gay friendly small town oregon (La Grande: live, distance, paint)

[oldhippie]

If you are looking for to live in a truly small town check out La Grande, OR. Most people don't realize it but there are a number of gay and trans people living here who really enjoy the quality of life. Most people are very respectful of others.

The cost of living is low compared to the rest of the state (except for the truly dinky, barren small towns on the East side of the state). There is also a university here.

The downside is that it is a bit isolated and you have to drive a few hours to get to where all the "big box" stores are. Also, winter can be extreme and you can get stuck here once in while due to the mountain pass being closed.

Lack of jobs is also another problem. Due to all the current economic problems (thanks a lot, GW Bush) unemployment is about 10%.

I do believe that in time La Grande is going to "discovered" and the value of real estate will go up accordingly. Now is a good time to buy here if you have the means.

[Leap of Belief]

Justmesea ~ Lewis County has long had a reputation for some lack of tolerance - agreed. What you were asking for was a small town that was not over run with snootie money retirees, where you could be "yourself" in a non-overt and flamboyant way. Centralia proper is not filled with the long storied red neck and backwards people. Yes, if you head to the surrounding sticks, you will certainly find a few - - but that goes without saying in places like Bellingham, Olympia, Vancouver and outskirt areas. If you are looking for an area that is focused on progress and learning to practice tolerance - downtown Historic Centralia is a great place. There is A LOT of progress being made and for the few hours it might take you to get off at exit 81 and go the 2.5 miles into the downtown - - it still remains worth a look in my book. As I shared, I have live din liberal L.A., California, the Bay Area where being gay is not that much of an issue - - and I wouldn't tell you to check out Centralia if I didn't think it was worth considering.

[Idunn]

You might try Silverton, OR, about 15 miles NE of Salem, OR. Haven't been there, but it is certainly small, and learned of it due news accounts of their recently elected transgender mayor.

Would also add, in the event most of your experience with metro areas such as Seattle, WA, that one doesn't have to travel very far from such places to discover they are often as islands in a sea of ignorance. In other words, no matter the size of the town, but particularly if small or rural, I'd take a close look at all one's prospective neighbors.

[vnodak]

I am hetero but I had alot of gay friends on the Oregon coast---try Coos Bay or Bandon. Small towns---down to earth.

[EnricoV]

Hm. I'm known to hold a grudge about things. And my old standby list of forbidden towns (I think I have these right) have always been the four which passed the old, Anti-gay, Measure 9, back in the Lon Mabon days. Those are Springfield, Cottage Grove, Canby and Banks. I won't go there, and if I have to pass through, won't spend any money there. Yeah, it's probably childish.

Ashland's a good choice, but it's fairly expensive. But I would second the recommendation of Silverton. I've always thought it seemed like a lovely little town, though I've never lived there. And given the recent election, one has to think there's a fair level of tolerance.

I would NOT recommend La Grande. My only experience was in traveling through there, but I've never met a more insular, rude, close-minded bunch of people. It's on my list of towns I won't visit. I've no idea of their tolerance (or lack there of) towards gays, but won't visit just because of the general attitude I experienced.

[RogueRiverRat]

Originally Posted by Leap of Belief

Justmesea ~ Lewis County has long had a reputation for some lack of tolerance - agreed. What you were asking for was a small town that was not over run with snootie money retirees, where you could be "yourself" in a non-overt and flamboyant way. Centralia proper is not filled with the long storied red neck and backwards people. Yes, if you head to the surrounding sticks, you will certainly find a few - - but that goes without saying in places like Bellingham, Olympia, Vancouver and outskirt areas. If you are looking for an area that is focused on progress and learning to practice tolerance - downtown Historic Centralia is a great place. There is A LOT of progress being made and for the few hours it might take you to get off at exit 81 and go the 2.5 miles into the downtown - - it still remains worth a look in my book. As I shared, I have live din liberal L.A., California, the Bay Area where being gay is not that much of an issue - - and I wouldn't tell you to check out Centralia if I didn't think it was worth considering.

I grew up in Lewis County and lived in Centralia not all that long ago. My parents still live in Lewis County and I was back at Christmastime.

If I were gay, the last place on Earth -- other than maybe, maybe Nothern Idaho -- that I'd want to live is in Lewis County ... be it Centralia, Chehalis, Adna or any other damn place.

McMinnville or Carlton, Oregon, would be cool ... I'd say La Grande, not all that much.

Portland, Eugene and Ashland would be cool, as would most of the Oregon Coast ... but not Gold Beach or Brookings.

Everybody deserves the right to be themselves and feel safe, and I simply don't think you'd get that in Centralia. I have a wife and children, but have lived all throughout the PNW. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

[LisaLooLoo]

Originally Posted by EnricoV

Hm. I'm known to hold a grudge about things. And my old standby list of forbidden towns (I think I have these right) have always been the four which passed the old, Anti-gay, Measure 9, back in the Lon Mabon days. Those are Springfield, Cottage Grove, Canby and Banks. I won't go there, and if I have to pass through, won't spend any money there. Yeah, it's probably childish.

Ashland's a good choice, but it's fairly expensive. But I would second the recommendation of Silverton. I've always thought it seemed like a lovely little town, though I've never lived there. And given the recent election, one has to think there's a fair level of tolerance.

I would NOT recommend La Grande. My only experience was in traveling through there, but I've never met a more insular, rude, close-minded bunch of people. It's on my list of towns I won't visit. I've no idea of their tolerance (or lack there of) towards gays, but won't visit just because of the general attitude I experienced.

You might want to change your mind about Cottage Grove. It has changed over the years, as it has evolved more into a bedroom community for Eugene. If this is any indication of things, the award-winning superintendent of schools is an openly gay woman.


To the OP:
Yachats on the Central Oregon Coast has long been a gay-friendly town. Even in the early 90s there was a nice little gay community, although it may be even smaller than you are looking for at less than 1,000 full time residents. (It is very pretty, though) My brother currently lives with his partner outside of Waldport (just to the north of Yachats) and has never had any problems.

And finally, Eugene would be a nice area for you, or so I've heard.

[EnricoV]

Originally Posted by LisaLooLoo

You might want to change your mind about Cottage Grove. It has changed over the years, as it has evolved more into a bedroom community for Eugene. If this is any indication of things, the award-winning superintendent of schools is an openly gay woman.


To the OP:
Yachats on the Central Oregon Coast has long been a gay-friendly town. Even in the early 90s there was a nice little gay community, although it may be even smaller than you are looking for at less than 1,000 full time residents. (It is very pretty, though) My brother currently lives with his partner outside of Waldport (just to the north of Yachats) and has never had any problems.

And finally, Eugene would be a nice area for you, or so I've heard.

You know, I'm sure most of them have. But I just have this deep seated resentment .... and (Surprise!) I've been known to hold grudge.

Physically, they've always seemed like lovely little towns.

[Donaldo]

Originally Posted by davefr

Ashland, Eugene, Corvallis and for California check out San Fran.

San Fran is most gay-friendly, but not small nor affordable, and has its share of elitist snobs.

[nwsterner]

I've lived in Oregon for 12 years now, and one thing for sure is that people here are a bit reserved, and non-judgemental. We have a small vacation cabin up in a tiny town up in the Cascades, and the mayor and general store owner are a gay couple. I didn't care about it but because of the hillbilly population (real hillbillies), I was a little surprised they never were hasseled about it at all. If someone doesn't like something here they just tend to look away. Which is evident by all the porn business' in our cities. My husband also works at a large company in Portland and the general manager is openly gay.