I'm Tired of Obsessing Over This - I need help! Considering Big Move to Oregon from MO. Portland Area or Southern Oregon (Eugene: find a job, transfer)

[CJFriedman]

Good conversation here. My husband and I have decided to move on as well. The kids are all grown and in college and we've had enough of Southern California. Anyway, we went on vacation and met up with a couple of friends, who currently live in Hillsboro (nice place) just southwest of Portland. We came out of there with several places in mind; Roseburg, our number one choice, Springfield, Florence, Grants Pass, Medford, and Ashland. Best wishes to you all. Carol

[Melissa E]

Originally Posted by CJFriedman

Good conversation here. My husband and I have decided to move on as well. The kids are all grown and in college and we've had enough of Southern California. Anyway, we went on vacation and met up with a couple of friends, who currently live in Hillsboro (nice place) just southwest of Portland. We came out of there with several places in mind; Roseburg, our number one choice, Springfield, Florence, Grants Pass, Medford, and Ashland. Best wishes to you all. Carol

Best wishes to you, too, Carol!!

[Hawk J]

Originally Posted by Melissa E

Best wishes to you, too, Carol!!

I love it on my forested mountain...on the side at 2000' elevation so thar isn't too much snow.




Have a Wonderful Day Sister Melissa.

[Caralyn]

Hey did you ever move? Silverton/ Mount Angel would be right up your alley!!

[brandyrun]

To CJ Friedman;
My hubby and I are doing the exact same thing. Kids grew up and left us! THE NERVE! We went on a trip and stayed with a friend and 'fell in love' with Oregon. Actively looking for a place now. The people there were so very very NICE. I loved the rich, lush forest and moisture.
To: Melissa E;
We to are from MO and very tired of the weather extremes here. Born and raised here. Did you move yet? We are Oregon bound ourselves~ I have SAD but will be taking steps to ward it off. Have planned for this. I to have never felt comfortable here in MO. AT ALL. good luck my dear!

[Flower2u]

Thans to Sarahkate & Melissa I have learned so much about OR. I am considering a trip to Portland and the suberbs to check it out. I don't know anyone there yet, but I intend on joining same interest groups as I belong to here in S. Cal.

[Nell Plotts]

BrandyRun: You won't be the first to make that move, in the 1840s my ancestors left MO for Oregon in a waggon.

[White Mountain]

Well, count my wife and I in as well.
This thread has many great post in it and I really appreciate it.
I lived in Grants Pass back in the 70's and have been longing to get back to Oregon for a long long time.
I had really made up my mind to go back to Southern Oregon, but, I may revise that, as there has been the mention of Eugene and I have to tell you that it seems like a wonderful place to live!
I do think that many of us have to realize we all are individuals with different taste and needs.
I think most of us look for the place where people are friendly and a place with a upbeat bring a smile to your face energy.
I hope to move there in the summer of 2010, till then, we will be checking in on the forum quite often...

It is amazing to see all the post of people feeling the pull of Oregon
I wish everyone the best and hope you find your dreams come true.
Who knows, maybe we will meet up one day...
Blessings
White Mountain.

[thelocaldish]

Thank you simplygib for your response. The reputation of Southern Oregon is rather undeserved as far as "rednecks". Yes we have our problems, yes we have people that are stuck in the past, but the truth is people are people no matter where you go and you simple trade one hang-up for another.

Now on to the point - I'd recommend Southern Oregon as well (as I always do). It sounds like you would be able to find many of the things you are looking for - ranging from community feel to Yoga - as well as schooling both at the university level as well as community college level. There are also options to take course work/gain advanced degrees from schools in Portland such as Concordia in the area. The climate will fit you better as well and while it may be a bit tough to find a job (look now!). If you have an education and especially in nursing you have a decent chance - health care is a major industry in this area.

For cheaper housing check out Talent or Medford - Talent is developing into a cute little bedroom community of Ashland while avoiding the high cost of living. You should be able to find a decent rental for around $800. Medford may also have some options and is a short drive from Ashland.

Also, if you love the outdoors you won't be bored, and the drives south and north to larger areas are very pretty! Our airport was recently redone as well and Allegiant Air now flies out of Medford, so you can get some very cheap flights to L.A. and couple of other places (I went to L.A. round trip for $50 including the taxes and fees!!)

[ak.nessa]

IF you want sunshine you need to consider Southern or Central & Eastern Oregon. But since you don't want rednecks I think Southern or mid-Willamette Valley would be best for you. Portland is rainy, cloudy, depressing. So is Corvallis and Salem. The summers are very nice though!!! You could consider tanning!!?? I think Eugene might be a place to consider. Hmmm but I have never lived there. I was born & raised in Lake Oswego, a suburb of Portland, and it is a very clean, safe, beautiful city. It is very liberal. VERY LIBERAL applies to the entire Willamette valley (everything east of the cascade mountains basically) - the mountains are like a divider - if you venture onto the eastern side you enter redneck-ville! But I LOVE Central Oregon. It is just too beautiful, and sooo sunny compared to the western side of Oregon. Anyway, more about Lake Oswego - You can drive to Portland in a short amount of time. AND Portland Community College has a campus that is technically in Lake Oswego, in my opinion. It's a nice little town. One thing I love about Lake Oswego is you can basically walk to the grocery store. If you do live in Portland I highly recommend SW Portland. It is much cleaner, safer, prettier, friendlier than the rest of Portland. Stay away from the East side!!!!!!!

Ashland - lots of hippies
Eugene - lots of hippies
Portland - lots of variety, overall very liberal
Lake Oswego - very wealthy, liberal, probably too expensive to live there

I think SW Portland would be a good place for you and your boyfriend. Just make sure you take some vacations to eastern Oregon to catch up on your sunshine needs. One thing I love about living in the valley is you are close enough to drive to the beach for the weekend (great for summer time)!