La Grande (Portland, Pendleton, Richland: public schools, universities, living in)

[esya]

I am considering applying to a job in LaGrande. I am interested in some information.

1. I just came back from a trip to Moscow, Idaho. Is the geography, climate, and altitude similar to this? If not, how is it different?
2. Does the area have a reputation for racism or hostility to nonwhites?
3. Is the area politically/economically conservative? I note it's about 2/3s Republican and 1/3 democrat but that 44% of the population is not religiously affiliated with mainstream listed religions. Any other info you can give me?
4. What percentage of the town populaton is actually the university and its students?
5. How far to the closest direct international flights?
6. How many colleges and/or universities within 50 miles?

What are the nice points about living there and the not so nice points?

[Fiddlehead]

I have considered moving to and living in La Grande. It is a scenic and decent place to live, IMO. I do not think it is as liberal or multifaceted as Moscow, ID. The simple reason is that University of Idaho is a much larger university and has a big influence on the town. Eastern Oregon University is much smaller and less active. So, I would think you could live a good life there, and find plenty of interesting and decent people to befriend, but it will be quite different from Denver, Boulder, or Fort Collins. I would give it a try. Bear in mind that Oregonians tend to be more reserved than Front Rangers, and it will take a bit longer to make good friends, but they are good solid folk here, and if you really care about the town and region, they will embrace you eventually.

[figmalt]

The La Grande area strikes me as being more like southern/eastern Idaho than Northern Idaho in both climate and temperament. I don't think it's as religious as SE Idaho though. It's in the mountains, but there's a lot of farming and ranching too (I'm thinking more like Ashton/Driggs/Tetonia).

There's not an easy international airport around--your best option would be Portland or Sea-Tac, or Boise-->Salt Lake. Boise is certainly closest, and there is usually pretty cheap airfare between there and SLC. You'd have to drive through more mountains to get there though.

My uncle moved from the Pocatello, ID area to Eastern Oregon and found it to be a very easy adjustment.

[bluebird39]

I'm afraid I've never been to Moscow, and am new to the area too, not even in LaGrande, but only an hour away, near Pendleton, OR. I can't answer too many of your questions, but I know there is Whitman (sp?) College, in Walla, Walla near by. Boise or Portland are the nearest international airports, but there are also small / tiny airports in Walla Walla, Pendlton and Tri-Cities, Wa (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland).

As to racism, I'd say this are is pretty non-racist, but I know that racism exists everywhere. I lived in Southern Oregon also, and Pendlton seems to be more racially diverse than that area. There is a significant Native American population, Hispanic, and a small mix of Asian and African American races here. From what I've seen, at least in Pendleton, there is very positive awareness, programs, and events that address this, from pow-wows in the public schools, and for the public at large, to events at the local community college, etc. But I don't' know much about LaGrande. As far as history goes, it has a horrible past, as much of this country does.

HTH