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Old 06-06-2007, 04:40 PM
 
Location: Central Coast of California
9 posts, read 56,979 times
Reputation: 10

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Hey everybody, I am new to the forum and have recently started looking into moving to Oregon from the central coast of California.

I am curious about the cities of Medford/Ashland/Bend/Portland/Vancouver. I have a pretty good shot of landing a law enforcement position in one or more of these areas here shortly. The reason I mention my line of work is that I'm not interested in moving to an area where I will be hated simply becuase of the uniform. So in giving me advice on an area, please keep that in mind.

But most importantly, I am wondering if it will be impossible to find a nice 3 bedroom house for less than say $300,000 in any of these areas. Cost of living is our main concern. We like to be able to live on one income and are curious how far $65,000 a year will take us. I would also like to know which area has the "best" city feel out of the areas listed first (excluding Portland, obviously). My wife and I are city kids and wouldn't be able to handle "podunk" America...........but a nice mountain town with some cool brewpubs would be totally sufficent.

Anyway, we'll be heading through all of the these areas in August to check them out ourselves. But I may have to make some decisions before then.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!
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Old 06-06-2007, 05:33 PM
 
Location: The beautiful Rogue Valley, Oregon
7,785 posts, read 18,729,982 times
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Vancouver is in Washington state; the rest are in Oregon. Washington has a sales tax and no income tax, Oregon has no sales tax but an income tax. If you aren't the type to buy a new car every year and you make about the median income, it works out roughly the same, just gets paid in different ways.

Bend and Ashland (the cities proper, anyway) will be the most expensive on the list. Portland has more expensive and less expensive neighborhoods. Medford is about what middle-range Portland is, which, given the difference in amenities, seems high to me. It is a little less rainy than the more northerly cities, but it's also quite hot in summer. Vancouver will be the least expensive of the places on the list.
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Old 06-06-2007, 06:37 PM
 
Location: Oregon Coast
1,845 posts, read 6,831,193 times
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Ashland would be the most expensive. It would be hard to find anything for under $300,000. Medford for Oregon is a mid sized city. It has 4 seasons of weather but tends to be dry.There's not so much rain as in northern Oregon.It is a conservative town.

Bend has become very popular. It has 4 seasons of weather and prices can be high. You may do better finding something in a city outside of Bend. It's got some elevation and you'll get snow in winter.

Portland is a whole different scene. It's a fairly large city. Rivers go through town and the mountains are near by. You'll have the wet season and the dry season. It can get a little snow but not a lot. The streets can get icey in winter. Portland is mostly a liberal place. There's lots of young people moving there. Check out the Portland forum to learn more. $300,000 would buy you a place there. There's loads of burbs too.
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Old 06-06-2007, 07:02 PM
 
Location: Central Coast of California
9 posts, read 56,979 times
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Thanks for the general info, folks. And ya, I know Vancouver is in WA, I just thought I would lump it in for kicks.

We are moving from one of the most expensive places in the country, so its all relative. And with the weather, I would love to move to a place with seasons. And in reality, the more snow at city level the better. Snow is better than rain of course.

Thanks for the info. on the cost of living in Ashland. But since Medford is so close, we could always live there and commute for work, if Medford is as cheap is it sounds.

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ADDRESS THE CULTURE/NIGHTLIFE (or possible lack there of) IN ASHLAND, MEDFORD and BEND. IS THERE DECENT NIGHTLIFE???

Anyway, thanks again for the starter info...always ready for more

Last edited by x4givnx; 06-06-2007 at 07:48 PM..
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Old 06-06-2007, 09:12 PM
 
Location: Socialist Republik of Amerika
6,205 posts, read 12,820,630 times
Reputation: 1114
Decent nightlife? All the towns you mention have theaters, pubs, bowling alleys, Movie theaters, Decent food. When you say nightlife it sounds like big city expectations. Little cities don't have that.
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Old 06-06-2007, 10:34 PM
 
Location: Central Coast of California
9 posts, read 56,979 times
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I realize that i'm not asking about a place that we can compare to San Francisco. I really don't want that atmosphere.

But it would be nice to know that there actually is a downtown where people can be found on week and weekend nights going to coffee shops, movies, busy resturants and pubs. I'm just looking for that at a minumum. What I don't want is a farming community that shuts down at 6pm. My wife and I are young and want to meet other young couples.

Do all of the communities offer an atmosphere that will allow for that? Which one would be better or worse for those needs?

Thanks again.
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Old 06-06-2007, 10:47 PM
 
Location: Socialist Republik of Amerika
6,205 posts, read 12,820,630 times
Reputation: 1114
Yes to all of those interests.
Seasonally there is the Britt festival, google it and you will see this summers lineup, its usually pretty eclectic (sp?). We've seen Jewel, Styx, Chicago, Richie Havens, Tracy Chapman. We'll see Lyle Lovitt and KD lang in July, and Josh Stone in Sept. Nice venue bring a picnic basket with wine, beer and food and sit on the lawn or sit in the seats.
Also in Ashland there is the Shakespearean theater and other performances, very professional.
Many lakes for Wakeboarding, or skiing, and fishing. Snow skiing in the winter.
3 hrs. from Portland for a Blazer game or to see a broadway musical, or dine on the river.
Then there are weekend coast trips, Jet boat excursions. Hiking, biking, trail riding.
Fairs, Carnivals, Rodeos.
You think of it and it is available.

Happy hunting.

freedom
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Old 06-08-2007, 02:05 PM
 
Location: Bend, OR
27 posts, read 146,476 times
Reputation: 22
Quote:
Originally Posted by x4givnx View Post
And with the weather, I would love to move to a place with seasons. And in reality, the more snow at city level the better. Snow is better than rain of course.

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ADDRESS THE CULTURE/NIGHTLIFE (or possible lack there of) IN ASHLAND, MEDFORD and BEND. IS THERE DECENT NIGHTLIFE???
Sounds like you would love Bend. My wife and I just bought a brand new 3 br/2 ba house here for well under $300k. Expensive compared to some places? Yep. But there are plenty of values here if you aren't obsessed with living in the trendy neighborhoods. And you probably already know that east of the mountains, we actually get a winter with real snow.

The nightlife in Bend has gotten really good. There's a lively music scene. We have 5 excellent micro-breweries. A wide variety of dance clubs, pubs, dive bars and other assorted nightlife places. Lots of festivals going on throughout the year too. I'm amazed. It's completely different from when I last lived here 10 years ago. It's light-years ahead of Medford (I've lived there too). We are a little lacking in the theater (plays, not movies) department, but you can't have everything.

If you want proof, go to our funky, independent local paper and check out all the happenings this weekend. Huge party / fund-raiser for our community radio station... Balloons Over Bend... Indie Film Celebration...
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Old 06-08-2007, 09:10 PM
 
Location: Central Coast of California
9 posts, read 56,979 times
Reputation: 10
Thanks for the info on the local paper!!!
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Old 06-15-2007, 12:25 PM
 
3 posts, read 17,416 times
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to the original poster, and alexious...

hey guys!

my husband and i are in our late 20's/early 30's ;-) and looking to move out west from Atlanta.

we have a list going of places, and Bend is one of them. just need to find a job now...

we are looking to start a family, but its so expensive in atlanta. we want to be able to live off one income so we can spend more time with our kids, and have more land. hoping bend might work out.

sounds like you both are in similar places in your lives!

i have to say i have been AMAZED reading through some of the various state message boards (oregon, washington, and montana) how people seem to describe their towns as being either ULTRA conservative, or super liberal. which neither appeal to me...

montana'ians don't seem to want ANY growth, or people moving in to 'their' state, boise and SLC liberals say its tough being a democrat in those parts...and places in oregon seem to err on the complete opposite end. I keep reading comments about all the 'hippies' and 'yuppies'. for the love...

we want to live someplace where people THINK FOR THEMSELVES. welcome change and diversity. but don't judge people for their lifestyle choices. coming from a place like Atlanta...we don't ever really run into issues of politics being a problem because it's such a melting pot.

i'm scared of moving somewhere and feeling (and our children) as though we aren't 'liberal' or 'conservative' ENOUGH. ya know?

also,

alexious. can you recommend any good business to look into for work in Bend??

my husband and I are rockclimbers, and smith rock looks AWESOME.

[urlmoderator cut[/url]

Last edited by Waterlily; 06-15-2007 at 05:27 PM..
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