Should we move to Oregon? (Bend, Corvallis: transplants, real estate, co-op)

[MunchiesMommie]

DH and I are considering relocating in 2 years, when he finishes up his teaching degree.

I would like to know, from those who live there, if you think we are a good fit for Oregon.

We are on the younger side, 25 and 27, we have two boys, 1 and 4. We currently live an hour north of Seattle, we have both lived in this area our whole lives.

One of the reasons we want to move is how overpopulated and crowded it's getting here. The way people live here anymore doesn't work for us. I stay home with our boys, my husband works full time plus attends full time college. It's hard to live here on one income. I plan to work or go to school, or both, once my boys are in full time school, but I need to be home until then.

Another reason is charter schools. The idea fascinates me. We do co-op preschool right now, I am on the board and I am the head of the fundraising committee...so I would have love to be involved in charter schools.

I really want to live near the beach. I would prefer to live on the beach, but I'm guessing you can't really do that on a teacher's salary.

Mostly we just want a more peaceful way of life. It's so commercial up here, and it's just getting worse. We don't want to make a ton of money, just enough to live. We don't need a huge house, I wouldn't want to clean a ton of space anyway. I would actually prefer to minimalize, and have less stress.

I would love to live in a town where everyone knows everyone, I wouldn't mind having to drive 30-45 min to get to a bulk grocery store, we would be fine with just stocking up once a month or so, if we could get fresh veggies and meat locally.

My grandparents live in Creswell, and I love that town...at least I did last time I was there, about 10 years ago. It seems like it has such a "down home" feeling.

So what do you native Oregonians think? Would we like Oregon? Would Oregon like us? Are there any coastal towns that sound like what I am after?

[Steve97415]

There isn't really anything magical about crossing the Oregon state line. In many forums, especially California, I hear complaints that people ascribe to their particular geographic region that are, in fact, general characteristics of our country's social and economic evolution. They think that there is some other place they can go to that will be a refuge from overdevelopment, overreliance on automobiles and expensive cost of living. But what they really want to flee is the 21st Century. When I was in high school, our population hit 200 million and Dr. Ehrlich and others warned us what life in the U.S. would be like when the population hits 300 million...500 million and so on. Well, he was right. The population hit 300 million a few months ago, and we are feeling the impact and economic fallout of living in an overpopulated country. But wait...things are getting worse. There will be a HUGE loss of productive capital as the Baby Boomers retire over the next 20 years. Couple that with peak oil in a country with a population of 400 million and it's easy to see we'll be living in a congested 2nd-world nation in just a few decades. The entire West Coast will be like southern California is now.

Oregon could well work for you, but there isn't anything here that you can't find in Washington, and Washington does a much better job of funding its schools than Oregon does. I'll say it again: what you're after isn't in Oregon; what you're after is in the 1970's. A lot of teachers from Oregon, in fact, are moving to Washington for better salaries. The coast is mostly retirees. There are teachers who work there, but they generally work for AMAZINGLY low salaries. I know of teachers locally who have quit and gone to work for grocery stores or real estate companies because they were able to make more money.

[MunchiesMommie]

You pinpointed exactly what I am after, a magical Oz-like land where people are mellow and don't work overtime and don't need to have the newest cars and electronics. Only I think I'm looking more for the 1950's than the 1970's.

So what so I do about it? I'm so discontent. I hate the way things are here now. I just want some peace. And the beach. Beaches here aren't as pretty as yours.

[freedom]

May I suggest taking a drive and see if your pulled to a certain place, I think WA. and OR. coast towns and beaches are very different. If you have the inclination, start a charter school in a town you feel comfortable in. There are many families in every town, sure there are retirees but they are not the majority. Coos bay is a good size small town, Gold beach and Brookings have a warmer winter climate (most years), with phenominal coast line beaches, some even surf there. My brother is in Brookings and he and his family love the laid back lifestyle, they have many friends with children, and there are public and private schools there.

godspeed on your quest,

freedom

[nanannie]

Schools are a problam here and most of Oregon.What private schools are in Brookings.?Lived in Oregon for 29 years and visit Brookings often.We didnt move to the area because of the schools.A lot less rain here though

[localyocal]

Munchies, you asked if you should move to Oregon....No.
1. You commented that you are discontent, I put money down that in 2 years here you'll feel the same way. You have to be from Oregon to really appreciate it. I know this will tick a few readers off, but for 12 years I've had a job that allows me to interact with thousands of people yearly, some who have always lived here, some who just moved in. Most new comers realize after 2 years that this isn't the land of OZ. They usually go back home or move on. In one town I worked in I saw 5 different families do this in a 6 month period. Some of the ones that stay, try to change local laws and policies to match what they are used to back home. (Readers: This doesn't describe everyone so ease up)

2. You don't want overtime and hustle bustle, too late...due to the California/Wa. (specifically Seattle/Bellevue) migration, those that are reaching the age to move out of Mom and Dad's and start a life of their own can't afford to buy a house anymore. Best way to make it is overtime or a second job.

3. Schools...The Gov. of Oregon would love nothing more than to wipe words, charter schools from the common vocabulary. Just being fascinated by the concept of charter schools isn't enough to pack up and move down. Steve97415 nailed it with his comments on the pay. Being from a small small coast range town, the teachers only stuck around because teaching was what they loved to do...they certainly didn't do it for the money.

Don't ruin your image of whats here by moving to "paradise". Oregon looks beautiful in photos and is a great place to vacation! I don't mean to sound harsh, but I love this state and am zealous to keep it from changing anymore than it already has and at that...I'm probably spitting into the wind...oh well just feels like that Oregon liquid sunshine I'm so used to.

PS..If you do decide to move here, try places like Astoria, Banks, Corvallis, Philomath or Roseburg for that home-town appeal. These towns are reasonably close to the coast (1-1.5 hours away) Coastal towns like Coos Bay/North Bend, Florence, Tillamook, Newport, Seaside and Lincoln City are among the "bigger" towns that have a little more to offer. Don't expect a super warm greeting when you arrive and they find out your a transplant from Washington (which is a little more tolerable to Oregonians than being from California.)

Good Luck....LocalYocal

[freedom]

MunchiesMommie,

Guess everyone has a different opinion and experience of life and Oregon. I am one of those CA. transplants, 14 yrs ago. I love Oregon more every year.
Even with the growth and traffic I appreciate that others get to experience the beauty and slower pace of this state.
I disagree with localyocal. People will not judge nor dislike you based on where you come from. I think Washingtonians are still Americans. Hopefully people connect at a higher level than where they are from.

You know, every invention usually goes through multiple designs and processes before one gets it right. It is unfortunate that some give up before the final product is perfected, then complain someone else stole their idea when the one with vision and persistence is finally successful.
Apply this to life or a charter school scenario. Plant good seed and reap a field of dreams.

[localyocal]

This from a guy who builds our neighborhoods. And if he doesn't like you, you don't get to move in.....Hey freedom, does this sound familiar..."They better be nice people or they don't get to move into my housing developments, we screen very carefully."...sound a little like housing discrimination.
...But aren't they Americans too?

You like apples?

How do like those apples?


LocalYocal

[localyocal]

Munchies
Don't let me or anybody else make up your mind for you. You have to do what you feel is best for your family. you'll find that in Oregon there are two kinds of people
1. Those that love the character of this state, and would love to keep it small and individualized.
2. Those that just love this state and want to invite the whole global freakin' neighborhood over. In some cases those people have found ways to make money off it.

These two parties are going to butt-heads..its mostly in fun but as Americans, we are entitled to our thoughts, comments and opinions.

LocalYocal

[freedom]

Localyocal,

Have you heard of right to refuse service? I've never denied based on where one came from, their race, religion, etc.....
When you build a house and sell it, you live with the people figuratively for a year, sometimes more. I enjoy a hardworking yet peaceful existence and if I think someone is going to hop on the I am going to sue you bandwagon, I stay away from them, usually the tell comes from their own mouths and experiences. There are mean greedy people out there (fortunately not a lot of them), I avoid them. By the way so do other business people.