Moving to Oregon Coast (Portland, Eugene: salary, rental, jobs)

[illinoisboy]

OK I know I've said this before, and I'll say it again...

When I was there, this past August, I found everyone to be very nice and polite. They all seemed to be pretty positive people and enjoyed life. However, I guess that they should have been happy, after all August is pretty much the only month you have to enjoy out there. no, jk

The worst person we met out there was down the coast in Bandon...

Okay so we were taking a stroll along the bayfront by downtown, watching all the people crab, were we saw this cute little seal guy. He was waiting for them to drop the bait into the water, when he would then go steal it. it was so funny! After that the little guy just swam back and waited for his next victim. The lady who he stole it from started cursing and then yelled that poor her had to then go into town and buy a trukey leg, for whatever reason.

It was funny, seeing all the things you poor Oregonians have to go through.
jk again

So anyways, yeah that was the worst thing we saw in the nine days we were there.

[vnodak]

Originally Posted by britgirl

Polish Pride is bang on. People are for the most part just plain rude. I don't mean that they say rude things to your face, it is their whole manner and the way they conduct themselves here on the coast. You will find some genuinely nice people, but they are far and few between. I think I am one of the most appoachable people around because of my British accent, people love to talk to me - but not here. I have lived in a lot of different places and the Oregon Coast has so far been the worst. People like to gossip, they are clickish and don't like outsiders especially Californians and we are getting plenty of people moving from CA. Trouble with CA's is they price out the locals because they can put cash down for a house. There is a unspoken distrust and dislike for people out of state (any state). People will pretend to be your friend until they have what they want and they seem to be able drop people very easily. Tradesmen don't call back or turn up and are frequently late. There is a decidely blase & lazy attitude towards working and the Meth problems around here are out of control.

Polish was also bang on about the weather......it's one thing to like the rain because it makes things green but it is a whole other story when you get 9-10 months of rain, not drizzle but rain. For 6 out of those 9-10 months it is constantly raining and never a peek of any blue sky for months on end. The summers are lovely but the temps are generally in the late 60's, early 70's. You can't get your shorts on & sit on the beach because it constanly blows 30mph with a cold wind, you'll be lucky if the summer temps reach 75.

I also knew a person who relocated to Newport from San Diego and they barely made it 18 months before selling up and heading back. They got hit with Capital Gains Tax, they hated it so much here that they didn't care to wait another 6 months to not get hit with it.

Each to their own though.........Having Sunshine and warmth all year can probably be a tad tedious but you are going to the complete other extreme. Damp , moist , grey , rainy , depressing , wet , flooded , windy , blowy , are just a few words that come to mind when I think of the Oregon Coast. Just have plenty of hobbies because trust me you will need them. A job would also be a huge plus to keep you busy but they aren't many quality ones.

Welcome & Good Luck
As you are arriving, I hope to be leaving......no offence

I lived on the Oregon coast over 25 years and you and polish pride have over done your points. I am sorry that you both think of it in such a negative way. Just remember---------you get what you give.

[vnodak]

Originally Posted by britgirl

As I said before and I will repeat it again, I am very approachable and I am also very respectful of other people and their feelings. I was taught by my parents from a very young age that "You treat people as you expect to be treated" & that are consequences to my words & actions. I also didn't come to this state with a previous attitude. I love the USA and feel more patriotic towards this country than my own. I have been welcomed with open arms to the point of me wanting Citizenship. I also never said "all people", I did say however "People are for the most part just plain rude" and that "You will find some genuinely nice people, but they are far and few between".There have been a few people I have come across that were nice and friendly. Your response leads me to believe that you are exactly the kind of people I was referring to. I was giving my experience, if yours is different then great but this happens to be my experience. I don't appreciate someone telling me to move. That isn't very friendly is it? I understand that people are unfriendly all over the world and I have traveled all over the world, I just haven't seen unfriendliness in such a large scale before. If you are going to move from Florida to the Oregon Coast would you mind awfully leaving your disrepect of me behind. Thankyou

WOW---she too has a right to her opinion. You certainly are defensive and negative. IMO

[vnodak]

Originally Posted by orygun

Quite frankly, this is the attitude that has killed Oregon for what it used to be. Big money coming in with attitudes of "I own the mountain and don't care about you." Kinda ticks of natives you know.

Oregonians most never had the chance to earn what you did so kindly check the $$ elitist attitude at the border when you enter.

If you don't truly have the attitude you sound like you have, my apologies.

amen, I agree

[vnodak]

Originally Posted by nicolette

hi tiffany,
Thanks for the input!
We will definitely check out Coos Bay. We are looking for acreage close to the ocean...5+ acres so we can build a small cabin and have horses (is that possible)?? Under $300K?? I'm probably being too unrealistic....
most important to us is land, land, land!! Beautiful trees, close to the water (within 10 miles)...room to run around...not be on top of your neighbors with all due respect. Be able to have a good local pub or wine bar close...etc....

Hey...we don't want much huh??

Hate to say this but I doubt it.

[vnodak]

Originally Posted by canadianbiker

Tiffany,
I am directing this to you, as you seem to be the only poster in Oregon whom actually posts decent information without clouded judgments (pun intented). I think that I would like to re-locate towards the northern coast, as that would be close to Canada.

I am originally from Alberta Canada where it's winter from October to Mid June, I don't think I would mind being rained on for a winter as opposed to being snowed on!! I have now lived on the east coast in Florida for 6 years, but have a need to move closer to my family. I am looking into Oregon as I want to continue living near the ocean, I don't want to live in -40 with snow and ice laden roads.

The one thing that not one poster on here has addressed is jobs and hardly any on housing. I would like to know how hard it is to find a job, the unemployment rates, the rates of pay... etc. Plus what are the rental amounts like? I have a dog, and of course she would come with me, but I have never found it easy to find rental accommodation's in any city/town when you have a dog, so that is not my concern. As for buying a house, I will wait till I find the town that's right for me.

Thank you so much,

Denise

Lots of areas on the coast in Washington and it is closer to Canada. Do you need to be in Oregon??? Having said that I live in the Seattle area now. Lived on the Oregon coast for over 25 years. I would pick Oregon over Washington if money is a big issue. Then again jobs are better here.

[canadianbiker]

Originally Posted by vnodak

Lots of areas on the coast in Washington and it is closer to Canada. Do you need to be in Oregon??? Having said that I live in the Seattle area now. Lived on the Oregon coast for over 25 years. I would pick Oregon over Washington if money is a big issue. Then again jobs are better here.

Well first of all, I don't NEED to be anywhere, I want to be further south then Washington.. and as you have pointed out you would pick Oregon over Washington, why wouldn't I as well? Money is always an issue!! I have thought of Washington, but I am also coming now from Florida, and looking for the warmest weather possible, I am choosing Oregon as the further south you go the warmer it gets!!

[vnodak]

Originally Posted by canadianbiker

Well first of all, I don't NEED to be anywhere, I want to be further south then Washington.. and as you have pointed out you would pick Oregon over Washington, why wouldn't I as well? Money is always an issue!! I have thought of Washington, but I am also coming now from Florida, and looking for the warmest weather possible, I am choosing Oregon as the further south you go the warmer it gets!!

Did not mean to offend you just trying to help as I have lived in both places. The economy in Washington(Seattle area) is some what better than Oregon on the coast IMO.(meant to say if money is not a big issue.) My only advice to you is to move inland slightly if you like warmer weather. We lived 16 miles from the coast and the temp difference was amazing. Good luck to you.

[canadianbiker]

Originally Posted by vnodak

Did not mean to offend you just trying to help as I have lived in both places. The economy in Washington(Seattle area) is some what better than Oregon on the coast IMO.(meant to say if money is not a big issue.) My only advice to you is to move inland slightly if you like warmer weather. We lived 16 miles from the coast and the temp difference was amazing. Good luck to you.

I am sorry that I took it the wrong way, too much is lost in typed text, and I know that. Thank you.

I would prefer to keep off the topic of weather, as I don't want to make that the premise for my decisions. I have suffered Alberta winters, and I feel that I can suffer through just about anything, however I have been wrong once or twice in my life.

Jobs and housing are more important me, then weather. Can you help me on that? You've said that the economy is better in Washington State.. can you elaborate on that any? Can you tell me what the job and housing markets are like?

[vnodak]

Originally Posted by canadianbiker

I am sorry that I took it the wrong way, too much is lost in typed text, and I know that. Thank you.

I would prefer to keep off the topic of weather, as I don't want to make that the premise for my decisions. I have suffered Alberta winters, and I feel that I can suffer through just about anything, however I have been wrong once or twice in my life.

Jobs and housing are more important me, then weather. Can you help me on that? You've said that the economy is better in Washington State.. can you elaborate on that any? Can you tell me what the job and housing markets are like?

I grew up in North Dakota so I know all about winters and Oregon and Washington do not come close to what you and I have seen.
What kind of job or jobs are you looking at?? You can see some of the types of jobs available in the Seattle area/metro by looking on line at the Seattle Times. The economy here is very good and their are lots of jobs. The only issue here is it is kind of exspensive but then again you can live further away and commute. The pay is higher here than Oregon. I make twice what I made in Oregon on the coast. Then again it is cheaper to live there. Some of the Oregon coastal areas are really nice but not alot there for jobs.
First, I would pick coastal areas that you are interested in and check out their newspapers(Sunday) and see what they have to offer. You can also try Craigs list. Coos Bay also has the Southcoast Shopper. Also check the Nickle Adds---its a small paper that is throughout Oregon and I believe Washington and focuses on different areas.You can find all these on line.
City-Data has a tremendous amount of stats which you could use---info on job market, housing,weather,etc.
Lastly if you do choose to look more into Washington, stay out of king county as that is where it is most exspensive.
Is it just you moving??? What kind of needs do you have---rather preferrences????? If you give me more info,maybe I can be more specific.
Sorry, I forgot you have a dog---I have in the past also and it was some trouble but not that big of a deal.
Also, wanted to mention to look at the Washington State Employment office as they also have lots of info.