Any place inexpensive anymore?

[davefr]

In summary you want:

• Large inexpensive home
• Wife not working
• Easy commute
• Close to parents
• Good job
• Low taxes
• No rat race
• Nice restaurants

Your describing a section of Anaheim, CA. It's called Disneyland and the area is Fantasy Land.

Seriously you need to prioritize your list. Obtaining "all of the above" is unrealistic.

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by davefr

In summary you want:

• Large inexpensive home
• Wife not working
• Easy commute
• Close to parents
• Good job
• Low taxes
• No rat race
• Nice restaurants

Your describing a section of Anaheim, CA. It's called Disneyland and the area is Fantasy Land.

Seriously you need to prioritize your list. Obtaining "all of the above" is unrealistic.

I wonder if such a place exists anywhere. I would say that the third and last items could possibly be found here in the but the rest is a dream.

[malachai23]

Originally Posted by Minervah

I wonder if such a place exists anywhere. I would say that the third and last items could possibly be found here in the but the rest is a dream.

If my parents lived here in Dayton, all of those criteria would apply. Oh, except that I don't have a wife. LOL I do know plenty of people who are one-income families around here, however, and many of them are better off than many of my friends in P-town who are in dual-income families, or my single P-town friends trying to make it by working 2 or 3 jobs.

[bluebird39]

FH

Probably the top things I miss about OR are the most are the mountains, tons of public, accessible land, and the culture. I don't really know how to describe it, but I think it has to do with the fact that SO many people here in Michigan have such incredibly deep roots. Which is a good thing in many ways, but it's very hard as a newcomer to break into that. Those who are here are here because they have family, can't leave or who love it here. It's a very depressing place with all of the unemployment. I see ghosts towns appearing all around me as people leave the area. Parts of Ohio are much the same. I won't go into it all. It's also extremely frustrating here to try to get anywhere near a lake or river because every inch of the shore is private. In a state that prides itself in all of its lakes, it's astounding how little of it is accessible to the public. But it is pretty, and the Great Lakes, where you can get to them, are so incredibly amazing!

I agree that land is incredibly cheap here, but once you buy it, it's also incredibly hard to sell.

I actually LOVE the cold and snow. I'm a bit scared moving to NE Oregon. I love the humidity here too (people think I'm nuts). We're moving b/c of hubby's job. He's in wild land fire, so he'll be back in major fire country, so it's a promotion and all. So I'm glad about that. He loves it there, but it'll be all new to me.

As to the OP, I've wondered the same thing myself. It's why we moved out of Oregon... so I could stay at home with my kids. We couldn't there. Left state, DH got the experience he couldn't in Oregon because every job he applied for there got snapped up by people older than him who wanted to retire there, and now we're able to move back.

So that was our "strategy"... moving away partly so DH could get experience to compete for jobs back there.

Have you considered buying a fixer-upper that you can build on to? Buying a plot that you can build your own house? I have a lot of sympathy for you! Even in MI trying to live off one income is difficult, but doable. I've learned SO much from doing it. I'm hoping to take those lessons back to OR with us.

Good luck.

[malachai23]

Originally Posted by Minervah

I wonder if such a place exists anywhere. I would say that the third and last items could possibly be found here in the but the rest is a dream.

Originally Posted by bluebird39

FH

Probably the top things I miss about OR are the most are the mountains, tons of public, accessible land, and the culture. I don't really know how to describe it, but I think it has to do with the fact that SO many people here in Michigan have such incredibly deep roots. Which is a good thing in many ways, but it's very hard as a newcomer to break into that. Those who are here are here because they have family, can't leave or who love it here. It's a very depressing place with all of the unemployment. I see ghosts towns appearing all around me as people leave the area. Parts of Ohio are much the same. I won't go into it all. It's also extremely frustrating here to try to get anywhere near a lake or river because every inch of the shore is private. In a state that prides itself in all of its lakes, it's astounding how little of it is accessible to the public. But it is pretty, and the Great Lakes, where you can get to them, are so incredibly amazing!

I agree that land is incredibly cheap here, but once you buy it, it's also incredibly hard to sell.

I actually LOVE the cold and snow. I'm a bit scared moving to NE Oregon. I love the humidity here too (people think I'm nuts). We're moving b/c of hubby's job. He's in wild land fire, so he'll be back in major fire country, so it's a promotion and all. So I'm glad about that. He loves it there, but it'll be all new to me.

As to the OP, I've wondered the same thing myself. It's why we moved out of Oregon... so I could stay at home with my kids. We couldn't there. Left state, DH got the experience he couldn't in Oregon because every job he applied for there got snapped up by people older than him who wanted to retire there, and now we're able to move back.

So that was our "strategy"... moving away partly so DH could get experience to compete for jobs back there.

Have you considered buying a fixer-upper that you can build on to? Buying a plot that you can build your own house? I have a lot of sympathy for you! Even in MI trying to live off one income is difficult, but doable. I've learned SO much from doing it. I'm hoping to take those lessons back to OR with us.

Good luck.

Ugh - you're so right about THAT!! I've been trying for a year to sell my house so I can move back to Oregon. I've experienced all the same frustrations with social and familial "norms" here that you have experienced. My final conclusion: it's impossible for us newcomers to break into it. The roots run too deep. No room in the orchard for us. LOL But I'm also relying on those "norms" - since nobody from here ever leaves, I'm hoping one of these natives will actually buy my house!

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by FV9

Interesting comments and I appreciate them all. Couple of response:

1) Salem: Lived there for a few years while in law school. Have friends there. Just didnt really enjoy living there;

And this is the essence of your dilemma. In order to get cheaper it typically means giving up something. Honestly if you haven't been to Salem in the past three years, come spend a day downtown.

Salem is not Portland. I'm not going to pretend it is. I lived in the West Hills of Portland and loved it there. BUT I also have a 3,000 square foot house here in a good school district that is easily supported on one of our salaries. What you give up is the hip nature of Portland. What you get is less financial stress. If you want less financial stress then you will have to compromise.

I can also say that as a parent, Salem's slower pace is nice for kids.

[Silverfall]

Oh and take a tour of the Kroc center while you are here...it's incredible

[Fiddlehead]

Originally Posted by bluebird39

FH

Probably the top things I miss about OR are the most are the mountains, tons of public, accessible land, and the culture. I don't really know how to describe it, but I think it has to do with the fact that SO many people here in Michigan have such incredibly deep roots. Which is a good thing in many ways, but it's very hard as a newcomer to break into that. Those who are here are here because they have family, can't leave or who love it here. It's a very depressing place with all of the unemployment. I see ghosts towns appearing all around me as people leave the area. Parts of Ohio are much the same. I won't go into it all. It's also extremely frustrating here to try to get anywhere near a lake or river because every inch of the shore is private. In a state that prides itself in all of its lakes, it's astounding how little of it is accessible to the public. But it is pretty, and the Great Lakes, where you can get to them, are so incredibly amazing!

I agree that land is incredibly cheap here, but once you buy it, it's also incredibly hard to sell.

I actually LOVE the cold and snow. I'm a bit scared moving to NE Oregon. I love the humidity here too (people think I'm nuts). We're moving b/c of hubby's job. He's in wild land fire, so he'll be back in major fire country, so it's a promotion and all. So I'm glad about that. He loves it there, but it'll be all new to me.

As to the OP, I've wondered the same thing myself. It's why we moved out of Oregon... so I could stay at home with my kids. We couldn't there. Left state, DH got the experience he couldn't in Oregon because every job he applied for there got snapped up by people older than him who wanted to retire there, and now we're able to move back.

So that was our "strategy"... moving away partly so DH could get experience to compete for jobs back there.

Have you considered buying a fixer-upper that you can build on to? Buying a plot that you can build your own house? I have a lot of sympathy for you! Even in MI trying to live off one income is difficult, but doable. I've learned SO much from doing it. I'm hoping to take those lessons back to OR with us.

Good luck.

Great summary Bluebird!

I was wondering, because I am considering a position in Pittsburgh. I applied to one in Ann Arbor, but did not get to the short list. Just as well. I did not get strong welcoming feeling there, and I was worried MI would be too flat. In contrast, I have been very welcomed so far at Pittsburgh, and I have learned it is something of a diamond in the rough. Lush mountains and rivers all around, a beautiful, architecturally rich city, amazing homes, friendly people, and a surprisingly strong economy. Pennsylvania was not hit by the housing bubble or the massive Michigan economic hit. It is doing well, with minor home appreciation throughout the last ten years. Point being, it is not Michigan. I am in a similar position to your husband, seeking advancement with is not forthcoming here.

Glad to hear the move to Michigan worked well for your husband's career and you are now back closer to what you love. I am quite taken with NE Oregon. Magnificent country close at hand, and not too many people.

[SoCalCroozer]

My wife and I just got done touring the Sherwood, Taulatin area of OR. Her family lives in Dallas. We found an amazing house in Sherwood for $330K. Probably could get it for $300K. Sherwood is an amazing little area. I love Oregon. It's a beautiful state.