Oregon Bound (Portland, Eugene, Salem: house, neighborhood, school district)

[trontrader]

Hello everyone,

My wife and 4 year old son live in southern California. We are both health care professionals (medical Imaging). We are planing on moving to Oregon in 2 years or less. We are not moving now because our son is receiving special education services that are critical for his development at this time and we are saving up for a house down payment.
We are sick of the rat race and desire to move to a more tranquil lifestyle in a place that we can afford to live more comfortably and raise our son without worry. Our considerations are: 1) weather (we are realistic and expect more rain than dry California) however, something not too extreme would be welcome. 2) Jobs (I am researching this and that does not seem to be a problem in coastal cities or other cities such as Medford, Salem, Eugene, Portland. 3) School. Our son is our world. An excellent school district is essential or all is for not. A good special Ed program would be a plus 4) Housing/good neighborhood to raise a family ( obviously an important item, we are looking in the 200 to low 300 range.)
If I had to rate those concerns, school for my son is #1. We have always put his needs above our own since he was born and that's the way it will always be.
I would like to thank any and all who respond to my post. Your time and knowledge are greatly appreciated

Michael.

[freedom]

Originally Posted by trontrader

Hello everyone,

My wife and 4 year old son live in southern California. We are both health care professionals (medical Imaging). We are planing on moving to Oregon in 2 years or less. We are not moving now because our son is receiving special education services that are critical for his development at this time and we are saving up for a house down payment.
We are sick of the rat race and desire to move to a more tranquil lifestyle in a place that we can afford to live more comfortably and raise our son without worry. Our considerations are: 1) weather (we are realistic and expect more rain than dry California) however, something not too extreme would be welcome. 2) Jobs (I am researching this and that does not seem to be a problem in coastal cities or other cities such as Medford, Salem, Eugene, Portland. 3) School. Our son is our world. An excellent school district is essential or all is for not. A good special Ed program would be a plus 4) Housing/good neighborhood to raise a family ( obviously an important item, we are looking in the 200 to low 300 range.)
If I had to rate those concerns, school for my son is #1. We have always put his needs above our own since he was born and that's the way it will always be.
I would like to thank any and all who respond to my post. Your time and knowledge are greatly appreciated

Michael.

1.Southern Oregon has the best weather.
2. Jobs? 2 major hospitals in Medford, smaller medical clinics and surgery centers are scattered about.
3.Private school would be better than public school, and homeschooling is even better. If Public school is what you want, i would contact the Eagle Point school district to see what their programs are like and compare them to the Medford School district. If you google map you can see the different areas in relation to the hospitals for commute times.
4.Price range is realistic now... in 2 yrs. ? who knows. If they havn't gone up, the country is in for an awakening.

best wishes,

freedom

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by trontrader

1) weather (we are realistic and expect more rain than dry California) however, something not too extreme would be welcome.

It rains. We don't have snow very often in the valley and our winters are mild. The rain isn't the problem for people as much as the gray skies.

Originally Posted by trontrader

2) Jobs (I am researching this and that does not seem to be a problem in coastal cities or other cities such as Medford, Salem, Eugene, Portland.

We have Salem and Silverton hospitals in the area as well as other clinics.

Originally Posted by trontrader

3) School. Our son is our world. An excellent school district is essential or all is for not. A good special Ed program would be a plus

Well...Oregon ranks above CA for schools, but we are usually in the 35-40th range in the overall rankings. I have a special needs child and I love the teachers at my kids local school (Schirle). I strongly dislike the process to access services. I think it is really bad. Salem-Keizer pulled all 1-1 aides for kids this year except for health or safety issues. Otherwise choices for parents are regular class with no aides (but other supports) or special ed classrooms. There are several different types of special ed classrooms with the district. It just depends on what your child's needs are. I'm in a battle for an aide right now for my kiddo.

Originally Posted by trontrader

4) Housing/good neighborhood to raise a family ( obviously an important item, we are looking in the 200 to low 300 range.)

Plenty of choices in this range in the Salem area. I would stick South Salem or West.

[scone]

IIWY, I'd google "oregon" and the city you're interested in, plus a string that describes your child's specific needs, then follow the links. Also, I'd look at the Oregon Dept. of Education website.

Oregon Public Broadcasting did a program on special education not long ago, here's a link: http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/opb/posts/list/943410.page (broken link)

It must be said, Oregon does not have the most brilliant k-12 system in the nation, mostly due to lack of funds. And there have been more funds cut due to cancellation of the Rural Schools timber payments. Those funds may never come back. This is bound to impact special needs along with everything else. Good luck.

[trontrader]

Hi Freedom,

Thank you for your advice/insight. I will compare Eagle point and Medford and see how programs stack up. yes I completely agree in 2 years I don't know how housing will be priced. I am sure it can't be worse than California even in two years...it's madness out here even for two professionals like ourselves.

[trontrader]

Silverfall,

Thank you for your advice and information. I am sorry that you are having to fight the powers that be to get your child the services that he/she is entitled to. I have experience in that department. I've fought the state/regional center and school district to get my son what he was entitled to...not what he deserved. Unfortunately it's all about the $$$ out here and screw the kids who truly need the help. We won both of our cases in the end Best of luck getting your child services.

Michael

[trontrader]

Hello Scone,

Most excellent link on Special Ed.
Great tip on research tools too.

Thank you for the information.

Michael

[mdvaden]

Medford has good public schools. Not perfect, but a pretty good bunch of kids on the whole. We moved there from Beaverton a few years ago, and found the schools to be acceptable.

For the last year, our son tried online home schooling, and realized he likes the interaction.

Now back in Beaverton for our business, our son is going to finish high school at a regular school.

Medford is good, and Central Point is too. A bit farther out, Eagle Point is nice. White City I don't care for at all.

Applegate Valley near Ruch is fine, and buses for school go out there for the Medford district.

Personally - and my wife may not agree - I like Grants Pass a lot, regardless of a few things I've read.

Grants Pass gets a bit more moisture at 31 inches, compared to Medford's 19 point something inches of rain.