Info on Silverton, Oregon please? (Salem, Stayton: school district, living, cost of living)

[msgem]

Thinking about moving to Silverton OR to get back to a small town and out of the "city". I am a single mom with two kids. who will be in 5th and one in 8th. Thinking about moving this summer. Would like some input on the pro's and con's of Silverton, and the drive to Salem. Schools in Silverton , community feel, etc.

Thanks

[Silverfall]

Silverton is a cute small community. Not sure what you are looking for but it has about 9,000 people so it won't have the same amenities as a big city does. That said, I think it generally has a really good community feel to the city. For a small town, they have a lot of festivals there. There is something going on there every month it seems. They have Homer days, the strawberry festival, and my favorite is the spontaneous parade they do where everyone just shows up and parades through town.

They have a community pool, a Saturday farmer's market, library, etc.

I think the schools are average to good, generally speaking. They are having budget issues and bulging class sizes like every other school district so just keep that in mind.

It takes about 15 minutes to get to East Salem from there, depending on whether or not you get behind a tractor. So you can access the larger stores in Salem easily. The hospital is good and I elected to drive from Salem out there to have my kids at their birthing center rather than Salem hospital. I thought the nurses were wonderful.

I think the only cons to Silverton are the high cost of living there and some of the political bickering on the city council but other than that, it is a nice small town. Oh, and you have to be okay living below the dam.

[msgem]

Thank you. Doing a lot of research on different small towns in Oregon, trying to find the best fit for my family.

[NWbyNW]

Take a peak at Stayton or Sandy, Ore.

[mommyherzog3]

Originally Posted by msgem

Thank you. Doing a lot of research on different small towns in Oregon, trying to find the best fit for my family.

i also am as well we are moving from cali out there and been researching lots of towns as well i live currently in modesto ca so anywhere is better then here!

[Steve Pickering]

Originally Posted by msgem

Thinking about moving to Silverton OR to get back to a small town and out of the "city". I am a single mom with two kids. who will be in 5th and one in 8th. Thinking about moving this summer. Would like some input on the pro's and con's of Silverton, and the drive to Salem. Schools in Silverton , community feel, etc.

Thanks

First off unless you are looking for field work, Silverton won't have many jobs. But if you are not looking for work I think you will like it. The schools are small with a large foreign speaking makeup, but they are no worse or better than many other Oregon schools. The population is 35.3% Latino. Salem is relatively easy drive.