info about Southern Oregon (Medford, Grants Pass: environment, travel, jobs)

[Imperial1904]

Originally Posted by avantgarden

I'm sorry to have to post this, but I feel it is important to know. K-Falls, in my opinion, is not a very tolerant area. I often find people in K-Falls to be very closed-minded, and it feels like I have entered Alabama whenever I go there -- that's just my opinion. Medford has pretty much the same problem. Medford is a city overrun with wanna-be gangstas peddling meth, and meth addicts. I personally believe Medford is one of the worst cities for meth in Oregon, thus the monicker "Methford". Also, Medford rates terribly when it comes to their schools drop-out rates, and White City / Eagle Point is even worse. I know so many kids from Medford who have dropped out of school and use meth; my nephew (22) is sitting in prison right now for this very reason, and he's from Medford. The city is also very conservative, which some may find to be an attraction (to each their own), but it really shows in the attitudes of it's residents. I would say, if you're looking at Southern Oregon, check into Ashland (expensive), or possibly Grants Pass, but stay far away from Medford and K-Falls.

I think all of Southern Oregon are closed-minded.

Both Klamath Falls and Medford have wannabe's but it's not overrun. I rarely see meth addicts in both areas. Like I've said in other threads, over the last couple years meth has just started to become an issue from what I can tell. Southern Oregon will never have problems like a bigger city would have.

Only thing good I can say about Southern Oregon is that atleast Medford is alot better than Klamath Falls in terms of activities and shopping.

[bluebird39]

Hi there,

Ashland has a very active Unitarian church. I think that's where you should focus on. It's the most expensive place, but compared to Calif., it's probably nothing. Lots of Ca transplants in So. Oregon. You'll feel right at home. It's much cheaper to live in Oregon, and much sunnier than the bay area, from what I hear.

[Larry Caldwell]

The question of closed minded pretty much depends on which cow you think is sacred. It's not a cultural absolute.

After living in Southern Oregon for 12 years, I would describe it more as insular rather than closed minded. People just want to be left alone to live their lives, and aren't interested in the latest media fad. If pop culture is your thing, I would say that Southern Oregon is a really bad fit for you.

[Imperial1904]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

and aren't interested in the latest media fad.

Now this part I would have to disagree. Most of the kids in Southern Oregon are trying to portray what they've seen on TV.

The adults, well, I see many driving Hummers, SUV's and large expensive pick-ups.

Fads end up everywhere eventually, but Southern Oregon seems to be a few years behind, maybe more.

I will agree that Southern Oregon isn't a fit for me, it never has been and never will be and not because of the pop culture thing but because I was raised in a big city and that's where I feel most comfortable.

[Kodachrome]

Originally Posted by Imperial1904

I think all of Southern Oregon are closed-minded.

Both Klamath Falls and Medford have wannabe's but it's not overrun. I rarely see meth addicts in both areas. Like I've said in other threads, over the last couple years meth has just started to become an issue from what I can tell. Southern Oregon will never have problems like a bigger city would have.

Only thing good I can say about Southern Oregon is that atleast Medford is alot better than Klamath Falls in terms of activities and shopping.

Long story short. After living in southern Oregon (Medford, Ashland, and mostly Jacksonville) for ten plus years... for our sanity and a better way of life for our children, we got the heck out of there.

There's just no way to 'sugar coat this,' but some of the Cons of southern Oregon are: The place seriously lacks culture, and sense of 'community' in a BIG way - Larry Caldwell's statement "People just want to be left alone to live their lives" is right on. Upon moving there, one can find that most people are not entirely obliging to getting to know you (general "you"), they keep to themselves in true California form, but heck, most ARE from California anymore. From personal experience, it's hard to find real, and true friendships there without any hidden agendas. Yes, Meth is a huge problem in that region. For someone into good food and good music anytime/day of the week... this isn't the place for you. It just doesn't exist. They claim it does, but it doesn't. The sidewalks pretty much roll-up around 9pm/10pm. Not good... as it can get the curiosity of "other things to do" in someone (on the younger side) that generally leads to trouble and The Law. I'm 35 and witnessed this personally with others in my age range.

Pros: Lots of natural beauty. Rivers, lakes, hiking, biking... southern Oregon has awesome, and abundant amounts of bike "lanes," I will give the place that much credit. If one has time (and money) to enjoy all of this beauty - it can be doable. Still relatively close (2 -2.5 hour drive) from the gorgeous coast. Ashland has the Shakespeare Festival, but that grows old after awhile. Oregon has some lovely laws in place that other states don't. I used to think the "tourist season" was bad in Ashland - but had no clue what "tourist season" really entailed until I moved to Asheville, NC.

The outdoor music festival, Britt, in Jacksonville, but "they" as in board members, and home owners right outside the fence were making it less and less enjoyable to support over time due to their lame complaints and such.

In a nutshell. After a few months of living there, sinking ones self into the 9-5 shuffle, and all its newness has worn off... southern Oregon is boring, and going nowhere fast. The rare times that I have nightmares, it involves moving back there.

And yeah, Klammath Falls is ten times worse. Don't even go there. Seriously.

[furyu]

poeticsunshine... If you wish to live in southern inland Oregon, then Ashland should be your first choice, especially coming from such a lovely area as where you live now. It'll be less of a 'cultural' shock than, say, leaving the San Simeon area and moving to Medford. Everything 'negative' said about Medford is no doubt true, and then some. Here in coastal Southern Oregon we call it, "Methford".

Cost of real estate is substantially higher in Ashland ... for a reason: it's the nicest area to live. But it is a lot less expensive than what you're encountering in California right now. And, with real estate in somewhat of a slump, you might find a nice deal. However, Oregon is one of the few states that hasn't been greatly affected by the real estate drop.

Be careful of going outside of 'city' limits, however... there is not a lot of law enforcement in the outlying areas so if you're unlucky to have a really obnoxious drugged-out neighbor, something that is, frankly, likely in the more rural areas, you'll have a hard time finding recourse in any real sense.

You'll love the Shakespeare Festival. The plays run for nine months so you'll have plenty of opportunity to see them.

It's a college town with lots of young people along with some former 'hippie' types plus your newly retired yuppies, and such. In other words, a good cross-section of folk and far more 'open-minded' or (should I use that dreaded word?) 'liberal' than you'll find elsewhere in Southern Oregon.

I hope you like hot hot summers. You'll have 90+ most of the summer and fall months, but the winters are nice with snow in the higher elevations and nice cool temperatures.

I can't stand the hot weather so I chose to live along the coast but if I had no choice and had to live inland, Ashland would be it.

Good luck with the move...

[granmabarker]

im thinking of relocating to s oregon with my four grandchildren

[Kathleenh54]

Ashland. Period. Check the school stats. There is no other community.

Jackson County closed it's libraries. Ashland is hopefully going to reopen theirs but still has to pass a levy. It's a work in progress.

[freedom]

Please, Ashland only.

Phoenix, Talent, Grants Pass, Merlin, Rogue River. These are all a stones throw away from the liberal Ashland mecca.
Try to build a new home in Ashland. You won't be able too, unless you buy an existing one and tear it down to one wall.

Try to drive anything other than a hybrid in Ashland and feel the welcome from the hippycrites.

[Imperial1904]

Originally Posted by furyu

Here in coastal Southern Oregon we call it, "Methford".

The many times I've been to Medford, I have not seen any methheads and I don't hear much about it on the news.

I know it's a problem in Southern Oregon, but I don't think it's as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Maybe because of the size of Medford, people think it's out of control.