Housing (Salem, Medford, Central Point: low income, apartment complexes, rentals)

[ca.cowgirl64]

Hey all!
A couple of questions here, trying to find some recent threads regarding White City and surrounding neighborhoods. Currently we live in Newport, Or. But a job may have us relocating.
Housing is pretty non existent in Newport we have looked for 5 years and still live in an apartment. That being said, is it the same out White City, Eagle Point, Central point way?
Also what is the good, bad and ugly of these towns. Thank you!

[Jessie Mitchell]

I've been away from southern Oregon for about 2 years now, but at the time I left Central Point was slowly but surely improving it's image and the general feel of it becoming something other than a low income extension of Medford. It was seeming to show some progress in terms of "quality of life." White City I always found just a depressing place, ugly, a town made up of castoffs of every kind (people, buildings, businesses) that lived outside of either the active urban and suburban life of Medford or the beautiful rural life farther out. It's just this sad kind of transition zone. I don't know much about Eagle Point other than that there's a big golf course there and some large new house developments.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

I suggest that you look at the various places that rentals are listed to see if there is anything available to rent.

[Silverfall]

So I know that we are starting to get people moving up to Salem from the Medford area because of constant smoke from fires. I know their market had been strong, but it might be softening a bit due to the smoke so I can see home buying become easier in the next couple of years in the area.

[Terryj]

I live in Medford, the housing market in this area is brutal, the cost of housing has priced a lot of people out of the housing market. Houses that were selling for 200,000 two years ago are now selling for 300,000+ and rentals in the area are expensive, if you can find one. The vacancy rate in the Rogue Valley is about 1% and has been for the last year. There are new apartment complexes being build but the cost of construction has driven the rental cost to 1000+ a month.

As Sliverfall stated, the smoke in the valley can be awful during fire season. In the last 5 years I think we have only had 1 summer without choking smoke. When the smoke moves in it can last for a week or more.

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by Terryj

I live in Medford, the housing market in this area is brutal, the cost of housing has priced a lot of people out of the housing market. Houses that were selling for 200,000 two years ago are now selling for 300,000+ and rentals in the area are expensive, if you can find one. The vacancy rate in the Rogue Valley is about 1% and has been for the last year. There are new apartment complexes being build but the cost of construction has driven the rental cost to 1000+ a month.

As Sliverfall stated, the smoke in the valley can be awful during fire season. In the last 5 years I think we have only had 1 summer without choking smoke. When the smoke moves in it can last for a week or more.

Plus many of the Almeda Fire victims are still living in FEMA trailers.

Almeda Fire victims able to purchase FEMA trailers
Jenna Kingby Jenna King | December 7, 2021 11:22 pm

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. —Many Almeda Fire victims are still calling FEMA trailers home, across Jackson County.

Commissioner Rick Dyer tells us, the residents in the trailers were sent a letter, asking if they would like to purchase their trailer.

Dyer says a majority of the residents decided to take advantage of the offer, but several still haven’t replied. The residents have until March to make up their minds.

“I would like for them to say yes, I would like for them to take advantage of that option, these trailers are here they are excellent housing options for the people who need affordable housing and it would be a shame to have them just go away and not have those options available,” said Commissioner Dyer.

Almeda Fire victims able to purchase FEMA trailers _ KMVU Fox 26 Medford

[ca.cowgirl64]

Thank you so much for all the information! It is all very useful in our search. I have recently discovered the housing issue and understand the fire issue. Luckily it does not happen often and I hope it doesn't continue for anyone.
The Otis fire that happened here a few years back still have folks looking for homes too.
I feel like we should just stay put I reckon.
Thanks again for the insight!

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by ca.cowgirl64

I have recently discovered the housing issue and understand the fire issue. Luckily it does not happen often and I hope it doesn't continue for anyone.

The fires are the new normal.

[slowlanes]

Originally Posted by ca.cowgirl64

T.
Thanks again for the insight!

The summer - fall smoke is just getting worse and worse throughout south Oregon and the east Cascades. Living in Newport, you're breathing the best air in the nation, so ask yourself what that is worth to you.
Suggest staying where you are, be patient, and work to make it as good as possible over the long haul.

[mlulu23]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

The fires are the new normal.

Sadly I agree. I've lived in NE Oregon for 4yrs this month. There have been fires, and smoke for 3 out of those 4 summers. I wish we got summer rains to clear the air, and refresh things, but it isn't that type of climate. Last summer with the horrible heat wave, drought, and fires was the worst it seems. I hope this next summer will be an improvement.