Moving from Southern California to Oregon (Portland, Eugene: smog, trip , job)

[Des_Demona]

I'd just like to add that I admitted to being from California and planning to move there soon and didn't get any hostility or comments from anyone. People in Eugene were very friendly and were so eager to help and suggest places and offer good places to hang out. I was so suprised after reading all these threads about animosity toward Californians. I know it exists but in Eugene, people have been really cool. I can't wait to get up there! I love Market of Choice! Haha, just had to say it again.

[DavePautsch]

Having lived here for 5 years (mid-Willamette Valley) I have to say that any negative comments I have heard regading Californians (and my wife is one, and I lived about 15 years in San Diego)...it was always in an amiable joking sense. I have honestly NEVER met anyone here with real antipathy toward Californians...at least never openly displayed.
I will say that it took us a good year to get used to living here. When we first moved here (we moved from SoCal by way of Hawaii), the pace of life was INCREDIBLY slow. Our big laugh was going to the mall on a Sunday evening, only to find it closed. My wife and I joked that we had moved to Mayberry (I got my bullet Andy!) but you know, after a while it just seemed right. The pace of life, family orientation, level of traffic, and overall friendly atmosphere took hold of us and we wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
It WAS an adjustment, and our background (Navy) meant we were open to making those adjustments cause we have moved so often.
Dave's theory (if you will indulge me). Every location has something about it that is less than desirable, be it the weather, earthquakes, population...but people live there and you'll find people that love where they live and others who don't. The difference is usually...the PEOPLE.
Wherever you move, take the time to get to know people, to create relationships, to get involved in the community. It certainly eases the trauma of the move and makes wherever you chose a better place.

Good luck.

DavePautsch

[Flylooper]

Originally Posted by Clear2land

I am closely watching home values in Southern Oregon that have been on the market for more than 180 days that aren't selling. My realtor tells me that a lot of listings are being reduced and I too see that happening. Sales came to an abrupt stop last summer with many tract builders furloughing their crews. Prices may be increasing in certain areas but I sure don’t see it. There aren’t many takers interested in paying $246 a square foot. I see a lot of nice homes priced at $156 a square foot and they aren't selling either.

Dan

LOL. Dan, I heard (I think it was on NPR radio) that Salem, OR is THE strongest real estate market in the entire country. I was flabbergasted! But such it is, evidently. I bought a house in South Salem in '98 for $205K. It wound up being the ex's and I'm told I can't touch it for less than $350K now. Shoot! That's approaching San Francisco rates of appreciation. Yikes!

Bob

[tiffela74]

Hey Des, maybe you should see if your Market of Choice is hiring...they may give employee discounts.
Great post Dave!!! Im glad youve had such a positive response! My best friend is from S.Cal and I rib her still about it, (shes lived here for about 10yrs now) Another good friend from S.Cal. now lives in Texas and she says she gets more rude comments there about it then she did when she lived here in Ore! Interesting, eh?
Tiff

[Ownahome]

I think Oregon is good for people who like outdoor activities. Salem has a little more rural feel to it, that is why we moved to Portland - we like bigger cities, but we also like to go outdoors. If you like snow - skiing is just an hour away in winter. If you like ocean - great beaches are few hours away. There are tons of parks, forests and rivers close by. Right now is also a great time to buy houses in the area, there are literally thousands of homes on sale and people are dropping prices. I know a few families who moved from California. They prefered Salem though to Portland because house prices are lower. You can e-mail me if you need more information, will be glad to help.

[Clear2land]

Ownahome, that was a great first post!! Welcome to the Oregon forum. I hope we will be hearing more from you.

I gave you your first Rate This Post Positively.

Clear2Land, Moderator

[skipper11]

Clear2land, I just saw your Grants Pass Photos!..Love the one with the fly fisherman in the water...brrrrrrrrrrrrr....cold..LOL.. The 4th pic from the top, there is a very, very small cafe on your left hand side (on 6th st.) named Powder Horn Cafe (Mon-Fri, 6am to 2pm). You want real down home cooking and down to earth employees? This is the place to go. Our favorite breakfast place and awesome pies. Oh yeah some of the employees are from Calif...LOL.. And guess what...they are friendly just like us...LOL...Sorry just had to say that...LOL...oh what a stinker I am...LOL...Extending my hand out to say "Howdy My Friend"

[Clear2land]

My hand is outstreached to your Skipper11. Thank you for the heads up on the Powder Horn. Maybe we can meet there for lunch. If you want to see ALL of our Grants Pass Merlin pictures send me a private email and I will toss them your way. I sure like the airport at Merlin. I hope they can put up with me because I intend to be a regular on the field willing to help anyone with anything. My love of aviation runs deep and I just can't wait to get there.

Vickie and I are looking forward to meeting you.

Dan

[ExNYC]

Clear2Land, I really appreciated your pictures too. Great job and thanks for sharing them with us.

It's funny to read in the local papers about native Oregonians not liking Californians, but in person they are as nice as can be. We are happy here and like the weather too, believe it or not. That constant sunshine of SoCal can be relentless in its way. Also, my daughter and her husband are finally able to get out of their house in Los Olivos after being stuck inside because of a wind storm. No place is perfect weatherwise, I guess.

[tiffela74]

ohh, ya, theres another good point......less skin cancer!! yeah!! oh-oh.. and less sun now means less wrinkles as you age!!! YEEEAAHHH
Tiffany