I'm Tired of Obsessing Over This - I need help! Considering Big Move to Oregon from MO. Portland Area or Southern Oregon (Beaverton: house, unemployment)

[Melissa E]

Well I'm from a small town, so what I mean by seperate is can you actually tell which is which .. like is there some nature in between the two places or just houses and buildings continually running together. I imagine so like you said since its so close to Portland. I just want to see familiar faces at times ... if they're friendly people! we'll be all the way in Oregon and won't know a soul for a while.

[Melissa E]

Originally Posted by bluebird39

You'll have to get a feel for the place when you get there. Bend is very nice, and sunnier.

One thing I might add though is that both Medford, and Bend are harder to get in and out of as far as air travel. If you're flying to MO to see family, that may become very expensive. Going from one smaller city to another is $$$$$ So Portland might be a better fit.

As to the sun, or lack of it, I personally would rather live in a place that gets moisture, than one that doesn't. With the rain, comes clouds. MI also is VERY sun-deprived. I tell you what though, those of us in places like these know how to celebrate beautiful days! To me, it's not a deal breaker at all, but I know it is for some.

I know I said that Portland would be better for airport, but having said that, you may have an easier time finding work in a place that isn't as attractive to live in... a small town, just because rural areas are really hurting for health care professionals.

And from what I've heard, the traveling nurse/medical worker gig isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Most people I know who do it only last a year or less, because it's so stressful. Only exception... New Orleans. The lack of health care workers there makes working on staff at a hospital a nightmare. Traveling RN's get to have more say on how many hours and shifts they work. Go figure...

that's a good point about airtravel. i'm glad you mentioned that. i will be wanting to visit MO often, too...yea, i'm also afraid of traveling because of how nurses are so overworked .. no telling what kinds of hospitals i could end up at. id still like to try for atleast a year or two once the economy gets going again ... RNs used to be able to pick any place pretty much and get hired immediately for travel ... housing paid, ect. most hospitals i've known of have cut travelers completely lately, though.

[Rob Allen]

There is a definite separation between the Portland metro area and Newberg. The college there is George Fox University, a Quaker (Society of Friends) school. There's a wide range of beliefs and practices among Quakers; GFU is at the "evangelical Christian" end of the spectrum, but Quakers are part of the religious left, not the religious right, so they're not going to resemble deep-south bible-thumpers.

McMinnville is a larger town than Newberg; it's the county seat. Located there is Linfield College, which is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches but is a much more secular school in daily life than GFU.

Both towns are in the service area of Portland Community College. Their Sylvania campus would be the closest. If you're on the south side of McMinnville, it's possible that Chemeketa Community College in Salem would be more convenient.

Canby and Beavercreek are closer to Clackamas Community College in Oregon City. Again, if you're far enough south, Chemeketa becomes an option there too.

Forest Grove has Pacific University, which has Congregationalist roots but is secular now, and it's not far from Portland Community College's Rock Creek campus. Edit - further digging on Pacific's website shows that it still has ties to the United Church of Christ but is open to all.

[bluebird39]

You just got to be careful about the traveling RN. I had a friend/co-worker who ended up in a tiny hospital in the middle of no where, in a dive of a hotel that had broken toilets, etc... She couldn't wait until her contract was up. I've known others who enjoyed the travel, adventure... nomad types. Certainly not for me though :-)

If you like the small town thing, I'd also check into Grants Pass. I worked for Three Rivers Hospital for a few years, and LOVED it there. I have no idea what people mean about rednecks either. There's a heck of a lot more retirees there than "rednecks". I really like GP, but after starting a family, took a job/shift closer to DH's job in Medford, and one that worked out better for our family.

[Melissa E]

hey thanks for the info. i'll check into some things. and yea from what i know of the quakers a little from history and they are seem alright =)

[Melissa E]

are you a nurse?

[Hawk J]

Since 2001 i've been a member of an RV forum .There i've read several threads of happy folks (RN nurses) traveling/living in their RV (motorhome, 5th wheel, trailer, etc) & working 3 month nursing assignments at a hospital, then normally moving on to another hospital (if i understood correctly). You can do a search on the forum.


Fer over four lustrums we've loved living heer on the side of a forested mountain, a ways northwest of Grants Pass. We buy our vittles in Grants Pass. Never had a problem Thar are friendly folks that i've seen.................................


Best O Luck with yer decision...


Happy Mothers Day to ALL.......................Have a Most Beautiful Day.

[gea12345]

Well, i lived In Oregon for 10 years. Just came back to Phila 5years ago. And, Yes, it was hard to get used to the lack of sunshine, but after a few years, you don't notice so much. Get outside, travel to the beach on the weekends and you should be okay. I was.

Portland State U. is a very affordable college and not a rinky dink school.
OHSU is a internationaly known teaching hospital.

People told me to go to eugene first, but coming from the 6th or 4th largest city, i knew Eugene was not a choice. For me, Portland was boring, until you get used to it.

Porltand is expensive and Eugene is expensive, supposed because all of the Californians came and drove the prices up.

When I got there 15 years ago, everyone told me OHHH if you were here a year ago, the rents were only 300 dollars, blah, blah. I always seem to miss the bargains when i move to a new city.

But holy Crap, you can imagine my suprise when I moved back to Phila and the rents for dumpy apartments turned into coops, etc.. were now 1200 instead of 450.

And remember salaries are still hovering around 30,000 for most people.

But just like in Phila or Portland, if you have a car and are willing to live away from near downtown or downtown, you can find many reasonable places to live. If you want safety and friendly people, well, it is better than New York or Phila!!

JUST DON'T LEAVE ANYTHING IN YOUR CAR, PORTLAND IS KNOWN FOR THEIR CAR BREAKINS!

[CalOrGal]

Melissa
Here is my opinion of your question. So sorry if this is long. I am a Calif native and moved to Grants Pass. I lived there for 15 years before moving to SE MO. I know, some say WHY... dont know.
I miss the heck out of Oregon, especially the weather. There are no severe thunderstorms or tornados there. There is also no humidity, chiggers, katydids and they have thousands less mosquitos. But.....
As much as Oregon is beautilful and doesnt have all the ickyness that MO has, if you have kids now or plan to have kids, Oregon, especially Grants Pass is not the place to go. I tried to get my kids into scouting in GP..not good. The sports were ok, however if your kids and your family are not part of that "in" crowd then dont expect them to be picked to play. Sad, but true. Downtown GP has something against kids haning out, doing nothing...not even bothering anyone. That just cant happen there.
The schools were okay but field trips and extra curricular programs are out. They have no funding, therefore, the school system as a whole is poor.
Then there are the insurmountable (sp) amount of California transplants, I know I was one too, that jacked the prices of housing to an all time high.
The GPDPS, wll they are a joke. Extra marital affairs are rampant among the city officers. Sad, but true. The motto to serve and protect has different meaning to them, I guess.
Everytime we turned around an assisted living facility was being built. They tore down the drive in theater to build one. That just took away another family oriented place. The town became one geared for retirement, rather then young family growth. No new jobs, no new companies, etc.
The 2 best things about Oregon to us is no sales tax and you cant pump your own gas. Another worse thing about Oregon is no sales tax. If that state had a sales tax, and lower property taxes then maybe the funding for the schools would be better.
After talking to a friend of ours lately we found the employment there is super high. We have been looking at the job situation, just for curiosity, for the past 9 month. All I can say is good luck.
If you feel you are truely drawn to Oregon, you may seriously think about northern rather then southern. South of Grants Pass only gets more crowded and much more expensive.
I will agree with one thing, GP does not have the redneck population..they are more snooty. The rednecks are usually outside GP, in the hills and mountain areas. You being from MO Im sure you see people wave to eachother out here. You will not find that in Oregon. The only waving a stranger may give you is with their middle finger.

Good Luck to ya in your decision. I hope you are happy in whatever you choose.

[Melissa E]

HAWK J - lol, I bet it's beautiful there by Grants Pass where you live. Thanks for the info. I've always imagined the gas money to be absolutely outrageous on those RVs or I might look into that more. It would be cool probably if I could afford it.