Best small towns in Oregon on a budget? (Portland, Bend: homes, employment)

[Cowby Colby]

(Sorry if this thread is a repeat, but I couldn't find anything that's more recent on this subject.)

I'm considering a move to Oregon and would appreciate some input from members here. I'm looking for a small town (pop 15,000 or less) that is affordable for someone on a fixed income ($2,000/month) with like minded people (liberal/progressive) and just friendly in general. I'm also looking for work in the health care field, preferably as a nursing home director, so it would help if there was a health care facility in the near vicinity.

What towns would be the best for me to check out?

[Nell Plotts]

I would focus on the job first. Try the Oregon State Employment Service website to see what pops. My quick look using "nursing home" key word didn't produce much but it was noticable that the small towns paid a lot less than Portland Metro.

$2,000/mo isn't much to live on even in small town Oregon.

[scottinpdx]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

$2,000/mo isn't much to live on even in small town Oregon.

I live on less, It can be done!

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

I would focus on the job first. Try the Oregon State Employment Service website to see what pops. My quick look using "nursing home" key word didn't produce much but it was noticable that the small towns paid a lot less than Portland Metro.

$2,000/mo isn't much to live on even in small town Oregon.

I agree. If you need a job, find one first unless you want to drive to one of the larger cities for work.

Liberal/progressive doesn't typically go with small town in Oregon, in my opinion. Most small towns tend to lean to the conservative side. The ones that don't, like Silverton, aren't the most affordable. Dallas, OR is very affordable but it is conservative as much of Marion and Polk tends to lean towards the moderate/conservative anyway.

[Steve Pickering]

Junction City, Cottage Grove, Dallas, Independence, Coos Bay, North Bend, Monmouth, Veneta/Elmira, Creswell, Southerlin, Oakridge, Brownsville. All have Nursing Homes and you canl ive on $2,000 a month. That is if you bring the $2,000 a month with you as you won't make much more than that if you do land a job there. All are near bigger cities with other employment. If you are on a fixed income you will do fine as long as you don't need work.

[hamellr]

FYI, My mother in law is a nursing home director and has had nothing but problems keeping a steady job since 2008, she currently has to drive 50 miles each way to work, but has had to go 100 before. Her positions have either been reduced and consolidated in the case of some of the chains, or she has had to take a $15-20k/year reduction in pay. My sister also works in nursing homes and had similar issues keeping a job, she finally took an office job in Alaska last year.

[Colorado Rambler]

Originally Posted by Steve Pickering

Junction City, Cottage Grove, Dallas, Independence, Coos Bay, North Bend, Monmouth, Veneta/Elmira, Creswell, Southerlin, Oakridge, Brownsville. All have Nursing Homes and you canl ive on $2,000 a month. That is if you bring the $2,000 a month with you as you won't make much more than that if you do land a job there. All are near bigger cities with other employment. If you are on a fixed income you will do fine as long as you don't need work.

These look like some good suggestions. Check them out, Cowboy!

[Nell Plotts]

The first three are relatively close to larger towns with good retail and medical facilities.

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by Steve Pickering

Junction City, Cottage Grove, Dallas, Independence, Coos Bay, North Bend, Monmouth, Veneta/Elmira, Creswell, Southerlin, Oakridge, Brownsville. All have Nursing Homes and you canl ive on $2,000 a month. That is if you bring the $2,000 a month with you as you won't make much more than that if you do land a job there. All are near bigger cities with other employment. If you are on a fixed income you will do fine as long as you don't need work.

I can name at least one town on this list that doesn't.

[Steve Pickering]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

I can name at least one town on this list that doesn't.

And that would be ????