relocation to Oregon (Portland, Eugene, Gresham: work, housing, violent crime)

[seacreeks]

My 2-Bits,
I live in Eugene/Springfield. We love it. Not to big and not to small and strategically located between the mountains and ocean and the rest of the state really.
There are lots of really cute and family friendly smaller towns in this region that are easy commuting to where the jobs are: Salem, Albany, Corvallis, etc.
One of the biggest towns on the coast is Coos Bay. I am only familiar with the OR Coast from Lincoln City south to Brookings at the CA border. So I would say the Coos Bay/North Bend area would have the most employment as such.
Grants Pass, Medford, Talent, and Ashland[a college/artsy place] are all in the same general area and not to far apart. So finding a job in either of these communities would be easy commuting from any of the others..
I would urge you, however, if you folks live within a few states of Oregon to come explore and check out these places first.
Good luck!
Dann I.

[tiffela74]

If you come to Coos Bay, please make sure you either have a very good job stabalized here, or are willing to work for a lower wage. There are several jobs available at all times if youre willing to work for min. wage. Some good ones if you can work in the hospital or a nursing home. Personally, ive seen many people move here w/high hopes, and not a secure job and leave disolusioned and broke shortly after. Can still find some good deals on homes if you have the $$ though, but theyre going fast. We looked at one about 3yrs ago that was going for 70,000, husband got laid off, out of work for a year, finally got another good job, and the same house re-sold about 8months ago for 250,000. - grant you, they put in some work, but not that much. If you can afford it, Myrtle Point has got some really cute houses that are lower priced, and its not too much of a commute (ie- less than an hour)
Tiffany

[yayakats]

Seacreeks,
I was wondering if you could tell me a bit about the crime rate in Eugene/Springfield. The city data info indicates higher than average crime rate. Would you agree?

yayakats

[claire_voyant]

Originally Posted by yayakats

Seacreeks,
I was wondering if you could tell me a bit about the crime rate in Eugene/Springfield. The city data info indicates higher than average crime rate. Would you agree?

yayakats

I'm not Seacreeks, but I hope you don't mind my two cents on this topic. I moved from the Eugene area about a year ago for graduate school in another city, but before that, I lived there for 8 years. In terms of crime, it really depends on where in the Eugene/Springfield area you choose to live. Springfield has a higher crime rate than Eugene, and areas in Eugene that have the highest crime rates are areas of West Eugene, parts of the River Road area, and around campus. I never had any problems, other than when I lived on campus, nor did I ever feel unsafe walking around town.

[horseperson]

Does anyone know of any equine employment opportunities in Oregon? My husband has over 40 years experience with raising, breeding and training horses. He is a contractor by trade and has his CDL. But we are looking to work on a ranch or with horses.

[kathrynevans]

I have lived in the Bend/Redmon area since 1950 and all 4 of our kids were born and raised here. The only one who left was the youngest and she flat refuses to return. She says it is too full of rude people now!

Bend is very expensive with the median cost of a home at $335,000 and low paying jobs. Article in the local paper just last week stated that most people who move to the Bend/Redmond area either are retired and wealthy, or bring jobs with them meaning they are generally self employed so aren't looking for work. Most migrating from California where they have sold their homes for big bucks and the prices here are low compared to where they came from. Housing prices are much lower in Prineville and Madras but going up

Redmond is quickly becoming a "bedroom" community for the Bend area with the median cost of a home now at $250,000 and going up.

There are lots of " destination resorts" and golf courses and very little industry to support the population. Most jobs are in the service industry which prevents alot of people from owning a home.

Bend is a ski town with Mt. Bachelor just 30 miles away. There is a community college and branches of both University of Oregon and Oregon State here. It can get cold here and the snow can really pile up. The population has grown from 30K just a few years ago to over 70K now.

[OregonConservative]

I would look near Portland if you want a job. I would reccomend Aloha, Oregon, just past Beaverton and 16 miles from Portland. If you would like a step up, you could find a nice small home in West Linn or Lake Oswego, with superb schools, nice parks and even closer to Portland

Good Luck

[OregonConservative]

I have visited Coos Bay many times. Its a dump, dont go there, plus its pretty boring and in the middle of nowhere.

[OregonConservative]

I think you would also like Lincoln County. It would be a bit hard to find a job but Lincoln City and Newport are very outdoorsy and beautiful

[yayakats]

I have been looking at Salem too. Anyone from Salem or know anything about it? Crime? Job market? homes look affordable... school system good?

We have narrowed it down to the Portland area, Eugene, Brookings and possibly Salem. We plan on coming for a visit in early 2007.