Coos Bay Family Life (Portland, Eugene: real estate, job, health)

[turnerfamily]

No,I do not live there and yes I have heard of the natural gas pipeline coming to possibly "boost" the local economy.Also there's word of the port being transferred into a major shipping alley there.There have been various interests by companies to come to that area and maybe that will happen,but look at other coastal towns north and you will see that growth and expansion especially in the tourism trades.The towns with the most growth have the direct routes inland to major cities and airports,i.e. Florence,Newport,Lincoln City.If you look at Eugene,Salem,Portland they all have major routes to the coast and those towns are all growing the fastest.The tech industry will stay in the I-5 corridor of the state for convienence.Alot of small communities want to stay that way,keep that small town feel,which is fine but there is a noticable amount of interest in the coastal towns.I would bet to say that towns that cater to tourism will grow the most.Look at the Mill Casino,they now have an RV park expansion next to it.They have 3 or 4 PGA golf courses south in the town of Bandon that have boosted interest in that area.North Bend Airport is getting very busy because of it.It's all just a matter of time,but too much growth too fast has its downsides also-look at Bend.

[Thai]

Well, North Bend/Coos Bay has traditionally been a lumbering and fishing town. Generally, those professions are associated with conservatism. Things have changed everywhere, NB/CB included, so that influence might not be as strong as it once was. My experience has been in repeated visits over many years to various Oregon locations, family living in these areas, and reading about the areas. The populations of non-white citizens is also very small (except for Hispanic-Americans in some towns). Change tends to come more slowly to these outlying areas.

[Thai]

Another thought... "look at Bend"? Whoa, it's already been looked at and is now overpopulated and Californiaized. It's also California-expensive now, too, housing-wise. Better think on that one unless you have lots of bucks and are looking for a city that's growing way too fast!

[Thai]

One of my daughters has lived in NB with her husband for the past two years and is dismayed at the lack of racial diversity after being raised in California, also the conservative mind-set. And, it really is very grey and drippy for people from either Calif or AZ, NM, etc. That can become very depressing to people used to seeing the sun. Think about it. But, Eugene is a big city now and the valley it's in has low air quality, although the schools are teriffic and the ambience quite open-minded compared to the CB/NB. No perfect places in this world that have not already been discovered and become over populated!

[sunspotsAZ]

Originally Posted by Thai

One of my daughters has lived in NB with her husband for the past two years and is dismayed at the lack of racial diversity after being raised in California, also the

. And, it really is very grey and drippy for people from either Calif or AZ, NM, etc. That can become very depressing to people used to seeing the sun. Think about it. But, Eugene is a big city now and the valley it's in has low air quality, although the schools are teriffic and the ambience quite open-minded compared to the CB/NB. No perfect places in this world that have not already been discovered and become over populated!

Thai,

Could you please give me examples of what you see as the "conservative mind set" in CB/NB. I know many people see things differently, but has something happened to your daughter that made her give this title to those that live there. I am a very open minded person and I hope to raise my child as such...any input would be of help. Also, regarding the grey and rainy days...trust me this is of concern to me. Many of these things are exactly why we are not selling our home in AZ. I would hate to be stuck somewhere if I was unhappy...on the other hand I lived several years in England and the rain there was wonderful from what I remember. I don't want to shut out possibilities for my husband's career and I know a change from the norm would be nice. What I need the most in a place is a few good friends...family close by...beautiful scenery and my creative outlets. I'm hoping that I can find these things wherever we end up.

sunspotsAZ

[sunspotsAZ]

I was wondering if those of you who live in the Coos Bay/ North Bend area could weigh in. Tell me if you like living there or if you don't like living there and why. Very curious.

Thanks

sunspotsAZ

[Kathleenh54]

We just drove down from Newport through to Coos Bay to the I-5 to return home to Ashland. Here's what we thought after driving down the 101 for several hours:

Newport: Touristy beach town, lovely location, not bad.
Waldport: Small town by the beach
Yachats: GORGEOUS small town by the beach
Florence: Larger than most with many more amenities, such as bowling, tennis, movie theaters, etc. Not as pretty as the other towns and scenery not quite as dramatic.
North Bend: Industrial
Coos Bay: Run-down industrial.

We're looking forward to exploring more of the coast with an eye toward retiring there or just whether or not to buy a camper and spend lots of time during the summer.

[sunspotsAZ]

Just visited

First I'd like to begin by saying Thank You to those who have taken the time to provide feedback regarding the Coos Bay area. My husband, daughter and I just returned from our own visit to the area and I have returned with many mixed emotions. Although we may still consider the job opportunity that exists because it would benefit my husband's career and I think the outlying areas i.e beaches, trails, and outdoors in general are very pretty I was quite overwhelmed with how run-down the town is. Coming from a place where everything is so new it was quite a shock. I'm also use to having so many things to do and so many places to eat etc... that curbing my choices dramatically will be a culture shock to say the least. Again, maybe I would find new things that interest me and maybe I would find some nice people with kids to hang with...I was wondering does anyone know whether there are any stay at home Moms clubs in North Bend or Coos Bay? I would really be lost without some nice Moms and some kind kids that my daughter could meet and make friends with. I have alot to think about regarding our possible change....I guess I'm feeling very frightened at the moment so I'm sort of writing to get this out of me. We will know later this week if the job is offered to us officially and then we will make a final decision. Any thoughts will be read and deliberated. Thanks and good night.

sunspotsAZ

[seashelly]

Questions to a few of you---(1)"North Bend is Industrial" ??-Oh, the Chipper Ships? (2)"Frightened"??-Why? (3)"...Driving down 101"--Did you get off of 101? Did you do a drive thru of the homes of North Bend terraced upwards just East off 101 with the million dollar views of the bay/bridge/ocean?
Along Highway 101 is considered Old Town.

[Waterlily]

Originally Posted by homesweethome2

just wondering... any other part of bend that you visited? is it all industrial? in pictures it looks wonderful, however, thats in pictures. thanks

People are talking about Coos Bay and North Bend by the coast not Bend.

Buildings in this area and most of Oregon are going to be a lot older than in Phoenix. If you were to just go down 101 you would not being seeing everything by any means. Some businesses have been working to improve their buildings. Plus there is all that construction going on at and by the Casino. That's good! New and expanded businesses make for a better economy.