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Old 09-25-2015, 09:24 AM
 
11 posts, read 20,810 times
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Monicamck have you done any research? I think Eugene/Springfield is where we might end up. You get way more home for your money.
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Old 09-25-2015, 09:27 AM
 
4,059 posts, read 5,620,293 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yankeemama View Post
Portland metro is a great area to start a family
...if you have lots of money.

On a working/middle-class salary, Portland kinda sucks for raising a family, frankly.
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Old 09-25-2015, 09:35 AM
 
11 posts, read 10,074 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Smile2015 View Post
Monicamck have you done any research? I think Eugene/Springfield is where we might end up. You get way more home for your money.

Yes, we've been doing lots of research. It's hard because the economy is so good out here. Houses are affordable. But property tax is so expensive out here, so that does negate some of the savings. But you still get a much older, smaller house out there. We are planning a scouting trip to look around. We have friends that just came back and are IN LOVE with the area. I just don't want to live in an area that is so hot for half the year.
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Old 09-25-2015, 09:44 AM
 
Location: Lakewood OH
21,695 posts, read 28,449,641 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Smile2015 View Post
We want to pay $1,500.00 a month. We choose Oregon because we no longer want to live in the south, we can't afford the east coast, and we wont live in the midwest. We have heard such great things from family and friends about Oregon. We want to live somewhere with cooler weather. I get really sick with this hot weather and bright sun because I get horrible migraines. Also, the city we currently live in has over a million people in population and were over the hustle and bustle of the big city life. I'm noticing you can get more house for your money in Eugene but I'm concerned about the employment opportunities. I'm in the legal field and work as a legal assistant.
I am sorry to say but Portland doesn't look good for you. First, $1,500 a month will get you a nice one bedroom apartment in the type of neighborhood you want but that's about it. Just about the only apartments that allow dogs are the brand new apartments being built there where studios run from $1,300 on up. As mentioned, your budget will not get you into your desired type of neighborhood.

Second, legal assistant jobs are scarce as hen's teeth. Your competition will be the many graduates from local schools who get preference due to the schools' connections with the law firms and recent law school graduates who often take paralegal jobs while waiting be be hired as attorneys. This was my experience in Portland.

Now, you could do this if you were willing to move either to the suburban areas but be warned that they too are on the increase regarding rents and house prices. The job situation of course will still be the same but if you are flexible and can parlay your experience into something else, like working for a company in which you can use your paralegal skills, you might be able to find work. I did that and wound up working for an insurance company in which my paralegal degree wasn't needed but impressed them.

Of course, if you wanted another Oregon city like Eugene or someplace where the COL was much less you could still be in Oregon and you might be able to afford your house.
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Old 09-25-2015, 10:11 AM
 
11 posts, read 20,810 times
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Minervah thank you for your advice! Monicamck let me know how the trip goes! We have a lot of options right now. If my husband gets into the military were probably going to the east coast. If he doesn't then were planning to make the move to Oregon in January depending on how fast I can find a job but we are definitely moving. I'll keep in touch!
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Old 09-25-2015, 01:34 PM
 
311 posts, read 348,437 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tulippsy View Post
Oregon is no cheaper than the east coast; in fact it's cost of living is right on par with the more expensive metro areas there. You can live in Pennsylvania for a fraction of what it costs to live here. By the way, the one bedroom condos where I live on the outskirts of Portland are going for 200k. Do your research before you move. Good luck!
Exactly this! We have lived in Portland for ten years and we are seriously looking into moving back east to be near family and, as a huge bonus, gain affordable home prices and higher performing schools. Portland will seem affordable to people from NY, Boston, LA, and the bay area...often because they have cashed out on their real estate and have large downpayments. We want a 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath home with a garage and a little yard for no more than $325000 with really strong schools. Doesn't exist here anymore.
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Old 09-25-2015, 03:33 PM
 
Location: Lakewood OH
21,695 posts, read 28,449,641 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Smile2015 View Post
Minervah thank you for your advice! Monicamck let me know how the trip goes! We have a lot of options right now. If my husband gets into the military were probably going to the east coast. If he doesn't then were planning to make the move to Oregon in January depending on how fast I can find a job but we are definitely moving. I'll keep in touch!
You are very welcome. My advice is based on my own experience in Portland. Others may not have the same. But this is how my neighborhood which was once very affordable evolved and many others that are convenient and desirable have followed suit. The job situation likewise.

After almost forty years in Portland, I finally had to return to the Midwest where I was from originally because I was priced out.

Portland has a lot to offer for those who can afford it but for those who can't it can be a struggle. They just have to decide if it's worth it.
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Old 09-25-2015, 05:00 PM
 
Location: Mountains of Oregon
17,635 posts, read 22,639,503 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Smile2015 View Post
Minervah thank you for your advice! Monicamck let me know how the trip goes! We have a lot of options right now. If my husband gets into the military were probably going to the east coast. If he doesn't then were planning to make the move to Oregon in January depending on how fast I can find a job but we are definitely moving. I'll keep in touch!
Over a year ago, my nephew & his wife joined the Army. Now wages in the military are much better then they used to be. Plus you have some good benefits serving in the military, working toward retirement, at a young age. Some folks retire from the army with pay, then go on to begin another career.

They are both stationed in Georgia.

The happy couple recently had a beautiful baby boy.....

The military is a good option to check into.
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Old 09-25-2015, 06:22 PM
 
3,928 posts, read 4,908,385 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bler144 View Post
...if you have lots of money.

On a working/middle-class salary, Portland kinda sucks for raising a family, frankly.
Actually, I think this area is better for lower- middle class families than other cities because of the general LOWER crime rate and if a school district is carefully chosen, kids from lower income homes receive the same education as upper middle class homes. There are also many free programs, activities and parks/ outdoor events available to lower income families. There is also a more down to earth attitude here which helps families that cannot afford trendy, expensive clothes and shoes for school. Not having money can be difficult no matter where you live.
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Old 09-25-2015, 08:31 PM
 
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,712 posts, read 58,054,000 times
Reputation: 46182
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smile2015 View Post
We want to pay $1,500.00 a month. We choose Oregon because ... We have heard such great things from family and friends about Oregon.

We want to live somewhere with cooler weather. I get really sick with this hot weather and bright sun because I get horrible migraines. ....
Do be advised that OREGON may NOT be the ONLY or the BEST choice for your criteria. 5 min north of the OR border is another state that has IDENTICAL weather and 'can have' much lower costs (and NO INCOME TAX). AK is better yet for your weather desires and NO INCOME TAX and NO SALES TAX.

There are (many) additional options, look around!

The state to the north of OR has LOTS of military options!!
64,000 Active Duty military population vs 1,462 in OR
29,000 Civilian Military vs 2,800 on Oregon.


You don't have to worry about much sun in OR, WA, or AK. (east side can have some additional sun in summer, but you can always head to Southern hemisphere for the summer with your military travel benefits.)

BE CAREFUL of what you 'hear', each state / location has a lot of NEGATIVE potential.

Do some serious research, make an 'informed' decision. (BTDT many times... 11 moves in USA, 5 moves international. Not a lot, but adequate. Each were VERY different, none were 'perfect', all had surprises +/-)
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