Looking to move to Oregon (Portland, Eugene: unemployment rate, construction, to live in)

[Ryleighsmom]

My fiance', 23 and I, 22, are looking to move our family(we have a 6 month old) from Virginia to Central or Southwestern Oregon. My fiance' used to live in Beaverton and Tualatin but does not want to move back to Portland. We would like to live in a city like area with the same accessability but less congestion. Any advice would be helpful! Thanks!

[Silverfall]

Where you move might depend on whether or not you can get a job out here. What kind of jobs are you looking for?

[Ryleighsmom]

We can pretty much both work anywhere. I currently work at a hospital drawing blood, but can also be a secretary, and my finace' is intersted in law enforcement or any field of construction.

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by Ryleighsmom

We would like to live in a city like area with the same accessability but less congestion.

Well, that rules out Medford.

[Ryleighsmom]

what does medford have to offer steve

[davefr]

Originally Posted by Ryleighsmom

We can pretty much both work anywhere. I currently work at a hospital drawing blood, but can also be a secretary, and my finace' is intersted in law enforcement or any field of construction.

Don't make that assumption.

Construction is in a depression, law enforcement is flooded with apps, companies are doing without secretaries and hospitals are even laying of RN's. (ex: OHSU)

This has been repeated multiple times, but don't move to OR unless you can weather out the recession without getting a paycheck. (assume >1yr)

Why don't you come here on vacation and check out potential areas in anticipation of when times will be better.

[Ryleighsmom]

we both have experience in many other fields those were just specific jobs that we were searching for...but thanx for the advice

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by Ryleighsmom

what does medford have to offer steve

congestion

[Silverfall]

Central Oregon would be Bend for that city feel, but they have one of the highest unemployment rates in the state...like 16% or something.

Congestion is relative.

[Rob Allen]

The only "city-like areas" in Oregon are Portland, Eugene and Salem. You've ruled out Portland, so that leaves Eugene and Salem. Check those two out first.

If you want to try a smaller town, Bend, Medford, Corvallis and Albany would be next on the list. Or you could try a town on the outskirts of the Portland metro area, like McMinnville or Forest Grove.