Moving from Southern California to Oregon (Eugene, Salem: mortgage, environment, relocate)

[Oregonbeachlover]

Merkin, your comments are not accurate, but I am done arguing weather. I live in Salem/Lincoln City and I wear sunglasses during all 12 months, and I do not have any eye problems. What I do not understand is if someone is so totally unhappy with where they are living, why not try and move? We also had a family member commit suicide in southern California. We've had many, many, friends and family members divorce in the "sunny" states. By the way, you can find all kinds of climates in Oregon.

[freedom]

Originally Posted by Merkin_Ball

If you are planning on moving to Oregon from California? DO NOT DO IT!

I can not stress this enough. First, it rains, and rains, and rains, and then rains more. When it is not raining, it is overcast; the sun literally disappears for nine months a year!
My story:
My family is actually from Oregon but unfortunately, my spouse's family was not. She moved them up here and within three years her younger brother committed suicide, her parents divorced after 29 years, and her family that I loved so much is a complete wreck.
It all started with S.A.D. Seasonal Affective Disorder. Her mother and younger brother started to develop symptoms their first fall here (started mid-October). Our first Thanksgiving was a disaster, everyone was so gloomy. By March the doctors had diagnosed them both with SAD and started medicating them and gave them lights to help them -- they only put off the inevitable. Her brother digressed and with his parents constantly fighting and his depression getting worse he finally killed himself. My wife's parents divorced pretty soon thereafter. The part we blame ourselves for, is knowing it was the gloom of Oregon that brought him to where he was.

Oregon is a beautiful place to visit. I love it, but it really is not for everyone. There is a reason the housing prices are so cheap in Oregon -- it is not for everyone. So, again, if you are planning to move to Oregon -don't. Do yourself a favor and visit for a month, sometime between October and May, and see if you and your family can really tolerate the gloom.

I am sure my wife would not have seen the allure of a new job, and her parents would not have looked at selling their house if they knew what was in store for them.

Sorry for your family and its life experience, sometimes we need something to blame, when its really all within us, and not outside circumstances that create our woes.
To your assertion, Oregon is 11th regarding suicide, and 15th regarding depression.
Strangely enough Alaska ranks #1 in suicide, which would follow your weather perception, but Nevada and New Mexico are #2 and #3. Not very gloomy in those states.
So there are certainly those affected by SAD, but if it were as bad as you are projecting, our population in Oregon would not be growing at such a high rate, as everyone would be killing themselves and getting divorced.

best wishes,

freedom

[Oregonbeachlover]

"So there are certainly those affected by SAD, but if it were as bad as you are projecting, our population in Oregon would not be growing at such a high rate, as everyone would be killing themselves and getting divorced."



Yeah, and Salem's population and traffic problems wouldn't have almost doubled in the last 25 years....(traffic IS depressing!!!)

[Cat_Person]

I am a person who is leaving California for a variety of reasons. The small town I live in used to be the way everyone describes Oregon. People would smile, say hello, help you if your car broke down...etc. Not anymore. Why? Influx of LA people, and differing attitudes about what is "good" for our town. What people are describing as "California Tude" sounds more like big city tude to me. We used to have a town where people didn't lock their doors at night. Yes, right here in Cal...there WAS a place like that. You can usually tell an LA person by their car alarm going off here, as they are the only ones who have them. They are rude in traffic and mean to those that take their time crossing the street. They seem to be amped to the gills, running somewhere to get who knows what. They have moved here supposedly for the slow pace, only to do their best to speed us all up. Is this an Oregon problem? I don't think so. City people change the energy in a small town, that's for sure. People love the money they bring...but hate the congestion, tude, and stress they dump here. I believe this is a problem all over...no matter where you are.

Oregon people...you'll be my neighbors soon and I'm looking forward to meeting friendly people like me. I am not looking for New Jersey...ok?
I promise not to complain about the weather after enduring summers in the 100+ degree range from June to early Oct...I'm tired of living in an air conditioned apt waiting for the weather to cool down so I can hike. Summers are not fun here.
I admire your "green attitude" and whether you like it or not...it's a good thing. Come here to the land of strip malls and concrete and I'll show you why.
I will celebrate your rent prices as I won't be paying $1000 a month for a 1 BDRM apt thats abou 650 sq. feet. I'm quite aware of the deal I'm getting (!).
SAD? I don't think so. I am an Alternative Health practitioner who knows how to relieve that in others...so I think Portland is calling me.

I am a friendly, positive person who makes the best of her circumstances and will be a respectful addition to your state. My town has been struggling since 9/11 and I'm tired. I have alot to give....thats the intention here.
Oh, BTW...I'm a native Californian and we're a rare breednow. If we had an attitude about all the "others" who have moved here (like my mom and dad from the mid-west) the state would collapse. Our economy is (well, was) booming and so is yours, thanks to the others. Ya can't have it both ways...can ya?

[Oregonbeachlover]

Cat, I would LOVE to have you as a neighbor!

[lauragizzi]

im in so cal and believe i experience SAD. i want to move up to oregon...ill just get some sad lights if its a problem. i figure if i get it here, ill get it anywhere.

despite the negative things i hear on this post, about the "love" of californians there, i am optimistic, i know you get what you put out... and i am a nice nature loving person not meant for this cement coffin and i am sure i will be well received out there because i know how to treat my fellow man and mind my own business.

see u all soon!

[Cat_Person]

I'd be happy to pick up your mail for ya while you're out of town beachlover

[mwjjpp]

I live in NE Oregon, and due to life changes, I now need to make my own living and will be moving soon - no economy here. I've looked mostly at towns in Oregon, California and Washington. I need an area with a large enough population to sustain a career, but have no desire to live in another big city (we moved here from Denver). We are planning to take a trip soon to check out some of the towns in the 3 coastal states to see what suits us best (and we plan to visit in December/January as well to see what they're like in the winter months).

That being said, there seem to be MANY lovely towns in central and northern California. So, why do So-Cal people feel like they need to leave their own state to experience small-town life? If you like everything California has to offer, then why not stay? California is HUGE. Just move north a few hundred miles. Having lived in 3 states, and visited several others, I've found that each state and town has it's own unique culture. And if someone likes the laws/politics/mindsets/etc. in California, it isn't necessary to torture yourself with what you'd consider the "redneck/hick/backward" mindsets in other states. Stay home and be happy! Heck, depending on the results of our fact-finding trips, I might be one of the millions who comes and joins you in a few months. I'm native to the desert Northwest, so I'm not sure, but I'm certainly keeping my mind open to the possibility...

[YellowHorse]

We are also looking to move from So Cal. I am originally from Oregon, born and raised around portland area and would love to move back.

How I eventually ended up in So Cal is a very long story, but I am now married w/kids so we want a place that is low crime/safe. We are an interracial couple (hubby is of hispanic decent), so looking for someplace that isn't too intolerant.

Hubby is a teacher and we've been seeing a demand for teachers in Oregon (especially the eastern side) and it's one of the states that we are considering to relocate to.

We are outdoors type, love hunting/fishing, hiking camping, horses/trailriding. Love rural towns, though hubby wants to be within an hours drive of the "big box" stores. The only thing, weather wise, that we would be intolerant of is a lot of wind so I know that pretty much would rule out the gorge, but I am not sure of the eastern side of the state.

Would like to find a place where a few acres and a decent home would not be too expensive. Any suggestions of some towns/cities that we could look into would be great.

Thanks

[Cat_Person]

If you're from Lancaster, the eastern side is alot more like what you're used to as far as being sunny and warm. It's much different on that side.