Where in Oregon for farm/ ranch close to population? (Portland: where to stay, for sale)

[paul_arc]

Hi all, Ive been doing a lot of reading but just cant decide where I would like to go. I am from southern california (please dont judge, it is why I want to get out). Currently I am an electrical foreman with a stable job making around 6 figures/ year. I realize I probably wont be able to make the same kind of money if I move but cost of living should be a bit cheaper. For this reason I think I would need to live near a decent size town but not in the town. I am not to sure about portland because the main reason for leaving cali is to get out of the big city.
I would like to have land and a ranch probably in the less than $400k range some where out of the city. I am okay with a 20 or 30 minute drive to the nearest town and 30- hour drive to a larger town for work is fine.

Eventually I would like to get out of the trade and be a farmer so im looking for a place that is friendly to growing vegetables or fruits.

Pretty much I am trying to pin down some possible locations to live and where to stay away from then take a road trip up there to visit. Also looking to stay away from the type of "party" towns if there is one and a lower crime rate also.

Also I am pretty active and enjoy many activities in the mountains like backpacking, hiking, biking ect. So I would enjoy something close by if at all possible.

Thank you

[skiffrace]

You're in luck: thanks to Urban Growth Boundary, Portland does not have sprawling suburbs that pester the landscape for miles and miles. Once you leave the UGB, you are in the country, period. This is very different from most US cities, and in fact terrific.
Therefore, you can find your ranch house anywhere on the outskirts of the city, not very far from it.
If you like skiing, look on the east side around Sandy, Mollala or Estacada that are close to Mt. Hood and Cascade Mountains.
If you prefer to be not far from the ocean, look on the west side in the wine country: near Newberg, Gaston or Forest Grove (recently discussed here)
In fact, look anywhere but north: Washington state up there does not have UGB and the suburban sprawl is very pronounced in Vancouver.
Word of caution: finding work may not be easy, and commutes may be long. If you decide to go for it, make sure you have a substantial cash reserve to live on for a while.

[sezzam]

Around Wilsonville might work. You will be able to get to customers for your trade in Wilsonville up to Lake Oswego and be able to develop a farm easily, The more south you go (and east/west of I5), the better the chances are for farming.

[Steve Pickering]

Just about anywhere in the state that fruits and vegetables grow west of the Cascades and east of the Coast Range.

[skiffrace]

I would add the following:
1. You will be able to find a farm+house in the country for under $400K, even not far from Portland, but don't expect much.
Remember that outside of UGB you are paying for the house AND a lot of land. For $400K you will buy nice house in Portland, very nice house in suburbs of Portland (say, Gresham, Vancouver) but only a basic house in a farm. House that should be habitable, but may need repairs, remodeling etc.
Here is a link to get you started: click on the "Interactive Map" under "Search Options"
Portland , OR Homes for Sale

2. While you could buy a farm cheaply in a remote agricultural areas of the state, if you want to practice your trade you want to be near big cities (Portland, Salem,Eugene).

[pdxMIKEpdx]

Concur with skiffrace.
400k will get you a decent small house and a few acres suitable for farming (maybe five) right outside of the Portland area.

A "hobby" farm at best.

You might ask this question in the "Oregon" part of these forums for information away from Portland.
This is the "Portland" forum, and you will tend to get responses that pertain to Portland, not the rest of the state.

Can you be more specific about your "ranch"?
How many acres?
What type of farming/ranching?


To me you sound like a city guy who wants to buy 20 acres and a small home, and live the gentleman's country life.
(We call those types "five acre farmers" around here.)

Please, please, take no offense to the above observation, it's just my perception!

[Steve Pickering]

$150,000 to $190,000 will get you the same thing with more acreage in Polk, Yamhill, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Linn, and Benton Counties

[paul_arc]

Thanks guys, yes im asking in the portland forum because 1. it is the most popular one from what I see and 2. I think I need to be closer to a larger town for the work.

I dont mind being in the snow but long winters wont be ideal for the farming when I decide to start that. Im just trying to avoid getting a place there now then moving to a different part of Oregon later when I decide to start the farm. Still unsure of what I want to grow or what grows best in the area but I would like something close to about 30 or 40 acres minimum. If it is a "dream place" then I wont mind paying a bit more. pretty much right now I am trying to nail down an area that is ideal for my current construction work and my future farm work then start looking for real estate in that area and take a trip up to visit.

I would rather live in the mountains than by the beach. I live 5 minutes from the ocean right now and never go, it just isn't my thing. So what are the areas with the "nicer" weather. Not too gloomy or snow on the ground half the year. Im thinking it probably needs to be somewhere by Eugene or Portland for the work but dont know too much about either of the towns. How is central oregon? Is it just too much snow?

[paul_arc]

Originally Posted by SMUR

Around Wilsonville might work. You will be able to get to customers for your trade in Wilsonville up to Lake Oswego and be able to develop a farm easily, The more south you go (and east/west of I5), the better the chances are for farming.

Thank you, I will take a look at those areas and see what they look like. How about crime in these areas? I usually never lock my house or cars and dont what to have the thought in my head if everything is okay.

[Steve Pickering]

There are larger cities all up and down the Valley. Portland is not the center of the universe. But there is now a game changer. You say you will need a job. You don't say what kind of job, but farming you can do; getting a job is another kettle of fish.