Possible move to the Medford area from So. Cal? (Salem: crime, mortgage)

[drichards702]

We are a family of 5. Mom, Dad, and 3 kids. Elementary, Jr. High, and High School. We are also a family who has moved around ALOT. We JUST moved to So. Cal. in June and HATE it. Hate the traffic. Don't care for the superficial people or lifestyle. Don't like the busy feeling. The hustle and bustle. We can't keep up with the Jones'. And honestly, I don't want my kids' to become one of them.
Unfortunately, We just bought a house here. And that adds to our stresses. But it doesn't feel like 'home'. We feel WAY out of our comfort zone. WAY OUT.

Just a little background. We moved here from Henderson, NV. We Lived there for 2 years and hated it as well. We originally came from AK. So as you can see, these places where we've lived, were a culture shock for us. My husband works for the gov't. He was offered a HUGE increase in pay when we took this job. So that explains why we bought a house. And then the gov't shut down. Having a huge mortgage payment isn't sitting well with us. We live in Temecula. It's October and still 90 plus degrees.

We've always loved Southern Oregon and he has an opportunity for a job up there. I'm a SAHM. We love the outdoors. We love hiking and we love water..lakes, streams, rivers etc... I know Medford isn't known for snow and we miss the white Christmas' that we're used too but being in that area, we would have access to snow with a drive?? We have family in Salem but that's out of the question because of the rain. We left AK for many different reasons, but S.A.D. was taking it's toll for sure. So sunshine is important.

I've been researching schools, they don't look that great. Honestly, Temecula schools scored higher than Medford schools. I'm looking into charter schools or even a Christian school setting.

ANY and ALL help would be so appreciated. We would like to buy a house (if this one sells...). I know my kids', being AK kids would feel more comfortable around there. If they decide to move back to AK when they're grown, we'd still feel closer to them then if we stayed and retired here in So. Cal. And my hubby retires in about 9-10 years so that's a plus. I've heard Medford was huge with meth. Is this true? What areas should we avoid? We're looking for a safe & quiet area. We would be willling to commute if need be.

Sorry for the rambling. I just want this to be our 'home sweet home'. Thanks!

[oregonwoodsmoke]

If you don't like the rain in Salem, you won't like the rain in Medford.

You do know that there is plenty of hikling and outdoor stuff to do in Southern California? There is snow a short drive from your house. There is mountain hiking and camping and forest available in your area.

You've just bought a house and unless you want to loose a lot of money, you are going to have to tough it put for a few years before you sell.

Learn to cook with avocados and scout out the best Mexican restaurants. You are close enough to the beach to do beach picnics and your kids can be taken to The Wild Aminal Park, Sea World, and The San Diego Zoo and Planetarium. It's not like there is nothing to do in your area.

[drichards702]

Thanks for responding! I want to get away from the people and the traffic and the conjestion. Also, the cost of living is SO high around here that we can't afford to do anything. Not even take our family out to eat. Believe you me. That was another plus when we decided to take the job. We've been to the beach a handful of times-each time bringing tons of traffic and stress and people. We're surrounded by everything. Until our $400 water bill arrives and our $400 electric bill shows up. This along with the cost of every other utility. How much rain does Medford get on average?

[drichards702]

You're right. There is plenty to do around here. With that comes tons of people, traffic, and stress. We can't afford to do many things you listed. Even going to the beach is stressful. The cost of utilities and our mortage payment take up the majority of the income. Just looking to live quieter and cheaper.

[WolfBoy914]

The rain in Medford is quite a bit different than up in Salem.

[drichards702]

Is it less? And what about snow? Is it uncommon for snow?

[Hawk J]

Yearly average is about 18.35 inches of rain. Medford, Oregon - Average Rainfall - Current, Historical Data

Find a nearby mountain (Southside) to live on at about 2000'. You will get some snow. We've happily lived on a mountain fer 27 years. We get quite a bit of at least partial sun, even in the winter.

[Terryj]

We don't get as much rain as Northern Oregon, about 18" a year and it arrives between September and April, as for snow, maybe an inch or two on the valley floor but it rarely last the day. If you want snow just drive a few miles to the mountains and you can enjoy all of it you want. There is plenty to do in Southern Oregon, the lakes and rivers are all within an hour and a half drive. The ocean is about a 2 hour drive.
The schools in Medford, I really don't know, I have no children in school, but from what I've heard they're rated fair to poor depending on the school.
Traffic in Medford is getting worse every day it seems, hwy 62 is a mess to drive. The town is right at 100K in population and the infrastructure was designed back in the 40' and 50's when the population was about 25K.
I've lived in S.Oregon off and on for most of my 63 years, for me, it suits me fine, the Northern part is just to damn busy and to many people.

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by Terryj

Traffic in Medford is getting worse every day it seems, hwy 62 is a mess to drive. The town is right at 100K in population and the infrastructure was designed back in the 40' and 50's when the population was about 25K.

When we bought a house in Medford we studied the crime maps and the traffic maps and picked a location that did not involve Crater Lake/Hwy 62 or the area around the mall for everyday needs - everything we need is within a 1.5 mile radius of the house and jaunts out to other places (like Trader Joe's or Costco or Lowe's) can be done at lower traffic times. We do have to use the Barnett interchange, which is not pretty.

[kadylady]

Originally Posted by PNW-type-gal

When we bought a house in Medford we studied the crime maps and the traffic maps and picked a location that did not involve Crater Lake/Hwy 62 or the area around the mall for everyday needs - everything we need is within a 1.5 mile radius of the house and jaunts out to other places (like Trader Joe's or Costco or Lowe's) can be done at lower traffic times. We do have to use the Barnett interchange, which is not pretty.

On the news, it mentioned some roadwork to help with the problems on Hwy 62. Is that the case?