Charming/historic but safe neighborhood (Portland, Eugene: house, theater, private school)

[kfergus3]

Hi All,
We live in the South and the conservatives are killing us! We are trying to decide between Colorado, Boise, and perhaps somewhere in the NW. What we are looking for is a neighborhood within easy driving distance to a big city (for a fun night out), but in an affordable and safe place. We have two children, but are willing to send them to private school if they are affordable (if the local schools aren't good). We would like to live in a neighborhood that is established - NO cookie cutters please. Preferably a craftsman bungalow-ish neighborhood. We are pro-diversity and culture, but we also don't want crime. And it has to be affordable. (I'm sure you've never heard that before huh?) This is likely going to be my main problem as I now live in an area of town where the median house price in my area is $150-200K. I know, I know....dirt cheap! Fixer uppers are fine. Would like to live in close proximity to colleges/universities as I am in higher education and may switch schools as the career options increase. No more than a 30 minute drive to work. If I am being too picky, it's not intentional and some of these requests are negotiable - I just don't know what's out there, and from what I see on these threads, the more specific you are the better. If my husband and I both have jobs that are in the $40-60K range ($80-120K combined) can we still afford to live there and have a life?
PS - I don't mind cold weather, but I HATE RAIN! :-)

[Silverfall]

If you hate rain, the PNW is not for you.

In Salem, OR you could get a small cottage (900-1200 sq feet) for that money. Portland and Eugene are more expensive than our town. You could get something in Monmouth, Independence, or Dallas in that price range. They are small, conservative towns though.

Oregon is a primarily Caucasian state. There are many threads on here about our lack of diversity. I don't think Colorado or Idaho rank up high on the diversity scale either.

We have a lot of cloudy days, and it spits rain a lot. It sounds like that would rule out the PNW for you. Bend, OR would probably work, but it is not affordable by your definition.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by kfergus3

Hi All,
Colorado, Boise, and perhaps somewhere in the NW. ...
PS - I don't mind cold weather, but I HATE RAIN! :-)

Having come from Colorado to PNW (weSt-side of cascades) 26 yrs ago... I have my bias...(and it is not here...)

but, in OR consider the towns on the east side and if they have enough amenities, namely Bend for academia (There are branch campus of at least 2 U's there + community College)

Possible LaGrande (But a far drive to a large city), Maybe Klamath Falls

Otherwise
Ellensburg / Wenatchee / Pullman / Cheney or Spokane WA (income tax free, but tough property taxes)
Boise, Pocatello (bit remote, but close to Tetons and Yellowstone) or Moscow, ID(which I really like)


Ft Collins (or Loveland or Berthoud, CO) Many schools within 30 miles, great for families and weather is superb, close to Rocky Mountain National Park (moderate taxes and cost of living)

[scone]

Unfortunately, there's a basic problem here-- the more liberal areas of the NW are all close to the sea and get a lot of rain. The areas "east" of the rain, such as Boise and Bend, aren't exactly an intellectual magnet-- it's cowboy country out there, outdoorsy, folky, and largely Republican. The only place in Oregon that comes close to your requirements would be Eugene, which is very liberal and gets more sun than the Portland area. Theoretically you could commute from the Roseburg area, which gets pretty hot, into Eugene. You'd also be close to the theater districts in Ashland. As for ethnic diversity, most of the non-white population is Hispanic or Asian. The African-American community is relatively small and centers on Portland.

[kfergus3]

Thanks everyone for your input! I appreciate it. I think affordability is my biggest issue - I forgot to mention that the house we are in now was not only under 150K, but also 2300 square feet. It's alot for a little, which is one reason we are still here.

[jdland]

Roseburg does have more sun, but is conservative vs. Ashland or Eugene. Idaho is even more conservative than the South although they are more affordable. Good luck.

[karlsch]

Originally Posted by jdland

Idaho is even more conservative than the South although they are more affordable. Good luck.

Idaho is nothing like the South. Idaho is libertarian. High tech companies are moving to Boise because of its desirability.

[jdland]

I grew up in Idaho and although more people are moving in and changing the environment, I would still have to say that they hold strong conservatism and do not come close to being something you could call libertarian!

[vnodak]

Sorry do not think the areas you are looking at fit your bill. Housing is more expensive and the areas are more conservative where housing is cheaper and the weather tends to be more rainy---check out city data for the stats but you might be best served to chose another area. Best of luck.