Are there any ways Oregon is better than WA? (Portland: unemployed, school)

[MtnSurfer]

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" 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).

I just have to laugh, at least in part, when reading these cultural differences across state lines. While one cannot stereotype entire state school systems, there may be common trends like this. What I mean is, there are some pretty highly ranked schools districts in and around PDX which are also in the more high end districts. Don't judge! It's just a fact of life. Best High Schools in Oregon

The same is generally true in WA even right across the border here in Vancouver. But I guess one could compare similar demographic areas (similar incomes, home prices, etc...) for a more apples to apples direct comparison. Lots of best schools in WA are near Seattle's more high end districts. The ones in Vancouver are intermixed some with more middle class folks and there are some fine lines when one crosses certain street boundaries. But generally one pays more to live in the better school districts as is the case in most of the west coast states. I will say that we get a lot more school for our money here than in CA. Even the posh areas there can have some pretty crummy schools right next door in an area that is still relatively expensive. Guess why so many want to move?

This also begs the question of how one defines bests schools. The metrics used can be somewhat debatable and philosophical when one looks beyond standardized tests such as the PSAT, SAT or other state tests determining proficiency or grade level. For example, some graduating seniors are said to still be at an 8th grade reading level, 9th grade math level, etc... But against which metric? I would think math level is a bit easier to quantify by its very nature even if 'dumbed down' in some schools. Its kinda hard to dumb down trig or calculus, though one can certainly make it more or less rigorous with more difficult problems, higher volumes of work or both.

There is the notion or educational philosophy that hard mental exercise is good. It's like physical exercise but training for the brain. One shouldn't merely skate through school without ever wrestling with challenging problems, thought provoking ideas or difficult assignments. This is said to build better coping mechanisms and problem solving skills for later in life. We all know life is hard with many such challenges.

But then how about the other side of the coin? Where is the opportunity to explore, create, innovate, have fun, etc... and just be a kid if one is constantly getting their butt kicked with more homework than they have time for preparing for that next test or paper and then ultimately college? With so many types of kids with such differing natural talents and periods in which their brain develops, how does such a system account for those variables in any sort of holistic, tailored approach to education?

In the end, its not easy to objectively quantify *better* beyond the obvious metrics used by USNews, etc...

Derek

[pnwguy2]

Yes there are. As mentioned there is no doubt the Oregon coast is better than the WA coast. But then I am pretty much done. Can’t think of anything else that favors Oregon, perhaps they still have an nba team.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

....... there is no doubt the Oregon coast is better than the WA coast. .....

I agree that the Oregon coast is better, but only because it is accessible. Plus the law that says all beaches are public property, which is a really big plus. Another huge plus is the Oregon state park system on the coast.



However, the Washington coastline is spectacular. It's just a lot more difficult to get to and not as easy to stay at for vacations or general full time living.

[MtnSurfer]

I don't think the coast can be overstated from someone who's traveled it from the Canadian border to the tip of Baja. Oregon coast's rugged, natural beauty combined with easy access, state parks, botanical gardens, sand dunes AND close proximity to Redwood National Park at the border make it second to none. Washington does have a beautiful coastline even if more limited in terms of access and amenities.

Then you have to add in:
Crater Lake
Eagle Cap Wilderness
Smith Rock
Painted Hills
Silverton Falls SP
Waterfalls of the Gorge

All that being said, WA has things Oregon doesn't such as:
The Sound
San Juan Islands
Mt Rainier NP
Olympic NP
Northern Cascades NP
the Enchantments
Palouse

Living on the border here in Vancouver, I see them both as great states of beauty with unique features all their own that I thoroughly enjoy. No reason to not enjoy them both and appreciate their unique beauty rather some kind of silly rival to Stealth's point. Same can be said for California with Big Sur, Yosemite, Tahoe, the High Sierra, Death Valley, Coastal Redwoods, etc... But I digress.

Derek

[karlsch]

Oregon has some great too-hard-to-get-to places such as Hells Canyon and the vast Steens Mountain/Alvord Desert area with its sublime beauty, that not many people visit, and the Owyhee River area, that almost nobody visits.

[jasonroyce]

better weather year round
less populous (for now)
far better state laws for libertarians like me

[highstump]

"2. Better License Plate"

And way more of them to pick from.

[LittleSwissArmyGirl]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

I don't think the coast can be overstated from someone who's traveled it from the Canadian border to the tip of Baja. Oregon coast's rugged, natural beauty combined with easy access, state parks, botanical gardens, sand dunes AND close proximity to Redwood National Park at the border make it second to none. Washington does have a beautiful coastline even if more limited in terms of access and amenities.

Then you have to add in:
Crater Lake
Eagle Cap Wilderness
Smith Rock
Painted Hills
Silverton Falls SP
Waterfalls of the Gorge

All that being said, WA has things Oregon doesn't such as:
The Sound
San Juan Islands
Mt Rainier NP
Olympic NP
Northern Cascades NP
the Enchantments
Palouse

Living on the border here in Vancouver, I see them both as great states of beauty with unique features all their own that I thoroughly enjoy. No reason to not enjoy them both and appreciate their unique beauty rather some kind of silly rival to Stealth's point. Same can be said for California with Big Sur, Yosemite, Tahoe, the High Sierra, Death Valley, Coastal Redwoods, etc... But I digress.

Derek

Ok I'm wondering why you listed Palouse. Do tell.

[CARas2020]

I did not read all 6 pages and i apologize but it's late and I am having a bit of difficulty reading the monitor. (need my eyes checked) but anyways one thing Portland has that Seattle doesn't is Powell's Bookstore. No B & N of any size can compare to Powells.

Seattle has much better pro sports.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by LittleSwissArmyGirl

Ok I'm wondering why you listed Palouse. Do tell.

For its beauty especially during summer when the rolling hills are covered in green. Take a look at some of these images as examples. People actually visit from all over the world to photograph it during this season:
https://www.pandotrip.com/picturesqu...gion-usa-9479/


Then you have Palouse Falls State Park which is a beautiful location as well:
https://www.outdoorphotographer.com/...the-milky-way/

Derek