Moving from Florida to Southern Oregon (Portland, Medford: apartments, townhomes, job market)

[crazylegs5150]

My wife and I are deciding on where we would like to relocate to out west after living in North Central Florida for the last 6 years. While we have a nice 10 acre mini farm , we are tired of the redneck mentality and the conservative majority of people that live here. We would like to move someplace that is a bit more progressive both economically and environmental-wise. The things that are done here are absolutely horrendous as far as being environmentally sensitive. people throw their Tv away at the dump on a regular basis, toss trash and cigarettes on the side of the road routinely, abandon animals left and right and just come across as plain ignorant sometimes. Now not everyone is this way but the majority of people are and we ar just ready for a change of scenery literally and figuratively. Being form Nor. Cal. originlly, I was wanting to move back to the Sonoma/Mendocino region due to the availability of great wine, and organic products and close to San Francisco. However, after doing more thinking , we began to think outside the box and think about Oregon possibly. My buddy lives in Bend and loves it but I don;t know that the high desert is for me living close to Reno, NV before. I don't really want the rain so much ( like everyone else) but love the idea of being able to grow everything from grapes, to pear to tulips and apples such as in Sonoma County. We are considering portland ( we LOVED Amsterdam) despite the rain, and also southern oregon such as medford and ashland area as we like the idea of 4 seasons with fall foliage. I am a radiology technologist ( MRI, Cat Scan, X-ray) and was wondering how the medical job market is in southern oregon near Medford. Am I limited to hospital strictly or are there multiple outpatient centers. I am not too sure how rural and/or urban this area is. According to salary.com , the cost of living is not that much more to move from north central florida to southern oregon. I am just wondering if the job market is wide enough to support my job, or if the city is best.
We would like to get something comparable to what we have now which is 10 acres , for our horses.
Any help to any of my queries would be most welcome and helpful!!!

[bobmulk]

Medford is a metropolitan area of 200K. The city itself has around 75K residents. The regional hospital used to be a client of mine. That was several years ago. I can tell you that if you have marketable skills in any type of medical field, you will pretty much be able to find a job. There's also a hospital in Grants Pass, about twenty miles north. The medical center in Medford might be your best bet.

Medford is a more conservative place than Ashland would be. I think that Ashland would be your best bet for living. It's the home of the world-famous Shakespearean Festival which attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year. Downtown with Lithia Park is lovely and just fantastic with four star restaurants everywhere. Housing, as one can imgaine, is quite high, pushing $400K on average.

That area is a wonderful place to live. In addition to the sophistication of Ashland's cultural offerings, there's skiing at Mt. Ashland, the Peter Britt Music Festival in Jacksonville (on the National Historical Register) and downtown Jacksonville which is delightful. The coast is a couple of hours away and Crater Lake is about three hours away. Flights regularly leave the airport in Medford for San Fran, LA and Portland.

Since you're looking for land (sorry, missed that part), I'd think you'd find plenty of opportunities since there's a lot of rural areas in Jackson (Medford-Ashland) and Josephine (Grants Pass) counties. Prices are dropping now, too, because this area saw a huge run-up in appreciation. You might be able to get some good deals. Good luck and welcome!

[crazylegs5150]

Thanks and it's good to be here. It's funny that we just recently found this site after years of telling ourselves " if we could only get some insider's insight into living in..." Alas, the internet truly DOES have everything you need.
Medford has come up a lot in convo. and apparently the whole of Oregon has become a pretty popular place to move the last 5 years or so. It's not ALL californians wanting to move up there. Even people like myself living in the so called Sunshine state are thinking of moving the less sunny climes.
Thanks for the inside scoop on the medical field. As far as climate goes though, I know it does not rain and snow really like other parts of the state but wanted to know how it really is. I mean, is it high desert like Bend or more flatland-like? I have always wanted to grow my own grapes and am really wanting to be close to a "city" with all the conveniences like shopping,movies,restaurants but with the availability to own a small sized property where I can have our horses, grow apples, grapes and have our own garden.
We are really about wanting to live in/near an area that is really into organics and sustainable farming practices. Something that is comparable to the Sonoma region without the prices that accompany it. I know we will never find it all, but I do know that oregon does have a lot to offer and we hope to give back and not be a total transplant "sucker".
Just out of curiosity, how far is San Francisco driving wise from Medford? How about Portland?
The Williamette Valley sounds real nice EXCEPT for all the rain. Portland sounds intriguing but don't know if it's possible to own land within reasonable distance to portland ( 80 miles). We currently live 90 miles from Orlando and drive there semi-frequently to get to the "city" and do not mind the hour 10 minute drive.
We are planning on coming out this summer for a week to TRY and see it all. I know we need more time but I hope to at least get a lay of the land and can see at least what each place has to offer knowing the weather is not really representative of what to expect since it will be late August when we come out which is probably the nicest time of year.

[zagyzebra]

Actually, late August can be horrendously HOT & dry in So Oregon (100 degree days not unusual). The nicest time of year here is May-October. I highly recommend you check a community next to Ashland called Talent. It is beautiful and has some excellent acreage for farming and horses. It is a progressive community, mostly, with emphasis on self-sustainability and clean, organic living. It is a six-hour drive from SF and a five-hour drive from Portland.

I, myself, am currently in a quandary about whether to leave Southern Oregon because I am considering more big-city opportunities for my son who will be entering high school in a few years. If I do leave, I'll head to Portland. One of the biggest drawbacks -- in my opinion -- of Southern Or is the fact that it is so far from a big city. Some will say it has everything to offer (shopping mall, Costco, some live theatre, movie theatres, limited entertainment venues). For me, though, I sometimes long for a more vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere and the energy charge I get from that.

[timber mt]

Rural Southern Oregon is full of conservative rednecks! I know , I am one !. (actually more libertarian bent). The rural area with the most vineyards and enviroMENTALists is the applegate valley. It is lovely , but expensive. Any other rural area , you can pretty much expect your neighbors to target practice with their guns, ride quads and dirtbikes , and park junk cars on their property . If you want to live in a town , Ashland is liberal , progressive and pretty. The medical field is the best thing to be into if you are moving here, other than that the job market is flat and low paying.

[Bruce45]

crazylegs,
check this out:
[mod cut]

[crazylegs5150]

Bruce- Thanks for the link.Unfortunately it did not work. It was not linked up and when I copied and pasted, it sent me to a URl that is not valid.
Ashland sounds real nice. There is not much in the way of fall foliage here in Florida and I do miss that. Of course, as I say that I am sitting out by the pool in shorts and flip flops enjoying the most beautiful week all year. But, sunshine does get a little monotonous after a few years. That is not to say that I like rain as we get a fair share in summer, the difference being it is 95 degrees and 100% humid which really stinks. I am longing for a more seasonal lifestyle. The leaves and pumpkins in fall, cooler weather in winter and the greenery of spring followed by the warmth ( heat ) of summer. There are 2 seasons in north florida. Hot and wet, and dry and sunny. We are in the latter now right before the May influx of gulf humidity.
Having land is key. After living in Southern california for many years and now living in big horse town with 10 acres , I cannot imagine living in apartments or townhomes ever again,now would I want to. I cannot believe that I ever did before!!There's something to be said about having land and growing your own gardens and flowers. No homeowners fees, etc. I will certainly check out the suggested areas for sure!!
As for jobs, I hope to find something. Even the medical field is taking a small hit jobwise. People are not as apt to head to the doctor meaning less patients , meaning less referrals to places like MRI, CT scan, Xrays, which is where people like me work. It's crazy to see the economy in action like this. When I went to Radiography school, I always thought this was a pretty secure field but I guess nothing is these days except for tax man!!
I have heard that while Medford may not get so much rain, it does get foggy. Where is a good area( if there is one) that lies outside the fog basin?

[crazylegs5150]

Zagy- I agree with wanting to be nearer to a city. That is why i am so tied up over moving back to Northern California ( sonoma County) which is only an hour from San Fran but rural enough to enjoy the countryside with grapevines,organic farming, cheeses, etc etc, with the downside being so expensive, or moving to Southern oregon where it is more realistic but further from the city life that I miss now in north florida. I feel your pain and I am in the same quandary as well.

[ConeyIsBabe]

If you really want to avoid the redneck lifestyle and mentality I also would suggest Ashland, only.

Outside of the southern Oregon "cities" (in the rural areas) you will find people who live exactly as you describe your current neighbors. Out in the country, there are many upscale gated properties but sometimes you have to drive past the "trashy" neighors to get home.

Still, Oregon people are very much more friendly than Floridians and I know from 40+ years as a Floridian.

[timber mt]

Ashland has less fog than medford. Live at a little higher elevation to get out of the fog. The Farmers market in Grants Pass is cool ,and organic food is available and lots of vineyards around here , I love all that stuff , but I can't stand all the enviro's that keep moving here and using politics to shut down access to public lands. Every time I turn around there is a new gate blocking access roads into the forest .