How many Californians have moved to Oregon? (Portland, Clackamas: sales, low crime)

[Educatorspeakingtruth]

I might be moving to Oregon in the near future. I was wondering how many Californian's have relocated to Oregon? I was born and raised in Oregon but I have been residing in Southern California for the last 3-4 years. The last time I lived in Oregon I was in high school and I won't mention how long ago that was. I have noticed that Oregon's population has significantly increased since 2000. I was also curious how much has it changed?
I have really enjoyed the time I have been in So Cal and I have grown tremendously as a person! But I feel it is time to return to "My Oregon" & Beaver Nation!(Go Beavers in the CWS!)

I'm tired of Southern California for numerous reasons.
1) Cost of living is outrageous!
2) Where is the "Quality of life"?
3) Over populated. (traffic is awful everywhere & at all times)
4) Materialism rules here. (many desire to be rich & famous instead of helping one another)
5) High Crime
6) Smog (Californians like to call this "Marine Layer" Ha!)
7) Treated as another number instead of a human being.
8) Immigration is getting out of control (not to start a debate, but you can't ignore it.)

Now, let me just say that I have met many kind individuals since I've been here so I'm not bitter towards anyone or any group. No, not everyone in So Cal is rude, selfish, fake or caught up in the "hamster wheel". But there are many who are (probably more than not), especially in a comparison to Oregonians. If I were raised in Southern California? I would have become accustomed to the lifestyle here and I may have become the "Hamster in the wheel" or the "Californian" stereotype? I feel Blessed to have been raised in Oregon, but also Blessed to experience Southern California as well. South Orange County is beautiful and if the cost of living wasn't so extremely high I could be very happy there. I just don't feel like being in debt my whole life, working until I'm 75, working three jobs, being a slave to my mortgage the rest of my life, while trying to keep up with the Jones', Smith's, etc..! All of these reasons while on a Teacher's salary!
Ok, that is my .02

[Mormor]

Dear Educator,
I know you speak the truth. I lived in southern CA for only 3-1/2 years once 30 years ago, and when I came back home to Portland, I came with my kids and my dog. My husband stayed with a tall, thinner woman he met at work. They stayed "beautiful" together for 10 years until he found someone younger and more beautiful to be with and blah, blah. He is now with his fourth more "beautiful". You know the deal, and it goes this way with the women also. I hated living down there. I hated that the sun was shining every day (could it rain one day, please). I hated that it was 80 degrees on Christmas and the next door neighbors were swimming in their pool (what's that all about?) As far as I am concerned, since you were born and raised in Oregon, you are more than welcome to come back any time. But beware, it's not the same as you remember. I live in Portland. Now, because of all the people who have moved here, mostly from California, going shopping on a weekend is like what going shopping on Christmas Eve used to be when I was a kid, and I am not exaggerating. Just trying to drive around the city during the day is rediculous. As a teacher, I would do some investigating. Portland schools are not doing very well, not funded very well with lots of cuts and closure of some buildings. So scope out different school districts to see what their situation is. My next door neighbor's daughter is a teacher in a rural area (I can't remember exactly where), and she is taking disability time right now because of the way the kids treat her and are allowed to treat all the teachers. So I guess that sort of thing is even a problem here. You could also try south west Washington. The cost of housing is less in Washington and there is no state tax there, but there is a sales tax. Oregon does not have a sales tax, but we have a state tax. I hope you find the place where your spirit can leave in peace. Good luck to you.

[Imperial1904]

I grew up in SoCal and honestly, it was a huge mistake to move. It's been 5 years and I feel stuck here. I'll get out eventually but the time I've spent here has made me feel like I lost 5 years I can't get back. The original poster mentioned being from Oregon originally or it seems like that to me. Anyway, it seems many people from Oregon (mainly the small towns) can't handle the lifestyle in Southern California. When I first came to Oregon, it was a culture shock. I was weird to find out there's no sales tax, the extremely slow pace lifestyle, fresh air, low crime, snow. After about 6 months I started to miss Southern California. I feel very comfortable in a big city and even more comfortable in SoCal.

[Osuzzanna]

Hopefully one day i will be residing in Oregon ( Portland preferably). I am slowly making my way north from San Diego , Long Beach, San Francisco bay area . Can't wait for the wonderful rain, the greenery and the culture.
Save a place for me

[bobmulk]

Educator: Boy are you lucky!! My hobby is studying demographics. I know, I know, WEIRD. But that's me. I can tell you that Oregon has been averaging 2500 California migrants per month for at least 20 years. Now remember some are like you (and me) returning from California, clamoring for a better lifestyle. One could easily surmise that the entire state is made up of ex-Californians, but that's not so. Having spent 18 years in relocation, I can tell you that there are people here from all over--Louisiana, New York, Hawaii, Maine, you name it.

Oregon has changed. I returned in 1990 after eight years in Southern California. I reached a point where I couldn't take it anymore. Made me sick to breathe that putrid air, drink the rancid water, fight traffic just to drive ten miles. I felt that life was too short to be a drudgery so I decided to return. California is great when you're fresh out of college and have the energy for that lifestyle. But as you start to approach thirty as I was, my definition of what was important to me changed. I didn't care about access to sun drenched beaches, Hollywood, the TV industry, etc. Who gives a s--t?

Oregon's pace of life has increased markedly. I find myself now taking weekends away in Southeastern Oregon, Northeastern Oregon to get away from the pace of life in the Willamette Valley. Might sound strange, but things are much more intense than they used to be, much more than you will remember. Part of that is more people, more development, more traffic. Part is also the fact that I'm 18 years older than I was in 1990 and I don't find myself enamored with traffic jams, crowed restaurants and shopping centers.

Truthfully, Oregon's population has not increased that significantly since 2000.
Growth was faster in the 70's and the 90's. The 80's saw net decline many years although the state registered a net gain by the time 1990 came around, but that decade was an aberration due to the collapse of the timber industry.

Whatever you're looking for, you'll find it in Oregon. You've got the urban delights of Portland, you got suburbia in Washington and Clackamas counties. You've got the small farming towns. You've got the Coast and High Desert areas. I would say every area west of the Cascades along with Central Oregon has experienced quite a bit of change. But the great thing is, you can escape. You can't escape when you're in Southern or Northern Cal unless you leave the state. Everywhere you go, it's an 8 lane freeway there and back and by the time you return, you're a nervous wreck and need another vacation!

Anyway, welcome back to Oregon.

[nanannie]

Many people have trouble adjusting to the weather.We knew several people when we lived in Oregon who returned to California because eventually the months of grey and drizzle and long wait for summer got to them.Its not something to take lightlyas it does bother some folks a great deal

[Educatorspeakingtruth]

Bob,
Great post! You backed you your information with many interesting facts!
I am having a difficult time understanding a few things. How do people do it in Southern California? How can they afford it? Why haven't many reached the conclusion(s) that you and I did? Is it fair to say that many of the middle class will be forced out of Southern California? I've lived in many areas in Southern California and I have met some very wealthy people, but most I;ve met are not, yet they have homes that are close to or over $1,000,000!
If they had to buy a home now as opposed to 5-10 years ago many tell me they could not do it. I just don't want to sound like I'm throwing in the towel by moving to Oregon. For example not trying or working hard enough, where there is a will, there is a way. Many people here think it is my opinion that I can't make it and live well here in So Cal being on a teachers salary. But I just look at the facts and the facts say otherwise! I know the truth, I can't understand why they are so blind to what is happening around them?
Also there is a tremendous "Hype" about Southern California. For example, many have asked me "Where else can you go snowboarding and surfing in the same day?" My response is "How many times have you ever done that since you have lived in So Cal?" Out of roughly 60 people, only one has said he's done that & only ONCE did he do it! People also think they will die without immediate access to a shopping mall. I'm surprised that more aren't concerned about the health effects of the air and water quality here! Here is a link you may enjoy: American Lung Association:*Air Pollution Facts & Air Quality Info - Best & Worst Cities - ALA State of the Air 2007
Also in the near future if I don't speak spainish I may be out of a job! Especially in the Inland Empire!
Crime here is Outragous! here is a link about the crime in my area: San Bernardino County Sun - Troubled Town (look at the homicide 07 map!)
I thought you might like the links I provided!

[Imperial1904]

Originally Posted by Educatorspeakingtruth

Crime here is Outragous! here is a link about the crime in my area: San Bernardino County Sun - Troubled Town (look at the homicide 07 map!)
I thought you might like the links I provided!

Thanks for the link. I always found it kind of weird that SB has a high crime rate. I did notice that many of the homicide victims involve older people.

I grew up in SoCal. It is expensive, but many people manage living there. There are more jobs there that pay very well compared to Oregon.

[Educatorspeakingtruth]

[quote=Imperial1904;924659]Thanks for the link. I always found it kind of weird that SB has a high crime rate.

San Bernardino has over 50% of its population on welfare! (It could be up nearly 70%) The schools here have nearly a 70% DROP OUT rate! Also, many of the city residents are on Parole. Many of the L.A. gangs moved out here or recruit out here. If you have ever been to San Bernardino lately and see it for what it really is you would not be surprised!

Here are some links:
School Rankings for the City of San Bernardino

ATF to help San Bernardino fight violent crime | San Bernardino | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

[zagyzebra]

Hi - I moved from L.A. (heart of it in the Hollywood Hills/Bev Hills area) where I had worked in the enterainment industry to Southern Oregon about six years ago, and have not regretted my decision. The drawbacks from my perspective:
1) HUGE: lack of culture
2) SECOND HUGE: lack of sophistication, education, world perspective...(many "Americans and proud to be one with W '04 stickers still!)
3) Lack of convenient access to the coast

Pluses:
1) East to get about, to drive here and there
2) Beautiful country roads everywhere! Great for convertible sports cars.
3) Easy going and laid back
4) Natural beauty is awesome
5) Fewer temptations to spend money, therefore lower cost of living.
6) Rural, yet not completely in the boonies
7) Quaint

Hope this helps.