How would you describe Grants Pass? (Portland, Eugene: fit in, houses, university)

[ExoticFish]

Possibly tough to answer but I appreciate any input. I try to have respect for everyone and I am just trying to find a small community in Oregon where I would fit in best.

Is Grants Pass "conservative" or "liberal"? I am not religious or political and would prefer not to live in a smaller city composed of mostly "fundamentalists" Republicans who carry shotguns in their pickups.

Thanks for any info.

[karlsch]

Most rural towns in Oregon have a lot of Republicans, pickups with gun racks (equipped with rifles, not shotguns during hunting season), and some fundamentalists.

If you can’t tolerate these folks and only want to be around people like yourself, you should consider moving to a university town like Corvallis or a town with many urban expatriates such as Ashland.

[Hawk J]

I live in the mountains but Grants Pass is where i get most of my vittles,etc...

I see it as a caring community. I see St. Vincent DePaul's kitchen serving meals to homeless & less fortunate folks...

In well over four lustrums living here happily i've never had any problems in town. Mostly friendly folks.

...

[backdrifter]

Originally Posted by ExoticFish

Possibly tough to answer but I appreciate any input. I try to have respect for everyone and I am just trying to find a small community in Oregon where I would fit in best.

Is Grants Pass "conservative" or "liberal"? I am not religious or political and would prefer not to live in a smaller city composed of mostly "fundamentalists" Republicans who carry shotguns in their pickups.

Thanks for any info.

It's neither conservative nor liberal. It's libertarian, if anything (Ron Paul was really popular here). Property taxes are some of the lowest in the state, and people don't want the government involved in their lives. There are people on both extremes of the traditional political spectrum, and of course it leans conservative here, but you won't be bothered by them 99.9% of the time. Live and let live, pretty much.

I was shocked this last Sunday when a dressed up old lady came into my line at the grocery store I work at (I'm a checker) and told me she didn't normally shop on Sundays "so people can go to church" and asked if I "get to go to church?" That was certainly a first in all my years in Grants Pass! Though there are some scary churches in Josephine County, nobody's generally in your face about religion or politics, etc. Anyway, after a few speechless seconds, I picked up my jaw off the floor and stumbled over my words telling that lady, "They usually have me working Sundays..." If I hadn't been working, oh man... I would've had a lot of fun telling her something else!

People hunt and fish around here and go "muddin'" and "four-wheelin'", but I've never seen anyone driving around with guns in their pickups. Obama signs were not uncommon during the election, and neither were McCain and Paul signs.

Overall, it's a nice little town. It's getting more liberal year to year, but that is relative to the rest of rural Oregon. Certainly leaps ahead of Eagle Point, Roseburg, Coos Bay, Klamath Falls, etc, but it's no Eugene or Portland either. A nice balance for a family or someone who wants to be left to their own affairs. It's a good place. Getting a little crowded, but still lots of friendly people.

[freedom]

Since Obama was elected GP has awakened.

We are Freedom loving people that don't appreciate the direction this country is headed.

Conservative? Liberal?

These are like wigs and tori's IMO....Out dated and too similar to make any valuable comparison.

Grants Pass ;
Political Trend - Kindly Independant, or Decline to State
Religious Trend - Shrinking Organized - Increasing independant seekers.
Economy - Life support.. could use lots of prayers.

[Fiddlehead]

Don't sweat it. You will see a few right wingers throughout rural Oregon, except maybe Ashland, but I wouldn't sweat it. Take an interest in them and they will likely do the same. From the tone of your post, you might want to think about how rigid your views are. A lot of urban expats come to the country expecting the cows not to poop, and ruralites to quote Noam Chomsky. Might happen, probably won't, but you might just learn something anyway. It never hurts to be around folks with different opinions. I am pretty lefty, but my family is mostly hard right. We love each other and that ain't gonna change, so look for good people, and you'll find em. Sorry if this sound patronizing, but your post was a bit too. Best wishes!

[ExoticFish]

Thanks so much for the information. How does Grants Pass compare to Roseburg?

[ExoticFish]

Hey Fiddlehead - thanks for your reply and you're right - I should have worded it differently. I love and even seek out diversity but I was just concerned that Grants Pass might be overwhelmingly "right" of the political/religious spectrum. BTW - I'm a big Chomsky fan.

Best!!!

[backdrifter]

Originally Posted by ExoticFish

Thanks so much for the information. How does Grants Pass compare to Roseburg?

It's better. I'm biased though. Honestly, GP is more diverse than Roseburg is culturally. Roseburg is definitely more Republican than GP, which as I said before, is more libertarian--they don't care what you do as long as you're a good neighbor.

By the way, I know a couple people here in GP who are big fans of Chomsky.

To elaborate on Grants Pass... I'd describe it as a small, growing former logging city that has all the problems and benefits that go along with growing cities. Now I'll take some time and reply to your other thread...

[JMWS]

On Grants Pass - I've never lived there, but on a recent visit I was struck by how nice it is. Gorgeous surroundings, some interesting old houses, a variety of restaurants. Seems to be a mixture of long-time residents and newer people who have moved there for the outdoor recreation.