Medford? (Grants Pass, Ashland, Central Point: homes, find a job, elementary schools)

[bresdo]

Looking to move to Oregon with my 2 girls ages 8 and 10. I have been checking out homes in Medford and looks to be fairly reasonable. What are the best public schools in this area or are there other areas of Oregon I should be checking out?

I really appreciate the help and guidance you can give.

Mahalo

[Cornerguy1]

Frankly, you should be checking out the areas in which you can find employment. Oregon isn't an employment hotbed at the best of times, and this is not the best of economic times.

Job first and then make living arrangements.

[Fiddlehead]

Originally Posted by Cornerguy1

Frankly, you should be checking out the areas in which you can find employment. Oregon isn't an employment hotbed at the best of times, and this is not the best of economic times.

Job first and then make living arrangements.

Where have you been Cornerguy1?

Hippies, equity bandits, retirees, panhandlers, transients, and telecommuters have been moving to Oregon for years, along with plenty of new age types who feel drawn to vibrate in the emerald cathedrals of Oregon, then go on public assistance..... Employment has never been a draw to Oregon. Oregon itself is.

A sensible question about schools seems very much more reasonable than the usual woo woo reasons people give! (Can I find a 4000 sf ecohome made of organically grown hemp near an open space without cougars, but with no hunting or nudity restrictions for under $900k? I hear it is so cheap there!).

For the OP, I like Roosevelt, Hoover, and Griffin Creek elementary schools. But my opinion is not worth much. I'm an Ashland liberal...

[aroseinrain]

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

(Can I find a 4000 sf ecohome made of organically grown hemp near an open space without cougars, but with no hunting or nudity restrictions for under $900k? I hear it is so cheap there!).

so sad, so true....

[Cornerguy1]

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

Can I find a 4000 sf ecohome made of organically grown hemp near an open space without cougars, but with no hunting or nudity restrictions for under $900k? I hear it is so cheap there!.

LMAO

Guess I'm just an out-of-touch stick in the mud.


Perhaps the OP is an independently wealthy, socially conscious liberal who believes a tropical climate is too hedonistic for Joe the Plumber. Or not.

[bresdo]

I have my own online business and can work from anywhere so don't need to find a job.

[cd1212]

Originally Posted by Fiddlehead

Where have you been Cornerguy1?

Hippies, equity bandits, retirees, panhandlers, transients, and telecommuters have been moving to Oregon for years, along with plenty of new age types who feel drawn to vibrate in the emerald cathedrals of Oregon, then go on public assistance..... Employment has never been a draw to Oregon. Oregon itself is.

That's a good point, although in this respect, now Oregon and SW Colorado / N. New Mexico are in competition, and N. Arizona (Sedona/Flagstaff) isn't that far behind...likewise w/ Asheville, NC.

FOR the OP -- Medford and vicinity has 14.1% unemployment in Jan; 13.1% in Feb - both well above the state average of 11.4% for Feb.

[bluebird39]

Just a personal experience, I'd avoid Central Point schools, although when we lived there, it was one of the only cities we could afford to live in. Ashland always rates well with schools, but the population there is very homogeneous racially and culturally, plus it's the most expensive place to live.

If I had it to do all over again, I try out Talent Phoenix schools. I haven't lived there for a few years, but when we left, there was a dual language program there that many of my friends were happy with. I'd also avoid Butte Falls, as they've had some pretty bad problems with administration.

Good luck.

[Fiddlehead]

Originally Posted by bresdo

I have my own online business and can work from anywhere so don't need to find a job.

Well, then good luck! It is a beautiful part of the world. Not sure how we compare to Kaui though....!

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by bresdo

I have my own online business and can work from anywhere so don't need to find a job.

We lived down that way for 3 years. I thought there area was pretty nice. I'd imagine that south Medford high school, or the one in Central Point would be good. Eagle Point is not mentioned often, and the area is nice. I don't know about the schools there. Personally, I'd pick Grants Pass to live in because its more laid back. And closer to the coast and redwoods. But that's just me. Internet service is reasonable good in the area.

Our children went ot south Medford.

I tend to like the west side of the valley more. Especially Central Point along the base of the hills that you see off to the west from I-5. It falls into the shade of the mountain about 1 or 2 hours earlier than much of east Medford that gets much more late day sun. I think there is a better view of Mt. McLaughlin from the west side too.