Thinking of moving to Oregon Coast (Portland, Eugene: transfer, theater, middle school)

[Ingamar1960]

Husband works for Wal Mart, so looking in the Coos Bay or Newport areas, which would be better for a child that loves to dance, and sing, and is in band? We have some of it where we now live in California, but it is limited, and we are in an area of California that requires a lot of driving to anything cultural and is just a little bit too small for us, we don't want a huge city, but just a place with more things to do in a smaller radius, like not having to drive 35-40 miles to go shopping or to a theater. Also, if anyone knows what the pay rate is in those areas at Wal Mart? My husband is a Lead Floor Maintenance. Oh, by the way, when I was really little, about 4, I lived in the Willamette Valley on a cherry farm, Thankyou so much!

[furyu]

I doubt Coos Bay has much in the way of culture. It's a pretty small town with its major industry being shipping and manufacturing (formerly, it was a big lumber town and still has two operational lumber mills -- which, btw, are extremely noisy and polluting, and run 24/7). Its main attraction--entertainment wise--is a huge casino situated on the bay, run by Native Americans. Coos Bay feels 'old' and run down. Gritty, even a bit grimey. Same of North Bend which is to its immediate north. When I say "small town," I mean in comparison to what I consider 'big towns' like San Francisco and such. Coos Bay IS big in comparison to all the other towns along the coast, but it still has a 'small-time' mentality.

Newport is nicer, much nicer, over all. But more expensive to live in, consequently.

I think you really ought to plan on spending time along the Oregon coast and check out these towns before making the move. As far as dancing and singing, and all that, you may find that the schools offer something along those lines, although our public schools are suffering financially, but that's probably true nation-wide.

If culture is key to you, I would think Portland would be your best bet. There are a lot of outlying areas where you could live and have that 'small town' feeling and still be fairly close to a major city with all that it offers. And Portland is great culturally... lots to do.

Re WalMart... would he be able to get a transfer? That way, I would think (don't know, of course) he could keep his current salary. I don't know what town you live in in California, but I doubt a coastal-Oregon town pays any better, and may be less.

[Faithatwindermere]

Newport is definitely going to be the better choice for amenities. Coos bay is significantly smaller and further away from anything! You don't have to go all the way to Portland though to find culture. Eugene/Springfield has all of the same cultural amenities with a much smaller town feel. You may actually get to know your neighbors!

[Waterlily]

Excuse me? Coos Bay is not smaller than Newport. You can look at the city-data information to see the populations of these towns.

Coos Bay is the largest city on the coast of Oregon. North Bend adjoins it to make an even larger population.

[pinkpantherfan]

The cost of living is way lower in Oregon than in California. There is a website (can't remember the name of it) where you put in your present location and the one you want to move to and it gives you the difference in salary you would need to maintain the same standard of living in the new location. I've been researching the areas I want to live in and you can find out tons of info on the internet. You can contact the chambers of commerce and find out lots too. And I think Coos Bay is beautiful personally, as are all the coastal towns and the quality of life is wonderful. If you want big city life, you can always drive (or fly) to Portland on the weekends; it's not that far. Check out Bandon-By-The Sea; the beaches there are unsurpassed. My parents used to live there and many commercials are filmed on those beaches.

[Ingamar1960]

Thanks to all your replies, found out that Hubby will lose his personal time, which by the way is a whole lot, so we'd have to stay in CA wah, but we could possibly live in Brookings and have him commute to Crescent City, or would Crescent City be better? Im not sure, Let me know about Brookings, and how the schools, etc. might be for a middle schooler. again, thanks to you all!

[seashelly]

Hi Ingamar1960 -- I was just down to Brookings yesterday. There's nothing really in the town of Brookings. It's a nice seasonal tourist seaside town to visit that's about 25 miles north of Crescent City.

[AngryTypingGuy]

What's out there along the coast of WA and OR? Why isn't (or is it?) it as popular as the California coast? I mean, you've got the Pacific Ocean right there on your doorstep. Are the waves there a lot rougher than south of the coast? Is there a lot of zoning restricting any large development from really starting? Does it rain there as much as Portland or Seattle?

[tasmtairy]

I don't like Crescent City, I prefer Brookings, but with a small child it's pretty small. Too bad you can't move to Newport, I lived In Lincoln City for 6 mos and worked in Newport and loved it, better than I did Coos Bay. I moved to Salem/Keizer after that for 5 years before coming to NC. Good luck!!

[tiffela74]

we do have a very very good dance school here in CoosBay, theyve sent kids to Juliard, and have kids that dance professionally all over the world. We also have a Boys and Girls club, that offers many programs, including art, my daughter just won a regional art compatition through them. They also have an incredible gymnastics program. I know other stuff is offered, not sure what. The Coos County Art museum is also quite involved with the schools and offers some very good programs. I know some of the gymnasts commute from Bandon, not sure about the dancers. But if your child is really serious about dance or whatnot, you might find out if there is anyone else willing to commute.
Best of luck to you and yours!!
Tiffany