Moving from Southern California to Oregon (Portland, Eugene: landscaping, luxury, best schools)

[Thai]

You're right about the term green being employed as a marketing gimick by many, in many industries nowadays! I do invite you to look into 3-E Strategies, they are the real deal. They're a .org since they're a non-profit. Builders, homeowners, and suppliers walking the walk. We went on their annual Home Tour (if I remember right there were 30 or 40 homes to tour in two days) in the first week of October last year in the greater Bend area. Getting to see methods, materials, HVAC solutions, and practices first-hand was great. Meeting the builders, architects, and homeowners was great, too. The group is very active at the state level, also. In our own home we've noticed that the energy efficient appliances we put in while remodeling actually do use a lot less energy. It's here and it is happening.

Apology accepted, and you're right that the term red-neck has a very negative connotation. It certainly doesn't apply to a majority of residents anywhere, I'd imagine. I used it to ask a question I had about GP area social/political views in general, and for the minority, with the fewest words possible.

[John Cova]

Keep in mind: All Public Libraries are CLOSED in Medford and Grants Pass. that is all of josephone and Jackson Counties, Oregon. The Culture Climate is cold.

[yorkiestork]

There are many beautiful places in these United States!
One first of all has to decide which regions they favor the most. I like the Northwest the best. That's just my preference. I have lived in the deep South and in the Southwest, California and the Northwest and have had wonderful experiences in every area. People have been wonderful everywhere. I tend to gravitate toward positive energy because I carry myself in a positive manner.
This being said, I don't understand people that have so many negative things to say about new areas they go to. I believe people treat you in the way they see you. NEGATIVE ENERGY attracts negative energy!
Another thing, do your homework before moving to a new location. Visit. If you can't find time to do that, you can pull up websites such as pickyourspot.com: The Leading Real Estate Site on the Net and choose locations according to what is important to you.
When I was looking into the Portland, Oregon area, I found out that Portland is number 2 in going green. That really appeals to me because it shows that people care about their surroundings and the way they live. They also are into controlling growth which is why the Portland population is only around 500,000 people. Yes, I did my homework. After living in the Phoenix Metro area for along time I can certainly appreciate that!. Portland is also Number 1 city with more bike riders riding to work then any other city in the
nation.
When I visited Portland I felt a calm, low key energy.
After living in Phoenix, San Diego and Los Angeles that felt very welcoming.
It actually was calming like Sedona, Arizona but in a different way.
The only down side are the dreary days. That is the only thing I am worried about.
cheers!

[tiffela74]

what a great post YorkieStork!! Very well said!
Tiffany

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by yorkiestork

When I was looking into the Portland, Oregon area, I found out that Portland is number 2 in going green. That really appeals to me because it shows that people care about their surroundings and the way they live.

Before too many more years, Portland will be forced to quit dumping raw sewage into the Willamette River. The Willamette and Columbia downstream from Portland are so full of effluent that the wildlife on the river is shot with cancers and deformities. The EPA finally told them to either clean up their act or face huge fines and criminal prosecution. Portland enforces recycling because they are having trouble finding a place to put their trash.

The only "green" thing Portland has done voluntarily is to build a light rail transit system. They have been forced to do everything else.

Originally Posted by yorkiestork

They also are into controlling growth which is why the Portland population is only around 500,000 people.

Portland's population is limited because the city is landlocked. It is completely surrounded by suburbs, and there is nowhere to expand but up. High rise waterfront condos are currently the "in" thing. The Portland Metro Area is over 2 million, and growing rapidly.

Originally Posted by yorkiestork

Yes, I did my homework. After living in the Phoenix Metro area for along time I can certainly appreciate that!.

Just about anywhere in the world looks great compared to Phoenix.

[TribalCat]

Currently I'm living in Southern California in the LA area. I can't breathe. Between the crowds and the concrete and the traffic, I'm suffocating. I spent 16 years in Denver and loved Colorado, but the winters just got too cold for me, and I had to move back to LA five years ago. Not because I wanted to, (I didn't!), but this is where my family lives.

I need to live where there are more trees than people, where I can see deer and fox and rabbits now and then, and where I can feel more connected to the Earth and experience all four seasons. After several years of pondering where I need to move next, Oregon came out on top of my very short list (Northern California and North Carolina being the other two places I considered.)

Now don't shoot me, I'm not completely a stranger to Oregon. I graduated from high school in Ontario back in 1980...on the day Mt. St. Helens blew her top, May 18 *lol* quite the celebration it was! I don't have a lot of money, so I won't be driving real estate rates up, but it would really be nice to afford my own place (which I can't here in LA).

Where in Oregon, I'm still trying to figure out. Definitely Western Oregon, but I haven't decided on the Willamette Valley or further south - Ashland/Medford or Grants Pass. I'm looking for a community that values the environment and wildlife, where people are open-minded and animals are welcome. I don't mind the rain, but I like sunny days too. I'm not crazy about high temperatures, but I can survive with air conditioning. Community activities are important to me, and definitely a Farmer's Market, local craft fairs, that sort of thing. I'm not much of a city person, although having a fair-sized city within an hour's drive would be nice.

Any location suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[freedom]

Southern ORegon has all the attributes you are looking for.
It will take a visit to see which city is best suited for you. imo.....

best wishes in your search

freedom

[Timebaby]

My girlfriend and I currenty live in VT and could not possibly tolerate another winter. We were living on Cape Cod, but it was a little too pricey. We have been thinking about relocating to the Astoria, OR area, which I believe is not that far from Portland..(??) Our main concern, since we are a lesbian couple, is to live in a suburban area that is open-minded. We are low-key about our relationship, no rainbow flags hanging from our porch, etc., but would to like to live in an area that is accepting/tolerant of our lifestyle...and close to the water. :> Any advice would be appreciated, and please, no crazy comments. Thanks!

[Farmergrl]

I just completed reading all of these posts and I can see all sides. Most of the folks leaving SoCal WANT to. Obviously, if you don't want to (husband's job forces relo) then you'll be unhappy. It's what you make of it.

Now, I've been called a redneck. I grew up in Silverado Canyon on a semi working farm. My neck got red. I though that was it. No biggy.

I WANT to leave So Cal. If I had stayed in Silverado, I might have been OK. But I moved to town. Now, the prices are too high in Silverado.

I'm scared for my girls having to deal with watching their school chums grow into Emo/Punk weirdos that use a 4 letter word as punctuation. I don't understand people who let theri kids that are 12 dye their hair black & red, wear tight jeans and tube tops and let them wander around the mall with $100.00!

I want a simpler way of life. I want a meadow where my pony grazes by a stream. Ducks splash around and chickens hunt for grubs. Barn cats prowl for prey and my doxies roam free. My goat comes when I call her and her milk makes the best soap! Baby chicks scramble to their mama hen when hawks glide overhead. The girls pick a pail of berries for a fresh pie. The orchard's yield is canned for the Winter. The basement is stocked and the firebox ready for cozy evenings with a good book.

Seasons! That first hint of warm wind one morning heralding Spring's soon return. That melancholy bite of air when Fall brings it's first aroma to a sultry Summer day. The smell of wild grasses baking in the Summer's sun. And Winter's first rains washing the dust off the trees. Waking up in the middle of the night to pull on another comforter because the snow is falling outside. Life's too short to just have it be an ambient mean temperature of 77 degrees everyday.

SO...which small town am I looking for? Where can I find some acreage with or without a house that has streams and creeks? Meadows and hills?

Is Cottage Grove the town? They have some great covered bridges, I hear. What about Sweet Home? Or should I be nearer to the coast, like Gold Beach? Or further inland, like Sisters? It's time to jump in the RV and take a Walk About in Oregon!

I can't afford anything crazy, as I'm not one of the So Cal's that will make a ton off my house. But I'd like a lot of land for my buck.

I'd like to become an Oregonian. I'd gladly take the Oath and renounce all allegiance to So Cal. Not that I ever had any.

MY GOODBYES: I'm through with traffic, cutting eachother off, not using blinkers to switch lanes. Malls, fast food, WalMart. Kids who think they're the parent, bossy toddlers, scary teens. Spongy nectarines, musty tomatoes, cardboard fruits, limp vegys. Hormone laden beef, milk, eggs, women. Designer dogs, their clothing, bags, rinestone collars. Making wrinkles, sags, laughlines, small chests disappear. Concrete, stucco, asphalt, fake rocks, plastic grass. Zero lot lines, HOAs, city ordinances, no parking your RV on your own driveway. Neighbors who call the City Code Enforcer, Animal Control and police on you daily because-dammit- He pays taxes and demands to live in a Utopian, designer neighborhood! 5x3 plot of land for a "garden", tree trimming codes, fireplace emission laws, BBQ emission laws. Funny looks when you purchase bullets, seeds, a bible, boots. NOT having to buy bottled water, pool chemicals, upgraded landscaping every year, designer anything. G O O D B Y E .

PLEASE!! I gotta get oughta here!

Which towns shall I explore/fall in love with?

My thanks to all Oregonians; native or not, who share your precious resource with any one who chooses.

[freedom]

Affordable land is available since the housing bust.

I would stop at every town off of the I-5 from the border to Eugene and drive 15 to 20 mins. around them.
You will see diverse landscapes and properties.

freedom