Redmond or Salem? (Portland, Bend: trip , salary, job)

[AnaheimDude07]

I have two potential job offers in Oregon. One is located in Redmond, OR and the other in Salem. I know that Salem is a much bigger city than Redmond and I'm sure there is probably a cost of living difference also. Since I have never been to Oregon, can someone please explain the difference between the two? What kind of weather can I expect in each of these locations? What kind of people live in these places? What is the racial makeup of these places? I'm hispanic so I'm hoping I don't wake up to a burning cross in my yard or anything like that.

As you can see by my name I'm from OC in Southern CA. I want to move to another state because I can't afford a home here in my native So. Cal. I'd like to live someplace where making 50K a year is a decent salary. A place where they actually have seasons.

[CHEWY12]

wow 50k in Redmond that must be one heck of a job offer I lived in Redmond
from 04-06 home prices went through the roof in 05. Not a bad area IMO.
I do not know what line of work you are in but I would stay away from the building component mfg's on lake road one uses mitek & the other uses alpine
they will tell you what it takes to get you there and then change the deal
you might want to take a trip up there and check it out before you commit.
You might also want to check out Bend for work.
If you need a realtor I can recommend one to you.

best of luck
Chewy

[Waterlily]

Redmond is colder with snow in winter. Salem will have the rainy season then summers are nice.
Redmond is close to Bend which is popular. Salem is sort of close to Portland. Salem has more population.
You'd need to compare home price or rents to see the cost difference. I'd imagine that Salem would be a bit less expensive.

[Patrick D]

I live in Salem and work a lot in Redmond. I like it that way. I prefer living in Salem, weather is milder meaning less HOT in the summer and very little snow in the winter, plus we are only an hour or so from the beach, 45 minutes from Portland.
Salem is a bit more metropolitan than Redmond. Salem itself is pretty conservative being the State Capitol. Not a lot to do here but things are getting better, plus Portland is just up the freeway. The closest city to Redmond is Bend and traffic can be awful there year round due in part to tourism during the summer and skiers in the winter.
Both towns have a large Hispanic population so I don't think you'd have any problem in either place.