Dallas? Monmouth? Silverton? Sublimity? Stayton?

[Oregonmama]

Hi and welcome to Oregon (when you get here). We have lived in this area for many years, and are very familiar with the towns you mentioned. It really depends on how diverse you want a town to be. For me, I would only live in Silverton or Monmouth. Silverton has a nice balance of arts, farms, churches, ect. There is a large MOPS group and indoor park as well as numerous preschools from church based to Montessori. There are nice parks and walking around town with kids is pleasant. People in Silverton are and it's small but not so small that everyone knows your business. There is a local community center, and lots of community events as well as a few great festivals including the Silverton Fine Arts Festival. Silverton also boasts the oldest pet parade this side of the Mississippi - kids absolutely love it.

Sublimity is a bump inthe road IMO. You have a restaurant or two, a bar, a gas station, ect. It is a drive through town. It does not have any sort of artsy feeling. Stayton is larger, but it has a more run down look than say Silverton or Monmouth. I also wouldn't say the arts are prevalent there.

[cheechaw]

wonderful. Thank you. What areas of Monmouth are not near the college? When I look for rentals I don't know which area is family (although I am sure it's all intermingled, but being a college student at one time, I hope you know what I mean...) Which part of town would you recommend? School? preschool? Thanks so much for your insight.