relocation to Oregon (Portland, Eugene, Salem: real estate, housing, rent)

[yayakats]

Hi,
We are thinking about relocating to Oregon. We love the fact that it has all of the outdoorsy type activities and is environmentally conscious.

We are trying to figure out which town is best to raise a family (have a son, less than a year old).

We have been researching Eugene, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Bend, Talent, and Grants Pass.

Any suggestions? We need a city that we can find jobs in and afford a home ($200k to $300k)... and is family friendly.

Thanks,
yayakats

[Waterlily]

Houses in Bend will be too high to fit in your buget. You could live outside of Bend in Redmond where it's less expensive. The other places you've mentioned would would be a tight squeeze as fare as real estate goes.Springfield is located right next to Eugene and real estate is not quite as high there. There's lots of businesses located close to Springfield and in Eugene. I don't know what kind of work you do but, you might find something there.

[yayakats]

Thanks Waterlilly!
I appreciate your help. I have heard mixed reviews on Eugene with crime. Do you know anything about that?

Also, what about Medford area. What is that area like?

yayakats

[Waterlily]

I live on the coast of Oregon but some of the news on T.V. comes from Eugene. Also I go over there once in a while just for something to do. I've heard a lot about car theft in Eugene being pretty bad. The crime stats for Eugene are at an over average rate. To be fair crime is going up all over the U.S.A. and big cities seem to be the worst. However my husband and I travel around there and haven't seen any crimes happening. I guess we're just lucky or not in the right place for it.
Medford is a fair-sized city that has been growing a lot the last few years. The real estate prices have gone up as well. It gets hot during the summer and they have smog-fog gloom during winter. There's probably some job possibilities there. All the growing cities in Oregon would have some constrution jobs. That's about all I know about Medford as I seldom stop there as I go by on the I-5 freeway.
Now as to a family friendly city I'd say a smaller city might be best. Smaller towns often have less crime and people get to know each other.

[NWgirl]

We are thinking about relocating to Oregon. We love the fact that it has all of the outdoorsy type activities and is environmentally conscious.

We are trying to figure out which town is best to raise a family (have a son, less than a year old).

We have been researching Eugene, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Bend, Talent, and Grants Pass.

Any suggestions? We need a city that we can find jobs in and afford a home ($200k to $300k)... and is family friendly.

I've lived in Oregon for the majority of my life so I'll try to give you some info. You are right that Oregon is outdoorsy and environmentally conscious, at least the higher population areas like Portland, Eugene, and suburbs. Also, most cities are liberal while the agricultural areas and smaller areas are not always so.

Eugene, since it's a college town, has lots of liberal political activities and a progressive vibe. I don't know anything specifically about its crime rate - it has never seemed particularly high or low to me. My grandparents still live there so we go down a couple of times a year.

Hillsboro and Beaverton are right next to each other and are suburbs of Portland. They are where a lot of people live who work in the computer industry (the silicone forest) and of course Nike is a big employer. Beaverton and Hillsboro are both growing like mad and housing costs are fairly high and it gets congested.

Bend is on the other side of the mountains and is beautiful and expensive and growing because of all kinds of people moving there. It's booming and prices are going up, but it's a wonderful part of the state if you like high desert. Lots to do there and great weather.

I have never heard of Talent and I've never been to Grants Pass so I can't say anything about those places.

We get lots of grey skies and rain in the winter and spring. Summers are hot and can be humid. Spring is generally quite nice. All the west coast of Oregon (Beav, Hills, Eugene, etc) gets nice fall foliage. We have no sales tax but there is a state income tax.

I don't know if any of that was helpful, but for what it's worth. Housing in the places in Oregon that you have mentioned can be high (except for the two places I don't know about) but I don't know what you're comparing it to.

Good luck.

[tiffela74]

Keep in mind Eugene is a collage town. It does have a lot to offer w/2 malls, plenty of resturants, some nice parks, good mix of entertainment. but the younger set seems to be everywhere. lol. Personally, I get lost when I go into Eugene most of the time, but thats just me. It does have a very good heart hospital there as well, and plenty of Starbucks.
Bend is beautiful, and has a lot to offer! My folks are actually in the process of moving there right now, but yes, the housing prices are outragous. And at the rate of growth, youd definatly want to have a very good job w/a future secured before moving there.
You might look into Salem. Its growing and fairly big, but still has a lot of outter areas that are nice.
IMO, Id steer away from Medford. Been talking w/a lot of people who are moving from there as quick as they can. High crime, huge drug problem. But I dont know from personal experience. Just second hand.
Lincoln City is beautiful and growing very very quickly. Id move there in a heartbeat if I could! Lots of opportunity there, but youd have to get in quick since housing prices are going up fast.
West Lynn is a great place that is up and coming as well. Might check your options. Depends a lot on your careers as well.
Good luck!
Tiffany

[yayakats]

Hi,
Where is West Lynn? I tried looking it up and couldn't find it.

I am an accountant and esthetician and my husband is a graphic designer. I am thinking a bigger city might be a more likely place to find work. We would rather live in a smaller town tho'. My husband surfs as well.. and Lincoln City would be fabulous if we could find jobs.

[yayakats]

I just looked at Lincoln City city data info. The crime rate is huge! Is this true?

[tiffela74]

well, it would be helpful if I wouldve spelled it right. lol, its West Linn - sorry, my daughters middle name is Lynn so I tend to just automatically spell all Lynns that way.
West Linn btw, is by Oregon City, I think still in Clackamas County.
Ive never lived in Lincoln City, but visited there quite a bit, and never noticed any real crime problem there. Hummmmm
You know, Ive not seen it mentioned here on the board, and personally, i havent been there in a few years, but Sandy was an awful nice little town a few years back. Prepare for snow though if you move there. Its at the base of Mt Hood. absolutly beautiful out there if you enjoy the big deep forest.
Tiffany
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[Nea1]

Originally Posted by yayakats

Hi,
We are thinking about relocating to Oregon. We love the fact that it has all of the outdoorsy type activities and is environmentally conscious.

We are trying to figure out which town is best to raise a family (have a son, less than a year old).

We have been researching Eugene, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Bend, Talent, and Grants Pass.

Any suggestions? We need a city that we can find jobs in and afford a home ($200k to $300k)... and is family friendly.

Thanks,
yayakats

Out of all those Bend is the best ! Lived there three years before we left Oregon altogether.