Coos Bay. How do you like it? (Eugene, Bend: home, buying)

[tiffela74]

Theres supposed to be something going in, end of Newmark, as it turns into Cape Arago...and all the way down to where the old mill was, its supposed to be a higher end docks w/stores, resturants/condos/etc. called the Hollering Point. Theyve even blown up the old mill (that was kinda sad! IMO) and theres some signs up....we shall see as it goes. I have hopes, I dont see why we cant/DONT have somethign more like that! All this terrific waterfront/bay/ocean and not much at all in taking advantage of it.....although, the people that crab off empire docks might disagree w/me and the want for growth!
Youre right, there is so much room for growth and potential...i think of what it could be.....
Tiffany

PS...I love all this disagree politely and friendly... Great for people to see both sides!

[kanehi]

It is very refreshing to hear both sides of opinions on Coos Bay, My husband and I are ready to retire and would love to relocate to Coos Bay, Oregon. We live in Las Vegas now and I hate it, talk about crime, etc. We actually moved here from a very small town on Maui called Makawao. It was awesome!!. We just could not afford Hawaii living any longer is why we moved here. If we could move back to Maui we would, but we both have lived in Oregon(Hood River) and really liked it a lot. I know there is no paradise out there after 10 years on Maui would let me know. No place is perfect!! But I love the ocean and the humidity is really missed LOL. We hope to buy a mobile home in one of the senior parks and just relax and enjoy. We have family in Oregon and Washington so will be nice to be close again. I am wondering if one or both of us decide to work part time what is available. Thanks for all the input, I enjoy it.

[esya]

Well I visited there in April and took a good look around. It is not for everyone.

You can't escape "development" because with so little government planning for growth at the federal level, local places are left to their own devices and real estate, views, and natural resources sadly are the exchange medium. I wish it was not so--Coos Bay has some beautiful features but it's does not seem right to me, as a "closet socialist" (lifetime joke) that only the rich would have access to natural beauty and be able to block it. But what are you going to do? Sell your daughters overseas?

Anyway, I met a lovely group of people trying to restore the old downtown Theatre, putting on a benefit film for a local high school track team, heard some youthful inspirational music at the local coffee house, found out there is a Jewish group in town, saw many many beautiful restored older buildings, and lots of beautiful views from all parts of town. I toured the neighborhoods with swimming pools, beach access, recreation centers, and within walking distance to the many great groceries sprinkled all through the areas. I bought some necessary and not so necessary items at good prices, wished I'd had allowed more time to stay, and looked at quite a bit of real estate in my price range which is darned low. I ate some average meals and some very good ones. All in all, if I could move in tomorrow, I would.

For those who are still stuck on the "upwardly mobil means success" track I am not sure that it would satisfy. But there was a gourmet wine shop with a knowledgable proprietor, great design and antique shops, and plenty of opportunity to express one's creativity and aesthetic sense in meaningful ways. There were beautiful mountains, trees, rivers, lakes and waterways within a very short distance from the commercial zones. Traffic is still relatively quiet. What else could you want?

Now that I have said all this, I really hope you don't go there. But I could not blame you if you did.

[esya]

Originally Posted by tiffela74

Theres supposed to be something going in, end of Newmark, as it turns into Cape Arago...and all the way down to where the old mill was, its supposed to be a higher end docks w/stores, resturants/condos/etc. called the Hollering Point. Theyve even blown up the old mill (that was kinda sad! IMO) and theres some signs up....we shall see as it goes. I have hopes, I dont see why we cant/DONT have somethign more like that! All this terrific waterfront/bay/ocean and not much at all in taking advantage of it.....although, the people that crab off empire docks might disagree w/me and the want for growth!
Youre right, there is so much room for growth and potential...i think of what it could be.....
Tiffany

PS...I love all this disagree politely and friendly... Great for people to see both sides!

Tiffela, this made me laugh, sort of. In a remote mountain area of Colorado there were mine and mill buildings that had been classified as historical against the will of the property owner. It being Colorado where property rights are king, the owner allegedly blew up the buildings. Of course, it was so far out in the middle of nowhere it was doubtful if anything could ever be proved--and whose loss was it? The county taxation authority's? Or the owners'?

It was a great stop for tourist photos, but it's still a great stop for photos. It was a lousy place for much of anything else. But if they ever try to put a mine in again I am sure they will hear from all the people who drive down the road twice a year. However, the mill in your spot had to look better than the ugly eyesore that is the casino blocking the view of the bay at Coos Bay. I sort of hope it burns down so they can design something more attractive. Hope, in a fictional sort of way, you understand. Not a tree hugger, owns explosives sort of way. I am sure that if I worked there the payroll office would look pretty darned good to me when I picked up the check.

[esya]

Tiffela,

In Coos Bay a block or two north of the old theater there was a great coffee shop with the best looking bakery, and I saw some others. On late Friday night the college students were out in droves, my signal that it was time to go home, which was OK. There was also a great sushi/Japanese restaurant in the same area.

[aragonbrown]

What do you see around town when it comes to foreclosures, rentals and costs of homes? You bought your house last year?? Today, would your house be able to sell for the amount you bought it for? What's a fair rental price for a 2 bedroom?

[tiffela74]

Oh my gosh....
today...was...GLORIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was so clear and warm out, i took the kids and we headed down and spent the day playing on the beach. Rolled the pant legs all the way up and played in the water, it was tshirts and shorts weather, and so so so freakin nice! Took a hike along the cliffs and met some really neat people here on Vacation. Then met up w/some friends and we headed back down to the beach to let the kids play for even longer. I'd still be there but we all got kinda hungry......
i have my windows open as I type this and its a nice warm evening...think we'll bbq tonight....

Oh my, well, my house I think we could get it for a heck of a lot more than we paid for it. We bought our little 4bdrm house for less than 140x last summer, it definatly needed (needs!!) work, but was totally finacible for a first time buyers w/nothin down and eh credit.
as we were in the process of buying this house, another one came up that i wanted so freakin bad my teeth hurt (heck, i think thats what caused my root canal!! lol) anyhow, it was a rare gem in the rough, but 3800sqft, 8bdrm, 3 bath on a triple lot, about 2blocks from the bay. We really wanted it, but it was going for a bid. We put in 99thous. but the day before the bids went in, we got fully approved on this house. So, very very tough decision...but we pulled our bid. (it hadnt gone through inspection yet, and we didnt want to take that kind of gamble..) So anyhow, someone else got it, and totally fixed it up, turned it into a duplex, and when i drove by today, it had a for rent sign in it. So, being nosy as I am, I called and told him our story, and asked him how much they got it for.... Youre gonna fall over when I tell you how much it went for. (i cried)
92grand!!!!! OMG....anyhow, I know of a 4bdrm duplex for rent w/a really nice owner. lol
Ummmm....prices are all over. We rented a 3bdrm duplex when we first moved here, for 500.00month. I know the one up the road from us, its a really nice one, but its a 3bdrm(w/HUGE garage) and they had it up for 950.00month. So it really varies. Id say check the local paper.. look up theworldlink.com (or net, i forget) also, check in the Southcoastshopper.com they have rentals too.
I know someone whos house went into forclosure due to divorce, and it was outside of town, on 5 acres w/fruit trees, nice garden 3bdrm house, w/ a new hottub, and it went on the market at 230.x
theres a little house up the street, older home, I think a 2bdrm but only about 900sqft and the UGLIEST carpet ive ever seen, and they want 130.x for it.
anyhow, check out the papers...you'll get some ideas....
gimmie a holler if you need something more...
and yes, I do dearly LOVE living here. Especially on incredible summerlike end of September days like today!!!! And best yet, since its almost October, there were NO crowds. yeeeehhaawwwww.
Tiffany

[DezertGirl]

tiffela74! You have an awesome attitude about your town...how refreshing! Yes, I would love some more info on Coos Bay. I've been reading these threads and am very impressed. My boyfriend and I are avid outdoorspeople, sustainable living fans, have horses and livestock and are excited to announce that we will be purchasing 2 acres just outside CB! The other half is a licensed OR contractor and I am a signmaker/web designer, etc. type. We are currently residing in (ACK! God HELP US!!!!) SoCal and have been planning our escape for almost a year. (Because of taxes, taxes, fees, taxes, political idiocy to make more taxes and fees!) The town in which we currently reside does have meth problems...tweekers can be seen in their natural habitat every day, stealing recyclables and tools, collecting aluminum cans on the side of the road, stripping the copper pipes from mobile homes and peeking out of windows in a paranoid fashion. Mostly, we have no problems with tweeks, as they are aware that we are armed and have a great German Shepherd with extra large teeth. We have learned to coexist with the tweekers...they leave our stuff alone...our dog stays in her kennel. =-)
I look forward to reading more of your wondeful posts!!!!!

[oregon lover 123]

Hi, might be relocating to Coos Bay and would like to know which is better to live .
Coos Bay or North Bend? We would love waterview.Which area is newer?. Would like no fog if possible. I really enjoy your info it is very informative.Thanks.

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by oregon lover 123

Would like no fog if possible.