Is Oregon very expensive?

[pinkpantherfan]

As someone who is relocating to the Portland area soon, I've been going online and searching for homes. There are lots of them under $200 that look pretty nice in the photos. The cost of living index is much lower than in California where I live now. Sure you can pay $500,000 or even a million in Oregon, but you definitely can find something affordable. Just try searching on the internet for homes and you will get an idea of the prices of homes in the area where you are thinking of living.

[frogbark]

whether oregon or otherwise, wherever the jobs are will be the most expensive areas to live in. The tri-county area here is where the major employment is and also the highest home costs. The second highest cost areas for homes are the resorty areas like bend, Brookings, etc. If you are retired and not tied to locating near employment you can find reasonable homes in smaller towns and such. Of course, if retired you may be concerned with living near a certain level of medical services.
Your best bet is to come and spend a little time looking around to see if you can find the place that meets your needs.

[Daggsinthedesert]

I do not agree with the one that says that no one would want to live in Eastern Oregon. My husband and I grew up on the coast and had never been to the Eastern side of the state. A couple of years ago, over Memorial day weekend, we decided to take a ride, and ended up in Hermiston. We fell in love! Growing up in a place surrounded by trees, and very wet, we were ready for something new. We think that the desert is absolutely beautiful. Coming up 1-84 and going from trees and rain, to wide open spaces and lots of sunshine, is very exciting to us. The weather when we came over here for Memorial day weekend was cold and rainy on the coast, and when we got over here, it was still 80 degrees, and very lovely at 7 o clock in the evening! The humidity is very low, so the warmer temps are not as extreme as they are on the humid coast. The winter does get cold, but it doesn't last long. And besides, my husband and I were ready to experience four seasons, not just one season all year, like other parts of the state. The home prices are great! My husband and I are buying a brand new 1600 square feet, four bedroom home for only 150,000! For the price range you are looking at, a "starter home" could actually end up being something that you might want to live in the rest of your life. You can get a brand new 2500 square foot home with a view of the city and the desert for 200 thou. So, I would definitely not rule out the Eastern part of the state. Some people actually like it. Plus, there is the tri-cities, WA area. The home prices are a little higher, but the population is larger, and if a more urban feel is something you are looking for, check it out, too. Do some research. You'll find an area that is just right for you!

[furyu]

I don't agree that the cost of living is less here than in California. I'm actually paying more for utilities here than I did in California, garbage pickup, and all independent services (from yard maintenance to dry cleaning, etc.) are more expensive than in California. Grocery prices are about the same or maybe a little bit higher. The only thing we save on is gas, about 20-cents a gallon less than in California, but that may change here soon (and probably should, for environmental reasons).

Of course, this may not be 'as' true in large metro areas where competition is greater. I live on the South Coast and everything has to be hauled in here via trucks.

I don't have to work but I know that the salaries are very low around here, while jobs are few. Housing, like every other coastal area, has skyrocketed here as the retirees move in (myself included; I got in just in time, before the market became insanely high). Even with the downtrend in real estate values, we're not seeing it here. Every seller is standing firm on their 'price.'

It's a beautiful area, and that beauty comes at a price. Makes it hard for many to enjoy it though.

But I think any and all environmental costs are worth the price we all pay, from developers to home buyers. I'm glad Oregon has tough zoning laws and I hope the State sticks to that, 'lest everything gets plowed over and soon looks like SoCal.

[cvanripe10]

i live outside NYC and the smallest house here would go for $450k.

200,000 for a house sounds great

[rebeccapoth]

You might consider travelling in and checking out prices around Coos Bay or Reedsport if you like the coastal areas. You may find something reasonable and it's beautiful there.