Lookign to relocate to OR from CA (Portland, Eugene: rental, find a job)

[the city]

I have applied for several different positions in several different cities in OR. I have a bachelor's degree in sociology and 6 months experience in the social service field. I have a friend who lives in Portland.

There seems to be more jobs in my field in the area. More for mental health and child welfare.

Any suggestions on which cities to look at? What are the most affordable cities in Oregon? Of course, everything in OR seems cheap compared to CA.

[Nell Plotts]

Affordability is driven by housing costs at the moment. Portland would be more expensive than Salem, for example, because of the number of engineers hired for Intel's new facility and lack of construction during the housing crises - basically population growth. Bend is probably next most expensive along with the resort communities (Sisters, Sun River) in central Oregon. Corvallis has a lack of rental housing because of OSU student demand. Historically housing in Eugene would come next but there are nearby communities at a lower price point.

The more affordable, in terms of housing, are communities hard hit by the downturn in woods products. Look along I-5 south of Eugene.

[the city]

I applied to places in the outskirts of Portland like Gresham. Seems to be a bit cheaper on the outskirt towns too.

I send out several applications. I'm hoping something comes up.

[PNW-type-gal]

A lot of the counties are hiring in social/mental health, did you check those sites as well? The overall Portland area would be: Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Hood River counties. Clark County in Washington State, right on the Oregon border. Widen the Oregon search a bit with Yamhill, Marion and Linn counties.

[the city]

Originally Posted by PNW-type-gal

A lot of the counties are hiring in social/mental health, did you check those sites as well? The overall Portland area would be: Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Hood River counties. Clark County in Washington State, right on the Oregon border. Widen the Oregon search a bit with Yamhill, Marion and Linn counties.

Thank you. I will continue to pursue. It'd be nice to be a little close to Portland since I got a friend from there, but I'm also looking at match.com to find a special girl.

I'm also looking for areas that at least have a Trader Joe's or Costco.

[Larry Caldwell]

Your location will depend on where you can find a job. Don't move until you have one.

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by the city

Thank you. I will continue to pursue. It'd be nice to be a little close to Portland since I got a friend from there, but I'm also looking at match.com to find a special girl.

I'm also looking for areas that at least have a Trader Joe's or Costco.

Larger metro areas in Oregon have a Costco. Several have Trader Joe's as well, although often only one or two. It may be a bit of a drive instead of just around the corner.

Remember that your first job in an area is your foot in the door, as it is often harder to get a job from a distance. Most job openings have many candidates and, all other things being equal, employers generally pick from the local pool. Once you have a job and are established in an area, you should find more opportunities, even if it takes a bit of time.

[Nell Plotts]

Multnomah County (Gresham is the county seat) covers most of the City of Portland and unincorporated areas nw of the city (Sauvé Island and environs). You could be working all over the county.

[the city]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Multnomah County (Gresham is the county seat) covers most of the City of Portland and unincorporated areas nw of the city (Sauvé Island and environs). You could be working all over the county.

Now it would be in Gresham. Location is specific to a city or part of Portland.

[Nell Plotts]

The office may be in Gresham but if you will be working for Multnomah County the clients could be anywhere in the county. If you will be working for the city of Gresham or the local school district, different story.