does oregon have less sun than seattle? need to move out of seattle

[freedom]

Originally Posted by roz5555

"Liberal" isn't a word that pops up when thinking of Oregon.. I just moved *back* to California from Oregon. The only place you'll find any diversity -- either in thought, politics or ethnicity -- is in the large cities.

Check it out thoroughly before taking the plunge...

what part of Oregon did you move from?

[veggiecook]

Originally Posted by tdekany

we were not looking for land, so I can't help you there.

I'd say that if you have money anything is possible.

Obviously anything is possible if you have money. I do not...I am 26 and starting out and trying to find a like minded community--read my original post to get a sense of what we are looking for. I'd like to be close to a city like Portland for the culture, people etc, but I want to have some land to start up a b&b or something...what is it like outside of portland? are there farms? is it suburbs?

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by veggiecook

why not hood river?

Because you started the thread with "liberal".

About land, there's even a few acreage lots in Portland too.

Go to RMLS™ - Home

Do a quick search. Enter a suburb on the edge of portland and enter the lot size in acreage size. You will be able to get an idea of what's available.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by veggiecook

... i also need more days of sunlight out of the year. what's it like outside of portland but i've heard it's not much sunnier there in the winter than seattle? i've decided i don't mind the cold in the winter if i can have a little sunshine. hood river? i do NOT want suburbs...something like skagit valley in washington, but less overcast. I dont mind rain, i just miss the sun and friendly people...
we are both rock climbers and like a little bit of a social scene...we plan on having kids in a few years and i just don't want to settle down somewhere and not be able to make any friends like in seattle...
my dream place: sunshine! access to swimming holes, hiking, rock climbing, farmer's markets, food co-op. supportive of vegetarian food/lifestyle. humidity is rough on my husband (he lived in ct for a summer and that was ... i'd like to have a few acres but be somewhat close to a liberal town with some diversity

sorry for delay, I don't lurk often (very slow (expensive) dial-up, living in the boonies)
Hood River sounds like the place for you, Wonder why people have said it didn't match your profile (Rock Climbing, swimming, farmers markets, vegetarian, low humidity, sunshine, occasional snow, fishing, good schools, family friendly - That's HR !, jobs may be a little tough, but you can commute till you find something local)

I have found it quite friendly, tho there is the 'yuppie / boardhead' crowd, they are not the main thing, nor anti-social, There are plenty of very caring, community supporting residents. It has agrarian roots, so not the 'un-friendly' urban, and 'too busy' surburban. Yet still 1 hr to Portland and 2.5 from the coast, or Bend. You need to visit and go run some errands checking out the courthouse and community services, schools, hospital. I am very impressed with helpfulness of people and businesses. There is a strong support for families and schools. And downtown is very well fixed up. I would still stay in the farming regions, for a home, as the community is closer in relationships, but be prepared for the issues of living near orchards. (some folks aren't keen on sprays and wind machines and sludge pots (freeze protection)) But the farmers need to survive, as if they loose their crop, it is the ONLY paycheck they get ALL YEAR ! Tough for 'employee' types to realize the impact (and stress) of that.

I don't live there, but my S-in-law has for 20 yrs, and I trade with suppliers and buy parts there. Have worked nearby too, and looked exhaustively for property in rural areas. (just haven't found the right place for right price)

[JustMe_JustMe]

Originally Posted by Alexious

I don't mean to be a cheerleader for my own town, but you just described Bend, Oregon to a T.
Ever heard of Smith Rock State Park for climbing? 30 minutes away.
Vegetarian lifestyle? Yeah. That's covered. There's more organic grocery stores here than you can shake a stick at.
Sunshine? How's 300 days a year sound?
Diversity? This is the main thing that has changed here recently. I just moved back after living in Klamath Falls for 10 years. There is a lot more diversity here (both ethnic and political) than when I lived here last. We even have an independent, left-leaning newspaper (SHOCK!) like those big fancy cities!
Of course, the catch is that buying a house here is outrageous. However, the little known secret is that rent is quite cheap! It sounds like you want some land with your home... you might look around in the smaller towns surrounding Bend like Redmond, Prineville, or La Pine.
edit: Forgot to add that Bend now has a pretty active live music scene as well.

Have to agree as well.