Considering Oregon as a future home. (Portland, Eugene: school, university, place to live)

[TheGreatJesse]

I am looking to move to Oregon, with my lady-friend, sometime in the next few years. We are both about to graduate from college in Pennsylvania, and are looking to move to a much more mild climate. We despise snow, and would like to find a place to live that receives very little accumulation in the winter. Jobs are also vastly important, of course, and I will be graduating with a degree in English, and my lady with a degree in psychology. We both plan on going to graduate school, so a decent college nearby would be a big bonus. I don't mind the dreariness of winter, provided I am not wading through snow. We are both liberally-minded individuals, which is our primary reason for deciding on the west coast as our destination. Any possible recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Silverfall]

Depending on what you want to get your graduate degree in...

Eugene has the University of Oregon and they have a really good PhD program in psychology. Eugene being a college town is quite liberal.

Corvallis has Oregon State University and is a nice town as well.

Salem is fairly moderate in politics. We have Willamette University and Western Oregon University is just outside of town in Monmouth.

Portland has Lewis and Clark (good Master's in Counseling Program), Portland State University (great Masters of Social Work program...tough to get in) and Pacific University is in Forest Grove with a really good PsyD program. Portland is also liberal.

Not sure what you want to do. Teaching?

If you stick in the Willamette valley we only get snow that sticks about every 3 years or so. We're just too warm in the winter for snow.

So pretty much the Willamette Valley meets your needs. What kinds of jobs and graduate degrees are you looking for. That may determine which city is the best for you.

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I would agree with Silverfall that Eugene & The U of O may be your best bet.

[DavePautsch]

I grew up in Pennsylvania...graduated from Bloomsburg in 1981 and then joined the Navy in 82. I've lived here in the mid-Willamette Valley for the past 7 years and found it to be very much like home except that there is less snow in the winter, and less humidity in the summer.

I grew up in Sunbury - about 45 miles NE of Harrisburg along the Susquehanna
Albany is about 45 miles NE of Harrisburg, along the Willamette

Sunbury was pretty much across the river from Lewisburg - and so is Albany. In addition, I have now lived near Lebanon and Millersburg in both states. In many ways, it was like coming home again.

Good luck to you...

DaveP