what areas are liberal and what are conservative? (Portland, Eugene: schools, live in)

[junglemom]

We are looking at maybe moving to your state for some serious health reasons of our daughters.

What areas are more liberal/hippy-like?
and what parts are more traditional family minded?

I've heard some stories... LOL
thanks.

[backdrifter]

Oh goodness, are there ever stories...

Portland proper, its Washington County suburbs, Eugene, Corvallis, Ashland, and Bend to some extent are the most liberal places in the state.

Some places along the north coast such as Lincoln City, Seaside, and Astoria, as well as the Gorge area (Hood River particularly) are likely to be a bit more liberal than average too.

Everywhere else west of the Cascades is likely to be moderately conservative, and east of the Cascades they're likely to be more heavily conservative.

There are sizable bastions of libertarianism in Josephine/Curry Counties as well as in the Northeast part of the state.

Gotta love the idealogical diversity of Oregon.

[backdrifter]

Actually, I believe Lincoln City is technically, by voting record if I remember correctly, the most liberal city in the state. I'm not sure what its conservative counterpart would be however.

I also should add that Portland, Eugene, and Ashland are all more at the extreme end of liberal. On the other hand, Klamath Falls, Coos Bay, and Salem are safely conservative though. I'm not sure there are any EXTREMELY conservative towns out there. Polarized perhaps, but that usually balances out.

[Silverfall]

Salem shows up blue for elections, but I do think as a resident were are moderately conservative or mildly liberal (ie we're at the center somewhere).

In general, smaller towns are more conservative, and generally speaking east of the Cascades is more conservative.

[DavePautsch]

I've worked in Corvallis and live in Albany - and I spend a lot of time in Lebanon, Jefferson, and the outlying areas here in the mid-Valley. While I think the statistics bear out that Corvallis may be more liberal in it's general orientation, and the Linn County (especially the agriculturally oriented) folks are much more conservative...what I've found is that most of us here (despite the political labels) tend to share very similar values.

In Corvallis you will find a little more "hippie-like" stuff - food co-ops, Birkenstocks and pony-tails on 50 year old men (just trying to be facetious - I'm almost 50 myself and wish I had enough hair for a ponytail!)...and in Albany you find a little more anti-liberal sentiment (ooh the e-mails I receive from some friends of mine during any election cycle!)...but in general I've found most people are interested in building a good life for their families, parents who are involved in their children's schools...and while there are differences in the politics of achieving them...there isn't a lot of hostility overtly expressed on either side (again, except in e-mails during election years!)