Where does our family fit in So. Oregon (Medford area) (Grants Pass: sales, new home)

[famfirst]

Hello everyone,
My family and I are thinking about moving to Oregon. The reasons are pretty much because of all of the good things we've heard about it from friends and family. I was born in UT, lived in Arizona, Las Vegas, and recently parts of FL.

My parents have just recently checked out the Medford area & East Medford area as well as the little "areas" that surround such as Jacksonville, Eagle Point, and Central Point. The little "dilemma" my parents have come back with is they don't know which area is right for our family. So hopefully you can help give me your thoughts on each area and what you think would suit our family the best.

I'm a seventeen year old girl with three younger sisters the ages of 13, 12, and 10.
My mom likes nice houses. She doesn't like older houses. Something newer something nicer.
My dad however, could care less about the house. He wants a good yard to play frisbee in with our dog and is really into fishing and all of that stuff.
They both want a good place for us to grow up.

I want my little sisters to be happy. And the only thing my little sisters want is a neighborhood full of kids. They want to see kids playing out on the street when we drive through in our car.

Also being near the "city" is convenient, but we're not completely "set" on that. An area in a smaller town further out that's a little more laid back is also an option.

(Quick Question, do most people mind if you walk your dog off leash? Or are they pretty laid back about that? In Florida we had our neighbor call the police on us for walking around the neighborhood ((not disrupting anything)) with our dog not on a leash with no warning.)

The negative things my parents have come back with are a few things. They said the houses are over priced. Everything, from houses to groceries, seem to be expensive. Also they said, even though there is no sales tax, property tax and state tax are extremely high (unless it seems you're coming from Cali)...But we're not from Cali.

The good things are that Oregon is just as beautiful as everyone had said it was. My parents said they were greeted with a smile where ever they were and the people were just hands down very nice.

And one other thing. Lots of people have been trying to cordinate their move in these forums for their jobs and employment opportunities. But my parents both have jobs that allow them to live where ever...So as far as that goes, that is not an issue for us.

The main thing is the kid-friendliness of the area. So where in so. Oregon do you think we'd fit in?

We've heard good things about eagle point as well as the "stay away" from White City haha. I'm curious to see what White City looks like, everyone hasn't exactly put in a good word for it.

Thanks!

- Fam First

[ConeyIsBabe]

I suggest you check out the small town of "Rogue River". It is approximately 20 miles from Medford and about 8 miles from Grants Pass. Schools are good. People are very friendly, homes are at bargain prices now. I'm not positive, but I think all cities have a leash-law when it comes to walking your dog within town limits.

[Smiled]

The taxes are pretty low, particularly in Southern Oregon, which receives Federal money to offset lower timber harvests.

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by famfirst

(Quick Question, do most people mind if you walk your dog off leash? Or are they pretty laid back about that? In Florida we had our neighbor call the police on us for walking around the neighborhood ((not disrupting anything)) with our dog not on a leash with no warning.)

Animal control is not an issue of people "minding" what you do. Just as much as with illegal parking, disturbing the peace or unlawful intoxication, it is an issue of adhering to state, county and local laws. Every part of the state of Oregon is governed by the following state statute:

609.060 Every person keeping a dog shall prevent the dog from running at large in any county, city or precinct where prohibited. A person who is the keeper of a dog is guilty of a violation if the dog runs at large in a county, city or precinct where prohibited.

Jackson County and Josephine County -- all of southern Oregon -- are animal control districts for the purpose of this law and prohibit dogs running at large. If a dog is not on a leash, does that mean it is "running at large?" In most cases, yes, but it depends on how well the dog responds to voice control. If your dog has been trained to heel to such an extent that he will not leave your side -- even if a cat runs across the sidewalk three feet in front of you -- and will always return to you immediately when called, then the dog may be deemed under "strict voice control" and may be allowed off leash in areas that are under the jurisdiction of the county. But cities have their own jurisdictions and they may require that dogs be leashed even if they respond to voice control unfailingly. Dogs must be also be leashed when in any public park that is not expressly designated as an off-leash dog park (most cities in southern Oregon have a dog park). In addition, it is a violation to not pick up after your dog when walking it in a public area.

Laws that require that dogs be leashed are largely for the protection of the dogs themselves and other animals. People that believe in the humane treatment of animals support such laws. Dogs at large get into fights with each other, kill cats and wildlife, cause property damage and very often get hit by cars. State law allows land owners to shoot dogs that chase or molest livestock. In addition to dog parks, there are plenty of back country areas in the National Forests of southern Oregon where well-behaved dogs can sometimes be let off leash. That should be enough to satisfy any dog lover.

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by famfirst

But we're not from Cali.

We knew that. Nobody in California callis it "Cali" (Cali is a city in Colombia). Only people from East Coast states like Georgi, Flori, Lousi, Tenni, and Texi call it that!

[bluebird39]

Hi there,

Kind of wondering why your parents aren't posting here, but I lived in the Rogue Valley for many years. Probably the best schools are in Ashland. Medford has better schools than say Central Point or Eagle Point. Talent might be an area you may want to look into. 3 years ago, when we left, the schools there were good, land was cheaper than in Ashland, and there is probably more open areas to walk dogs in, etc...

As for kids, it's hard to say... Ashland is closing schools because families can not afford to live there, but OTOH Central Point is busting at it's seams. My son had 45 kids in his KINDERGARTEN class there!! WAYYYYY too many kids, IMO.... But houses are cheaper there, so many families live there. Other than the schools, we liked CP though...

There's a mix of new and old houses in all of these places.

Good luck.

[malachai23]

Hi there Famfirst,

I haven't lived in the Rogue Valley for many years, but the first place that popped into my head after I read your criteria is Talent. I used to live in Ashland, and although it is a beautiful little town, it is very expensive (as another poster noted). It sounds like cost is an issue for your parents, so Ashland would most likely be scratched off their list in a heartbeat. Talent is in between Medford and Ashland - and if it's anything like it used to be it is a nice little town with a couple of those "real" newer development neighborhoods you are longing for with kids playing on the streets. It is a very small town though. But it's just a short drive to Medford where your family can do their shopping. There is also a big mall in Medford where you and your sisters might enjoy going shopping! Medford gets a bad rap sometimes but there are actually some neighborhoods in Medford that are very nice and I think they would also be good choices for your family. Look especially east of the freeway (I-5). There are some lovely and safe play-friendly streets out that way.

Oh - and just ignore the people with nothing helpful to say to you. Oregon is actually full of very friendly people - your parents are correct. A few of the others just happen to show up on this board from time to time. I think it is great that you are trying to help your younger sisters to have a wonderful childhood and that you are trying to generate some ideas for your family's move. I also bet you are also feeling just a little bit powerless due to your age, a bit sad about leaving all your friends a year before you all graduate together, and at the same time excited about your uncertain future and all the possibilities it holds for you as a soon-to-be adult, and your younger siblings - who still have quite a bit of childhood left in them. And I bet you are also trying to help yourself understand the "lay of the land" a bit better, since you didn't get the chance to go out to Oregon with your parents to see your new home for yourself. If I were in your position I would be doing all the exact same things. I applaud your strong familial bonds and personal proactivity and I wish you and your family the *very* best.

[malachai23]

I just realized someone just revived a 7-month-old post. But gosh, this poor girl really got the short end of the stick from City-Data. I hope she and her family are doing well wherever they ended up. And if by any chance they are still mulling over the move, maybe my post will help.