Relocating to Oregon but where??? (Willamina: fit in, for sale, lease) - City-Data Forum

a113antonia · 11-26-2008, 02:35 PM

I am a 20 something wife and mother of two who has had it with California. I have put my house up for sale to break even and get out of this god forsaken place and move my family to somewhere better. I was raised in the country of the east coast and was drug to California after a nasty divorce between my parents and now that i am myself a mother of 2 young girls wonder why anyone would subject their children to this place. I have done extensive research and found that Linn and Lane county have houses with bigger lots and really like the look and feel of them I have lists of town names but am sort of at a stand still about where to go. I really feel lost...I am planning on me and my husband taking a week long trip after the first of the year to drive around and look but am a little apprehensive after the horror stories about the Californians that are despised so greatly.

Does anyone have any suggestions???
Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you

Leisesturm · 11-28-2008, 01:58 PM

I think it would be much easier to help you if you told us about what you want from Oregon vs what you didn't want from California. Come to think of it, you haven't really revealed what is so awful about your California experience. IMO there should be something about a place, something intrinsic to that place, that would make it worth the sacrifices neccessary to get there. Then there is the fact that you perceive that Oregonians will be hostile to yourself or your children. If you suspect this, why would it still be on your short list? And don't be reassured by a couple of posters here. Not even a two week visit will really prove anything. No, it has to be that the place you want to be in has enough to be worth the inevitable lack of welcome and/or hostility. All that said, I would lay on very good odds that a decision to move to Linn or Lane county would not expose you or your family to undue criticsm or harm. Provided you understand that being 10 or more hours north of where you live now is going to put you into an entirely new geographic and climatalogical realm of experience.

H

a113antonia · 11-28-2008, 05:23 PM

It is understandable by all means that moving away from my current location will change much, but in my defense I don't want to raise my children in a place where you can't go to the store alone in fear of a mugging. But it does not end just there, I'm just wanting to put roots of my own down in a more desirable location for my kids. A place that has four seasons, where not everything is about the biggest and the best but be thankful for what you do have and being grateful and gracious. California is full of everything I don't want and wasn't raised with but where I grew up is not so desirable either because of it's downturn also after 20 years of urbanization. I want to raise my kids around nature. I grew up on 25 ares of nowhere and couldn't have been happier. I can't stand there is nothing here but pollution, buildings, and lots and lots of people. To raise my kids in a smaller town where they can go fishing with their dad and not have to drive 2 or more hours to get where there is actually alittle bit of nature. I don't really care if people don't like where I am from it was mainly just curiousity. My origin is not me and I will move despite any questions and all the unknowns. People talk so much about it I was curious. Thanks for the info.

freedom · 11-28-2008, 06:59 PM

The great Oregon Irony.....are you ready....? Here it is...

It is mostly EX Californians.....

Say it ain't so Joe.... yep its so.

Visit, seek, find... best wishes.

freedom

kimhamblin · 11-28-2008, 11:15 PM

Hi,
One thing you should consider is jobs and availability to work wherever you choose to live. That might decide it for you. If you live in the country, you'll probably have to commute to work and that distance can be brutal if your car breaks down or something else happens. Unemployment can be high in some areas, but I think there is always room for hard workers and entrepreneurers.

This website seems to have some good info- http://oregon.com/counties/index/.cfm if you click on the counties, info about them will pop up.

Another thing to think about is weather and rain. I like it, but a lot of people don't. The amount annual rain fall can very dramatically between towns. I live near Willamina where teh rainfall is around 55" and 7 miles away it's 105"- crazy! But the Coast Range influences it quite a bit.

I wouldn't worry about the California bashing, you seem to hate it more than most Oregonians!, just change your plates on your car. The people that get flack are the ones that move here and talk about how great California is and then wonder why they don't fit in.

Good luck!

a113antonia · 11-29-2008, 04:49 PM

Thanks everyone especially kim for the info. We are going to be a multi-generational move meaning my family plus the dreaded mother in law thank god shes my mother. Anyway I am thinking of sending my mother ahead to get a job and get situated in the area while I wait for our house to sell here. She has been looking for work via the internet there but so far nothing. Just wish things would move faster but it truly is never in our time. There more I seem to push the slower things are progressing.

Anyway thanks again...

a113antonia · 11-29-2008, 04:57 PM

One thing I forgot to ask is weather. I know it rains a lot and that doesn't bother me what I was curious about is the humidity? Is it really bad ? Where I live now it is 0 but 120 in the summer which is ridiculous. My husband only cares if he can ride his dirt bike and go fishing I personally have a few more concerns. Any info on weather would be greatly appreciated.
Have a nice day

popo1 · 12-04-2008, 08:17 PM

Do not repeat do not move to Coors bay, I read all the hype about living here. I move here from las Vegas yes the one in Nevada. The people here are as rude as the ones in Las Vegas. I been here less then a week and if i did not sign a 6 month lease i would go to CA. I am unemployed at this but i do have a monthly check. Try to get help looking for work forget it. No one will give you the time of the day. To get a job you have to know someone. Company's here put there jobs on job boards. Call and ask if there hiring the answer is no. So who is getting the jobs? I put it this way if i don't find a job in 6 months i gave it a try. You been warn try somewhere else not Coors Bay.
Just my opinion The answers i will get if you don't it like it here move the norm in Coors bay Yes i did live in CA for 10 years.

Hawk J · 12-09-2008, 08:26 PM

Howdy, all3antonia....................

There isn't much humidity here. We get many more sunny days then cloudy ones most years. If i were you i would search around southwest OR. I put up a list of towns earlier on another thread.

I've lived here over 4 lustrums without any problem. Before i lived in Monterey CA, marina, prunedale, salinas area........................

There are very many great folks in OR. Best of Luck to you & your family..............