Choice between Grants Pass, Medford & Klamath Falls (Ashland: real estate, foreclosure)

[sapphire904]

Hello! My husband and I will be moving in April to (hopefully) Southern Oregon. We've been researching many towns, and have come up with Grants Pass, Medford and Klamath Falls as our top 3. We would like any comparisons, information and fair opinions about these places and maybe which would be best for us.

We're looking for a small town of friendly people, good art culture, and lots of mountains and recreational things to do like hiking, fishing, skiing, the coast. I know these towns are all in the same vicinity and so a lot of places, like Crater Lake, are close no matter where we go. I think the deciding factors are home/land prices, jobs and recreation. We're newlyweds in our late-20s to early-30s and this will be our first home. We want to have a nice yard and a small 1200 ft. home (maybe a foreclosure to fix up). Nothing more than $180,000. Quiet, peaceful neighborhoods in the 'burbs or rural, but an easily accessible downtown area for culture. Cool, little festivals and markets are nice too. We'd prefer less rain, but it depends on if the annual rainfall is throughout the entire year (little at a time) or a whole bunch all within a small period of time. We don't mind snow, as long as it's not the heavy, wet stuff and we love sunshine!

We'll be going back to school - mainly medical field and we are both artistc. We may start a family, too, but not right away so schools aren't that important right now (except for colleges). The only things we don't like are too much country-western culture, desert areas and rude people. We are also Christians but that really doesn't matter in our search since we can always read our Bibles at home if we can't find a church.

All input is appreciated. Thanks!!

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Unfortunately, none of those towns fit everything you're looing for 100%.

The only place where you can easily get the house for the money is K-Falls. However, art is dead there. I lived there for 7 years and it's still the worst town I have ever seen for anything artsy. However, the outdoor recreational activities are best there out of the 3 towns you mention.

Medford would be most expensive, but best for art- especially at nearby Ashland about 15-20 miles away. It's also OK for close by outdoor activities.

Grants Pass would be in the middle for housing, arts and outdoor activities.

As far as friendliest people, I go K-Falls, Grants Pass and Medford in that order, but it's close.

[minorbrew]

sapphire904, My wife and I have a home in Grants Pass and we're somewhat familiar with Medford, and less with K-Falls. I would have to say that Grants Pass may be the best compromise of those three towns. It is large enough to offer an array of services (more than K-Falls), yet doesn't have the traffic congestion and "city" feel that you find in Medford. All three of these towns would be reasonably close to outdoor/recreational activities and Grants Pass puts you within easy driving distance to Medford and Ashland, if you should need the things offered there.
We know a lady in real estate in Grants Pass who we have worked with several times. If you are interested, direct mail me on this forum and I'll be happy to put you in touch with her.
Good luck on your choices.
minorbrew

[sapphire904]

Thank you both for your opinions. I think so far, based on your info and our research, Grants Pass sounds like the best choice for us. We don't necessarily need to live in an artsy town, as long as there are some craft/art shows & establishments to showcase our stuff within driving distance. We'll be selling most of our art online, I think. He does photography and I paint. We're really excited to move to OR - I wish it were tomorrow!

[Terryj]

I think you would enjoy Grants Pass, however, with the county funding issues still up in the air you'll hear allot of opinions about this, but I think they will work it out. Out of the 3 towns you listed I think that Grants Pass is the most progressive of the 3. I live in Medford, I grew up in GP in the 60's and have always had a soft spot for the town. Like in most towns, you make it your own, the town is just as friendly as you choose to be.

Good luck on your move

[heather77w]

I've lived in Medford and Klamath Falls and attended college in all three towns. For someone in our age range (I'm in my early 30's) Medford would be your best bet. You would have to live somewhere on the outskirts however to get land and housing at a lower price. Grants Pass is probably cheaper in the housing market but only offers RCC as far as colleges go, which is fine if you are looking for a 2 year certificate in the medical field. SOU is the only 4 year college in that area and its a good 45 minute drive from Grants Pass, so closer to Medford or Ashland would be a better bet there and would offer more options in the job market as well. Klamath Falls has OIT, which is an awesome school, I loved going there and they offer a variety of health occupations as well, but they are kind of secluded, the passes can be difficult to traverse in the winter time, that is desert area which you said you don't like, and like other people have pointed out, there isn't much for art around that area. Medford would be much closer to the coast, skiing (Mt. Ashland), school, night life, art fairs (Ashland) and job markets. I hope that helps, and if you have any specific questions feel free to email me! Heather

[RogueRiverRat]

If christianity was enough of an issue for you to mention it, you might want to think twice before packing your bags. You will get no Southern Baptistism in Southern Oregon. As a matter of fact, year after year Oregon ranks 49th in the country in church attendance. The only folks who beat us year in and year out are our good friends to the north, Washington, which ranks 50th.

[nanannie]

Maybe because of all the glorious natural beauty surrounding the area, one doesnt need to go inside a church to find ones Creator

[RogueRiverRat]

Originally Posted by nanannie

Maybe because of all the glorious natural beauty surrounding the area, one doesnt need to go inside a church to find ones Creator

Just so you know, I wasn't trying to be rude, I was just being honest ... and yes, you also have a point.

[nanannie]

No, never crossed my mind that you were being rude.
You live in one of the most beautiful cathedrals I have ever seen.