We Love Eugene But Don't Like The Rainy Season: What Cities Are Similar But With Better Weather? (Grass Valley: apartment, to rent)

[AMINMD]

Kapetrich--I don't want to get the thread off topic, but now I'm really curious to know what you mean by Asheville being "more a reaction town than Eugene". Just curious because I've lived in Asheville since 1999, but we are considering a move and Eugene is a place we're checking out.

[kapetrich]

Originally Posted by ALMINAVL

Kapetrich--I don't want to get the thread off topic, but now I'm really curious to know what you mean by Asheville being "more a reaction town than Eugene". Just curious because I've lived in Asheville since 1999, but we are considering a move and Eugene is a place we're checking out.

I mean it in that Asheville seems like it is not just liberal, but liberal to the max as, in part, a reaction to its conservative bible thumping surroundings. On the other hand, Eugene, while damn liberal, is far more "the way things are" and less forced as even the most rural areas around Eugene, and eastern Oregon for that matter, are pretty damn moderate compared to the South East.

Essentially, Asheville, to me, feels forced further left as a reaction to the in-your-face conservatism surroundings while Eugene seems less forced left, but left because thats kinda the ways things are in the PNW, comparably.

Edit: Anyone who chimes in saying I don't know what I'm talking about and that there's plenty of VERY conservative areas in Oregon is flat out WRONG within the scope ALMINAVL question.

Are there rural areas in Central/Eastern Oregon that are conservative, sure. Are they pretty far right when compared to Portland and Eugene, certainly. But when comparing conservative areas in Oregon to conservative area in the SE, they are moderate. Most who have lived in both places will say the same.

[AMINMD]

That's an interesting observation. Thanks for responding.

[delta07]

Originally Posted by kapetrich

I mean it in that Asheville seems like it is not just liberal, but liberal to the max as, in part, a reaction to its conservative bible thumping surroundings. On the other hand, Eugene, while damn liberal, is far more "the way things are" and less forced as even the most rural areas around Eugene, and eastern Oregon for that matter, are pretty damn moderate compared to the South East.

Essentially, Asheville, to me, feels forced further left as a reaction to the in-your-face conservatism surroundings while Eugene seems less forced left, but left because thats kinda the ways things are in the PNW, comparably.

Edit: Anyone who chimes in saying I don't know what I'm talking about and that there's plenty of VERY conservative areas in Oregon is flat out WRONG within the scope ALMINAVL question.

Are there rural areas in Central/Eastern Oregon that are conservative, sure. Are they pretty far right when compared to Portland and Eugene, certainly. But when comparing conservative areas in Oregon to conservative area in the SE, they are moderate. Most who have lived in both places will say the same.

I think that's a great way to explain it. While I didn't spend very much time in Asheville itself, I spent about 6 weeks down in the south in the heart of Appalachia. It was gorgeous country, but there was just something about it that didn't quite seem right for me. The religious conservatism was definitely what it was. I guess I'd forgotten about that, but it is something to weigh heavily, especially if you are used to the relatively "religious" free areas of the west.

Originally Posted by Right Fred

I've never lived in the Southeast, but I'd say this is probably pretty accurate. Even here in Bend (most populous city east of the cascades), there is a defined liberal presence, and we had a democrat in the state house until '10.

Moreover, most of the "rightwingers" on the east side (Pendleton, Hermiston, K-Falls) are conservative because of occupation (ranchers, farmers, small business owners), and not because of some manufactured, red-hot religious agenda like they are in the South.

Fred, I think you are exactly right about conservatives in the west. It was very much the same growing up in Colorado. While many conservatives in the west do attend church, they still have a live and let live lifestyle. I recall being called a heathen down south because I didn't attend church on Sunday (mind you, I was only there for 6 weeks for work) and I drank. Oh the horror!

[delta07]

And, I just realized I steered us off topic, sorry OP...back to finding you a good city to relocate to!

[jj85]

I think Boise, Idaho is just what you're looking for

[hamellr]

Eureka CA? Weather is marginally better at least

[ukiyo-e]

Originally Posted by kapetrich

I think coastal S. Cali works well for weather, but, like you say, it doesn't have the same culture. Davis, CA and the like in California may work, though. In fact, Davis might be perfect.

I lived in Davis from 2001 until 18 months ago. Davis would have the same cultural vibe (though I found it a bit "snooty") but it's WAY too hot for the OP. It regularly gets up over 100 there in the summer. It can't be beat for biking, though. Many miles of dedicated bike paths, lots of bikes lanes on the streets, and flat topography.

[imcurious]

A little town called Santa Cruz.

[YankInEurope]

Davis, CA