Californians who've relocated to Oregon - weigh in (Portland, Grants Pass: home, public schools)

[snuggarelli]

Originally Posted by PNW-type-gal

Not at all - we've been here 23 years, settled in, raised a family. I love Portland, I'm just tired of winter. If I could pick Portland up and move it somewhere sunnier, I'd be extremely happy. So we're staying in Oregon, just moving over to the "dry" side of the Cascade divide.

ic - no problem

[snuggarelli]

Originally Posted by mrduke

After living in SoCal for 10 years, I was ready for a change. Oregon was the perfect choice for me. Yes, it's getting expensive here and hard to find a good job that pays well, but the cost is still lower than living "Down South"
I no longer struggle to make ends meet, commute 45 minutes to work, worry about crime all the time.

yeah, I don't have the crime issue where I live, but I do think my current mortgage will never allow me to retire. Traffic seems heavy even on weekends as I live along the 580/680 interchange.

[kcjorda]

I grew up in Eugene, then moved to Seattle, now I'm back in Eugene (going to school).

Eugene might better be named: pothole junction or big city wannabee (little town - big transit, big government, big taxes). Best jobs are probably government jobs. Traffic here isn't so bad but could be better if Beltline had more lanes.

Seattle has it's issues, but they're easier to overcome in that there are more distractions (sports, theater, movies, ballet, etc.). Seattle also has better weather (Eugene gets "socked in"). And if one has allergies -- you can't get the most effective OTC drug (pseudoepinepherine) here without a prescription (too many meth addicts). Hopefully one day I'll move back.

[snuggarelli]

Originally Posted by kcjorda

Seattle also has better weather (Eugene gets "socked in").

Really? I didn't know that. Is it less rainy in Seattle than Oregon?

Originally Posted by kcjorda

And if one has allergies -- you can't get the most effective OTC drug (pseudoepinepherine) here without a prescription (too many meth addicts).

Actually, they make you provide a driver's license here in California for any pseudophed. And they are tracking it and not letting you buy more than one package a month or something like that. It's kind of stupid as it penalizes allergy sufferers and I don't think it has any impact on meth production. (I've tried the fake sudafed stuff for my sinus problems which occurs every time a different pressure system comes in and it doesn't work). In fact, I bet the police in Dublin 10 to 1 that one of my neighbors is cooking up meth - and I live in a neighborhood of over $1/2 a mill to $1-2 mill homes.

[Educatorspeakingtruth]

Snug!
Here is what I said on my post (not sure if this is against the rules???) It is just easier this way! Also check out what "bobmulk" said! It was well put what he said on my post!


I might be moving to Oregon in the near future. I was wondering how many Californian's have relocated to Oregon? I was born and raised in Oregon but I have been residing in Southern California for the last 3-4 years. The last time I lived in Oregon I was in high school and I won't mention how long ago that was. I have noticed that Oregon's population has significantly increased since 2000. I was also curious how much has it changed?
I have really enjoyed the time I have been in So Cal and I have grown tremendously as a person! But I feel it is time to return to "My Oregon" & Beaver Nation!(Go Beavers in the CWS!)

I'm tired of Southern California for numerous reasons.
1) Cost of living is outrageous!
2) Where is the "Quality of life"?
3) Over populated. (traffic is awful everywhere & at all times)
4) Materialism rules here. (many desire to be rich & famous instead of helping one another)
5) High Crime
6) Smog (Californians like to call this "Marine Layer" Ha!)
7) Treated as another number instead of a human being.
8) Immigration is getting out of control (not to start a debate, but you can't ignore it.)

Now, let me just say that I have met many kind individuals since I've been here so I'm not bitter towards anyone or any group. No, not everyone in So Cal is rude, selfish, fake or caught up in the "hamster wheel". But there are many who are (probably more than not), especially in a comparison to Oregonians. If I were raised in Southern California? I would have become accustomed to the lifestyle here and I may have become the "Hamster in the wheel" or the "Californian" stereotype? I feel Blessed to have been raised in Oregon, but also Blessed to experience Southern California as well. South Orange County is beautiful and if the cost of living wasn't so extremely high I could be very happy there. I just don't feel like being in debt my whole life, working until I'm 75, working three jobs, being a slave to my mortgage the rest of my life, while trying to keep up with the Jones', Smith's, etc..! All of these reasons while on a Teacher's salary!
Ok, that is my .02

[snuggarelli]

no problem - I think you might have a better chance of moving back, as you are a native Oregonian. I still am trying to organize a trip to see it. We were going to change our plans in July to see it, but it was too expensive to change. Then, we looked at labor day weekend, but in-laws decided to come over. So, I think the next holiday might be turkey day for me. So, we'll see.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by PNW-type-gal

Depending on the age of the house, it might still be well-built, even without building codes. It's houses built in the 60s and 70s that can get really dodgy - you find things like ceiling heat (let's see, heat rises, so let's put the heating coils... in the ceiling! This was just because electricity was cheap then), little-to-no insulation, very leaky windows. Older houses (1910s, 20s and 30s) will share some of those problems, but at least they'll also have some charm that makes them perhaps worth updating, whereas a 70s ranch style house has very little going for it.

I live in a 1972 ranch style house. In the last 12 years, I have put about $90,000 into remodels and upgrades, including new roof, kitchen, baths, heat pump, insulation, windows, doors and electrical service, plus a new septic tank, well pump, deck, extensive landscaping and a gazebo.

Structurally, the house was fine, and the setting is gorgeous, on 93 acres, with a creek in the back yard. The insulation was nonexistant, the heat was forced air electric furnace, the deck was rotten, the windows were single pane aluminum sliders, the vinyl flooring was worn and curling, the kitchen and bathrooms were bottom dollar in 1970, the roof was leaking, the well pump was an afterthought that froze solid in the slightest frost, and the old steel septic tank was rusted out.

We recarpeted the bedrooms, installed a glorious new custom kitchen and one new custom bath, just new cabinets, lighting and flooring in the other bath, textured ceramic tile in the kitchen and family room, hardwood flooring in the living room and hallways, moved some walls around to open up the floor plan, installed new windows and doors, upgraded the insulation throughout, rebuilt the deck, upgraded the water system, installed a new concrete septic tank, perched a 12' gazebo right on the creek bank, plus a host of other upgrades. For instance, the double french doors from the dining room open onto the deck, which opens up the entire kitchen/dining area to another 400 square feet of dining and lounging space.

Total cost, including purchase and upgrades, comes to about $250,000. Comparable homes in the area are selling for over $500,000, but we have looked at them, and none of them are as nice as what we have. We have no intention of moving.

You can come out smelling like a rose on an older home, if you pick the right home and are a proactive owner.

[Educatorspeakingtruth]

I'd like to see this thread keep going. I think there are many who have relocated from California to Oregon and other states. My question is: How was the adjustment of moving for you? Was it positive or negative? List reasons as to why it was either positive or negative? I understand that there are pro's and con's to every decision. Do the pro's out weigh the con's? Am I one of a few, or one of many who think it is too expensive to have a nice high quality of life in California? Let's hear it!
These links may help?
Quality of life - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
US City Sustainability Rankings - SustainLane.com

[snuggarelli]

hey larry - 93 acres - how do you cope with all that land? Do you have to fence it or just let it go naturally?

Educator - sounds great - I agree that it's great to hear from people who have done it. It's a pretty scary leap since I keep telling myself the grass can't be greener on the other side. Hopefully, we'll get to visit in November or earlier.

Anyone have any insight on Thanksgiving in Oregon, i.e. any recommendations? My family will kill us for skipping out, but we usually get stuck with the cooking anyway.

[freedom]

Originally Posted by snuggarelli

hey larry - 93 acres - how do you cope with all that land? Do you have to fence it or just let it go naturally?

Educator - sounds great - I agree that it's great to hear from people who have done it. It's a pretty scary leap since I keep telling myself the grass can't be greener on the other side. Hopefully, we'll get to visit in November or earlier.

Anyone have any insight on Thanksgiving in Oregon, i.e. any recommendations? My family will kill us for skipping out, but we usually get stuck with the cooking anyway.

Insight on Thanksgiving? yeh, my brother raises the turkeys, butchers them and we eat. It's awesome.
Bring a coat.