Medford, Eugene, Salem or Portland? (Bend, Corvallis: transplants, house, employment)

[mistygrl092]

I will be moving to OR as soon as I can sell my house in AZ. I do know the coast well and did live in Portland for a couple of months back in the mid 80s. Of course, the weather was beautiful then (Sept-Oct) so I didn't spend anytime in the winter. SAD is a problem for me but maybe with one of those light boxes I can deal with it. I can vouch for the fact that almost 360 days of sunshine can be just as depressing if you're in the wrong state too.

Medford appeals to me as I've heard good things about Medford-Ashland being the San Francisco of OR. However, I've never lived in a medium sized city so I worry about jobs. Also, seems like the weather is more mild in Medford.

Salem and Eugene are on my radar as both seem to offer things to do and maybe more jobs.

I'm not ruling out Portland but I'm tired of living in anything resembling the size and sprawl of Phoenix, so I'm a bit reluctant to move there although I think the job situation would be better. I know Portland is nothing like Phoenix, but it's been years since I've been there so I don't really know it anymore.

Any thoughts or input would be greatly appreciated.

[jjpop]

Originally Posted by mistygrl092

I will be moving to OR as soon as I can sell my house in AZ. I do know the coast well and did live in Portland for a couple of months back in the mid 80s. Of course, the weather was beautiful then (Sept-Oct) so I didn't spend anytime in the winter. SAD is a problem for me but maybe with one of those light boxes I can deal with it. I can vouch for the fact that almost 360 days of sunshine can be just as depressing if you're in the wrong state too.

Medford appeals to me as I've heard good things about Medford-Ashland being the San Francisco of OR. However, I've never lived in a medium sized city so I worry about jobs. Also, seems like the weather is more mild in Medford.

Salem and Eugene are on my radar as both seem to offer things to do and maybe more jobs.

I'm not ruling out Portland but I'm tired of living in anything resembling the size and sprawl of Phoenix, so I'm a bit reluctant to move there although I think the job situation would be better. I know Portland is nothing like Phoenix, but it's been years since I've been there so I don't really know it anymore.

Any thoughts or input would be greatly appreciated.

If obtaining a job is at all a concern, you should seriously be prioritizing your location based on where you can find work. And your success in finding a job will be based on what type of job you're looking for, your skill set, etc. Try using Craigslist, Indeed, and Monster to search for jobs in the individual cities.

If you have a substantial nest egg or are able to work from home, then location is not as much of an issue, obviously.

Here's an honest question: If I said to you, "I'm interested in moving to Phoenix, but I'm sensitive to temperatures above 90°. Maybe with air conditioning I can deal with it." How would you respond to me? No judgements--but if you know that SAD is a problem for you, why would you want to move to an area where SAD is so prevalent?

Also, I'd be reluctant to call the Medford-Ashland area the San Francisco of Oregon. There are a number of Bay Area refugees there, but that's about where the similarities stop.

[JohnPaul]

Originally Posted by mistygrl092

Medford appeals to me as I've heard good things about Medford-Ashland being the San Francisco of OR.

Eugene is considered the San Francisco of Oregon. Medford-Ashland nice in its own right though. Unemployment state wide is very bad. Medford-Ashland has a very high unemployment rate right now at around 11%.

I would be thinking Portland area, much more opportunity.

[Minervah]

Portland today does not even faintly resemble Portland of the 80's. You should come and visit again to determine if you like the way it is today. Job opportunites wherever you move will depend upon what your field is.

SAD is a huge concern. Not everyone can deal with it even with the lights. If you do move to Portland, just in case you find you can't handle the overcast skies, it would be a good idea to have a backup plan to move to a brighter climate.

[Or3g0n]

SAD is a huge problem? Only like few percent of natives have it and most of it is found in transplants, but still, not much has it. (Yes, noticeably more than other places but really...)

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by Or3g0n

SAD is a huge problem? Only like few percent of natives have it and most of it is found in transplants, but still, not much has it. (Yes, noticeably more than other places but really...)

You need to reread the OP's original post. She says SAD is a problem for her so it would be a concern. Have you ever known anyone who has suffered from it? It is not pleasant.

[mistygrl092]

Originally Posted by jjpop

If obtaining a job is at all a concern, you should seriously be prioritizing your location based on where you can find work. And your success in finding a job will be based on what type of job you're looking for, your skill set, etc. Try using Craigslist, Indeed, and Monster to search for jobs in the individual cities.

If you have a substantial nest egg or are able to work from home, then location is not as much of an issue, obviously.

Here's an honest question: If I said to you, "I'm interested in moving to Phoenix, but I'm sensitive to temperatures above 90°. Maybe with air conditioning I can deal with it." How would you respond to me? No judgements--but if you know that SAD is a problem for you, why would you want to move to an area where SAD is so prevalent?

Also, I'd be reluctant to call the Medford-Ashland area the San Francisco of Oregon. There are a number of Bay Area refugees there, but that's about where the similarities stop.

I'd tell you that if you are comfortable being indoors for around four (maybe even five or six) months out of the year you'll be ok. Believe it or not, some people here get reverse SAD in the summers. There is a cure for temperatures. There isn't a cure for the amount of sunlight or lack thereof.

I want to move there as I can't stand it here. CA (I lived there 13 years) is out of my price range. I hate the cold (I'm from MN) and won't go back there. At my age, 51, I am way too old to go to a state I have no connection to at all.

I've always loved the coast and beauty of the state. I like the fact it's progressive. AZ is very conservative and it's never agreed with me.

Thanks for your post!

[mistygrl092]

Originally Posted by JohnPaul

Eugene is considered the San Francisco of Oregon. Medford-Ashland nice in its own right though. Unemployment state wide is very bad. Medford-Ashland has a very high unemployment rate right now at around 11%.

I would be thinking Portland area, much more opportunity.

Thanks. Unemployment seems to be bad everywhere or anywhere I'd consider living. In Phoenix we're at around 9% right now.

I do have a question. I do speak Spanish and would that benefit me in a place like Eugene or Portland? I know it's almost a requirement down here for most jobs, but I just can't stay here anymore.

[kapetrich]

Originally Posted by mistygrl092

I will be moving to OR as soon as I can sell my house in AZ. I do know the coast well and did live in Portland for a couple of months back in the mid 80s. Of course, the weather was beautiful then (Sept-Oct) so I didn't spend anytime in the winter. SAD is a problem for me but maybe with one of those light boxes I can deal with it. I can vouch for the fact that almost 360 days of sunshine can be just as depressing if you're in the wrong state too.

Medford appeals to me as I've heard good things about Medford-Ashland being the San Francisco of OR. However, I've never lived in a medium sized city so I worry about jobs. Also, seems like the weather is more mild in Medford.

Salem and Eugene are on my radar as both seem to offer things to do and maybe more jobs.

I'm not ruling out Portland but I'm tired of living in anything resembling the size and sprawl of Phoenix, so I'm a bit reluctant to move there although I think the job situation would be better. I know Portland is nothing like Phoenix, but it's been years since I've been there so I don't really know it anymore.

Any thoughts or input would be greatly appreciated.

Check out the Bend/Redmond area. We get more sun than West of the Cascades and the town is of decent relevance especially if you enjoy the outdoors. That said, the employment figures are dismal.


Will you NEED a job asap wherever you land? Will you be able to survive a few months while searching? What field(s) are you in? Are you educated?

[GoBeavs!]

Go wherever you can get a good job. Yes the weather is hotter and drier here in the Medford area, but good jobs aren't plentiful unless you work in health care. Eugene, Bend, Portland, Corvallis are all places you should also consider if you like liberal places. I also have SAD and feel very frustrated come springtime. Being in southern oregon is better for this (I used to live in the Willamette Valley).