Lakeview, Wilsonville, North Bend, Ontario, Salem, Tillamook, Pendleton, and Umatilla

[hamellr]

Rednecky depending on your exact definition may push Tillamook, Lakeview, North Bend, Ontario, Pendleton and Umatilla right off the list. On the other hand, these are also the sort of towns where everyone knows everyone else. It's going to be a bit hard to break into these towns socially, especially if you don't lean Conservative or attend Church.

BTW, while North Bend is technically it's own city, it's actually a suburb of Coos Bay. I've written significantly here about Coos Bay and Lakeview as I've lived in both and still have family in both, and would encourage you to look up those posts.

On the other hand, none of those are really the most culturally vibrant cities. You may have one, maybe two theaters. Perhaps a local band. There will be small festivals, Rodeos, etc. But most people are more concerned with making ends meet with leisure time being more outdoors related.

Nor are they very large towns with great shopping past necessities. Food is going to be fast food or small family owned places that are more about the gossip then the food. Both food and gas prices are going to be higher then they would be along I-5, which may change the cost of living factors for you.

No matter what, you really need to come visit. As was pointed out above, just from a weather viewpoint, you're covering all three major climates in Oregon.

[loveagrey1]

Thank you all for your posts...alot to think about....

I think I meant by rednecky is the very narrowed minded people I have to deal with on a daily basis...no flexibility or not liking people that are not just like them or think just like them.... The south for me was a great culture shock and I am trying hard to avoid it when we move again...

[Random_Walk]

Ah... in that case I think you'd really have to look to find that kind of environment.

(Interestingly enough, the most closed-minded "rednecky" place I'd ever lived was a bedroom town near Salt Lake City... the neighbors spoke to me exactly twice: when I moved in, and when I moved out. Got a metric ton of missionaries visiting in-between, though.)

[Steve Pickering]

If your definition were true, it would cover most of the state. And most of the state is not redneck, but their way is the only way, and they all have opinions. You will find Oregon to be even more so than the south. I have lived all over both.

Myself, I could care less. I do as I want and don't break the law, so what they do does not affect me .... ever.