BEST city 2 live in coming from Vegas w/kids? (Portland: low crime, house)

[skorpio1177]

So my fiance and I are tired of living in Las Vegas with our 2 kids (6yr old and 5mon old). He is currently trying to get into the police academy in numerous places. A couple are in WA. But I've been hearing alot about Oregon lately. I've never been. One of our major concerns is weather. I grew up in Rhode Island, so extreme winters and muggy summers w/lots of misquitoes is what Im used to, not exactly what Im looking for, but the weather here in Vegas...omg, Im so done with it. From April- early October its almost unlivable. My 6yr old hardly gets to play outside. Her swingset is CRACKED from the heat. Her toys melt outside. Our electric bill averages $450/mo in the summer. So anyways, Im considering checking out Oregon. I know this is a real basic question lol. But if anyone wants to take some time to let me know the kind of weather or where I can look it up, which cities inland are good for raising a family, good schools, shopping, good stuff for the kids to do, but have entertainment, etc. I am NOT looking for strip clubs, billboards with naked women on them, 24 hr bars/night clubs, "massage" parlors, etc!!! lol Thanks!

[BLAZER PROPHET]

In order to make a good recommendation, you'll need to fill a lot more info.

It sounds like the Oregon coast would be too wet and kids can't get out enough to play. Southern Oregon would be too hot. Portland too many people and immorality (to include crime). Here are a few suggestions with approximate metro are population estimates:

Eugene/Springfield (250,000); crime & drugs above average; some very good schools; mild & wet winters, warm summers; excellent outdoor & family activities.

Bend/Redmond (250,000- many of this in unincorperated areas); moderate snow in winter, perfection in summer; outdoor activities abound year round; very snooty California type mentality with unfathomably high housing costs; crime is average to slightly less than average; genuine whacked out local political scene that will leave you wondering if you're living on Mars.

Klamath Falls (75,000); low crime; no restaurants; wide open country; about 10 years behind the times; affordable housing; wholesome area (if you're into family values); excellent climate; low housing prices; outdoor activities abound; decent schools; the town itself is dusty & rusty, but the surrounding areas are wonderful.

LaGrande (40,000) low crime; excellent weather; very wholesome area with old fashioned family values; excellent outdoor activities (more so in the non winter months); good schools; but a bit isolated and small; good housing prices.

[freedom]

Southern Oregon along the I-5 has the best climate, imo....4 seasons of bliss. We're raising 5 kids here and they love it. I'd say no further north than Roseburg, and no further south than Medford. Eagle Point and Central point near Medford are more affordable as well as Merlin and Redwood in Grants Pass area. For police force jobs...Medford is a bigger city with a larger force. Grants Pass may be possible but less likely.

best wishes,

freedom

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Freedom, when I lived in Medford the summers were sweltering. Most outdoor activities had to be done by about noon.

[CedarView]

Anything, and I mean ANYTHING will be better than Vegas.

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Originally Posted by CedarView

Anything, and I mean ANYTHING will be better than Vegas.

Yeah, I've heard Vegas summers are really hard.

[freedom]

Originally Posted by BLAZER PROPHET

Freedom, when I lived in Medford the summers were sweltering. Most outdoor activities had to be done by about noon.

True,It gets to 100 for at least a week or two in July/Aug. rarely any longer.
After living here for 15 yrs. 65-70 deg. with sunshine is perfect temperature, i think my blood has finally thickened.

freedom

[CedarView]

How hot does Klamath actually get in the summers?

The LOW is 99 in Vegas during July.....but it was such a nice break from the daytime! Wasn't fun growing up there. Even the water slide burned your butt trying to slide into the pool, and I can't for the life of me figure out why the track coaches thought meets and cross-country training at 2pm was a good idea.

Another question: are the midge swarms just around the lake or all over the whole county?

[Silverfall]

I would suggest any where in the valley. You can look up schools that consistently get good ratings at the AYP and Report Card Download - Oregon Department of Education. Salem is the Salem Keizer school district. You can pull our stats down from the menu.

I hailed from Illinois, and I'll take the weather here any day. We get snow once a year, but it usually doesn't stick, but that is what Hoodoo, Bend and Mt. Hood are for. We take the kiddos sledding up there. Our only weather issue is ice and wind storms. Summers are great AND NOT humid at all. We do get usually one week in July that hits 100, but most of the summer is 75-85.

Depending on what you can afford I would look at Salem and Keizer. If you don't mind traffic look at Hillsboro, and Beaverton. If you have a lot of money you can't be the Portland West Hills and Lake Oswego.

[skorpio1177]

So 2 more school shootings here in Vegas yesterday. Definitely time to go. Weather wise I'd take 2 weeks of 100 in July anyday! And its so true about the pool slide burning your butt! They have "covered" playgrounds here that look like ghost towns most of the summer. Its pointless. My daughter LOOKS outside at her bikes and powerwheels. When she does brave the 110 degrees in our "dirt" backyard, she's gotta watch out for fire ants! I want my kids to have GRASS like I did. The kids here miss out on so much. My daughter rides her bike in the house cuz its too hot out lol.
So Medford is a good area? What about Portland? That seems to be a big city but Im more of a suburban life girl, with easy access to the city. Here we live in the "suburb" of Vegas lmao. Im obviously concerned with crime, which is everywhere of course, but lower crime areas are best for me!