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I'm currently in Eugene, OR and was checking the town out. I really like it here, but I'm a little unsure about settling. The rents are cheaper than most areas of Oregon, but the jobs aren't plentiful for lower skilled workers. I'm trying to start over again. I lost my job in marketing. The rent in Provo is incredibly cheap and the city has been named one of the best in the country for jobs. Do you think this is a smart idea? Or should I stay in Eugene and fight it out? From what I've seen a lot of places aren't even hiring now because the students are going home. Some jobs are the opposite but pay is minimal.
Also, I'm very wary of highway driving at this point. If anyone has made the trek from Eugene to Provo or Salt Lake please let me know the recommended route. I can't stand to drive more than 4 hours at a time. 6 at the most. When I travelled cross country I could do much longer drives, but I'm simply worn out now. I came up to Oregon after living in LA. Thank you.
I'm currently in Eugene, OR and was checking the town out. I really like it here, but I'm a little unsure about settling. The rents are cheaper than most areas of Oregon, but the jobs aren't plentiful for lower skilled workers. I'm trying to start over again. I lost my job in marketing. The rent in Provo is incredibly cheap and the city has been named one of the best in the country for jobs. Do you think this is a smart idea? Or should I stay in Eugene and fight it out? From what I've seen a lot of places aren't even hiring now because the students are going home. Some jobs are the opposite but pay is minimal.
Also, I'm very wary of highway driving at this point. If anyone has made the trek from Eugene to Provo or Salt Lake please let me know the recommended route. I can't stand to drive more than 4 hours at a time. 6 at the most. When I travelled cross country I could do much longer drives, but I'm simply worn out now. I came up to Oregon after living in LA. Thank you.
It's easier to sit scared and struggle but is that really how you want to live? Change is hard (especially as we get older) but sometimes we have to dig deep to find some courage. I'm not sure though why you're focused on Provo as Salt Lake City (just 45 miles to the north) is about equally as "cheap", offers much more in the way of jobs (still at just 2.5% unemployment versus Provo's 2.1%) and would be much less of an adjustment from Eugene. SLC is actually surprisingly liberal and offers plenty to do as well. I haven't made the 12 hour trip before but would think if you could split it up with the 6 hour 45 minute drive to Ontario OR (on I-84 north of Boise to stay overnight) and finish the remaining 5 and a half hours or so south to Salt Lake City it wouldn't be such a bad trip. Just make plenty of stops to stretch your legs or stop for food/coffee/etc.
I've never been there, but my impression of Provo is it's very, very, very Mormon and family oriented. SLC really isn't these days, because so many people have moved there from outside (and a lot of ex-Mormons move there). But if you're a single, non-Mormon guy Provo might be a very lonely place to be.
When I lived in Portland I knew someone from Provo. He lived in Portland because he could no longer take Prove. or for that mattter Utah. He wasn't Morman and that seemed listening to him, his major fault with the region. He said he just never fit in, and left when he could. He ended up having a difficult time finding employment in Oregon, and I heard took a job in Calif.
So my advice to you is follow your instincts on this decision. Use the info your receiving on these replies to help where they can. Don't however use them to completely make the decision. Only you know you and how you would adjust to a locale,
If it were me and I don't know your age. If I'm in need of work I would go where my chances of finding work are the best. If you decide Eugene Or Oregon isn't going to fit the bill work wise, then I'd say good bye to the state. If Utah is more to your liking, and the Personality of Provo might not be for you. Then I would go with Salt Lake. Granted Salt Lake City is in Utah, but for some reason is not nearly as conservative as people would think. There definitely are areas that are, because it sure as hell is not Eugene or Portland. However is a rather nice city and area, where you will probably have more options both work wise and socially. Only real problem is that nasty inversion layer in the winter.
So do this take some downtime in Eugene, where you get a rest from driving. Don't overburden yourself with where you should go. Walk around on the local trails, go to a gym if you like to workout, go to a restaurant if you can. Just relax for a few days and clear your head. I think you will be better able to make your decision after this downtime. I think you will know what to do, and be comfortable with your decision.
Best of Luck. Let everyone know what you decided and how you are.
I used to live in Provo some time ago. Rents are cheap. You could even find room to rents for like $300 a month. Mountains surround the city. Hot during the summer (some days like 105 degrees), cold during the winter. Big student population. Some construction going on. Alot of outdoor activities. And it's one of the safest areas in the U.S.
It's easier to sit scared and struggle but is that really how you want to live? Change is hard (especially as we get older) but sometimes we have to dig deep to find some courage. I'm not sure though why you're focused on Provo as Salt Lake City (just 45 miles to the north) is about equally as "cheap", offers much more in the way of jobs (still at just 2.5% unemployment versus Provo's 2.1%) and would be much less of an adjustment from Eugene. SLC is actually surprisingly liberal and offers plenty to do as well. I haven't made the 12 hour trip before but would think if you could split it up with the 6 hour 45 minute drive to Ontario OR (on I-84 north of Boise to stay overnight) and finish the remaining 5 and a half hours or so south to Salt Lake City it wouldn't be such a bad trip. Just make plenty of stops to stretch your legs or stop for food/coffee/etc.
I'm not actually from Eugene nor Oregon. I've only been here a week checking out the different cities. What I'm finding in Eugene is that the college students get all the jobs. Many of them stay over the summer, too. And some businesses don't even hire during the summer because they lose some of the college student business. The jobs here in Eugene that are abundant are in care giving and truckers. I think I should move on to Utah at this point. Oregon in general seems like a losing battle. Portland would offer more oppurtunities but with higher rent. I could try SLC, yes. I just couldn't get over those $300/month rent prices in Provo. See for yourself on rentler.com. That's the site they use in that area.
So do this take some downtime in Eugene, where you get a rest from driving. Don't overburden yourself with where you should go. Walk around on the local trails, go to a gym if you like to workout, go to a restaurant if you can. Just relax for a few days and clear your head. I think you will be better able to make your decision after this downtime. I think you will know what to do, and be comfortable with your decision.
Best of Luck. Let everyone know what you decided and how you are.
Thank you. My downtime in Eugene has come to an end. Even though I still on the fence about what to do i've got to go. As I mentioned in a previous post there are many obstacles similar to what your friend found here. I'll shoot for Utah, and if I really don't like it I could move on. Minneapolis is also on my list. Rent a little higher there, though. Des Moines, too. Or Omaha.
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