I know its been asked before... is this the right choice?

[Mt-7]

I have taken time to read your entire post and replies. Oregon is a beautiful state with stunning views and vistas. The valley is home to agriculture, there is lots to do and with a carpet cleaning business you will stay busy, especially if you get some good multifamily housing accounts. I was a lifelong, 50 plus years resident who no longer lives in the state. Why? Primarily my income could not keep up with the property taxes in the state. Any improvement caused a increase. I began to realize I did not need the lifestyle anymore. I was into home renovation and I was able to take advantage of it as a second income but I could see the handwriting on the wall a few years ago. I have also visited your fair home country and would consider the coastal parts of the state more inclined to be similar to your Ireland. That said there are a lot of cloudy days, more than you can imagine but that is the price for such beautiful conifers. Prices are pretty dramatic at this time. You might want to rent, there are many places to be had. I think you will need to factor in the fuel prices in your commute. Also be prepard for the family situation not to work out. Another reason to rent. Good luck,

[Leisesturm]

Dog hating derives from a significant percentage of dog owners in urban and suburban areas behaving very inconsiderately! Children play in grass in parks. I've seen what passes for cleaning up after ones dogs and I wouldn't want my kids rolling around in grass where there wasn't some restriction on people and pets. Sorry, Kate I side with the government on this one. At least they give you a dog run. Can you not see it from the publics side? And just so this isn't a total hijack of the original post I offer this: Brian, 'seven of nine' is right, go slow. You cannot plant fruit trees on rental property by the way, a vegetable garden and some annuals ought not cause too much anxiety for the realty company. If the 'family' in Oregon is the brother with whom your bride is "hardly close" then I don't see the draw. There are other areas of the country much better suited to both your needs. Many of your 'must haves' are mutually exclusive in Oregon, maybe anywhere.

H

[jamesdmaniac]

A lot of Californians have and are moving into Bend, OR. It's a great Eastern Oregon town but now it's a little pricey. I live in Camas, WA, and moved here from Half Moon Bay, CA. My wife and I both love it here. The weather is unpredictable (best weatherman's statement: "It's going to be sunny...carry an umbrella!"). Lots of homes ready to have rugs cleaned!!