info about Southern Oregon (liberal)

[bluebird39]

We live in Northern lower Michigan. It's rural, more so than the Rogue Valley, but less so than Eastern Oregon. I can now afford to stay home with my kids, plus we're closer to family, some of whom can't travel anymore. It was a needed career move for my husband too. I really miss the mountains and friends I've known my whole adult life who still live there. I miss good Mexican food (Habeneros was our favorite, or La Burrita), and Kalidescope pizza. I don't miss the hot DRY summer, or the smoke from wildfires. The schools here are incredible, and cost of living (other than the heating bill) is much lower.

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by freedom

Either one would fit your definition.
Ashland is more expensive and has a subdivision moratorium in place. So less land more $.

Grants pass has less earthy people but open religiously, and more affordable properties.
There is an Unitarian church in both. Larger in Ashland.
There are outskirt cities for both. That have more property options.

Sounds about right.

This might be a time to recommend the Applegate Valley that we are in right now, between Grants Pass and Ashland. That would mean Medford schools for the west half of the valley, and Medford has a good sports program and a reasonable academic program.

Ruch grade school is awesome. Our 14 year old son said Ruch grade school in 8th grade was the best school year of his life. He happened to get a teacher who had come here from Beaverton, where we moved from.

Look up "Applegate Valley" and visit a few of the local websites. A few have photos and one has videos

[curiouserncuriouser]

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.

Hello. Got a question. I was under the impression the Grants Pass was very conservative. Is the wrong?
Thanks

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by curiouserncuriouser

Hello. Got a question. I was under the impression the Grants Pass was very conservative. Is the wrong?
Thanks

Conservative, but not "very" conservative.

Your earlier post quoted someone mentioning kids of Medford. We came from the west suburbs of Portland near Beaverton and Lake Oswego, and I've found the entire groups of friends our kids have met here, to be much more responsible and adult-like than whom they met near Beaverton. Drugs are not a problem in Medford. Individual children who use them may be a problem, or their parents may be a problem. The problem seems to lie more in lack of personal responsibility than it does within a "city" or a "school". Whatever the statistics are, its as easy, or hard, to avoid drugs near Medford. It all boils-down to each individual child. Portland, or Medford, the drug supply is accessible to any child and any one of them could have drugs if they willed to do so.

It may be a reflection of parents who are selfish and into their own personal interests and activities.

There seems to be a bigger gap in Medford and Grants Pass between the "clean" and "unclean" families of culture.

[curiouserncuriouser]

Mdvaden, thanks for the info.

[Thai]

We have friends in the Running Y Ranch area of Klamath Falls and they love it there. Very peaceful setting. My aunt and uncle lived in K-Falls for several years a long time ago and managed to make many friends through their church, kids schools, clubs, etc., and loved it. Lots of sunshine. But it is a conservative, "old west" type thinking town for many of the people who live there. Lots of sunshine and they have made good progress improving the down town in general.

[furyu]

Sorry for the previous political rant. We get off topic sometimes. Not sure how... or why.

I just noticed that "Portland" is included in the topic line seeking info about Southern Oregon. We do all know, don't we, that Portland is in Northern Oregon? Just checking.

(In the time it took me to write this post, my previous one was deleted! It was off topic, so... can't complain.)

[roguecoast]

Originally Posted by nanannie

Fascinating thread.I wonder,is the coast (Brookings,Gold beach etc) considered in this info of "southern oregon" to you,does it have the same problams with schools,boredom,meth etc as has been mentioned here?

I have lived on the coast (Gold Beach) for two years...moved from a cow town in the high dessert area south of Lakeview, OR. Yes eastern Oregon is all ranching and farming (mostly hay).
The coast does not have the same problems they seem to have inland.....people move to the coast to get away from the troubled areas. In our little town drugs are not well tolerated...at the same time we do provide a ton of resources for people who need help cleaning up their lives....I feel this is lacking in the larger communities in the Rogue Valley. It is that sense of community that makes the biggest difference.
I have never once been bored in over two years...neither have my teenage sons! You will find us outside hiking, fishing, camping, walking the beach.......at least three days a week even in the winter! It is a great place for families to connect.

[GG's-gotta-get-away]

nanannie,
Just curious as to the above mentioned cities, particularly Bandon and/or Coos Bay. I was thinking of relocating from Nevada to the S. Oregon Coast. I'm tired of big cities , hot temps, want a small coastal town, and am in the medical field (Critical Care RN). Any advice? I just visited with my two teen daughters (P.Orford) for one week, returned 3 days ago and am already restless and wish to leave NV. Just gathering information for now, as I am currently enrolled in a Graduate Nursing Program and will complete my degree next year. Then I hope to teach nursing vs. bedside care. We love the outdoors, camping and hiking are our usual pastimes, and I just loved Oregon. Thank you for any information.

GG

[tony4245]

Originally Posted by GG's-gotta-get-away

nanannie,
I'm tired of big cities , hot temps, want a small coastal town, and am in the medical field (Critical Care RN). Any advice? I just visited with my two teen daughters (P.Orford) for one week, returned 3 days ago and am already restless and wish to leave NV. Just gathering information for now, as I am currently enrolled in a Graduate Nursing Program and will complete my degree next year. Then I hope to teach nursing vs. bedside care. We love the outdoors, camping and hiking are our usual pastimes, and I just loved Oregon. Thank you for any information.

GG

I can relate to that...

Check out Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay, I know they're offering relocation bonuses and other stuff for ICU nurses.

See you there.