Looking for Best coastal city to live in. (Eugene, Corvallis: fit in, job market) - Oregon (OR) - City-Data Forum

brob35 · 08-17-2009, 08:17 AM

I am 24 and currently living in Phoenix, AZ. I have wanted to live next to the ocean my whole life and have decided that the big coastal cities like LA or San Diego are not for me I will be moving in March of '10. This has given me some time to research. As of right now I have decided on the coasts of oregon and am debating between Coos bay or Bandon. the criteria That I am looking for in the city is, easy access to Ocean and beaches and clean. Coos Bay seems more plausible for me because its population is about 60k, and an occupation of a more social la aspect will be more possible such as server, or bartender. I want to get away from the big city, but am worried about living in a place as small as bandon for the simple reason of employment and some type of social life. I have read quite a bit of threads talking about both cities and it seems that coos Bay might be a little more run down. The cost of living compared between these cities and the time it takes to drive between them as well are some questions i have along with all opinions good and bad.

davefr · 08-17-2009, 08:38 AM

Your chances of employment, (even part time @ min. wage), are slim to none. You need to settle for wherever you can get a job.

It's foolish to narrow the search down at this point.

Rob Allen · 08-17-2009, 01:18 PM

Newport just got some good news - some government research ships formerly based in Seattle are going to be relocating to Newport next year. So there might be opportunities in Newport.

hamellr · 08-19-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Allen

Newport just got some good news - some government research ships formerly based in Seattle are going to be relocating to Newport next year. So there might be opportunities in Newport.

Although there is a lawsuit to keep that from happening, so I wouldn't bank on it yet.

plainbrowntabby · 08-19-2009, 03:41 PM

Newport has a bit more happening socially than Coos Bay. But none of the Oregon Coast towns ( or Washington, for that matter) offer much in the way of employment or social life for young people. The climate is just too harsh and isolated to bring in any sort of "beach scene", and the location is too far for traveling bands. Locals playing Dead covers in bars and old guys playing jazz in lounges. The ocean is COLD. Always.
Don't come unless you already have money or are a telecommuter. Take a drive up the coast and see for yourself, just don't pull up stakes and make that kind of jump unless you are a fan of chaos!

Steve97415 · 08-19-2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brob35

I am 24 and currently living in Phoenix, AZ. I have wanted to live next to the ocean my whole life and have decided that the big coastal cities like LA or San Diego are not for me.

Oregon and California are very very different in regards to who lives at the coast. Coastal California attracts a lot of younger folks which produces a hip and energetic vibe. Coastal Oregon is the retirement belt...I'm talking like two-thirds of the population being over 70. Sun City feels trendy and youthful by comparison. There's no real economy there, which isn't a deal-breaker for retirees, but is a real problem for job seekers. Trust me: it's no place for someone 24 years old.

You are also making some speculations about the character of coastal communities that would easily be dispelled by visiting these towns. Being very familiar with Arizona, I can understand why you might make a connection between population size and social life. Here, it's different. Though Coos Bay is the largest city on the coast, it is very blue collar and "social life" for a 24-year old will be next to nothing. Bandon, though smaller, is much more of a tourist destination, has more amenities and is more upscale. It's a bit like someone thinking there would be more social life in Kingman than in Sedona because Kingman is twice as big.

As already noted, jobs in Oregon are so few and far between that you'd have to go wherever a job can be located. You won't be able to pick out a dot on the map and just move there...not in this economy. A better plan might be to set your sights on someplace like Eugene or Corvallis where you could live in "the real world" and still be within an hour's drive of the coast.

Oregonbeachlover · 08-19-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve97415

As already noted, jobs in Oregon are so few and far between that you'd have to go wherever a job can be located. You won't be able to pick out a dot on the map and just move there...not in this economy. A better plan might be to set your sights on someplace like Eugene and Corvallis where you could live in "the real world" and still be within an hour's drive of the coast.

Wow, what an insult. I live on the coast, so I am not living in the "real world"? I caution the OP to visit the Oregon coast and not listen to some of our posters. Yes, the job market is not good...it is not good anywhere in Oregon. If a person looks, there is always something to do anywhere on the coast. I live in Lincoln City, and maybe things are a bit skewed here because Chinook Winds Casino has something different going on every weekend, and the town does cater to tourism so makes sure there is always something going on. I think Eugene or Corvallis both do revolve more around their colleges, and because of that, for some, that scene could get old also.

haggardhouseelf · 08-19-2009, 09:28 PM

I wonder if this 20-something year old guy could get a job on a crab boat or something... some fishing crew... and live his dream that way? I have been told that fisherman can work a few months of the year, then the rest of the year take it easy... I also hear that crabbing and fishing is extremely hard and often dangerous work...

As far as where on the coast... I wouldn't really think that way. I'd find a job first. Go where the job is.

The cool thing about being on the Oregon coast is that even if you live and work in one place, hwy 101 makes it really easy to zip up and down to other places for other interests like meeting up with friends or entertainment and whatnot.

Good luck to you!

brob35 · 08-20-2009, 03:00 AM

Thank you for the insights. Obviously because of my age, there were some assumptions of me. I do not care to ever actually go into the ocean, I like to just see it so the temperature of it is known and I do not care, as for social activities I enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, bike riding and from what I have seen canoeing sounds quite interesting as well. As for work I do not need a huge paying job, I am an entrepreneur that has income from working from home. Something that can be a steady income no matter the means is all that is desired. I will be visiting there soon. But the fact that most the populations are over 70 could be some concern. I’m really looking for a laid back town with an abundance of outdoor activities and nature next to the ocean, with minimal traffic. Any suggestions for northern California? I truly do appreciate the comment.

tiffela74 · 08-20-2009, 06:22 AM

brob35, if your not set on a paticular job, and could handle a customer service job, ACS in Coos Bay is usually hiring. They have full bennies (actually, pretty terrific ones!!) and while its base pay is at min. wage, your paycheck is based on performance, and people are typically well well above that. Theres a few hundred people per shift, and a huge part of those people are younger. Theres a lot of the younger crowd there that are working part time, or odd shifts to fit in with going to the college here in town. I actually work there, and in my team, theres 28 people right now, and only 1 that is at retirement age. We have 4 that arent even old enough to drink legally.

As for the beach, for example, it was in the 80s this weekend, i was bored and restless, so I did the 2mile hike over the sanddunes, then spent the next few hours out on an incredible stretch of beach, walked up the beach for a few hours, with my shoes off, pants rolled up and waves rolling over my feet. Never saw another soul. I'll post the pics in a few days if I get around to getting a disk.
Anyhow, I wouldnt rule out Coos Bay just yet. Have a visit if you can first. Ive lived here for almost 7yrs and I love it. (and Im well away from the retiredment age! lol)