debating on Oregon or Idaho (Portland, Eugene: appointed, sales, real estate)

[melnper]

We are considering moving to Oregon or Idaho in the next year. Most of our research in Oregon has been the Ontario and Vale area. Can anyone tell me a little about these towns. The cost of real estate makes the area very temting, but is it too good to be true? According to the Chamber of Commerce, houses cost an average of $100,000. What is the job market like in Ontario? Is it a family friendly town. We have 2 kids and would like good schools and areas with activities, sports and other recreation. Are there other cities near Ontario worth considering?

[sillygal]

Hello, I would like to know if OR is not really a good place for people that suffer from "depression". Is that just a fallacy? I am looking into Eugene because it was rated pretty high for bicycle friendliness and bike paths. I am a little concerned about the depression factor though. What is the job situation and the quality of life like there? and is it any better in another part of OR?
Thanks, K

[Oregonians]

Some people say that having relatively few sunny days can be depressing, particularly if you come from an area with a lot of sun. However, you do appreciate the nice days a lot more, and it's typically not so hot that you don't want to go outside. Eugene is a very nice place.

Like WA and CA, Oregon has a higher minimum wage than most of the country. We have an income tax but no sales tax. School funding is a problem in some locations. As for employment, it depends on your skill set.

[Wooly]

My family has a farm outside Eugene. It's a very nice town (not so much in Springfield). The university is a Tier I school in most things, especially graduate programs. It's a very granola place too. Very liberal in social matters. It's a town that prides itself on biking and jogging paths everywhere.

It really is pretty overcast in the winter. I am talking 70% of the time is gray from Nov to April. Can you handle that? I can't! The summers are very nice though. Oregon has seen a climate change in the past 10 years, and summers are pretty dry now.

Oregon has been in an economic crises since the recession of the early 80's, with little change. Their state deficit is amazingly high. Their more liberal culture has made it harder for business. Their welfare and social help programs are pretty good, but many people rely on them. There really are a lot of bumbs and hippies in OR. Let's just say it's not a hard place to score weed. The job market outside of Portland it very tough! Schools not near nicer communities are pretty badly funded. But then that is everywhere. Eugene has some money, but it's a college town, so some wages are driven down.

If you have money, you can make a great life in OR. If you are coming looking for money oppotunity, you may be very disappointed.

[keeneye]

Hi MelNPer,

Having travelled extensively in the last two years in these regions (and also having been a resident of Oregon for the last 15 years), I can give you a little bit of insight.

Ontario is small. Thus, the housing is cheaper and unfortunately, the wages and jobs are minimal. Bring your job with you! If you are able to "cash out" and do it, that is.

There are many beautiful small towns in Eastern Oregon, including Baker City and La Grande, as well as AMAZING towns in Idaho like Sandpoint or McCall. The smaller the town, the more inexpensive to get into. Sandpoint is the most beautiful city in the world, population of 6000, and yet the homes are priced at astronomical prices. You'd be best investigating the smaller towns, searching out locals in the area, and asking tons of questions.

I've been to many places within a ten-hour drive of my home here in Bend, Oregon, so if you have questions, please feel free to email me directly.

Best wishes,
keeneye@gmail.com

Originally Posted by melnper

We are considering moving to Oregon or Idaho in the next year. Most of our research in Oregon has been the Ontario and Vale area. Can anyone tell me a little about these towns. The cost of real estate makes the area very temting, but is it too good to be true? According to the Chamber of Commerce, houses cost an average of $100,000. What is the job market like in Ontario? Is it a family friendly town. We have 2 kids and would like good schools and areas with activities, sports and other recreation. Are there other cities near Ontario worth considering?

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by sillygal

Hello, I would like to know if OR is not really a good place for people that suffer from "depression". Is that just a fallacy? I am looking into Eugene because it was rated pretty high for bicycle friendliness and bike paths. I am a little concerned about the depression factor though. What is the job situation and the quality of life like there? and is it any better in another part of OR?
Thanks, K

First of all, Oregon is a big place with a varied climate and one cannot make generalizations about the whole state. Two thirds of the state is essentially desert and is about average for sunlight and seasonal affect. A lot of people only consider the third of the state that is west of the Cascades when they refer to "Oregon". Seasonal affect can, indeed, be an issue for this area.

I moved to Corvallis (about 45 miles north of Eugene) from southern Arizona 17 years ago. Light privation is an issue for me. I've grown more accustomed to it, but still have a lot of "downer" days in winter. A lot of it depends on where you are coming from and what you are used to. SAD is a condition that certain people have and certain don't. Whether or not seasonal affect will be an issue with you depends on your susceptibility. Corvallis, incidentally, puts Eugene to shame in terms of bike-friendliness.

[huntman58]

Originally Posted by melnper

We are considering moving to Oregon or Idaho in the next year. Most of our research in Oregon has been the Ontario and Vale area. Can anyone tell me a little about these towns. The cost of real estate makes the area very temting, but is it too good to be true? According to the Chamber of Commerce, houses cost an average of $100,000. What is the job market like in Ontario? Is it a family friendly town. We have 2 kids and would like good schools and areas with activities, sports and other recreation. Are there other cities near Ontario worth considering?

The Boise area of Idaho is or so I thought great. Lots to do for families, outdoors and in town. Good schools, shopping ECT. Home prices are on the move up. jobs are many but not very well paying also by the way it is a right to work state meaning low wages and no unions to speak of so no competition to force wages or benefits up .weather is good not to bad in the winter and can be hot in the summer . One thing I did not like about Idaho is. In words only the say there a family friendly state. I found this out the hard way of not being true. my recommendation for any one looking to move to Idaho is DO NOT IF YOU VALUE YOUR FAMILY!!!!

This is my personal opinion based on factual experience of living in Idaho! Stay away from Idaho for yours and your families good!!!! What happened to me is not an isolated case it has also happened to others!!!

Be for warned by pass this state at all cost!!
if Idaho wants to know why I say this try looking in your own files or ask me in an email .I have sent many so have friends and family and not one response to date in 5 years . got to love the good old boys laws and why of life stick by what others have done right or wrong as all that matters is showing statistics that you won more then you ever came close to losing !!!!!!

[DocMcp]

What the hell did that last posting say???

[seashelly]

LOL. I don't know but now I'm curious too. I might have to take a road trip over to Idaho to just check it out.

[Jennifer&Bob]

Um, yeah...scratching my head and wondering. If you wanna "warn" people of something, it might help to give a hint what you're warning about?