Moving from Southern California to Oregon (Bend, Cottage Grove: hotels, month to, gardening)

[Thai]

I haven't been on this post in a long time, but get a kick out of reading the varying opinions on Calif and Oregon regarding people and weather. Having kids in Ventura County where the June gloom has been worse than usual, I can relate to that thread. Then again, also having kids who live on the Southern Oregon coast, I can tell you that finding a day without serious wind that also isn't gloomy or raining is a challenge. Taking the baby out for walks isn't much fun under any of those conditions: makes the kids long for San Luis Obispo, where the living was expensive but the weather is mostly pleasant. Last month we grandparents from Solano Co, CA met the Oregon Coast contingent in Medford for a beautiful 80 degree weekend checking out neighborhoods, eating fun ethnic food, and playing with the baby at lovely parks. Today at our house it's 110 on our back deck, dry but definitely too hot, and the Air Resources Board has issued a Save The Air Day alert for our area. Nobody has it all is the message, here. Deciding on one's tolerance for various weather conditions before moving one's worldly posessions elsewhere is about the best we can do. Weather will always be a subject of conversational grousing: keeps life interesting, I guess. And, there are undesirable population elements everywhere. It's a sad fact that can't be escaped by moving elsewhere.
Thai
Thai

[sunlighthealer]

I found this site thanks to google. I have lived in San Diego, Ca, for the past 25 years, my husband all his life, and I can't wait to get the heck outta here. I can see why it is some of these Oregonians have such a bad taste in their mouths for Californians. So many small minded people it drives me nuts. I dream of living in a place with lots of woods, fair open minded people (I am pagan, and let me say that holds quite a stigma down here), and seasons. We are lucky to get rain for a total of a week in the year. What I need to know is what citys have the most IT jobs. My husband being able to find a job is the only thing that will limit us. I have 2 young sons, and I dream of raising them in a place where they can ride their bikes outside without ripping my fingernails off with fear. That is just not really possible here. And the cost of living, my god it is horrible. I can tell you, when we move, the only negitivity anyone will hear from me, will be in regard to where we have been living most of our lives. I just hope we will be welcomed, wherever we end up.

[hummingbird3]

Originally Posted by sunlighthealer

I found this site thanks to google. I have lived in San Diego, Ca, for the past 25 years, my husband all his life, and I can't wait to get the heck outta here. I can see why it is some of these Oregonians have such a bad taste in their mouths for Californians. So many small minded people it drives me nuts. I dream of living in a place with lots of woods, fair open minded people (I am pagan, and let me say that holds quite a stigma down here), and seasons. We are lucky to get rain for a total of a week in the year. What I need to know is what citys have the most IT jobs. My husband being able to find a job is the only thing that will limit us. I have 2 young sons, and I dream of raising them in a place where they can ride their bikes outside without ripping my fingernails off with fear. That is just not really possible here. And the cost of living, my god it is horrible. I can tell you, when we move, the only negitivity anyone will hear from me, will be in regard to where we have been living most of our lives. I just hope we will be welcomed, wherever we end up.

The place in Portland for IT is west of town. You might like the Forest Grove area, and you can go further west and commute in to that area (Beaverton, Hillsboro, etc.) The thing you have to realize though is that intensely IT areas tend to be more upscale and therefore conservative. The liberal side of town is East, on the east side of the river. There are some liberal areas on the west side, but overall the west side is more materialistic and conservative, and the traffic really sucks. However, as I said, you can just go west. Beautiful rural places out there which would satisfy your need for trees, etc. And it helps for going out to the coast because the traffic to the coast can be difficult in the summer. You'd avoid a lot of that if you lived out there.

I lived in San Diego the first few years of my life, and grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles. I remember San Diego quite fondly. Moved back there in 1999, and HATED it. Got out 18 months later. Like you, I couldn't wait. That place has really changed, and to me it is very sad -- but that's another story. There is some new age/pagan stuff in San Diego County, but not much. There's a lot more in Portland, but it's mostly central. If you're working it's best to live near where you work and just enjoy extracurricular activities on the weekends in Portland city proper.

PS If you went east, like the Boring/Sandy area, it is more conservative and rednecky. Boring is a very wonderful area (wonderful open space, view of Mt. Hood and close access to skiing, etc.) but the commute to an IT area would be extremely long and difficult.

The nice thing about this whole area is that people keep to themselves and don't meddle. It's a bit difficult to make friends in Oregon, but that's probably true everywhere, a techno/cultural trend.

Good luck with your search!

[Farmergrl]

Oh. My. Wonderful GOD!! I LOVE Oregon!! We just got back and I can't wait to move!!

We went from Yosemite to Medford in a day. It was hot and the guy pumping our gas (! said it was a heat wave. We weren't feeling 'it' in Medford though, so on we traveled along the 5. But the folks were so nice and laid back!

Now, I for some reason have imagined the area around Roseburg as rolling farm lands. Why? Not sure. It was gorgeous mountains, thick stands of pines and the lovely North Umpqua River. We stopped at something called Fred Myer. I was surprised to find it's like Walmart-with groceries. Again, everyone was so nice! We drove towards Melrose-lovely! We had also come through Myrtle Creek and Riddle- MC having an adorable little town with a flea market/fair type thing going on-small town feel! We saw deer all over!

We then headed towards the coast along the 42. I liked Ten Mile, as the trees gave way to fields with cows everywhere. I like cows! I wouldn't mind a few acres here, I thought. The thick pines wove their way up the surrounding hills in very green waves.

Then we came to Myrtle Point and Coquille. Beautiful! Greens in every shade! Quaint lil towns. The green fields dotted with livestock hugged the Coquille River. Thick forests hugged the road, at times. So thick, we couldn't see into them! I couldn't help but think of Big Foot. We could see a line of clouds and fog in the far distance toward Bandon, our destination on the coast. But here in Coquille, it was sunny and perfect. About 88'. And they said a heat advisory was coming. We walked around the main little town. I felt like time had slowed down here. No one driving like maniacs. People stopping to say hi and chat! No deep bass music pulsating from a trunk. No grafitti. No smog. No concrete jungle.

We wove our way to Bandon. We entered thick clouds and the mist was so heavy, it was like a light rain. The temp dropped by 30 degrees and we all sighed in relief. Like being washed by healing rain from Heaven! After a long, hot drive through the San Juaquin Valley and the hot 5, it was welcomed!

We entered the camp sight on the shore at Bullard's Beach and instantly saw 3 deer. The trees were tall and majestic and the sound of the ocean pounding the shore could be heard. We explored the town, but found it too gray.

We went to Coos Bay and Charleston for crab fishing and seafood-awesome! Cute seaport! Reminded me of the East Coast. But still too gray and cool. So we decided to aim for Corvallis and headed up the 101 and cut in land on the 38, stopping to see the Elk at the veiwing station in from Reedsport along the Umpqua River. We noticed the fog/clouds dissipate at about Scottsburg. Following the gorgeous river and huge trees was like entering an enchanted land for me! So green!

We like Elkton, but I think it's too far from 'work'. It was a nice little town with well kept acres of fields and lovely barns. Those cows are still all over, along with antelope and deer.

We rejoined the 5 and stopped in Cottage Grove. According to my cousin, we didn't really go INTO CG, just skirted it at the Dairy Queen. I wasn't impressed with what I saw-a group of boys around 7-12 fighting! No one stopped them and they ignored me. But the Fam says if I go more into the area off the highway, it's nice. It was still warm- about 90.

Next was Springfield, which looked too big, so we stayed on the 5. Nice river, though (Willamette).

By now, the brood was getting crotchety and there was mutinous whispers heard all over the mini van. We meant to get off the highway and drive through a few small towns, but we just pushed on to make Albany, by now.

Now we were in farming land. Or, at least, MY idea of farming acres. Big fields of grazing critters, alfalfa waiting to be cut and rolled into huge bales. Barns that looked much more expensive than their mates: a little main house sitting near by.

We took the 34 into Corvallis and met a friend at the University Library. We walked around the town and knew we were at the right place! The temp was a comfortable 75, but a heat advisory was coming. Our friend said it was getting around 90 during the heat of the day. Rare. We liked the victorian houses and the feeling of a well established town with charm and character. The University made it all feel like something out of a movie (NOT Animal House- more like and old English classic!)-charming! I'm not a fan of the Lib Arts, but the youngsters around the town give it a young kick I enjoyed to a great degree.

We continued on and liked Philomath- the farms and small town again. I like the fields with streams and rivers winding around their borders and the trees in their own, separate space, running up the various ridges. You seem to get a bit of it all: water, meadow, mountain and forest!

The Alsea Highway (the 34) was charming! Again with the thick groves of trees crowding right up to the edge of the road-so dark and deep in there! They would open up to velvety green fields and meadows hosting the cows and deer. Covered bridges were even an occasional sight!

It was dark by the time we made it to the coast, in Newport. A bit of nevous nagging from me to the Mr as he hugged the dark, windy 101, wending it's way along the rocks and crashing surf!

All in all, we were so smitten! Our eyes were hungry for green, our lungs greedy for clean air. We enjoyed both to the max! The people drove more relaxed, chatted and made eye contact! All were friendly and shared info-even when they saw our CA tags! Asked us what we were waiting for. We are waiting for our real estate here in CA to reboud, dern it!

When we got back to CA, it was almost like a caricature of all of the stuff we hat about it: a group of 4 SUVs played chicken at high speeds with latino music booming out the windows. The highways were so rutted with pot holes and uneven surfaces, I may just bill the Governator for the loose walls of my RV! The silverware was bouncing out of the drawers! CHP chasing down speeders. Fileds of dry, dead dirt swirling into dust devils all along the 5. No water for farms means green is gone. Ages old fields I rememeberd as producing food are now dead dirt. My neighborhood is a concrete jungle. The air smells like deisel and exhaust. Helicopters buzz the neighborhood. Neighbors frown at my RV parked along the driveway for a brief unpacking session.

Even though I have worked hard to create a tropical oasis in my backyard, it paled in comparison to what Oregon offered at every natural turn.

I can't wait to get out of Cali and become an Oregonian!!

[sunlighthealer]

Thanks for your reply Hummingbird 3. At this point, as long as I can get out of California, I will be happy. Having lived here as long as I have, I have definitely seen the changes as they happen here, and none have been for the better. True Respect seems to be lost on others, as they tend to expect it of you, even if they are not willing to show the same in return. I basically became a home body due to the fact that I just don't like dealing with the nonsense that is San Diego. I am realistic enough to know that in this economy, it doesn't matter where we go, finding a job for my husband is going to be difficult. I only hope that since he is in IT, which from what I understand is pretty big there, he will find something. I currently am a stay at home mom, but I have a cosmetology liscense in Cali, and I believe I can just take your states test to get a liscense there. Lucky for me, everyone needs a hairstylist. A friend of mine is actually also moving there in the next 6 months, and she mentioned Beaverton and Hillsboro is where she is looking, so that is probably where we will end up too.

Would you happen to know of any good websites with job listings? We are consistantly checking monster.com, hot jobs on yahoo, and craigslist. I have also checked a couple of local papers. Just wondering if a local might have some suggestions on that.

Again, thanks for your advice and your response. Have a wonderful day!

[sunlighthealer]

just wanted to update and say a job is no longer an issue. My husbands boss told him today that if we move, they will keep him on and let him work remotely from the house. So we can pretty much move to any area in Oregon that we want. Does anyone know if there are any month to month apartments up there that we could live in while looking for a house? I would just prefer not to be in a year long lease if possible.

Can you tell I am excited to get outta here???

[hummingbird3]

Originally Posted by sunlighthealer

just wanted to update and say a job is no longer an issue. My husbands boss told him today that if we move, they will keep him on and let him work remotely from the house. So we can pretty much move to any area in Oregon that we want. Does anyone know if there are any month to month apartments up there that we could live in while looking for a house? I would just prefer not to be in a year long lease if possible.

Can you tell I am excited to get outta here???

Congratulations! I just now saw your reply...

I personally would not want to live in Beaverton or Hillsboro. That area is very much like California. If you are looking for a different experience, try the east side. I live out east of Portland and I love it. It is only 40-45 mins. from Mt. Hood. Rolling hills and tree farms, and llama farms. Only 30 mins. from downtown Portland.

Lots of apts. in Portland are month-to-month and in this economy you shouldn't have too much trouble.

[DAVE ON THE BEACH]

Im sad that fellow americans speak about one another from divided lines like enymies of a war... What ever happened to american strenth by unity this not welcoming one because of a state line is a shame....i grew up in california and we wil welcome anyone from anywhere in the world like go ahead and talk bad bout eachother but know this americans....its making us look bad and holding us all back ..were a family whether you like it or not..and a strong one dont be so weak and be proud of each member state in this family.....now im going to lunch to eat tacos,eggrolls,poi,and apple pie...because i love the usa.

[Farmergrl]

SUNLIGHTHEALER: LUCKY!!! Man!

My hubby and I are already in Oregon in our hearts and minds. We say things like, "Oh yea! There's tax here in California!" at registers. Or, "Back at the farm, this plant would do great"..."You pump your own gas here"..."No traffic back at the farm....sigh..." etc.

Now if WE could find a job there and have our house value come back up a bit- we'd be there lickety split! Already found a lovely lil farm near Philomath...

[sunlighthealer]

My things have been busy here. We have put our place on the market, and from the sounds of things, we shouldn't be waiting longer than 2 months to get it sold. I found a duplex in Bend (which is where we are planning to go as hubby already found a reptile store there, haha) thats on a month to month lease, and allows pets! Oregon, here we come!