So, tell me about Brookings! (Portland, Eugene: environment, budget, vacation)

[LittleBlackShihTzu]

I just read a response to my rant about the darkness in Portland and someone mentioned Brookings. Someone fill me in about this place. I have been to the Oregon coast many times...but not there.

Is it true that it stays sunny much of the time? How would you compare it to, say, the central California coast?

Anyone know about schools there? (elementary)
Cost of living? (rental prices, mainly).

What's it like there?

Thanks!

[freedom]

We were just there last weekend, it was rainy on saturday and sunny on sunday, the kids played on the beach.

The weather is much nicer than central cal. less fog, and more sun.
It is the banana belt of Oregon, due to the southern trade winds.
They are known for growing lillies.
My brother surfs year round.

Don't know about public schools, my family over there homeschools.

worth a visit.

[leilaniguy]

I was born and raised in Southern Oregon. Whenever we needed to escape the summer heat or the winter fog, Brookings (Harris Beach park) was where we went. This is one of the few places in Oregon where date palms grow and plants like geraniums bloom year 'round.

[furyu]

I retired to Brookings from Southern California, but I lived many years in San Francisco Bay Area, which is the greatest area in this country, in my opinion. I've always lived in or very near large metro areas. Brookings is a huge change from that.

Brookings has the mildest climate along the coast. The area's geology and a meteorological phenomenon known as the "Brookings effect" keep winter temperatures warmer here than anywhere else in Oregon. Ocean breezes temper the summer heat, and the warm months extend from May through late September, generally. Depending upon where you live, that is, right along the coast or more inland, you may experience early morning fog during the summer months. It clears out by mid-to-late morning to blue sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 70s to low 80s. We usually have a couple of 'hot' periods during the late summer lasting a few days to maybe a week where the temps will get into the 90s along the coast and higher inland.

It's a small town and hasn't done a lot to fix itself up. The lumber company has two facilities, one in the middle of town and the other at the northern end of town. They both operate 24/7, and the northern facility is a real problem for nearby residents, with its smoke and constant noises. Anyone who spends a few days camping at Harris Beach knows what I'm talking about.

The restaurants here are not very good; we've got maybe two that are worth the high prices they charge (all the restaurants are expensive, IMO). Shopping is limited. We have a Fred Meyer "super" store, and a number of smaller shops but you have to travel to Eureka, CA or Medford OR or, like me, to Eugene or Portland to shop the big stores. (There's always the internet!)

Housing has skyrocketed in the last five years. Rents are high, I understand, in comparison to wages. There aren't many jobs here either. The main employers are Fred Meyer and South Coast Lumber Company. The prison in California (Pelican Bay State Prison) employes a number of people too. Otherwise, you have small businesses and the medical services.

We own a nice home and got in just before prices went really crazy. No much is selling right now but few sellers are lowering their prices; they know, sooner or later, buyers will come and pay their price because it is such a beautiful area.

I understand the schools are not that wonderful either. We know people who have bought a lot to build on nearby, but are going to wait until their son has finished high school because they don't want him to go to the Brookings public one.

Medical care is not very good. Anyone with serious medical concerns should not move here. Doctors come and go and the ones that stay are, well, they do their best. Most people go see Nurse Practitioners (that tells you something about the doctors in the area). The closest hospital is in Crescent City, about a 20-30 minute drive.

I know this sounds very negative, but it's my honest impression and experience. I enjoy living here, but mainly because of its natural beauty and great weather. I don't have children, nor do I have need to get out and do a lot of cultural things any longer (even going to movies isn't a great experience in this town!).

The place is best suited for retirees, like myself, I think. If you're young(ish) and need to be active, there is not a lot to do here unless you are totally outdoor-oriented and love to hike and engage in water sports.

[Marko3]

Brookings is a bit of an anomoly. It's not too far from Crescent City, CA, which tends to be foggy, drizzly, and rainy quite a bit, but Brookings seems to have much better weather. I don't live there, but we take several trips a year there. It is far away from other areas, but a fun coast spot! Some great seafood in Brookings, and they do have a fairly nice sized Fred Meyer's. My only beef with Brookings is that the roads to get to it aren't as great as some of the other coastal cities in Oregon...however, depending on what you're looking for, that could be a blessing.

[Jimbo54]

Brookings still has a small town feel. We like it so much that we are purchasing a home there. For the most part everyone is very friendly.

The home prices are coming down (good for me) but they are almost certain to rebound within a year or two. There is a real sense of uncertainty with the county's budget woes. Most new arrivals tend to be from California and are retirees.
Food is not bad but there are no four star places, good medical is hard to find, but the weather is better than anywhere north of Monterey.

[seashelly]

[quote=Marko3;583356].... and they do have a fairly nice sized Fred Meyer's.... QUOTE]

Geeez, I was just down in Brookings less than 2 weeks ago and I didn't see a Fred Meyers. Where are they hiding it? lol. Fred Meyers, well, that's a good thing.

[iteminspace]

Furyu,

Thanks a lot for your very informative post. I rented a vacation place for the summer in Brookings. However, after reading your post regarding the Lumber Mill, I did some investigating and got somewhat concerned regarding the pollution emitted by the facility.

This application by South Coast Lumber Co. helped me understand the extent of problem:

http://www.deq.state.or.us/news/publ...4_080008pn.pdf

With air quality such a severe problem in a lot if not most areas today, it is a real pity that coastal towns with such potential as Brookings do not safeguard their environment better.

I am trying to cancel my rental now and hope to find a better suited place somewhere further up the coast.

[freedom]

I've been going to brookings for over 30 yrs. and never thought the air was the least bit polluted. The ocean air makes sure of that.
The mills output is small in comparison to living off the I-5 corridor, or for that matter PCH 101

[furyu]

Originally Posted by iteminspace

Furyu,

Thanks a lot for your very informative post. I rented a vacation place for the summer in Brookings. However, after reading your post regarding the Lumber Mill, I did some investigating and got somewhat concerned regarding the pollution emitted by the facility.

This application by South Coast Lumber Co. helped me understand the extent of problem:

http://www.deq.state.or.us/news/publ...4_080008pn.pdf

With air quality such a severe problem in a lot if not most areas today, it is a real pity that coastal towns with such potential as Brookings do not safeguard their environment better.

I am trying to cancel my rental now and hope to find a better suited place somewhere further up the coast.

Gosh darn it, iteminspace, I wish I'd known about that DEQ public notice prior to the cut-off date; I'd have had some comments, for sure. That's the thing about this town... everyone is so "hush hush" when it comes to anything about South Coast Lumber. They are the sacred cows of this area and no one dares challenge them. But the DEQ should have a better notification system (that's asking a bit much from a governmental service isn't it?).

While air quality is obviously a concern, it is not the most noticeable problem with the mill. The noise is. That's because more often, there is an onshore flow, from west to east and I'm west of the mill so it blows the other way. But not always: our smoke alarm went off one night because they were burning 'sludge' or whatever they call it. We'd turned on our fan to drown out the 'whining' noise the mill was making that night and evidently it helped pull in the smoke that was, that evening, blowing east-west right over our house. A few days earlier, I'd walked outside around 2-3 p.m., and saw what I thought was a humongous forest fire off to the east. It was So Coast, burning something. I often smell smoke, a wood burning smell that is not, frankly, unpleasant but you've got to wonder how healthy it is.

How they get away with it is beyond my understanding. You'd think people would care enough about their kids and their elderly parents or what have you, if not themselves, to want to 'upgrade' their environment. But like everything else, it always comes down to money. The mill employs about 500 I think, between the mill out on Carpenter and the plywood manufacturing one in town (that spews smoke 24/7).

I'm going to forward the Mayor a link to this site... maybe if the powers that be figure out that it is actually costing the town tourist income and potential home buyers, maybe... maybe.

Doubt it.

Sorry about your rental. Hope you can get out of it without any trouble. Please let them know WHY you are withdrawing. I'm curious to know where the rental is... you might not only have been affected by air pollution but more, by the noise.

Take care...