Where is my Oregon paradise? (Portland, Eugene: mortgage, relocate, condo)

[PaddleOn]

I'm a single woman in my 50s, living on the East Coast, graduate degree, outdoors person (hike, bike, kayak, ski). I would like to relocate to Oregon, Washington, or someplace in that corner. My criteria:

--Within 30 minutes of a town of 20,000-100,000
-- Within 2 hours of a larger city for services and culture
-- CLIMATE: I hate hot, humid summers and dreary, rainy weather (so no coastal Oregon). I prefer a cool summer, or at least a summer without crushing humidity. I can stand a cold winter, as long as it doesn't go on for 6 months below zero.
-- COST OF LIVING: I am a low-income person. Cash assets will be $100,000. I will need to invest that in a house or condo and not have a large remaining mortgage. I can't swing $200k.
-- Skiing within 45 minutes
-- Lots of clean water nearby: lakes, rushing rivers
-- Beautiful scenery
-- Low stress lifestyle, but not dead and depressing
-- Within 2 hours of the ocean would be great
-- Educated, liberal people somewhere in the vicinity

Bend would be ideal, but I fear it may be too expensive. How about a town within 30 minutes of Bend? Got any other ideas besides the Bend area?

[Waterlily]

The price is going to limit your choices considerably & The area around Bend is not liberal. There are a few towns out there but they'll still run over $200,000.
One place in western Oregon that might fit some of your requirements would be the Salem area. It's a larger city than you wanted but you could look at some of the smaller towns around there like Stayton.

Another possible way to go would be going further east. This would put you away from a big city but it would be less expensive. Look into The Dalles,Hermiston,Pendleton,and La Grande.Now I understand La Grande has some skiing near by. There is a river and trees there too.

[Donn2390]

Quote:
"I hate hot, humid summers and dreary, rainy weather (so no coastal Oregon. "
No humidity on West coast, but if you hate rain, don't consider Oregon. Beautiful places, but it never stops raining....

[smiles]

Look into Silverton. 30 minutes East of Salem, 45 - 60 minutes SouthE of Portland. Klamath Falls is nearby. The Fields are beautiful, especially when the tulips are up. Nice town.

[goodisniper]

I lived in Deadwood Oregon, but don't let the name fool you it was amazing. Of course I was 11 when I lived there with my struggling parents. If I'm not mistaken it was about one hour from Eugene, 25 mins from mapelton, and 45 from Florence. The highway that we lived on was gnarly at best but I would never trade the time I spent there. There was a river across the highway from us and amazing mountains behind us. I'll try and upload some pictures later. Yeah Oregon is rainy everywhere, So...

[freedom]

Try Richmond just north of Bend, there are modest priced homes. Kind of a suburb of Bend. Real neat area.

IMO, I wouldn't move to an area based on political bent. Politics are not as important in day to day as a nice smile, friendly people, beautiful surroundings, outdoor activities. You'll find that no matter if one is liberal or conservative.

[PaddleOn]

Originally Posted by Waterlily

The price is going to limit your choices considerably & The area around Bend is not liberal. There are a few towns out there but they'll still run over $200,000.
One place in western Oregon that might fit some of your requirements would be the Salem area. It's a larger city than you wanted but you could look at some of the smaller towns around there like Stayton.

Another possible way to go would be going further east. This would put you away from a big city but it would be less expensive. Look into The Dalles,Hermiston,Pendleton,and La Grande.Now I understand La Grande has some skiing near by. There is a river and trees there too.

I should have said that climate is one of my top criteria. Isn't Salem really wet and dreary?

[PaddleOn]

Originally Posted by freedom

Try Richmond just north of Bend, there are modest priced homes. Kind of a suburb of Bend. Real neat area.

IMO, I wouldn't move to an area based on political bent. Politics are not as important in day to day as a nice smile, friendly people, beautiful surroundings, outdoor activities. You'll find that no matter if one is liberal or conservative.

I think you must mean REDMOND???

After living in a conservative state for 20 years, I have to say that in fact politics do become important when you get to know a place. I get along well with people from all walks of like, but in the end the political bent of a state or do do have a heavy influence on one's perception of quality of life.

[janb]

Hood River, or points outlying that might be cheaper. Don't go too far west, as Cascade Locks is very rainy. East is cheaper and drier, but farther from ocean.

[freedom]

Originally Posted by PaddleOn

I think you must mean REDMOND???

After living in a conservative state for 20 years, I have to say that in fact politics do become important when you get to know a place. I get along well with people from all walks of like, but in the end the political bent of a state or do do have a heavy influence on one's perception of quality of life.

THats it, Redmond, I thought I had it wrong. thanks.