Where is the Best Place to live in Oregon (Portland: real estate, to rent)

[Leisesturm]

Originally Posted by mjgcamper

I am amazed at how many folks feel that good location should entail areas of higher development. Don't you guys desire a more natural secluded country feel? Like someplace very quiet (no distant traffic noise) and you can go outside and there is no neighbors able to see you???? Don't get me wrong I understand the reason for subdivisions, and not everyone can do the acreage thing, but don't you think if you were to move here that one of the reasons would be a less artificial environment? Just interested..... not trying to cause trouble.

Do you have children? Why do you think 'everyone' should want to live with a half acre or more insulating them from the rest of humanity? People who still are working (I suspect you are not) cannot live too far off the grid if they want to have a reasonable commute to their work. Likewise, if one is of a more gregarious bent it won't do for all their friends to need 4x4's when they want to come over for a game of Scrabble. We want to live in Oregon because we want more access to nature and seclusion than is possible in NYC but it wouldn't be reasonable for us to want to live in, say Silverton. You apparently want to live even more out of it than that. Fine, but to be amazed that more people don't share your penchant... ... well, thats just sick :-)

H

[tj7run]

I guess it depends on what type of climate and commute you are looking for.

I grew up in Corvallis, Lebanon area, lived in Eugene for 17 years and am now in Oregon City, a town outside of Portland with very low crime rate, reasonable housing and good schools.

I have family all over the state, so I can tell you what I know. Lebanon, Albany, Salem areas are OK, but you couldn't pay me enough to move back. The job situations are not very good, and the school districts are not up to par. The Eugene area is beautiful, sits between two ridges, and has very low crime. The job market there is not as good as the Portland area, but you can go hiking in the morning and drive to the beach in the afternoon. Portland is a little more of a jaunt. The Medford area is the up and coming area. Housing prices are a little high, but the sun makes up for it. Eastern Oregon, Bend, is very nice if you like high desert. It is growing rapidly, and a lot of people are relocating to the area. I used to want to retire there, but has grown too much. Oregon itself has suffered with it's school systems. You really need to research what areas offer the best education, we are not up to par with other states, believe me, I have many friends who are teachers. My daughter and son in-law are in their last year of college and will be teachers. They are having a difficult time deciding what area of the state to teach in. Roseburg, I have never heard anything good about Roseburg, and Cottage Grove is commutable to Eugene if you want. If you want a safer area, with hiking, snow skiing, and beaches at your finger tips I would choose Eugene, or Corvallis, Eugene being my first pick. The towns are not too big, and the people are genuinely very nice. Both towns are university towns, and offer an array of excitement.

[Lootmeister]

West Linn and Oregon City are surely places to check out.

[taylex]

My husband and I are also considering a move to OR with our 2 teenagers. We currently live in New Orleans and are looking for a change. The cost of Catholic high school here is over $6000 for each child. The housing market is a nightmare post-Katrina, as are insurance rates. How are the high schools? Do most kids attend public or private schools? (Public school here is NOT an option) The kids have been looking at Tigard and Tualatin. Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[PNWhike]

Originally Posted by taylex

My husband and I are also considering a move to OR with our 2 teenagers. We currently live in New Orleans and are looking for a change. The cost of Catholic high school here is over $6000 for each child. The housing market is a nightmare post-Katrina, as are insurance rates. How are the high schools? Do most kids attend public or private schools? (Public school here is NOT an option) The kids have been looking at Tigard and Tualatin. Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Try out Lake Oswego, West LInn or Dunthorpe for exclusivity. What do you think your and your kids are too good for our public schools here?

[Leisesturm]

I believe the o.p. meant the public schools in New Orleans are not an option.

[mjgcamper]

Originally Posted by Leisesturm

Do you have children? Why do you think 'everyone' should want to live with a half acre or more insulating them from the rest of humanity? People who still are working (I suspect you are not) cannot live too far off the grid if they want to have a reasonable commute to their work. Likewise, if one is of a more gregarious bent it won't do for all their friends to need 4x4's when they want to come over for a game of Scrabble. We want to live in Oregon because we want more access to nature and seclusion than is possible in NYC but it wouldn't be reasonable for us to want to live in, say Silverton. You apparently want to live even more out of it than that. Fine, but to be amazed that more people don't share your penchant... ... well, thats just sick :-)

H

I guess not everyone can afford a true parklike setting with acreage not too far from town. If I am sick then you like to not put forth your understanding. Then you should come for a visit to my place sometime. Won't be disappointed if you like a private campground/ resort like setting.

Just seems like moving to Oregon where land is cheaper would be an ideal opportunity to get more elbow room, more relaxed, not needing to go do your running on the roads, never having to get fully dressed to go outside. Deer, at times Elk, Great horned owls heard at night, bright stars, plenty of firewood, privacy, outdoor weekend hobbies till 2 am. Not to mention happy neighbors who respect your privacy, yet always stop to say hello.

There's lots more where this came from my friend

[kayakera]

Debmom:
I hate to infringe on your post here, but my husband and I are looking for about the same things as you. We want to move to Oregon, and he is set on Bend although I think there are better areas for us. We also want good schools, low crime, decent job market (My degree is in marketing/business and my husband is a carpenter), decent ($200,000 or less) housing, convenience to shopping, plus easy access to whitewater (we're kayakers), snowboarding, hiking, etc.

Any ideas?

[Terryj]

Kayakera, from the activities you described Bend would be a good choice, the population has grown to about 75,000 and the job market pretty much follows suit. Your husband, being a carpenter shouldn't have a problem getting work there, as with your career also. There are allot of high tech companies in the Bend area. The thing I like about Bend is it hasn't lost that small town attitude even though it has grown so fast. My wife and I are planning on relocating to the Bend-Redmond area this summer, we currently live in Medford.

[HanaMandamom]

Terryj, may I ask why you are moving from Medford. I have been checking it out lately and was just curious if it was due to a major negative. Any feedback you have would be great.