Husband laid off yesterday....will have to move/Portland? (Eugene: how much, job market)

[KatWrangler]

Hubby got the ax yesterday at a terrible time. We have a child with special needs and she is having surgery the 20th of this month. I on the other hand am 25 weeks pregnant.

So we are looking at Portland/Eugene/Salem, Seattle, Salt Lake City (probably way too conservative forus) or Denver (lived there 6 years).

How is Portland for raising a family? We are Agnostic and NOT conservative and we are semi crunchy. We like the idea of Portland or Eugene? or Salem? because Portland has a Children's hospital. Very important to us since were we live now has terrible medical coverage for her.

Any advice? Hubby is a Landscape Architect.

[nancy thereader]

I wish I could offer advice, but I do not know too much about the medical facilities in Portland. There is a wonderful hospital OHSU that I have read about even where I live . I will keep you and your daughter in my prayers. Best of luck to you.

[roneb]

Doernbecher (sp?) Children's Hospital is great. We've had a child with special needs helped there. But if you are looking for work I really can't recommend Portland. The job market isn't that good.

[bobmulk]

Portland and especially Eugene are the "crunchiest". Eugene is Granola City. However, due to your special needs child, you're better off in Portland. I would say Portland is famiily friendly although the school district has been bleeding students for a number of years (it slowed in '07). I believe this is primarily due to people moving to the suburbs to give their kids more room. Best of luck.

[Mt-7]

Originally Posted by KatWrangler

Hubby got the ax yesterday at a terrible time. We have a child with special needs and she is having surgery the 20th of this month. I on the other hand am 25 weeks pregnant.

So we are looking at Portland/Eugene/Salem, Seattle, Salt Lake City (probably way too conservative forus) or Denver (lived there 6 years).

How is Portland for raising a family? We are Agnostic and NOT conservative and we are semi crunchy. We like the idea of Portland or Eugene? or Salem? because Portland has a Children's hospital. Very important to us since were we live now has terrible medical coverage for her.

Any advice? Hubby is a Landscape Architect.

why are you moving? To be closer to family or job opportunities? can you share more info if you are comfortable? western oregon has many grass seed and turf farms as well as the regular developers that use LA. hope to hear from you.

[tiffela74]

I'll agree, that Dornbechers is excellent!!! We have been more than thrilled with their awesome quality of care for children.
The job market can be difficult....depending on what all youre qualified/willing to do. Some jobs are easier to get into and pay well...has your husband called about and talked to anyone in his field to get an idea of market/pay/etc?
Very best of luck to you!
Tiffany

[FoxyKnox]

Portland offers Doernbecher Childrens, and Legacy Emanuel Childrens Hospitals. Also, through Providence Portland Medical Center is The Child Center. If your child's special needs are the neuro-developmental sort, The Child Center has outpatient and in-patient programs. In fact, about 55 children call the Child Center home. They also offer respite care, which is really cool, say when you give birth here in a couple of months.

Larger cities will give you great medical care. The smaller cities, such as Eugene, will provide good/adequate medical care. The choice really depends on how much specialized care your child needs and where you want to live and can find work.

Good Luck!

[EnricoV]

Didn't not too long ago, some poll (and you know how those things go) place Portland at the top of the list for the best place to give birth?

Seems like I remember that one. So we can't be too bad.