Looking for an earthy, liberal and safe place (Portland, Eugene: fit in, crime) - City-Data Forum

earthmama2organic1z · 01-08-2008, 10:07 PM

Hello all!

I currently live in Chandler, AZ. I had planned to move to Durango, CO in the spring to get my 15 mo old and 3 year old out of the polluted, superficial phoenix area.

Plans have changed. I just learved that the big oil companies will be drilling for shale to make oild all throughout the western slope area in Colorado as well as Utah and Wyoming. Bottom line is, when they do this, they destroy the environment, air quality, water quality, and soil. The place where they need workers will be overwhelmed with grown, and so on, and so on. I am trying to get away from this! So I am not mving there.

I don't fit in out here. I am 25, environmentally concious, I love organic food, no makeup, no chemically tainted food, beauty products, cleaning products, etc. I hate traffic, I am learning to make my own herbal tinctures as I do not believe in western "medicine", I am very interested in being part of a political revolution, I love my kids, my husband, my books and a hot cup of green tea.

Oregon, specifically Portland area, seems like it might be a good fit for me....what do you think?

I have read through about 8 hours of forums, but I have a question still.

I plan to home school, so I don't really care about school districts, I do not practice a specific religion that requires me to assemble anywhere, I want to be away from pollution and traffic, away from crime, but in a town where my children won't be bored to death and get involved in Meth when they are in highschool, so close to entertainment and activities. I don't want to live in a redneck town, but I don't want to live in Lake Oswego either.

What would be the best places either in Portland or on the outskirts for a young, vibrant hippie mama who has to have a Natural Food store close!?!
Oh, also I have heard your law enforcement in some area's act like nazi's (Beaverton) so not real interested in a place like that either.

Thanks for reading my ramble!

fam421 · 01-08-2008, 10:21 PM

Do you want to just want to leave the State of Arizona or have you considered, Flagstaff Az

sharonaly · 01-08-2008, 10:44 PM

Sounds like you would like Eugene. Have you looked into it? Definitely lots of earthy, liberal, organic people. College town, not so small that there's nothing to do but not big enough to have big city type crime.

luv the outdoors · 01-09-2008, 07:37 AM

It's sounds like you would like Cottage Grove. It's in the central part of the state. The last time I was there they were having a outdoor fair in the park. It appears to have a large hippy population, they were all there selling their items and I saw several health food stores. It's a nice little town with lots of beautiful murals painted on the buildings.

suncat · 01-09-2008, 11:24 AM

Have you considered Eugene?

aalverson · 01-09-2008, 12:20 PM

Definitely another vote for Eugene. Cottage Grove is too small and will have too many rednecks for your taste.

Honestly, Eugene sounds like your place. Check out south or east Eugene.

I'm not sure you will find that community in Portland without the traffic you hate.

ksaunmt · 01-09-2008, 01:12 PM

I lived in Portland area for several years, left because of traffic. There are plenty of liberals there though and I am not sure how they feel about allowing you to homeschool in Oregon, since it is such a liberal state and the schools are all liberal, they might frown on your lack of support. Also there is crime in Portland, quite a bit. They built a big jail there (liberals did) that cost a large fortune and of course taxed people in Multnomah county quite a bit more, but they can't use it cause they didn't do the numbers correctly so it sits empty. I lived in Beaverton the entire time I was there, but never met any of the police officers, so I don't know about that attitude you mentioned.
Good luck!

earthmama2organic1z · 01-10-2008, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fam421

Do you want to just want to leave the State of Arizona or have you considered, Flagstaff Az

I actually grew up in Sedona, and Flagstaff really isn't appealing to me. I really am just deadset on Oregon now. I really love that it seems like people are very politically aware and active...you sure don't see that out here!

earthmama2organic1z · 01-10-2008, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharonaly

Sounds like you would like Eugene. Have you looked into it? Definitely lots of earthy, liberal, organic people. College town, not so small that there's nothing to do but not big enough to have big city type crime.

Actually since I last posted this, I have looked into Eugene, and I agree that it looks like it would be perfect. Never having been to Oregon, I am a little concerned that I will end up in a bad part of town and not realize it until I have been there a while. I want this to be my last move until my girls go to college or whatever they choose to do at 18, and so I want to make sure to be in a part of town or close enough to town where I can have at least an acre...or ten

to garden, but not more than 20 minutes from local activities and jobs.

earthmama2organic1z · 01-10-2008, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv the outdoors

It's sounds like you would like Cottage Grove. It's in the central part of the state. The last time I was there they were having a outdoor fair in the park. It appears to have a large hippy population, they were all there selling their items and I saw several health food stores. It's a nice little town with lots of beautiful murals painted on the buildings.

I did look into Cottage Grove, but a realtor told me it is about 30-40 minutes from Eugene, and I just couldn't justify making that trek everyday with the prices of gas.