Moving from Seattle to sw (Corvallis, Ashland: university, live, shops)

[Lindseyclarissa]

I currently live on an island near Seattle and the wet weather has taken its toll on me. It's high time I moved, and as a writer, and empty nester, the wide USA is open to me. I've thought about New England and Carolinas as I love the land and the architecture, or closer: Oregon or Northern California. I'm looking for a friendly small college town, an artsy community where there are art classes and country dances, and people are healthy and educated. Any thoughts?

[Silverfall]

In Oregon I'd say Corvallis.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Originally Posted by Silverfall

In Oregon I'd say Corvallis.

Except that OP doesn't want rain.

[gray horse]

Ashland...Oregon

[lvmensch]

Brigadoon. Last place that met that spec.

If you get rational and can work it...Victoria or Vancouver Island. Same climate without most of the rain.

Santa Barbara or similar might work if you have a few million.

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

Except that OP doesn't want rain.

Well, that rules out a good chunk of Oregon.

[PNW-type-gal]

Ashland might work. Still the cloudy cool maritime NW winter bit much shorter with half the rain. Were I the OP, though, without ties, I'd try the NE and SE and at least see what it is like.

[bler144]

In Oregon Ashland would seem to be it.

In NorCal: Chico. Maybe Davis or Santa Cruz if you have the money.

[FVWinters]

If you want to be in the Pacific Northwest, Corvallis or Ashland but even Ashland can be pretty gloomy in midwinter. Other than the stink that passes for climate in both places, both communities have everything on your wish list.
Moving farther afield, check out Chico in California. I've been through it and it looks pleasant. There is a rather large university and at nearly 90000 population doesn't exactly have that small town feel but the place appears to have cultural amenities galore and winter here starts a lot later and ends earlier....
I hesitate to mention this one because there is no college nearby (that I know of) but Grass Valley/Nevada City about 50 miles northeast of Sacramento is another one to check out. There is an active country dance community there as well as lots of "funky" shops and opportunities for artists and art fairs. Climate here is even better than Chico's (in my opinion) because its 2700 feet of elevation preludes the 110+ summer temperatures you're likely to see on the valley bottom.


Another thing you might try, if you haven't done it yet, is check out likely looking smaller towns and cities on the CD web page and look for the items you presented in your post. Good luck with your search.

[Larry Caldwell]

Spokane. Missoula.