Lots of areas need improvement on the Oregon Coast (Coos Bay: rent, HOA)

[esya]

unfortunately, zoning, landscaping and architechutural controls usually are part and parcel of private ownership and/or development instead of protection of public access, and what was unique about Oregon 30 years ago was that the beaches were public and there were no private homes looming over them, between the road and the sea. Sadly, in too many places, private homes or development of tourism or industry have been allowed to perch between the public view and the ocean.

[Arf Arf]

Much of the Coast developed before zoning laws. And it developed before the decimation of the fishing and logging industries. Many of the people who made a living in those industries have little elses that they can do and the way they live is all they can afford.

That said, there's some kitsch, definitely. But, it's kinda quaint, I think. Sometimes I get really sick of this self-conscious urbane snobbery where things are planned and marketed within an inch of their lives. I see that many of the towns are gradually fixing themselves up. Lincoln City, to me, has always been the ugliest town on the Coast, but now they've rehabilitated Taft and they're gradually working on other stretches of the 101. The Newport Waterfront is wonderful and downtown Florence is glorious. Coos Bay and North Bend are gross and kinda long in the tooth but they've got plans.

It's important to remember that the Oregon Coast is not the California Coast which developed as a wealthy enclave and now is prohibitively expensive. The Coast is breathtaking, but yes, some of the towns are drab. They're coming along, though.

[Oregonbeachlover]

I've seen a photo of my Lincoln City neighborhood from 1927 and there already were houses dotting the coastline.

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by Arf Arf

Much of the Coast developed before zoning laws. And it developed before the decimation of the fishing and logging industries. Many of the people who made a living in those industries have little elses that they can do and the way they live is all they can afford.

That said, there's some kitsch, definitely. But, it's kinda quaint, I think. Sometimes I get really sick of this self-conscious urbane snobbery where things are planned and marketed within an inch of their lives. I see that many of the towns are gradually fixing themselves up. Lincoln City, to me, has always been the ugliest town on the Coast, but now they've rehabilitated Taft and they're gradually working on other stretches of the 101. The Newport Waterfront is wonderful and downtown Florence is glorious. Coos Bay and North Bend are gross and kinda long in the tooth but they've got plans.

It's important to remember that the Oregon Coast is not the California Coast which developed as a wealthy enclave and now is prohibitively expensive. The Coast is breathtaking, but yes, some of the towns are drab. They're coming along, though.

Good post, we were back in June and thought Lincoln city looked better.Couldnt put our finger on how, but felt it just looked 'nicer'. I agree, Oregon Coast is a different experience from other types of 'beach towns' and should never be a wealthy enclave for those with money only.

[Kathleenh54]

Originally Posted by Oregonbeachlover

Kathleen, in defense of beautiful Lincoln City, if you saw a burned out RV, then it must have been a freak accident which could happen anywhere. The people of Lincoln City take great pride in the town. Just last year, they finished installing fancy new lamp posts on all the corners which you can see as you drive through town on 101. Many millionaires live in LC, (a house 50 yards from me is for sale for 2.75 million dollars), but the beach is a great equalizer as all the little touristy "beachy looking" shops welcome all of us, regardless of our windblown hair or sand-filled shoes. I think the lack of pretense is one of the things I love best about Oregon beach towns. For years, Lincoln City has been featured as a best place to retire in the entire US, and was just bestowed that honor again in June 2008 ( in a national magazine) including the honor of the cover picture. I think that probably speaks for itself, as I doubt with all the places in the entire US to chose from, they would've chosen a "trashy town" to feature in its magazine. However, as my neighbors and I say, we hope more people do not discover our little piece of heaven, so you go ahead and keep up your form of PR. My husband said to me last night, if a person doesn't "get it", then it obviously isn't meant for him/her.

OBL, we didn't get as far as Lincoln City, so I'll take you at your word.

[Kathleenh54]

Originally Posted by Arf Arf

Much of the Coast developed before zoning laws. And it developed before the decimation of the fishing and logging industries. Many of the people who made a living in those industries have little elses that they can do and the way they live is all they can afford.

That said, there's some kitsch, definitely. But, it's kinda quaint, I think. Sometimes I get really sick of this self-conscious urbane snobbery where things are planned and marketed within an inch of their lives. I see that many of the towns are gradually fixing themselves up. Lincoln City, to me, has always been the ugliest town on the Coast, but now they've rehabilitated Taft and they're gradually working on other stretches of the 101. The Newport Waterfront is wonderful and downtown Florence is glorious. Coos Bay and North Bend are gross and kinda long in the tooth but they've got plans.

It's important to remember that the Oregon Coast is not the California Coast which developed as a wealthy enclave and now is prohibitively expensive. The Coast is breathtaking, but yes, some of the towns are drab. They're coming along, though.

Arfy, 'kitsch' is fine. It's the out-and-out blight that put me off about some parts of the Oregon Coast. It's easy to look past it and ignore it when set against the breathtaking setting of the coast but this topic started because someone observed the blight. I won't pretend not to have noticed it and refrain from posting on this thread.

We got as far as Lincoln City last year and it was LOVELY. It supposedly has a decent hospital and perhaps that adds to the area's prosperity, which directly affects a town's appearance.

I love the coast but some of those little pockets of very visible poverty were depressing when viewed against a gloomy gray day as a backdrop.

[Oregonbeachlover]

Somebody posted that Lincoln City was one of the worst. I thought that was ridiculous. I see it all as the beauty and quaintness of beachiness. I guess I am supposed to live on the Oregon coast because I absolutely LOVE all of it. I also guess that if you see a lot of negatives on the coast, then you aren't supposed to live here.

[coosbaytv]

Wow! What an interesting thread and discussion from so many points of view of both locals and visitors.
I think that everyone had valid points to make and am glad to see the discussion because it proves that there is interest still.
As a native of the area (born and raised in North Bend and now living in Coos Bay) it is very easy to feel "Bi-Polar" at times about this area due to all the obvious issues of weather, economy, remoteness and so on.
On the flip-side, I have also lived in Vancouver-Portland for 10 years and just can't see myself as dealing with all that! It is nice to visit, but come Monday morning I can smile about not having the commute and traffic .
Anyway, I absolutely agree that there is a lot of work to be done. I also am starting to see a shift in paradigm locally about how locals perceive their own area.
That said, at the risk of offending anyone, remember that from Florence North, there are economies that poor into those communities from a correlating 1-5 community. For example, Florence has become Eugene's playground as the Northern Coast has Portland and Salem to pull from. Our 1-5 counterpart if any, would be Roseburg which really isn't in much better economic shape per capita than we are in Coos Bay/North Bend. I just wanted to make that point. However, that does not excuse the other points mentioned in this discussion.
So, someone mentioned wondering how the local shops make it and quite frankly, it is day to day.
For myself, as a person who has tapped into the power of the Internet, I have created a website Oregon Coast Escapes, to share the beauty of our South Coast Beaches with those that are not able to take an hours drive and explore them firsthand (anybody out there live in the mid-west been to the beach lately? ) Mod cut
The attachment is a small taste of what we have here. Is it like this everyday? No. But it sure makes you appreciate the days that it is, when you are here.

[vnodak]

I now live in Washington and nothing here beats the Oregon coast. True that the coast has small towns so you see small town things. Hello---no money to make it fancy but over all I would not say it is trashy. If you want to see trash check out ocean shores and the surrounding area in Wa. One also has to remember that the coast plays havoc on homes and trees and other items there. IMO their is nothing more beautiful than the southern Oregon coast. Remember a small town is just that and you are not going to see mansions. Besides who is going to look at anything besides the beautiful coast---that is what this is about I think. Remember salt water takes a toll.

[coosbaytv]

vnodak:

well said!