probably know more about Roseburg because I lived there the longest. Location, Location, Location.. I think it is a stand out city because mountains surround it. I have never lost my love of mountains. I still have a lot of family that lives there. Roseburg is full of parks, rivers, and plenty of good hunting. What was surprising to see on our fall trip was all the money that has found its way to Roseburg. A lot of retirees are making Roseburg their home. More than any other city in the state, there are 10 different private airstrips that surround Roseburg. I lived in Portland and Salem and by far the weather in Roseburg is noticeably better. It is not as windy nor does it rain as much. It also stays warmer in winter and in summer. All of Southern Oregon is just crowded with beauty.

Dan

[yakker]

Originally Posted by northernwolf

Rich transplanted retirees, or should I say parasites, are the infestation that harms Oregon the most. Not only do they add to the population, they contribute nothing in the form of work and drive up the housing costs so that Oregon residents are squeezed out the market.

I suppose that every forum has its own contingent of trolls, they seem inescapable. I grew up in abject poverty, and although "rich" is a laughable description of my net worth, I will not apologize for good decisions. I'm sorry if hard work and success upset you. Perhaps if you are unhappy with your own situation you could do something to change it. I agree with you that anyone who moves to a new area has the responsibility to enter humbly with hat in hand and be able to add something of value to the community, enhancing and not detracting from the lifestyle of others. I think the key to success in relationships with those around you is having consideration for them, a quality that both my wife and I share, and one which you are apparently lacking.

Waterlily and Clear2land, thank you for the encouragement. I appreciate the responses. I've read some of your posts and I can tell that we're like minded in our positive outlook on life.
We really like the smaller towns such as Winston, and are looking forward to checking out places like Myrtle Creek. We stayed on the Umpqua at Glide for a few days in late June and were there for a hatch of some type of Mayfly or similar insect, and it was amazing. We also took a full day raft trip down the Umpqua, something that we plan to do again as soon as possible.
One of the things we are going to watch out for though, no matter where we go is the proximity of the railroad tracks and the freeway. It seems that a lot of the development is near both and we'd prefer more peace and quiet, and not have to worry so much about our dog. We both grew up with dogs but haven't had one for twenty years or so in consideration of our neighbors and the dog, who would have to stay at home all day while we worked. There's that pesky consideration thing again!
I've read that Roseburg can get hot in the summer, but if it gets too hot then there's always camping in the mountains, isn't there? There's nothing like paddling on a lake with your rod out, and trolling a fly to cool you down. We're the catch and release type too, so we don't plan on depleting the trout population.
I spend a lot of time on the internet looking at different houses in various areas that are in our price range. We looked at one in Cottage Grove on our trip this year, having met a couple and their little daughter whose house was on the market. We met them while fishing at Clear Lake at the headwaters of the Mckenzie River. They spoke of their home in glowing terms, 5 acres with Mckenzie River frontage with a 3/2 house for an unbelievable $275,000. We went 100 miles out of way to visit and check it out, only to find that it was 2 acres and that the Mckinzie River was visible only after crossing old Hwy 99, the railroad tracks, and scrambling down the cliff to what was a tiny stream at that point. It was harrowing crossing that road, with the locals doing 70 on the old 2 lane highway. While standing on their deck and hearing the car traffic roar by, one of them commented that "You get used to the train noise". It was still a good price, but it goes to show you that you have to be careful with eager sellers and real estate agents. On the internet that house looked like a dream come true.

[Clear2land]

Rich, retirees are good for Oregon. They don’t take an Oregonians job away from an Oregonian. The pay cash for nearly everything they buy which helps Oregon’s economy. They volunteer at hospitals, community centers, and help raise funds for charities. The pay taxes without working but not without contributing to the communities in which they live. There will be some needy kids that will learn how to drive when I return to my home state. High school students will take advantage of my 30 years as a Financial Advisor by learning how to manage their money. Some new pilots will get licenses as a result of flying with me for free.

You can’t blame Californians on the high cost of real estate. That is a myth. Oregonians who sell their real estate at a high price are to blame for the high cost of real estate in Oregon. Occupants own half of Oregon housing with the other half rented. I have said it a dozen times here on the forum and I’ll say it a dozen more until everyone knows that the price of house is primarily driven by interest rates. Interest rates dictate the size of the monthly payment, which is limited to one third of the buyer’s income. Two thirds of the people moving to Oregon are from states other than California. Lastly, if Californians were directly responsible for the high cost of housing by moving to Oregon, you would have to conclude that when the price of real estate falls, Californians are to blame for having left the state. The price of real estate is an arms length transaction between a buyer and a seller with the lending institution as referee.

When retirees spend their money, it is good for the local economy. New jobs are created and new businesses are started. With prosperity comes pride of community and the money to make things look better. With money, the state can provide needed services. With money, land and natural resources can be maintained. Without money there can be no prosperity.

Retirees give back to their communities and a good for the economy!!

Dan

[Brett]

Just remember to support the local schools... Maybe your kids dontgo there but good schools are essential for happy towns..

IMHO anyway

[newt]

"I'm sorry if hard work and success upset you. Perhaps if you are unhappy with your own situation you could do something to change it."

[tiffela74]

Ooohhh, you found Clear Lake. One of Oregons best places and a lake I pretty much grew up on. I named my daughter McKenzi partly because of the river. -- have you looked into Drain? Ya, terrible name for a town, but its a cute little town, my grandmother retired into there. Its just a couple miles off I5, I believe 14miles out of Cottage Grove. Theres not much to it, one smaller grocery store, a bank, 2 or 3 eateries, that kind of thing, youd want to go into Cottage Grove or Eugene for most stuff, but its got some great deals on some terrific houses. River running through too. If you have some time, and want a place thts a bit out of the way, but not too far, you might give it a peek. I know my grandmother really enjoyed living there. She made a lot of good friends.
Tiffany

[freedom]

Yakker,
From your posts, you would be most welcome in Southern Oregon.
From Ashland to Roseburg. I would reccomend stopping in everytown in between and seeing the uniqueness each has to offer.
Godspeed.

[yakker]

Thanks for the replies everyone, and for the pictures of Rosebutg Clear2land. You hit the nail on the head by pointing out that people who spend money are good for any economy.

Brett, if we could only convince the voting public that investing in our schools is smart for our culture and our country then maybe we could turn around the areas where we are beginning to slip. My wife and I vote for virtually every school bond measure that is proposed down here, even though our three girls are grown and on their own. My youngest will graduate from colledge and become a teacher next year. Unfortunately, its too easy for the naysayers to get the voters to concentrate on what it will cost them personally.

Tiffela74,
We stayed at a cabin on Clear Lake and enjoyed the rain every day. We fished in the rain also, and were able to release all our fish unharmed. We were knocking 'em dead with a wooly bugger. Here's a picture, if I can get it to post. There are four of them including one of my wife in her kayak, one of our kayaks beached, one of the lodge taken from the lake, and one of the headwaters of the Mckenzie at the far end of the lake.