McMinnville crime?

[Alice Springs]

Thanks guys. As a firm believer in all the amendments, including the 2nd and the 1st, I respect what you say about self protection. I just don't want it to consume my life! That's why I've looked at crime stats -- along with climate and demographics and cost of living, etc. -- in my search for that elusive nearly perfect place.

And wouldn't you know it, I had planned to revisit the Astoria/Seaside/Cannon Beach area in a couple of weeks to see how it feels, rain forest climate and all. Here I thought the 90" of rain was the only "trade off" but it looks like there's some other nasty stuff going on there. So now I think I'll swing into McMinnville and maybe Lincoln City??? and, if I can (I'll be in Oregon for about a week) go on to Bend. I want to see and hear for myself just how badly the bubble burst from residents on the scene. I've always heard such positive things about the place and liked it when I visited several months ago... darn that mean old economy!

Anyway, thanks again and if any of you have anything further to add, that would be great. Since I'm not moving with kids and family, a lot of the advice I've culled throughout the boards doesn't really apply. Plus, I'm not a tender-aged student who's winging it, so I can't really use that advice either. I'm pretty much on my own, so I truly appreciate insights from people in the know. Cheers, Alice

[Sign]

ALICE.......

I completely understand where you're coming from. In all the time I have either visited or lived in Oregon, I hate to say it, but the Oregon Coast DOES seem to draw a LOT of folks from all over who are searching for "something." I almost believe that there are a lot of people who really seek out the solitude, peace and scenery that the coast has to offer, but many of these folks are truly "lost" for whatever personal reasons. It IS such a gorgeous coastline but it is sad that so many "lost" folks seem to be drawn there.
Understandable.......but sad.
The Oregon coast is well known to have its fair share of transients, "wanderers" and the like who are struggling for various personal reasons and since this is the case.......drug and alcohol use....and ABUSE, seems to be quite rampant and even epidemic in many cases all along the coast. Then, of course, you have a LOT of others who love to escape there for vacations and weekend getaways who REALLY WANT to party hard while they are there.
There's only one main road that runs down the coast (US 101).....and as a result, you will often see a lot of hitch- hikers who appear to be lost and not sure where they are going. Many of them.....I sure wouldn't even think of giving a ride!
A LOT of hard-drinking fishermen, loggers, people and weekend partiers reside / vacation along the coast, as well as dopers. So, it's got its fair share of crime, theft and accidents. But, it's also FULL of retirees as well and the weather CAN take its toll on those who choose to live there.
The rain will come down in buckets, sideways and then there are windstorms that rival some low intensity hurricanes. These storms ARE quite common in the Fall and Winter months......heck, Spring too. Power outages and flooding are to be expected as well as trees coming down in these winds (that can be in the 60-100 mph range).
It's one thing to VISIT the coast.......but a whole other ballgame to actually LIVE THERE!
Just something to think about.
McMinnville would be MUCH better, IMO.

[Alice Springs]

What an excellent, thoughtful post, Sign. It gave me a lot to think about. For one thing, I certainly don't want to number myself among the "lost" who've washed ashore along the Oregon coast, only to discover there's no real "there" there.

After more exhaustive research and reading, I'm thinking about farther up the coast -- WA state, actually. It seems like the Bellingham area has a bit less rain, a lot more stuff orbiting around a central core and a sweet location (on commuter rail lines, to boot) between SEA and VAN. I still think McMinnville has way too much crime for such a small city -- that's based on FBI violent and property crime stats. I know Bellingham won't be a crime-free Eden (no place will unless I time travel back to 1959) but at least some of the cultural factors up there are on my side.

Thanks to everyone who responded in such a sincere, straightforward way. I hope I can return the favor in the near future and help sort out some other lost soul on these very same boards.

[Sign]

Alice......

I have also resided just outside of Bellingham.....only for 2 1/2 years but you know what?
I LOVED IT THERE!
I MISS Whatcom County and as soon as I can afford to make another move.....maybe, next Spring.......
I WILL be back there to stay......despite all of the cons that might go with that area.
IMO.....the PROS outweighed them and I really didn't know WHAT I was missing until AFTER my family made the HUGE mistake of leaving Bellingham for Colorado Springs, CO!
Colorado IS a JOKE to me!
Well, at least I'm out of there and just "buying time" until 2010 when we will return to BEAUTIFUL NW Washington. Tired of being pinballs and bouncing all over the US! Desperately seeking STABILITY.....but location, location, location......is a HUGE factor too and employment cannot be the driving force anymore....on WHERE to live and raise a family. To me....life's just too short to let ANY job or anything DICTATE where you MUST live! But, money isn't everything to some of us because some of us.....KNOW it NEVER CAN or WILL BUY our happiness!
I don't blame you one bit, Alice.......for considering Bellingham.
My only real issue about the Bellingham area......was just the sheer number of Canadians that are ALL over the place there. But, all in all.......GREAT town, IMO!
Chuckanut Drive IS so GORGEOUS (just south of B'ham along the water).....esp. around sunset and in the fall.....oh heck, ANYTIME!

[Alice Springs]

OK, Sign, I must ask you... too many Canadians!!?? Sounds like bliss to me! I've bounced around the country too, including places awfully close to the Other Border and I know that's not for me.

Anyway, I'm glad you give a thumbs up to B'ham. Affirmation is soooo... important right now. A big thanks, but tell me about those "pesky" folks from Up North. cheers, Alice [Feel free to send me a DM, if you'd like.]

[Sign]

ALICE........

Actually, I don't really have anything against the Canadians all over Whatcom County.
For the most part, they aren't really much of a concern.
A bit irritating sometimes.......(many of them are NOT very good drivers from what I recall).
Also, many of them do their shopping at the Bellis Fair Mall or points further south down the I-5......then, they unwrap their purchases in the lot and leave boxes/trash behind in the parking lots and wherever......to avoid paying the Duty fee at the border, on their way home.
Other than the above and just the sheer number of British Columbia plates that are ALWAYS on the roads of Whatcom County, no issue.

[Alice Springs]

OK, I think I can handle that!

[Durian Beach]

McMinville is on the nicer side as far as Willamette Valley towns go, but that being said I never cared for the Willamette Valley south of Portland. The Oregon Coast, Cascades, and Puget Sound beat the Willamette Valley by an order of magnitude as far as scenery goes. The valley is also hot as heck during the summer and the air is brown and dirty. The towns also look run down and crummy to me and the Willamette valley is overrun with illegal aliens, lots of barrios and lots of Meth trailer types. Newburg is the nicest of the towns but is now becoming a de-facto suburb of Portland with terrible traffic.

[Sign]

DURIAN BEACH.......

There's a lot of truth to what you said about the Willamette Valley. It definitely can get hot and sometimes, the air can get stagnant if the weather conditions are right.....and then, it's miserable. Allergy sufferers beware in June from Portland on south to Eugene.
All in all, though....SW of Portland metro is beautiful rolling countryside and vineyards that rival Sonoma or Napa, CA, to some folks.
McMinnville is in this area and it's definitely better than other areas in the Valley.
Also....it's easy to get over to Lincoln City (Chinook Winds Casino, kite-flying, etc.).....or vear north on 101 and hit Pacific City. NICE cove here, surfing beach, state park and with another enormous "haystack" rock right offshore......(like the one in Cannon Beach).....and the Pelican Bay Brewery and Restaurant. AWESOME place to feast and watch another GORGEOUS Pacific sunset....or storm!

[Alice Springs]

Sorry Sign and Durian for the delay in getting back to you -- I only have a hand-held at home over the Labor Day weekend and it makes responding cumbersome. Easier to reply at work! [lol]

Anyway, thanks to you both for the helpful insights. And Sign, I hope I'll be talking to you more when I switch over to the WA State Forum to learn more about Bellingham, both before and after I visit. I'm looking forward to sharing your enthusiasm for the place. I only hope no one tries to torpedo my high hopes because of their own personal unhappiness. It can happen... cheers and peace, Alice