Moving from Southern California to Oregon (Salem, Grants Pass: real estate, transplants, travel)

[Cat_Person]

How sad. I am a native Californian and I have to agree with alot that's being said here. I live in a small town (pop.10,000) that has been devastated by the "money people". "They" came from LA and saw a wonderful opportunity to fleece our town. Please note that some of us from here don't like that attitude either. Now that the economy has had a downturn "They" have left, taking their money with them. Our poor town is collapsing, because local businesses catered to the money people instead of the residents. Only 40% of our commercial rentals have occupants and things are falling apart. Those of us who really love and care for our town can't do much at this point to save it.

I don't blame you for being pissed.

[Merkin_Ball]

Originally Posted by Oregonbeachlover

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.

First, I have traveled all over Oregon, I have talked with many people in academia who study Oregon (U of O Geography dept particularly), and have read many books about Oregon, no where in this state are you justified in wearing sunglasses all 12 months. Why would you try to sell Oregon as a sunny place to live? It is not! Not even close! Why would you distort the truth so badly that it ruins your credibility?

Second, what kind of percentage would you put on your "many" referring to Californians who

feel like they have died and gone to heaven being able to live in Oregon

? Now, take that percentage and dwindle it down to those who are older than 55, and finally, take that percent down to those who came from the 'bad' areas of California. Don't pull statistics out your arse or embellish the facts either.

Oregon is beautiful, and as Tom McCall once said "[Oregon] is a great place for Californians to Visit".

[Oregonbeachlover]

Merkin, why do you even bother to post on this forum?

[PNW-type-gal]

Thousands and thousands of people from California (and other states) have moved to Oregon and fitted right in. What tends to happen, though, is that there is that ONE person or family, out of how many ever hundreds who moved to an area of Oregon, who look backward to what they had and constantly compare the two.

I have a neighbor like this - it was her husband who wanted to move for the more outdoor-style lifestyle and to get out from under high prices and perceived high crime rates. She wanted to stay in So Cal near her family and friends, and what you get from her is a constant litany of why California is better and why the small town we all live in now is provincial and backward and not enough like where she came from - while her husband talks about how cheap houses here are and how he could buy 2 of them with the money he got for his (pre-housing bubble) California house.

We had a neighborhood potluck the other night and she started in and the woman sitting next to me muttered "damned Californian" - which is funny because she's been here 4 years from California. But this is her home now, and while she'll always be "from California" she lives here in her heart and head.

The problem is, the Californians-in-exile stick out and the other is just one of us. So when people think about Californians in general, they think about the one stand-out who complains all the time.

Is it a stupid stereotype? You bet. But stereotypes generally exist because there are one or two perfect examples around here and there.

[LadyTrisha]

CatPerson,
My hubby and I are also thinking of relocating too. We are considering Oregon, Washington, Prescott (don't think it has the employment base though we need), Charlotte NC, Phoenix or Vegas. Wet or hot, we're doing something different than So. California! My hubby can job transfer to Phoenix or Vegas, but we are considering all options before we make the leap.

We did Palmdale for 12 years and left because of the changes there - the prison in Lancaster was not a good thing, and it just spiraled out of control from there. Nuff said.

We live in one of America's top 10 safest cities in Ventura County and are tired of struggling to keep up with the rat race. Our son is a Senior this year, and after he graduates we want to pack up and try something new too. I'm a legal sec; my hubby is a toyota tech - both of us have over 25 years each with our employers - that's either stable or stupid - we're not sure which one yet! (grin). We are definitely NOT living in a McMansion (not even close), but instead a 45 year old tract home that appreciated stupidly, and has now gone down 25% to a more realistic level. Alas, this California family does not arrive with bags of cash waiting to drive up real estate prices! (hey that's good right? LOL)

Someone asked why not relocate to No. California - simply because its still IN California. The state is unwieldy, overtaxed and overburdened - this is not how we want to spend our last 15-20 working years and eventual retirement. My husband is very outdoor oriented, we are involved heavily in Boy Scouts as volunteers and we want to go somewhere where we can continue to volunteer and enjoy the outdoors (even in the rain!).

My family originally immigrated to So. Cal. from England in 1965. My Mom has relocated from here to Prescott to San Antonio, Texas. My sister relocated to Boise, Idaho. My husband is from Oahu, Hawaii. I think its our turn to try moving - I just hope the reception is warm and friendly, despite the personalized "WhaleTail" California license plate on our cars LOL

[freedom]

Originally Posted by LadyTrisha

CatPerson,
My hubby and I are also thinking of relocating too. We are considering Oregon, Washington, Prescott (don't think it has the employment base though we need), Charlotte NC, Phoenix or Vegas. Wet or hot, we're doing something different than So. California! My hubby can job transfer to Phoenix or Vegas, but we are considering all options before we make the leap.

We did Palmdale for 12 years and left because of the changes there - the prison in Lancaster was not a good thing, and it just spiraled out of control from there. Nuff said.

We live in one of America's top 10 safest cities in Ventura County and are tired of struggling to keep up with the rat race. Our son is a Senior this year, and after he graduates we want to pack up and try something new too. I'm a legal sec; my hubby is a toyota tech - both of us have over 25 years each with our employers - that's either stable or stupid - we're not sure which one yet! (grin). We are definitely NOT living in a McMansion (not even close), but instead a 45 year old tract home that appreciated stupidly, and has now gone down 25% to a more realistic level. Alas, this California family does not arrive with bags of cash waiting to drive up real estate prices! (hey that's good right? LOL)

Someone asked why not relocate to No. California - simply because its still IN California. The state is unwieldy, overtaxed and overburdened - this is not how we want to spend our last 15-20 working years and eventual retirement. My husband is very outdoor oriented, we are involved heavily in Boy Scouts as volunteers and we want to go somewhere where we can continue to volunteer and enjoy the outdoors (even in the rain!).

My family originally immigrated to So. Cal. from England in 1965. My Mom has relocated from here to Prescott to San Antonio, Texas. My sister relocated to Boise, Idaho. My husband is from Oahu, Hawaii. I think its our turn to try moving - I just hope the reception is warm and friendly, despite the personalized "WhaleTail" California license plate on our cars LOL

You'll be welcomed, but i'd change the license plates asap....

freedom

[Mrs. AE]

Originally Posted by Deserter

Just wanted to say that I think it's best when moving to a new place to act like a polite guest. Try not to be too much trouble. Do your best to follow local customs. Don't make unfavorable comparisons -- or, if you must, do it in private, not in front of your hosts. There will always be some things about your old home that you prefer to your new home, because that's what you're used to. Oregon seems to have a lot of great things going for it.

Deserter,

Thanks for these comments. Polite guests make the best travelers & the more observant one is, the fuller experience one has. The same applies to newcomers. As a future OR resident I plan to respect the local flavor. Treat others as you'd like to be treated, right? I know, so many don't see it that way.

Mrs. AE

[Merkin_Ball]

Originally Posted by Oregonbeachlover

Merkin, why do you even bother to post on this forum?

Because people like you lie. I am not sure what goal you are trying to accomplish by recruiting more Californians. I can only assume that you are either in the real estate business or work in the depression business -- which, btw, you never answered my questions.

How are you all enjoying this August rain? I take it Beachlover is still wearing his/her sunglasses?

Let us face the facts: people in Oregon hate us -- we have given them plenty of good reasons too.
It rains here -- a whole lot and it really gets to you after a while.
The only people that want us here are fellow Californians.
It is beautiful -- but only for 90 days a year.
People are generally nice until they realize you are from California and then they get down right evil.
The term "Credible Californian" is the biggest oxymoron saying up here.
You can't just blend in -- they know and will out you fast, even in Church.
You will miss California -- sad thing is, by the time you move up here you are trapped (read my earlier posts for a great example).
There is nothing to do -- at least like there is in California.
Gangs are here too -- they, like you, are leaving California for ORYGUN.
Houses here are cheap -- for a reason.
Did I mention it rains?

I really do hate to sound so down on Oregon, but that is how I feel. I, unlike others here, feel that both sides should be discussed.

~M

[freedom]

Originally Posted by Merkin_Ball

Because people like you lie. I am not sure what goal you are trying to accomplish by recruiting more Californians. I can only assume that you are either in the real estate business or work in the depression business -- which, btw, you never answered my questions.

How are you all enjoying this August rain? I take it Beachlover is still wearing his/her sunglasses?

Let us face the facts: people in Oregon hate us -- we have given them plenty of good reasons too.
It rains here -- a whole lot and it really gets to you after a while.
The only people that want us here are fellow Californians.
It is beautiful -- but only for 90 days a year.
People are generally nice until they realize you are from California and then they get down right evil.
The term "Credible Californian" is the biggest oxymoron saying up here.
You can't just blend in -- they know and will out you fast, even in Church.
You will miss California -- sad thing is, by the time you move up here you are trapped (read my earlier posts for a great example).
There is nothing to do -- at least like there is in California.
Gangs are here too -- they, like you, are leaving California for ORYGUN.
Houses here are cheap -- for a reason.
Did I mention it rains?

I really do hate to sound so down on Oregon, but that is how I feel. I, unlike others here, feel that both sides should be discussed.

~M

Where in Oregon are you?

We get over 200 sunny nice days a yr. in Grants Pass.....

freedom

[LAMelanie]

Originally Posted by Merkin_Ball

Because people like you lie. I am not sure what goal you are trying to accomplish by recruiting more Californians. I can only assume that you are either in the real estate business or work in the depression business -- which, btw, you never answered my questions.

How are you all enjoying this August rain? I take it Beachlover is still wearing his/her sunglasses?

Let us face the facts: people in Oregon hate us -- we have given them plenty of good reasons too.
It rains here -- a whole lot and it really gets to you after a while.
The only people that want us here are fellow Californians.
It is beautiful -- but only for 90 days a year.
People are generally nice until they realize you are from California and then they get down right evil.
The term "Credible Californian" is the biggest oxymoron saying up here.
You can't just blend in -- they know and will out you fast, even in Church.
You will miss California -- sad thing is, by the time you move up here you are trapped (read my earlier posts for a great example).
There is nothing to do -- at least like there is in California.
Gangs are here too -- they, like you, are leaving California for ORYGUN.
Houses here are cheap -- for a reason.
Did I mention it rains?

I really do hate to sound so down on Oregon, but that is how I feel. I, unlike others here, feel that both sides should be discussed.

~M

I appreciate your honesty!