Are there any ways Oregon is better than WA? (Portland: best schools, incomes)

[haggardhouseelf]

Originally Posted by 509

Much better red wines..... it is a push on white wines.

...butting in here to see if you have tried King Estate 2018 Pinot Gris?

[oregonwoodsmoke]

If you are trying to decide which state to move to, the Washington school system has a really good reputation. Oregon schools do not.

[TheTimidBlueBars]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

I like the way the urban growth boundary protects agriculture and limits urban sprawl.

This. It's really visible when you look at the Portland metro on Google Maps: the Washington part of the metro has like 3/4 the area of the Oregon portion, but only 1/4 the population. The Seattle metro has a lot of that borderline-rural sprawl too, despite our reputation for being forward-thinking on density.

[LogaKoga]

Originally Posted by cornsnicker3

I hope it all works out really. It makes sense for a larger, denser city to better use and build its light rail, especially a city flush with tech. cash. I hear I-5 daily commute is practically impossible right now.

If by 'now' you mean pre-Covid, then yes, the Seattle commute was atrocious. Now I would say it's annoying.

[oregon911]

Considering how many cars with WA plates I see on Oregon roads on weekends, our parks and beaches must be miles and miles ahead of theirs.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Deschutes Brewery's Black Butte Porter. And you don't have Inslee. Though Brown might be a tie.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by oregon911

Considering how many cars with WA plates I see on Oregon roads on weekends, our parks and beaches must be miles and miles ahead of theirs.

not to fear... Oregon is up to Same ole tricks... (This did not work out so well in the 1970's... reciprocal charges and a LOT of animosity.
Oregon State Parks adds 30% charge to non-state campers
https://idahonews.com/news/local/ore...-state-campers

Same era as McCall... "Come visit, spend your money, DON'T STAY!!!"
Former Governor Tom McCall's Message to Visitors | Northwest News | chronline.com

https://www.ohs.org/education/tom-mc...gon/quotes.cfm

[TheManFromGlad]

Originally Posted by cornsnicker3

Seattle has really no excuse other than themselves for not having a robust light rail by now.

... other than the fact that Seattle has much more tolerable extreme weather both in summer and winter, relative to Portland. (The real mountains to the west, and no Columbia Gorge bringing true winter through Seattle's back door make it so).

Waiting outside in the mist for the bus isn't such a grand inconvenience.

[haggardhouseelf]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

If you are trying to decide which state to move to, the Washington school system has a really good reputation. Oregon schools do not.

Second this. But I will also add this: One thing going for Oregon that we did not experience in Washington was that the schools in Oregon that our kids went to seemed to be more well-rounded, with a real desire for kids to have "down time" to be kids and spend time with family and pursue interests outside of school. So if that is important to a family, they might prefer Oregon schools. The Washington schools we experienced... they were academically rigorous and at times even intense, leaving little time for outside interests. If our kids weren't in school, they were home doing homework, reading through the mandatory book lists (which our Oregon schools never had), or working on school projects, and it often times felt as if our entire lives revolved around the school. Which some families seemed to appreciate, such as the families that came from overseas who are used to that sort of educational model. I would say one of the differences that we experienced was... Oregon was sort of "Meh - the kids will learn if they choose to..." while the Washington schools we experienced were more "These are the expectations and you will not succeed (reads: you will fail) if you do not work to achieve them." The attitudes and cultures or mindsets were just very different. I have to say my kids were much happier with Oregon schools, but that is probably because the Washington schools kicked their butts (in a good way).

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by haggardhouseelf

Second this. But I will also add this: One thing going for Oregon that we did not experience in Washington was that the schools in Oregon that our kids went to seemed to be more well-rounded, with a real desire for kids to have "down time" ...one of the differences that we experienced was... Oregon was sort of "Meh - the kids will learn if they choose to..." while the Washington schools we experienced were more "These are the expectations and you will not succeed (reads: you will fail) if you do not work to achieve them." The attitudes and cultures or mindsets were just very different. I have to say my kids were much happier with Oregon schools, but that is probably because the Washington schools kicked their butts (in a good way).

Schools are definitely different, but also very much depends on the specific location. Many rural WA schools are lax, many Oregon schools (especially in tech or college towns) can be rigorous.

Free FT college instead of burning daylight hanging out at a public High School (WA), is a plus for over 10,000 students / yr since 1993. This was not rigorous for our kids, it allowed them flexibility, such as being ski instructors and a wide variety of interesting jobs and opportunities during normal HS hours.

They got their AA and went to U as full Jr status (pre-age 18).

Saved them a bundle of college expenses too.

+ 2 yrs earlier into workforce / retirement savings.

The kids still use Oregon Coast for week retreats, tho not Oregon based living or employment. They also use Canada and Alaska for coastal extravaganzas.