Moving to Oregon - Corvallis/McMinnville, Scappoose, Gresham (Portland, Eugene: home, movie theater)

[sandratofte]

We are mid-50's and looking to move to Oregon. Jobs are not an issue and we don't have kids at home. We have been looking mostly in the Corvallis/McMinnville area. Albany, Dallas, etc. We don't want to live "in town", looking for something more rural. We would like to be within an hour of Portland, or Eugene. .

We would also consider areas east of Portland. Gresham, Sandy, Estacada. Or, west of Portland. Scappoose, Vernonia, etc.

To go completely out on a flier... I love the McKenzie River area. Vida, McKenzie Bridge.

Any input is appreciated. Positives and negatives of these areas? And a general question... Is there any way to know where clear-cutting may occur, or are there areas where it is not allowed?

Thanks!

[Vic Romano]

We considered Oregon for retirement but ultimately decided not to retire there. However I can offer some input as we did research the area, my wife lived in Welches for 9 years and my in-laws are in Dallas.

I generally liked Corvallis, McMinnville (and north along 47 and 99W), and west/southwest Salem. I think Dallas/Independence/Monmouth are too small and quiet for me, but you may like it. Gresham is just an eastern suburb of Portland. You may like Estacada/Molalla. Sandy and Damascus are at the edges of the suburb, Sandy can have some traffic because of travellers to Mt. Hood (hwy 26). The other city which is interesting to me but we didn't have a chance to research is Silverton.

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by sandratofte

We are mid-50's and looking to move to Oregon. Jobs are not an issue and we don't have kids at home. We have been looking mostly in the Corvallis/McMinnville area. Albany, Dallas, etc. We don't want to live "in town", looking for something more rural. We would like to be within an hour of Portland, or Eugene. .

We would also consider areas east of Portland. Gresham, Sandy, Estacada. Or, west of Portland. Scappoose, Vernonia, etc.

To go completely out on a flier... I love the McKenzie River area. Vida, McKenzie Bridge.

Any input is appreciated. Positives and negatives of these areas? And a general question... Is there any way to know where clear-cutting may occur, or are there areas where it is not allowed?

Thanks!

Clearcutting will happen on Weyerhauser/paper mill land for sure.

You've got quite a variety in towns you are considering. What is it that you want in your city and the forum can tell you which ones are closest to your criteria. Home prices are vastly different in each city as well if that matters.

[Nell Plotts]

Of the towns you listed I would put McMinnville and Corvallis on my short list. Newberg would be worth a look. What to they have in common? College towns: Linfield College, Oregon State University, and George Fox University.

[janesm14]

Originally Posted by Vic Romano

We considered Oregon for retirement but ultimately decided not to retire there. However I can offer some input as we did research the area, my wife lived in Welches for 9 years and my in-laws are in Dallas.

I generally liked Corvallis, McMinnville (and north along 47 and 99W), and west/southwest Salem. I think Dallas/Independence/Monmouth are too small and quiet for me, but you may like it. Gresham is just an eastern suburb of Portland. You may like Estacada/Molalla. Sandy and Damascus are at the edges of the suburb, Sandy can have some traffic because of travellers to Mt. Hood (hwy 26). The other city which is interesting to me but we didn't have a chance to research is Silverton.

Vic, why did you decide not to retire in Corvallis?

[Farther East]

Gresham is a great place to have a large lot with small town feel within range of all the Portland Metro employment, but it is basically connected to Portland and no longer rural. If jobs are no issue I would definitely recommend going a little further east to get out of the Portland "orbit". Sandy and Estacada are both really nice small towns that are more rural than suburban. Sandy has much more 'services' of the two including a newer athletic club, department store, and movie theater. Further up in the mountains are several great tiny towns Brightwood, Rhododendron, Government Camp, etc. Very nice communities but they do get much more rain and snow, and you would be driving to Sandy for movie theater, supermarket, etc.



As far as clearcutting, it is allowed on any private property as long as they follow the State rules including leaving trees along streams, and replanting. It will also be a possibility on any neighboring Forest Service or state land, except in the unlikely event it has endangered species or is designated "Late Successional" (Old growth timber).

[Larry Caldwell]

McMinnville has closed 3rd street on weekends for outdoor dining. It will work until the rains come.

Here is Channel 12's story on it.

https://www.kptv.com/mcminnville-is-...1WooUJ7V61R-C4

[Nell Plotts]

Of the cominnities listed all but Gresham should be on your look-at list.

[JackieLovesSun]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

McMinnville has closed 3rd street on weekends for outdoor dining. It will work until the rains come.

Here is Channel 12's story on it.

https://www.kptv.com/mcminnville-is-...1WooUJ7V61R-C4

that's a good idea!

[formosa]

Oregon is not a good place for retirement. People are leaving. You should run and don't look back.