Roseburg or where???? (Bend, Grants Pass, Four Corners: renting, mobile home, buying)

[inkymonk]

Originally Posted by Email488

Grantedm some people are more into the arts and such, which is prevalent in the northern parts of the state, but...
I'd rather see the true art of the land anyday over a painting of the land...

And that is one reason to choose southern Oregon, you get the real thing--not a copy of it.

As a professional artist, I'll take mild exception to that remark. A landscape painting is not a "copy", for the most part......but rather an "interpretation" of "the real thing". And some people who can't get out and about as easily as they might.......appreciate a thoughtful and well-executed "interpretation" of a favorite place.

A true artist realizes that we are but given the privilege, the gift of only holding a brush (while God paints).

[PeaceinTruth]

Hi Everybody,

Lovely topic and very helpful advices. All of us looking into possibility to move to this obviously lovely town are very happy to hear more…

I am from Europe and for the last ten years I live in Utah (don’t ask),
…depressing social standards, polution and a climate I certainly don’t find amusing.

As a matter of fact, I myself are thinking of going back to Southern Europe (I am from place which Roseburg sounds much alike), but I still need to spend part of year back here in US because of my small business (it’s virtual so I can do it from anywhere but need to come back for promotional purposes at times)…
Anyway, my parents are retiring, don’t want to go back to Europe, but are tired of Salt Lake City even more than I am. They want to live someplace nice, green and not dry, and take a rest from big cities, and I also want to be able to live part of year with them in some place like that. To relocate not so far from Utah, I instantly thought of Oregon. Portland is too big, Lane county seems nice, so I though Eugene, but when I looked at “lots for sale”, Roseburg started showing up…so I ended up on this forum…

I like very much what I am “hearing’ so far but I have some “deeper” questions to ask.
If you guys could be honest and you who experienced living there could tell me more, I will appreciate it very much. (God Bless).
As us Europeans are not so much “politically correct” I hope you don’t mind me asking this: how do you think community would be accepting someone who is a practicing Muslim or a Jew, per say? In other words I’d like to know more about social and cultural views of locals in Roseburg, as being smaller town and a bit away from big city versatility?
How many different churches are there and do people “stare” at someone who has different cultural or religious beliefs as being “weird alien”, and not accept them no matter how nice they might be to them?
Again I hope for some honest insights as I believe that no matter how beautiful some place is, it’s most important to have good neighbors and accepting community to share everyday life with.

Best Regards,

Jan



"With God All Things Are Possible"

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by PeaceinTruth

If you guys could be honest and you who experienced living there could tell me more, I will appreciate it very much. (God Bless).
As us Europeans are not so much “politically correct” I hope you don’t mind me asking this: how do you think community would be accepting someone who is a practicing Muslim or a Jew, per say? In other words I’d like to know more about social and cultural views of locals in Roseburg, as being smaller town and a bit away from big city versatility?
How many different churches are there and do people “stare” at someone who has different cultural or religious beliefs as being “weird alien”, and not accept them no matter how nice they might be to them?

As far as religion goes, you can do anything you want. The ones who collect the condemnation are the devout weirdos who think some god runs the country. If you are the kind of Muslim or Jew who thinks government should take any notice of what you believe, you will have a tough time. Every time the christian fundamentalists show up at a political function, everybody turns up their iPods. Religious rants are, by definition, irrational and irrelevant.

Southern Oregon is more devout than the rest of the state, but about 1/3 of the population of Roseburg still thinks religion is a waste of time. Statewide, it's more like 2/3 of the population that thinks that way. But hey, it's your time to waste. As long as you don't bother other people with it, people won't bother you about it. There are people in Douglas County who believe weirder things.

I don't think there is any organized muslim or jewish worship in Roseburg. You would probably have to drive an hour and a half to Eugene to participate in any ceremonies.

[sberdrow]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

As far as religion goes, you can do anything you want. The ones who collect the condemnation are the devout weirdos who think some god runs the country. If you are the kind of Muslim or Jew who thinks government should take any notice of what you believe, you will have a tough time. Every time the christian fundamentalists show up at a political function, everybody turns up their iPods. Religious rants are, by definition, irrational and irrelevant.

Southern Oregon is more devout than the rest of the state, but about 1/3 of the population of Roseburg still thinks religion is a waste of time. Statewide, it's more like 2/3 of the population that thinks that way. But hey, it's your time to waste. As long as you don't bother other people with it, people won't bother you about it. There are people in Douglas County who believe weirder things.

I don't think there is any organized muslim or jewish worship in Roseburg. You would probably have to drive an hour and a half to Eugene to participate in any ceremonies.

While I lived in Roseburg in the 70s 80s and early 90s, if I met a jew or a muslim in that entire period, I sure don't remember it. Come to think of it, that was kind of weird. At least no one was boasting about it like christians like to. My church on vine street would try to "save" you and convert you to a Southern Baptist. Crazy stuff religion can be.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by sberdrow

While I lived in Roseburg in the 70s 80s and early 90s, if I met a jew or a muslim in that entire period, I sure don't remember it. Come to think of it, that was kind of weird.

Yeah, Jan asked "how do you think community would be accepting someone who is a practicing Muslim or a Jew, per say?"

Per se is Latin for "by itself", which is pretty much how a muslim or jew would end up. There is getting to be a pretty good South Asian contingent in Roseburg, but I haven't met any who are identifiably muslim. The women work in their stores, and don't wear head scarves.

People from other parts of the country have a hard time grasping how marginal religion is in Oregon. Only about 1/3 of the population claims membership in any religion. The interesting thing is how quickly immigrants drop their religious affiliation. Apparently, most people go to church because everybody else goes to church. Drop the social pressure and they find more interesting things to do on Sunday.

Originally Posted by sberdrow

Crazy stuff religion can be.

Back in the late '60s, my summer job was as a psychiatric security aide at the state mental hospital in Salem. Over half the patient population was obsessed with religion. I couldn't tell if insanity led to religion, or religion led to insanity, but the two went hand in hand. Crazy stuff for sure. In retrospect, I think people turned to religion because they had lost control of their lives, and the religion became part of their sickness.

[freedom]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

Yeah, Jan asked "how do you think
People from other parts of the country have a hard time grasping how marginal religion is in Oregon. Only about 1/3 of the population claims membership in any religion. The interesting thing is how quickly immigrants drop their religious affiliation. Apparently, most people go to church because everybody else goes to church. Drop the social pressure and they find more interesting things to do on Sunday.

Back in the late '60s, my summer job was as a psychiatric security aide at the state mental hospital in Salem. Over half the patient population was obsessed with religion. I couldn't tell if insanity led to religion, or religion led to insanity, but the two went hand in hand. Crazy stuff for sure. In retrospect, I think people turned to religion because they had lost control of their lives, and the religion became part of their sickness.

Why would those numbers surprise you? Even with church attendance down, the American population overwhelmingly believes in God, some polls as high as 80%. Southern Oregon residents break the state numbers of 30%. We have close to 200 churches in Josephine County, with near 90% believing in God.
Mental illness does not discriminate based on belief.

freedom

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by freedom

Why would those numbers surprise you? Even with church attendance down, the American population overwhelmingly believes in God, some polls as high as 80%. Southern Oregon residents break the state numbers of 30%. We have close to 200 churches in Josephine County, with near 90% believing in God.
Mental illness does not discriminate based on belief.

freedom

I would put a little g on god. Most people believe in some god or other. Christians have this strange myopia. When someone says "god" they hear "jesus". I would bet good money that even in Josephine County, nowhere near 90% of the population has any belief in revealed religion.

Also, mental illness very often takes the form of religious mania. No matter how delusional you are, it is disturbing to have your delusions challenged. If you stick to religion, you can believe anything you want, and never have to deal with reality.

[freedom]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

I would put a little g on god. Most people believe in some god or other. Christians have this strange myopia. When someone says "god" they hear "jesus". I would bet good money that even in Josephine County, nowhere near 90% of the population has any belief in revealed religion.

Also, mental illness very often takes the form of religious mania. No matter how delusional you are, it is disturbing to have your delusions challenged. If you stick to religion, you can believe anything you want, and never have to deal with reality.

I agree with what you are saying, the 90% would include your little "g" explanation. I too feel it strange to insert Jesus the "son" in place of God the Father.
My generality was all religions, which other than Unitarians that don't necessarily say god, All others have a belief in God and god and some G-d.

freedom

[ladyflyfsh]

Well, can you believe it? I finally sold my house in SW Montana and I'm heading to Oregon in two weeks! It's been the longest most trying thing I've ever done. I'm going to bring my things to Roseburg to storage for now and spend the winter with friends in Dallas, OR just west of Salem. I will be able to save some money while living very inexpensively for the winter and then be looking for land to buy while I'm there (still want to live in Roseburg)

I see prices have come down a ton and there are lots of fancy 5 bedroom houses for rent that they can't sell so no shortage of housing at the moment. I still want to build something instead of buying an older house but open to anything if there is some land involved at the right price. I'm still wanting at least an acre or two. If anyone knows of anything send me a PM.

So, I'll see you in Oregon in a few weeks!

LFF

[Thai]

Hi Ladyfish, I'm wondering how your house search in Roseburg turned out. Were you able to find something that fit your needs at a price you could afford? I haven't been to this site for a long time. I hope you found your dream property!
Thai