Positive and Negatives of Salem Oregon

[Tazula]

Bob Mulk,

I assure you that I am quite real and I certainly do have a clue.

I agree with you that the "state average" for unemployment is near 7%. However (as I stated in my first post in this forum) the number is actually higher due to the fact that there are people that are no longer getting unemployment payment and have not found a job as of yet. Then add in the fact that the state as a whole has lost 1,600 jobs in August, 1,300 in July and add in the 1,600 state government jobs that went bye-bye. Here's the link to the facts. The article is from the Statesman Journal. It was written by Thelma Guerrero-Huston.

State's job outlook sinks | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal

Most of those government jobs were here in Salem. So, I restate, that the percentage of unemployed is higher here in Salem.

The state is facing a potential $1 billion budget deficit. There go even more state government jobs. Here's another Statesman Journal link to back up what I just stated.

Fiscal woes will linger for Oregon | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal

I agree with you that there certainly is not much concerning jobs in the private sector to jump about.

What boggles me is if the state is facing a budget deficit, then why oh why did they have a job fair when they are already cutting back on jobs? It is upsetting to know that 3,000 people attended the state job fair in the hopes of nabbing one of those few, precious and rare jobs. However, kudos to them for actually trying to get a job! Here again is a link from the Statesman Journal about that job fair.

3,000 people visit state job fair in Salem | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal

Once again, I agree with you. Salem does lack restaurants. I can only name two Italian places, one Greek, one Indian, about 5 Asian places, 3 seafood places and a bevy of Mexican and fast food joints.

I could give a rat's patootie about the prisons as well as the State Hospital. The only time that I care, is if anyone has escaped either facility.

In closing, I certainly hope that you weren't referring to me as being low class and trashy. lol

Have a nice day!

- Taz

[eagleriver]

If you are looking for a trendy, fashionable, urban setting with lots of restaurants and night life, then choose Portland. If you want a comfortable, reasonable place to raise kids, with more what I would call 'normal' people then choose Salem. You can look online for jobs available, there is city of Salem, Marion County, plus the gazillion of State of Oregon jobs. There are also the usual fast food, and retail jobs available. I don't think anyone who WANTS a job cannot find one.

I do love Salem, I love the gardening aspect of it, and I love the people here, but I live in the rural area outside Salem, which is quickly becoming more and more bedroom community, even 15 miles out where I live. The homes and land prices are definitely inflated from people from california coming up and buying out places. The prices are correcting now, somewhat, altho I don't think we are having as much a problem as other places. But buying a home when the prices are correcting is the best time for a buyer! But land prices are still very high compared to some other places, but not nearly as high as California. Also, we have no sales tax, but very high income taxes. I think food and other commodities are about the same prices as other places, tho. Hope that helps! Linda

[SNTucker]

I agree with Bobmulk regarding the unemployment, no worse than any other part of Oregon.

But I've only been here a year.

I'm personally pretty unimpressed with this city in general. I am a very outdoorsy person and I'm completely disappointed in the amount of walking/jogging trails and the like. Parks, yes, they have them but I have to commute to them which is not ideal for me. The lack of sidewalks and safe road-crossing systems is evident and NOT pedestrian friendly. I know this has something to do with the area in which I live but even traveling to West and South Salem I wouldn't claim, in their "newness" any more of a pedestrian friendliness about them.

For the capitol of the state I really expected them to take more effort in the cosmetic nature of the city . . . I've heard many of an Oregonian call it 'the armpit' of the Willamette Valley. Thats unfortunate.

Take my opinion with a grain of salt . . . I'm really a newbie to this city, this is just what effects my world.

[Comedy]

My wife and I are considering moving to Oregon. This forum has been most informative, but my question to all of you is if you could only choose between Portland, Salem, Corvallis, and Eugen, where would you move to and why?

[KIMBER129]

I am a single mom moving to Salem this spring. We currently live in Scottsdale AZ, and I am losing my home because the bank wont refi us, and my 400K home is now worth about 240K, like most in my neighborhood. I dont have family in Salem, a cousin and a family friend, thats it. I have been a mortgage processor for the last 10 years, and here in AZ, those jobs are few and far between, due to massive lay offs. I was wondering if that is the situation in Salem too? I really want to live there after we were there a couple years ago on vacation. It seems like a great place to raise my kids and do lots of out door things with them. Thanks...

[ds495]

Originally Posted by bobmulk

Tazula are you for real? Ten percent unemployment? The link you offer has info from 2006. Get a clue for God's sake.

I read the link, and it looks current. I see salary stats for 2008.

[esya]

It seems that it would be if you wanted to drive that far for a meal.

[mamh]

Comedy
To answer your question we would stay in salem..Portland and the Columbia River have their own weather..Their weather is just different..Watch the weather patterns on your weather site and you'll see..We moved here 5 years ago and didn't know this but sure glad we landed in salem..Its just mellower here weather wise..
I know you'll like it here..

[jannaviles1]

I enjoyed reading all these posts. I'm from Southern Cali, it is now too busy and full of crime. This is the sole reason why we came up this way (Hermiston area) was so that my husband and I can raise our 2 kids without being as worried. Now that the oldest is in college and the second and last child is a freshman in High school. I am really ready to go back to the west side of the state. I am a city girl and although Portland is bigger and "better " than Salem. I am tired of crime and don't want to be around it. I know there is no perfect city but Salem seems just big enough for us 3 now.

I wonder if there are nearby stores though. I mean, where I come from now, I drive 30 minutes to a Walmart and 45 min to a mall. I hate that!! My car is a 2007 and has 50 thousand miles on it already cuz I need to drive everywhere.

We plan to move to Stayton. I am gonna do my homework and travel for a couple days to get to know the area. I'm thinkin to rent for a year or so until we get to know the area then maybe buy a house.

I thought about going back to Cali, but......nah!

Anymore info....maybe on Stayton? Thanks everybody!