Where to start? (Portland, Eugene, Salem: employment, school, place to live)

[fishnfool]

Hello, I posted this in the Washington forum too but my post applies to Oregon too. Sorry for the repeat.....

I currently live in New Hampshire and love it, but I'm a little unhappy with my current job. I've been working at an environmental consulting firm that specializes in groundwater/soil remediation for the last 2 years. Ideally I'd like to work more in the ecological sector (fisheries, forestry, conservation, etc) as that is what I went to grad school for. I have NO interest in the type of work I currently do. There aren't too many opportunities in that area out here, but in quick searches it seems like the pacific NW does. Also, it's an area I've always been interested in.

That said, I have been entertaining the idea of attempting to move in a few years while my wife and I are still young and not tied down by kids, mortgage, etc (both 26 now). I've never actually visited the NW and I don't even know where to start to look or check out.

I'm obessesed with everything outdoors....huge fisherman, hunter, hiker, kayaker, climbing, skiing, biking....you name it. I HAVE to be close to things like mountains, water, forests, slopes. I could not live in a city if I can't get VERY quick access to those things (30 minutes on the interstate to leave the city isn't quick). My wife works in Human resources for a major international company and is great at it so we would need to be close to opportunities for her. My area of New England is great...small quaint coastal towns with all the New England charm, but I'm only 45 minutes to Boston. Something like that in the NW would be ideal.

Anyways, this is all VERY hypothetical but if anyone could recommend some areas to check out I'd appreciate it. As of now this is simple musings and nothing serious but it's something I'd like to keep on the back burner. Thanks.

[Silverfall]

Silverton is a great small town of 9,000 that would be close enough to Salem to give your wife some employment opportunities. We have jobs like that out here and I know that they are very competitive. You may also want to consider Dallas, Sublimity, Scio, maybe Monmouth Independence as well.

In the Portland area I would consider Sandy or Banks. Maybe Forest Grove. Boring and Damascus are nice as well but pricey.

If you head to central Oregon there are lots of great towns surrounding Bend such as Sisters (very expensive), Redmond and Prineville. Not sure about job opportunities for your wife.

If you stick to some of the small towns that surround the metro areas you should get what you are looking for.

Honestly it doesn't matter where you are in Oregon. You are close to all of those outdoor things. The valley has the Chemeketans Outdoor Club. You can check out their website to see what we have in our area. I know Portland has a club and I am sure Eugene does as well. The best rafting is close to Bend and then down south. There is the Metolius, Deschutes, and McKenzie rivers out that way. We have the Santiam in the Salem area (tamer river). Down south the Rogue River is very popular for white water rafting.

Finding a place to live will be the easy part compared to getting a job in those areas out here. Very competitive. A would think a grad degree would help though.