Moving from Southern California to Oregon (Phoenix, Prescott: cheap house, transfer to, legal)

[YellowHorse]

Thanks Cat_Person.

Actually, I'm used to, and love portland type weather. Hubby used to go to humbolt state university in northern Cali, that area is about as wet as portland, and he would be fine with that (actually, he loves rain ).
Though, an arid environment is fine too.

Neither of us are from Lancaster area and we both hate the area, not because of the arid environment, but because of the horrible wind. We only moved here for hubby's teaching position. We both want out of cali for the reason the state is becoming oppresive with more socialistic laws and is just so expensive.

I was just looking for sugestions for certain cities on the east side since that is where we are seeing lots of need for teachers. I left Oregon before Bend became the place it is now, so I'm thinking a lot of places may have changed from what I remember.

A few of the towns I was looking at were the communities surrounding K-Falls, Baker/La Grand area, and maybe the smaller towns around Bend, like Madras, Redmond, La Pine.
We were also considering the western side from Sutherlin area south, coastal area from Coos Bay south if hubby found some positions open there, so would like to know of towns there as well.

Thanks

[Cat_Person]

I know what you mean about Lancaster. I lived in Acton and Canyon Country but know how Lancaster can be. There are other elements there I wasn't fond of.
Flat places like that are usually pretty windy...but we can get those days in Ventura County...especially bad Santa Ana's. I am looking forward to Oregon rain I miss having 4 seasons as I did in Northern AZ. Now that things are taken care of after mom passed (the only way I'd set foot in this state again) time to go............

I have a friend who retired in La Grande and she likes it there alot. Fairly inexpensive according to her. No problems with "cali haters" or anything.

[Merkin_Ball]

Originally Posted by 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.

First, to say you are done arguing weather then make a ridiculous statement saying you wear sunglasses all 12 months is not a way to proclaim peace. Did you forget we said we live in Oregon too? As to your question of why we don't just move? Simple; money. We sold our 2500 sq ft. house in California for just over $700,000, then bought a 4,500+ sq. ft. house here for about $450,000, we paid all of our debts and mortgaged a very small amount. Now, it would seem like we made out really well, truth is, we did -- but, it still costs $700,000+ to move back. As, stated later in this thread, Oregon and Washington lead the country in anti-depression medication sales. Coincidence? No.
You are correct in saying Oregon has many different climates. My family has recently been looking into Bend and think that is most likely where we will settle as soon as the job market picks back up there. In the mean time, we are just trying to give fair warning to those who considering moving from a sunny locale' to the extreme opposite.

Originally Posted by freedom

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

Oregon's population is growing because of the people moving here, not because people are so happy and fornicating all over the place -- though I was in Jefferson yesterday and noticed a large amount of new (young) mothers. You can find some really good statistics all over from Oregon.gov, wikipedia, medical statistics, or if you are really adventurous look into the research done at U of O -- their geography dept. has studied this extensively. I would also recommend the book Geography of Oregon, published by U of O also, for any of those wanting to know more.


And my last advice to those that actually do move here from California; do not let anyone here know you are from California. They do treat you different! And from what I have heard, we have given them good reasons. Try to blend in and do not try to change local politics or land development rights -- that really gets them going. Oh, and just because it is a 4x4 does not mean it handles any better on ice.

[YellowHorse]

Cat_Person, I have family in northern AZ. We like it there too, that is the one other place we are considering.

I think I know the other elements you're refering to, not to happy with it either, especially with young children

Thanks for your replies, maybe I'll see ya around in the future

[Oregonbeachlover]

originally posted by merkin-ball

First, to say you are done arguing weather then make a ridiculous statement saying you wear sunglasses all 12 months is not a way to proclaim peace. Did you forget we said we live in Oregon too? As to your question of why we don't just move? Simple; money. We sold our 2500 sq ft. house in California for just over $700,000, then bought a 4,500+ sq. ft. house here for about $450,000, we paid all of our debts and mortgaged a very small amount. Now, it would seem like we made out really well, truth is, we did -- but, it still costs $700,000+ to move back. As, stated later in this thread, Oregon and Washington lead the country in anti-depression medication sales. Coincidence? No.
You are correct in saying Oregon has many different climates. My family has recently been looking into Bend and think that is most likely where we will settle as soon as the job market picks back up there. In the mean time, we are just trying to give fair warning to those who considering moving from a sunny locale' to the extreme opposite.

I do wear sunglasses during all 12 months, which is a fact for me. You most definitely can move to another state, especially given the fact that the bottom has dropped out of the RE market in some of the "sunny" states. It is your choice if you do not want to leave the 4500 sq. ft. house. I am not going to look up med sales because as I also stated in earlier posts, one can find back up stats for virtually anything to prove anything, so who cares? Again, I will say that if you do not like it here, move. I get tired of the negativity. All you have to do is look around and see what a paradise it is here compared to most other states! You have apparently chosen not to move, and again I say that is your choice! Many people are moving here by choice and many are from California. I have talked to many people in the latter category and they feel like they have died and gone to heaven being able to live in Oregon.

[Texasturkey]

Originally Posted by Rainclouds

Just as a precaution for those of you who enjoy warmer weather year round and not a lot of rain or clouds.

I grew up in the Northwest. Spent 28 years in Washington and Oregon. It is cloudy a lot! It also does rain quite a bit. A lot of people such as myself who don't like the rain and clouds all the time and the fog and musty, windy weather have relocated to the southwest area. Arizona, Nevada, Utah are all great states to move to.

The weather is sunny most all year long and the shopping is superb in Las Vegas. There are also A LOT of jobs in Las Vegas, Nevada and St. George, Utah, believe it or not. In fact in most cases, you can almost find a job right away. I know my friends and I have. There are also beautiful rivers and outdoor fun galore in Utah and Nevada. A lot of people I've talked to can't believe it, but it's true. In fact, you can be outdoors even more because it's NOT raining. Even during the winter which is great. If you like the outdoors, and don't like the foggy depressing Northwest Coast, I'd look at Southwest Utah. Specifically the town of St. George.

You can still live in a smaller town and then get away to Nevada on the weekends. Which is what most people do around here.

Hope this helps!

One of the reasons People want to move to Las Vegas, NV or Eugene, OR because it doesn't snow. Does it snow in St. George, UT? I know it snows there in other parts. (Park City, etc.,)

[Crayne]

You don't understand the mentality and priorities of the 'native' Oregonian. You sound like a Californian. We aren't primarily focused on money, but on what we feel really matters. A connection with nature and ability to live in a community of others who appreciate what we have naturally instead of trying to make a buck.

Check your facts on the Native Americans.

[eagleriver]

Originally Posted by Clear2land

Bob oh boy, a lot of you are bringing up this riff with Californians.
When Californians move to Oregon, they bring a lot of money with them and their willingness to spend it. All of the money spent raises the standard of living of all people in the area so they too can afford nice homes and new cars. Clear2land

Not everyone thinks that 'a better standing of living' is always a good thing, especially when it is 'your' standard of living. No one can stop progress, but if people, when they moved, took ON the attitudes of the place where they moved to, it would stay more like the place they moved to in the first place. I don't care where you came from, if your attitude is to change my place into your place, then I resent you coming in. If you don't like the way the place is, don't move here. Or move back.

Re: their willingness to spend money here: at what price to our local infrastructure? And too often, the attitude of 'I have more money, my opinion is more righteous than yours' prevails with those who have more money. Attitude on the roads, attitudes in the stores, and so on. THAT I resent. And a lot of THAT is why I am leaving Oregon.

[Crayne]

Originally Posted by Native Oregonian

As far as Im concerned all of you Californians can all go home. You have turned Oregon in to a little LA, driven up the price of property sky high and brought all of your problems with you. Go back to Fairy land.

I completely agree. Many people from California have thought only about themselves and this has completely altered Oregon for the worse. I can't even imagine buying a house and I make good money for an Oregonian. The housing prices are through the roof and will continue to rise as more and more people move into the area and buy up the houses at such high prices. Something has to change.

[Crayne]

Originally Posted by Beth56

I feel the same way. I was looking into Oregon as a future home. I am slowly being pushed out of California with rising prices among other things. Why are some Oregon people saying Californian's are driving up their home values? Who then is driving up ours making it impossible for families to buy here? Why this blame? Does everyone from other states feel this way about Californian's? I have never heard so many derogatory comments toward a people of one state. This is very sad to me. I love California. Have lived here all my life. But I won't be able to stay much longer. And I certainly don't think I have done anything to cause it. I always thought the people of Oregon could be my new friends.

The international influx of employees have changed your economy and housing market in California. You are now doing it to Oregonians. That means that eventually we would have to do it to somewhere else, but we really don't want to.