Moving to Newport (Toledo, Waldport: fit in, renting, houses)

[bcnyman]

We chose Newport out of the 5 cities that my DH got offered a job. I'm super excited! He starts at the beginning of next month, so I have a month to pack up and get everything ready. We still don't have a house, I think we're going to wait until we get there so we can actually look at some houses. We'll just be renting in Newport, Toledo or Waldport, wherever we can find a house that fits our needs.

Anyone live there? Or have any advice for a newcomer?

Thanks!

[Rob Allen]

I don't live there, but I visit regularly. My advice at this point is - have a wonderful time!

Do you have any specific questions at this point?

[bcnyman]

Thanks!

I've been thinking about specifics.

How do I protect our cars from rust? We're in the Pheonix, AZ area now, and have both lived in AZ our whole lives, so rust has never been an issue.

Do people drink the tap water?

Are there any toddler classes, like music, dance, gymnatstics, ect? We have an almost 3 year old and would like to get her involved in something.

Is there a free standing birth center in town?

Thanks for any answers you have!

[BirdInHand]

Congrats! Its always nice to hear of someone landing a job and being excited about relocating. I have only visited Newport, but we love it. Although its crowded and congested in the summer, its a nice small town feel. The port will be expanding since the Pacific Fleet of NOAA is coming.

I'm sure they have a Park & Rec Dept with classes for kids. You may want to look into preschools right away in case there is a wait list. The water seems fine to us. Salt air is tough on houses, cars etc. I would think you would want a garage, beyond that not sure. Perhaps the local car dealers have ideas.

[tablemtn]

From what I understand, Newport's tap water comes from a nearby reservoir, and is considered to be quite good. It is not extensively treated with chlorine or other additives.

[ExNooYawk]

Is there a good hospital near Newport?

[bcnyman]

There is a hospital in Newport. I don't know how good it is, but my husband feels good enough about it that he took a job there.

[boodhabunny]

Keep your car clean and waxed. A garage will help keep rust at bay but nothing will stop it entirely.

I don't know what a "free standing birth center" is, but the visual I have of what it might be, doesn't sound very comfortable. I would like to kindly suggest a reclined position!

[bcnyman]

LOL! I've known a few women who have given birth standing up! What I meant was a place to have a baby, run by midwifes that's not connected to the hospital. It's a great option for woman who don't want a homebirth, but also don't want a medically managed birth.

Thank you for your reply, hopefully we'll get a house with a garage!

[darjoh]

Originally Posted by bcnyman

Thanks!

I've been thinking about specifics.

How do I protect our cars from rust? We're in the Pheonix, AZ area now, and have both lived in AZ our whole lives, so rust has never been an issue.

Do people drink the tap water?

Are there any toddler classes, like music, dance, gymnatstics, ect? We have an almost 3 year old and would like to get her involved in something.

Is there a free standing birth center in town?

Thanks for any answers you have!

Protect a vehicle from rust from my experience

1. rinse vehicle regularly with hose water. Just a simple hose down in the mornings generally, even underneath and the wheel wells.
2. park on concrete or gravel on top of ground vapor barrier. Rust forms on the undercarriage from some kind of ion reaction from the metal and the moist ground happens. (I am not a scientist, just what someone told me when I had a vehicle just about rot away in one winter parked on grass.)
3. keep it covered. Not necessarily a car cover, but a car port is suffice. A garage is ideal. For storing a car in a garage for a long period of time, park on a plastic barrier. (for same ion reaction factor)
4. Drive. Drive your car. The longer it sits still, the faster rust comes.
5. Take care of paint/rock chips. A good detail once a year will be wondrous to your daily driver.
6. Don't park under sappy trees all the time (in summer). The sap is real sticky, and messes up the wipers and windshield, nevermind getting all over the paint.
7. Keep your battery terminals clean, and your ground connections solid. Corroded ground straps cause battery drains, collapsed cells, and other electrical disasters in today's wonderfully made circuit boards on wheels.


Water

I always had a sink filter for cooking and drinking. Yet I would not be afraid to drink it if I had to. Big Creek Reservoir is the Newport watershed, well maintained area, competent city water employees. I had rain collection barrels for the summer garden watering.

Kids activities

Three year old, find out about the Nye Beach Montessori. Linda Yapp Nye Beach Montessori I know many children that went through that program, most to all are incredible children. Turning into very responsible individuals. Expensive, but they work with tuition's I believe. From there you will find the circles of mothers, and you'll fit into one eventually.

(Forget about gymnastics anywhere on the coast)

And your question about free standing birthing centers? Doubt it, but there are plenty of mid-wives and home birth options.

Hope this helps. One more thing, if your thinking of Toledo to live, stay on the far east side. You will never smell the GP mill.
I would avoid Waldport. Nice people, pretty town setting, but nothing happening there.

Hope this helps.