Is there a non-Portland city/town in Oregon that suits me? (Eugene: community college, wages)

[gray horse]

I think Ashland would have more action for a 25 year old nurse because of the college. I'd give it a try.

[StealthRabbit]

For OP age and desires... I vote Bend (for Oregon), tho Oregon would not be on my top 10 list if I had the OP's criteria.

Especially if just starting on my 'Wage earning yrs'.

5 'other' PNW states (+ Canada)) would draw my attention. (quickly... especially PAY and TAXES)

Different choice of state could mean 10 - 20 yrs earlier FIRE. (Financial Independence / Retire Early)

Where is OP coming from? (That will help to direct a better recommendation)

[Tall Traveler]

Originally Posted by malicious-berry

I’ll be moving to the PNW when I’m roughly 25 and newly licensed as a registered nurse. I know I want to live in the northwest because of its natural beauty, but I’m not sure which state would best suit me. Lately, I’ve been looking into Oregon.

I am a leftist, but not an identitarian. I really don’t want to live someplace like Portland, where people are extremely PC, etc. I recognize the appeal of that sort of environment to some, but it’s not for me. (I’m okay with it in small doses.) I want to live somewhere with more local business than corporations, near/in the mountains, and with a hospital nearby so I don’t have to travel far for work.

Initially, Ashland seemed perfect, but I’ve been reading that some consider it a very new-age-white-people-esque place. I’ve already lived in Salem, MA and have had enough of the gimmicky new age stuff, lol. Looking into the rest of Jackson county, people say it’s quite conservative. Like I don’t care for leftist identity politics, I don’t care for baby boomers moaning about crazy liberals.

Do any Oregon cities/towns check these very vague boxes?

Hood River and Bend. On the Washington side, Anacortes.

[Pavlov's Dog]

Honestly Portland is one of the least corporate big cities with a healthy economy in the country. While there is certainly a large contingent of PC&identity politic contingent in Portland there are plenty of less radical yet still liberal young people in the city. Oregon has some fantastic smaller cities but in your situation Portland is also your best bet in terms of finding your group of friends, work and dating. I would start there to be honest.

[texasdiver]

Originally Posted by Tall Traveler

Hood River and Bend. On the Washington side, Anacortes.

The OP is a young woman looking for nursing jobs. And you are pointing to Hood River with a population of 7,000 and a tiny 25 bed hospital? And Anacortes which is about 15,000 population with a 40 bed hospital? Both of which are struggling (the hospitals).

One doesn't have to move to Portland or Seattle to find opportunitites. There are a variety of medium size cities in the Northwest. But if I were a newcomer starting out a medical career and looking for professional opportunities I would most certainly be looking at larger cities with larger hospitals where you will find a lot more professional opportunities and potential for advancement.

In OR: Eugene, Salem, Medford, and Bend will have the most medical jobs outside Portland. Those are the cities where the larger hospitals are located, and therefore, also the largest concentrations of ancillary and primary care clinics.

In WA: Olympia, Tacoma, Bellingham, Wenatchee, Yakima, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, and Spokane will provide the most opportunities outside of Seattle for the same reasons.

Just for kicks I'd also look at Boise ID which is a fast growing popular city, and Couer d'Alene ID which is almost a suburb of Spokane and one of the more gorgeous spots in the Northwest.

There are also a LOT of hospitals and opportunities in some of the suburban cities near both Portland and Seattle. Too many to list. But both of those big metro areas are surrounded by suburban communities with large and growing hospitals and associated medical industries. Honestly those are the places where you'll likely find the most professional opportunities.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by texasdiver

The OP is a young woman looking for nursing jobs. And you are pointing to Hood River with a population of 7,000 and a tiny 25 bed hospital? And Anacortes which is about 15,000 population with a 40 bed hospital? Both of which are struggling (the hospitals).

May be a woman, may be a man. Gender was not mentioned.

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by texasdiver

In OR: Eugene, Salem, Medford, and Bend will have the most medical jobs outside Portland. Those are the cities where the larger hospitals are located, and therefore, also the largest concentrations of ancillary and primary care clinics.

Oregon Health Sciences University (just south of downtown Portland, up on a hill known as Pill Hill) also offers the most opportunity for growth in the medical field, whether it is an advanced degree, specialty certifications or the Nurse Practitioner program.

Portland has two Level 1 Trauma hospitals, the only ones in Oregon. Eugene, Salem, Bend and Medford have Level 2 trauma hospitals.

[Vic Romano]

You sound vaguely familiar...

https://www.city-data.com/forum/gener...-year-old.html

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

For smaller towns, you might enjoy The Dalles, OR, or White Salmon, Wa, or Hood River, OR.

I used to live in that area. You can get to Portland when you want big city stuff, but can enjoy smaller town daily life.

[Metlakatla]

Right. Since they're both in the medical field and are asking for relocation advice on a forum created for that purpose, they must be the same person.