Anyone live up in Oregon? (off topic)

[Kiwibird]

So my hubby and I both grew up here in rural AZ, and as much as we've tried to find reasons to stay here, it ultimately just isn't the right area for us. We've heard OR is pretty cool, and are thinking of planning a trip up there to look around and see if it may be somewhere we'd be interested in moving. We still like the idea of a more rural area, just with a little less of the "cowboy" attitude. Eventually, we want to buy a little land and do a little more of the self sustainability. We don't know anyone who lives up there, so I figured it would hurt to ask around to see what people who do/have have to say about it. Any suggestions on places to visit or those nasty little secrets everywhere has, but no one but locals knows about would be greatly appreciated! Just trying to gauge if it's a good area for us

 

[Agapornis]

We live in California, but we've visited Oregon before. I always thought the town of Bend was super cool. A lot of people from California retire in Oregon or Washington. Whenever i want to research another city, i always go to this website: Stats about all US cities - real estate, relocation info, crime, house prices, cost of living, races, home value estimator, recent sales, income, photos, schools, maps, weather, neighborhoods, and more it will tell you everything you need to know about any town in any state!

Good luck with your search!

 

[Agapornis]

here, try this link instead: www.city-data.com

 

[Blue]

I just moved to Oregon in June from northern NY, we're just outside of Portland... I love it here, I mean I miss the snow (they dont have winter here) but it's beautiful here. We're an hour from the coast and an hour from the mountains.

 

[Kiwibird]

Thanks for the replies and especially the links! I never knew there were websites out there that had that kind of data, and I'm definitely going to check them out. Ive heard a lot of good things about Portland, but its probably a bit too big of a city for us. I will check out Bend, that sounds like a smaller town and possibly the kind of place were looking for. After living in the same tiny town our entire lives, we really don't know where to start when it comes to picking somewhere we'd actually like living in. Our families aren't supportive of us leaving the area, so we really don't have anywhere to turn for good advice and are kind of flying blind with the whole thing.

Also, it's big plus to know OR doesn't have bad winters. We live in the mountains of AZ and we get almost as much snow as my extended family in upstate NY (just not as cold). I don't mind humidity or rain but waking up to near zero temps and 2' of snow isn't my idea of a good time lol.

 

[Blue]

I'm from a small town (pop 320) grew up on a dairy farm, very much a country girl and I love Portland. granted I live in the last suburb and there is a lot of farm land around here but I can hop on the light rail and be downtown Portland in no time.

Never been to Bend, so no help there

 

[Kiwibird]

So how's the job market up in Portland? Nothing specialized, just regular restaurant/retail type work? A lot of places hiring or people all over out of work? I do like the sounds of a light rail! While we have a car, we walk almost everywhere to save on gas. Public transport would actually be a really nice option, we just have the senior and casino buses around here lol. It's not my ideal situation to be living in a rural area with nosy neighbors and nothing to do, but I can tolerate that a lot better than the grunge of big cities. While I haven't ever lived anywhere else, I've traveled all over the US and Canada and every big city seems to be the same- gross smelly pollution, an overall layer of grime on everything, every patch of grass and plant looks unhealthy, feral dogs/cats are the only wildlife around, constant sirens....just not my thing. I'm really just trying to avoid that kind of grossness, and I've honestly never been to a big city that didn't have it. Maybe somewhere like Portland has a different vibe, and that's why were trying to look into places.

 

[Blue]

I see hiring signs around quite often, and Portland is a very foodie town, restaurants every where. I haven't really looked into jobs, I'm a stay at home mom and my husband has been at his current job 10 yrs.

Portland has really good public transport, light rail, street car and buses to get all over the city and suburbs. along the highways in the city there are roses planted, so pretty, I've seen city workers cleaning up cigarette butts, wiping down a garbage can and watering the potted plants on the sidewalks. I'm sure parts of it aren't as nice but the public areas are kept pretty nice.

 

[Turquoise]

I don't live in Oregon, but I have a 'pen pal' (yes, I am that old~back in the days before internet & emails) who lives in Boring, OR. I have known her since 1977 and I have been to her home 3 times.

Boring is not too far from Portland and is very pretty out there. She took us to Mt. Hood and to some of the gorgeous waterfalls they have. And to the Dahlia flower farm out that way. In my opinion Oregon & Washington state are gorgeous, at least the western part is. I love how Portland & Seattle use the natural woods for their walkways to make their city look beautiful & blend with the surrounding forests. The eastern part is not as pretty to me, but then I love waterfalls & mountains. I have been through both states many times & Arizona as well. If it were me, I'd take Oregon over AZ any day!