Moving from Southern California to Oregon (Portland, Eugene: homeowners insurance, pros and cons, property taxes)

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by Farmergrl

Thanks for your help all! We are planning a drive up the 5.

Don't say "the 5", say I-5. You sound like you are from the east coast.

Originally Posted by Farmergrl

When you say East & West sides, is that because of the mountains I see on the map? My map won't load al the way so I can't see the name of the range. Isn't one side better weather or something?

Those mountains are the Cascade Range, the major geographic feature of the Pacific Northwest. Volcanoes. Glaciers. Waterfalls. They are incredibly rugged. You can drive from near sea level to higher than Denver in 25 miles. SE Oregon is dryer than Death Valley because of those mountains.

Originally Posted by Farmergrl

I heard someone say something about the "Banana Belt" area of Oregon (one for Idaho, too!) What is that? Google pulls up Gold Beach...

Should we divert to the coast at Gold Beach off the 5 along the 101? Or is it pricey?

Don't say "pricey", say "spendy." You sound like you are from the east coast. By all means, go to the coast. Go to the mountains. NE Oregon is astonishingly beautiful. Drive around for a few weeks.

Originally Posted by Farmergrl

I dont mind rain and/or a bit of snow in the Winter, I don't like it too much all Summer, though. I'll take it to get the green I crave!!

Oregon has a summer drought. Don't worry about rain in the summer, worry about forest fires. The wet springs create a huge fuel load that can lead to firestorms of biblical proportions. When the wind blows, nothing stands in front of a fire.

[daafy]

I live in Phoenix, AZ and am contemplating a move to the Ashland area.

The heat in the summer is unbearable here in Phoenix. I have horses and it drives me insane that I can not ride in the summer.

But I'm wondering if I would be trading one "problem" for another when it comes to outdoor activities. My concerns about Oregon are: muggy summers with bugs, mold, and so much rain that I will end up inside most of the time anyway.

Does anybody have any comments? My main interest is about the weather. I'm sure the folks in Oregon are like anywhere else; some good and some not so good.

Thanks.

[freedom]

Originally Posted by daafy

I live in Phoenix, AZ and am contemplating a move to the Ashland area.

The heat in the summer is unbearable here in Phoenix. I have horses and it drives me insane that I can not ride in the summer.

But I'm wondering if I would be trading one "problem" for another when it comes to outdoor activities. My concerns about Oregon are: muggy summers with bugs, mold, and so much rain that I will end up inside most of the time anyway.

Does anybody have any comments? My main interest is about the weather. I'm sure the folks in Oregon are like anywhere else; some good and some not so good.

Thanks.

This is perfect horse country. If you have a stable for the winter. Even without they seem to do really well.

Summer is drought season, we may get 2-3 inches in all of june-sept.
Spring is perfect, Fall is mostly perfect on avg.
Winter is just what you would expect, up to 30 inches in the wet season Oct. thru may

freedom

[bobmulk]

Farmergirl: Say "pricey" and "the 5" all you want. No one will even notice. It's a total non-issue.

[kari0422]

Seriously, my husband grew up in L.A., and he says it "was" wonderful growing up there. However, what is driving many Californians out of the state and into Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, etc... is the high number of immigrants pouring into California. Now, I could go on for hours on the effects of immigration(particularly the illegal type), but I'm just gonna say it is not good and getting worse. So, some people may think californians are "taking over", but the fact is that they are sad that their nitche has been taken over and therefore they need to move, or they plain can't afford to live there anymore, or they want a safer or quieter place for their family... "somewhere". It is a difficult adjustment and it may either take time or several moves and changes before finding the right place for their individual needs. Moving is a difficult adjustment. You leave loved ones and friends behind. You have to adapt to different climates; weather and allergies. There are also cultural differences in our country that are geographical. Some are subtle and others drastic. They effect people differently. If someone moves here and isn't happy here. I would assume that they can't financially make a move again "right now" or they probably would! maybe they don't know where to go.

I've been here almost a year. I've enjoyed many things about the state. I've taken many road trips to see as much as I can... before I leave. See, the "gloom" here is something "I" can't handle sometimes. I iss my family and friends, etc., but I've has some good times here also. It just isn't for me... and if you here me complaining it is because i am genuinely sad and I'm trying to get back home, but my home has been on the market here for quite some time and the market is pretty bad right now with not enough buyers for the massive inventority of homes in this area, and they're still building more places.

My children start school here again tommorrow. That is sad for me, because I thought for sure we would get a bite over the summer, but we will make the best of it.

From my experience... I would visit more than once and visit during the winter months to see if you can handle the climate and also research the area(which if you're reading this then you are!). Look into suitable outlets for yourself and for your family for hobbies, fitness, etc. One thing I had trouble finding was a playgroup or preschool in our town here. There were 2 preschools. One we made too much money to get our son into. The other was fully enrolled. I never found a playgroup, but over time we made a few friends. We've found trouble finding indoor activities to get us out of the house on all the rainy days of winter also. The only indoor play area is at McDonald's. I was surprised there wasn't an indoor public playground here, given the weather situation.

Well, gosh... hope this is helpful to someone! lol

Originally Posted by tiffela74

Humm, Roma, let me guess, you are from California. Why in the world would i be jeolous of anyone that is from/lives in California?!?! That makes utterly no sense at all. What an odd comment.
And no, I certainly dont think Oregon is a "country", Im well aware it is a State. Again, odd comment.
Yes, I also know housing prices are going to be rising all the way across the country for the most part. Its how quick they are rising here and the fact that again "70%of house/land sales in the last 3 years have been to people from California"
Again, please, try to re-read my post and look at my point. If you are going to move here, be a postive person who can bring something GOOD to Oregon. If you are going to live here, at least attempt to find something good about Oregon, dont complain constantly about the STATE and whine all the time about how wonderful California is. If California was so perfect, there wouldnt be such hordes of people making a run out of there.
Clear2Land, come on home. We still have plenty of small towns with open arms
Tiffany

[saam]

Hi Tiffany

May I have your suggestion?

[tiffela74]

whoa...how did I get in here again? lol..
well Saam, that depends on what you deem "affordable" and what kind of commute is acceptable to you. Portland has many surrounding towns that are quite lovely. Quiet and rural...How quiet do you want too? Mulino just out of Oregon City is quiet and rural, beautiful to boot. Affordable depends...they did just do a Street of Dreams out that way not so long ago...but still some homes for the more "average Joe" to afford. Out of Beaverton, there is Farmington, and some very nice homes....(or at least there was about 5yrs ago when I was out that way last, not sure anymore) If you find the right area, there are some wonderful places on the outskirts of Hillsboro. Hows Sandy anyone else? It used to be a pretty nice town....lots of activity going on as people passed through during ski season, but i used to know a family on the edge of Sandy w/a little farm and they were quite happy there.
Id love to be able to help you, but I need more specifics, and maybe its a whole new thread? Cuz Id sure need some other people throwing in their 2cents too!!! Ive been on the coast the last 4yrs.
Best of luck to you!
Tiffany

[Hercumer]

Originally Posted by AeroAngel

I don't think there's anyplace in Oregon worth moving to. I too came here from Southern California and wish I was back home! I hate Oregon, it's so gloomy & filled with "back-wood" hicks and uneducated cowboys, not to mention all the spanish speaking mexicans (guess they're everywhere now though)! Anyway....good luck to you.

How sad for you. Your best option is to move back to Southern California. Oregon does not need people like you living here. Best wishes on your move back home.

[Hercumer]

We moved to Southern Oregon two years ago from West Virginia. The weather is wonderfull. Yes, it does get hot in the summer but no humidity. To us the winter is also mild. It rains more in WV then it does here. The gnats are not a problem but we do have the ever popular mosquito. We have also found the people here very friendly and helpful.

[gt50conv]

I have really enjoyed this forum. The CA/OR debate sounds just like the floridians vs. snowbirds...San Diegans vs. Zonies. I am looking for a place to retire that is affordable, quiet and pleasant. I moved from San Diego to central Florida (childhood home) and found what I wanted. Now, with property taxes reaching 4k a year (for a house i paid 74K for in 1994, not being able to get homeowners insurance for under 3k a year because I live on a barrier island unless there a major changes statewide I can't afford to stay here when I no longer work full time. Every place has pros and cons and most depends on attitude. I am using this site to explore. What a wealth of information I am finding. Hopefully I can remain on my barrier island and don't have to move, but, in case I do, thank you for all the information which I am filing away for future use.