I'm Tired of Obsessing Over This - I need help! Considering Big Move to Oregon from MO. Portland Area or Southern Oregon

[trixie09]

Originally Posted by Melissa E

Yea, we figured LO was way too expensive for us.
I actually love country type of people - farmers are my heroes!! I think farmers are the most awesome people ever. By rednecks I just don't want too many small minded overly religious, ect. You know what I mean...Ashland was definitely not for me, though I did like it's downtown area. I didn't find Ashland diverse at all!! I like Subarus, too, but geez I saw like 60 Subarus when in Ashland! lol, everyone acted the same, it seemed, ... but of course that was just first impressions, and it has some great points, as well. Mike and I were counting to Subarus and laughing so hard!! Thanks for the reply!

Hey Melissa!

I just now got a notice that you'd replied to my comment back in June! Looks like you're close to making that move. Good for you! I think you might like Medford, as it's close enough to Ashland if you want to have a little bit of that vibe, but more down-to-earth. Medford also has lots of farmland around the edges, so in the fall you get that harvesty feeling. The weather in Southern Oregon is still the best around. One place you might consider, if you have decided you can live with the 7 months or so of gloomy skies, is McMinnville. I was very charmed by that town last May, as it has a real old-school downtown, lots of equestrian and ranch folks, but still enough new things to be interesting. It's near the wineries, and on a highway to the ocean. And.. not too far from Portland if you want to go to the Zoo or other fun things there.

If someone told me today that I had to choose a place to live that was not California, I'd choose Oregon, and it would be either Eugene, Medford/Ashland, or SW Portland area. (though Medford/Ashland has the best weather.)

I'm still here freezin' my tail off in Washington State. My 6 month plan is in motion, and I'm heading back to California (northern California.) I'd thought much about going to Oregon, but as I'm moving alone, I wanted to be at least a few hours from someone I knew. It's much easier moving with spouse or partner (I've done that a few times, and it's so fun!)

Let me know what you decide! I'm excited for you both.

[brandyrun]

Originally Posted by Melissa E

Bradyrun - I've never felt real at home here either, it's weird. I just feel this isn't my home or something? Strange ... I'll be so sad to leave my family, but we are moving to Oregon! It's just a matter of when. When are you moving?? What part of MO are you from? Have we wrote before? I get everyones name mixed up on here a lot. Email me directly if you want!

Melissa E;
I live NE of Kansas City here in Missouri~
I don't suspect we'll move before summer as we have lots of cosmetic work to do on this house before putting up on market. Work is coming along well at this point.
Where are you at in MO?
The pull of Oregon has touched many people it appears. Interesting indeed. I wish I would have driven around Southern Oregon. I think another trip is needed for just this purpose or we could rent for a time while we find our dream home I supose.
I have a 63 year old friend who rented a straight truck (huge one) and filled it full and put her '5' dogs in the cab and moved BY HERSELF from MO to OR last year. Took her 5 days to drive it!
If she can do it ~ we certainly can. I have horses so this adds a bit but it's doable none the less.
Best of luck and tell me where you at here in MO. Wouldn' it be fun if you are near me!
Regards,

[lagoon7]

Originally Posted by Melissa E

VERY LONG, SORRY
Hello! I want to say thank you to the creators of this wonderful site, first of all (not that they're reading, but it's the thought). I appreciate all the great data on all these cities/towns. Ok...
I've been obsessing over moving to Oregon for almost a year now. I'm finally actually doing research more now, though, cause it's time to move soon.
We are visiting there to Portland & surrounding areas & then down to Ashland & Southern area .. We will be there May 20-May 30 . Anyway.......
I live in MO and have never felt at home here for some reason? I feel drawn to Oregon - like I am meant to be there. It's like a calling..
Anyway...
I am from a small town where rent in CHEAP here in MO (I'm talking really cheap $400) and I orginally wanted to start out in Oregon in Southern Oregon around Ashland since it looks like an artistic cozy place w/ college for my boyfriend and would be in between Portland & San Fran & close to CA, as well (so we could do lots of exploring both ways), but then I started looking at housing prices - HOLY CRAP! I'm an RN making $30 an hour here and can't imagine paying even a little more than I do here for housing. - actually it's more like the prices for what you get seem awful - I didn't see many nice rentals searching online for even $700-$800 a month (which is the most I hope to pay). They were all DUMPS with like old green carpet and stuff.
So.. then I thought Grants Pass might not be bad, and then I've had a bunch of people tell me it's boring, redneckish/uneducated type of place .... I thought it looked cozy & friendly, but we need things to do...And also mostly all the rentals I see there are really outdated looking and not worth the price either.
So ... we decided we need things to do & more nice housing choices for the money so thought we should look around Portland. We are so bored here, and we don't want to get to Oregon and be bored there,too... so we decided maybe Portland area would be best.
The thing is I think I have seasonal affective disorder ... I know it is pretty much a constant drizzle from all I've read but I'm wondering how often the sun peaks through? I need some sunshine!
Anyway...
I like all that's going on in Portland as far as entertainment...
SORRY THIS IS SO LONG
Here's what we are looking for if we move around Portland:
A cozy town/small city ...within 30 min or Portland (Portland's main entertainment places) ... I would like the place to NOT be connected/run together with all the suburbs if possible .. I want it to be off by itself with nature around where you actually can get to know some people around town.
We would like the area to not be too redneckish - more of an educated, artsy, natury, cozy place...
Also, it can't be on windy roads ... it has to have a safe road going to Portland ... Also, a place that has a community college real close for my boyfriend & a hospital that isn't too far to where I'll wind up traffic for hours.
Some towns we've read about from the Twilight movie filming sites are St Helens and Corbett. I read that Corbett has dangerous roads and read that both of them are redneckish. I'm used to rednecks where I live, lol, but I would like to be around people I can have some intelligent converstationw with.
I don't know
A part of me just wants to go into the wild and go over to Astoria and hide away from the world, lol. But another part needs more entertainment stuff Portland has.
ANyway - a sense of community and coziness is very important to me. And I need a place where people are FRIENDLY. Any suggestions of places??????
Also, southern oregon is still a possibility even though we might get a little bored .. if we can find housing we can afford. Mike needs school - so that's a very high priority.
HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!
Melissa

tl;dr

Southern Oregon is white trashville. Ashland is "artsy," but expensive and more crowded by the year. Worried about "redneckish?" Stay north of Eugene, then.

[seashelly]

Originally Posted by lagoon7

tl;dr

Southern Oregon is white trashville. Ashland is "artsy," but expensive and more crowded by the year. Worried about "redneckish?" Stay north of Eugene, then.

Define "Trashville". Southern Oregon is an awfully large area to generalize.