Moving from Southern California to Oregon (Portland, Grants Pass: rent, quality of life, taxes)

[snb3]

Hey Des,
just returned on my first trip to OR.
No matter how much Oregonians complain about :traffic,weather,driving skills, rude people, illegal immigrants, real estate market, etc; everything pales in comparison to Cali. You Oregonians don't know how well you have it. I went from Eugene to Ashland and Cali has nothing on OR in respect to weather,traffic & friendliness. My wife and I are now actively working towards relocating to OR. OR might not be heaven but its equal to California minus say, 75% of its problems.

[Waterlily]

Wow! I must have missed somebody's message complaining about the weather here in Oregon. Thanks for defending Oregon Des Demona and snb3.

Well I'm living on the coast in Oregon and I just want to say it's a beautiful day today. Oh it's probably not as warm as California but it's pretty nice. Yep it's in the 50's and the sun is out. Sure we get rain in the winter but that's why everything is so green.

[tiffela74]

Jeez Des, now ya got me worried about you!! Hurry up and move on up here!!
I cant even imagine living like that......
And I'll second Waterlily, Thanks Des and Snb3 for the good words and Oregon defence. hopefully you'll both be here before long.
Tiff

[mr. grieves]

I wanted to say thanks to those who responded to my initial inquiry. Your input is much appreciated. My wife and I have continually researched potential Oregon areas of residence, and we seem to be leaning toward Eugene or Cottage Grove to the north, and Medford or Grants Pass to the south. For me, the main criteria is artistic culture: good book stores, movie theaters, and places to see non-mainstream bands. For my wife, it's more about a non-gloomy climate. [Portland, as great as it sounds, doesn't seem to be an option.] It appears that Eugene, given the college alone, will offer more in terms of said culture, whereas Medford seems to have the nicer weather my wife prefers. Is there an Oregon city or town that has a balance between the two? A few have mentioned Ashland, but it seems pricey and riddled with Shakespearean sonnets. It would be great to hear the opinions of any respective Eugene or Cottage Grove and Medford or Grants Pass locals.

On a more serious note, whether moving across the country or across town, relocating can always be a stressful experience. I find it unfortunate that a few people on this forum choose [and it does come down to choice] to instantly assume the worst about others moving into "their" area. It's sad that there are those who continue to refer to other human beings as "foreigners." That's an incredibly narrow-minded view point, especially in the 21st century. The way I see it, we're all foreigners, whether in Oregon, California, or America, even. Just shake the branches of your family tree. The only true "Americans" are the natives now living on the literal fringes. I've been heartened to hear many still referring to themselves, like their ancestors before them, as "citizens of the earth." But that's a whole other topic. Again, thanks to those who've kept an open mind with regards to "outsiders" relocating to their chosen neck of the universal woods.

[earthtorachel]

Amen Des! We just had a baby and decided we didn't want to raise our kids in LA so we moved to Portland. We are both artists so this place is incredible! I was floored at how much more supportive it is to its art community here than LA is when LA is an arts mecca. It is funny how there seems to be such a negative force on forums.There are two kinds of people: the glass is half full and the glass is half empty. You choose to believe what you want to believe by identifying with the nature in which you tend to lean towards. In the end, you have to make your own decision and the best way to do that is to go drive around the different cities and one will speak to you! That was Portland for us. I need to be near a big city and Portland is just big enough to give me that feeling and still providing all the things I want my kids to be able to grow up with that we could never provide to them in LA. Little thing like riding their bikes with neighborhood friends without supervision. Unheard of in LA. You practically have to put your kids on a leash to keep them safe and the threat of stray bullets from gang related gunfire is everywhere down there. We could not find a decent 3 bdrm house with a yard in a good school district for under 800K and even if we could afford that, the homes were small and left much to be desired. Here, our kids will experience seasons, not just hot and cold. The leaves on the trees turn gorgeous shades of red, orange and yellow, some like nothing I have ever seen in person, snow, and nature. There is an amazing park in every single neighborhood, people wave and smile at you when you walk down the street, people are interested in you and not just what you do, people are conscious of the environment and not hypocritical about it, there is COMMUNITY here, something I have so longed for but never found in LA. NO SALES TAX. People are not absorbed with trends and ego, I haven't seen one Corvette or tricked out Denali with spinning rims since we got here. Very few SUVs actually which is nice because no one knows how to drive those things and I had begun to develop a fear of them on the road after being nearly run over by one last year. People smile here. You drive around and people are smiling and hapopy. In LA, people are posing or stuck in the future planning. People seem more in the now here which is something I love to see. Things we no longer deal with: traffic (and I mean REAL traffic, in LA, we never went anywhere because it was such an ordeal to have to deal with the traffic that it wasn't worth going at all if by the time you get to your destination, you are in a bad mood and drained from dealing with LA drivers in bumper to bumper traffic. What should take 15 minutes taking 2 hours) ; gangs (there are NO gangbangers here, I haven't even seen a wigger!); rude non english speaking people working in establishments where I am paying my money for their service; rude immigrants (we lived in an area that was predominantly armenian and in LA, cultures band together and generally all hate Americans and aren't shy to express it. These people are nasty and rude and I cannot be happier to no longer have to deal with their nasty attitude every day); inflated prices and yes inflated egos. I am a photographer by trade and am currently on maternity leave but have already generated prospective clientele from the few outings we have had to baby stores and restaurants. In LA, you aren't anything if you haven't shot a celebrity. It is so exciting as an artist to be in an area where people appreciate art and the value of good work. For those who resent people from all over moving to their area, I have one thing to say, deal with it. The population in America is growing so fast that the people have to go somewhere. With our weak immigration laws, we as a nation, have to expand out of the already over populated states. You should be glad that it is english speaking americans moving to your area and not American hating immigrants coming to make use of the opportunities in this country and outwardly hate those native to it. You should be glad that people wanting a fresh start with noble and positive motives are migrating to your area, wanting to embrace the beauty and safety of your home. Driving up home prices is a bad thing? No my friends. Seeing the economy of a city grow is a good thing! It always means more jobs and more opportunities. Is it a bad thing that people are more interested in improving the neighborhoods and renovating their old homes? You can't fight change and with change comes growth. It is inevitable. As an Oregonian now, I hope it is more people like us who continue to migrate here. People who come here for the community, for the beauty, for the safety and want to protect that. Oregon is attracting good people. You should be glad.

[freedom]

EarthtoRachel,

We are glad to be here, its nice to see someone else is too. Best wishes on the photog. business/art. Invite your like minded friends.

freedom

[ExNYC]

There was a report yesterday on CNN which cited information from moving companies. The number one destination for movers last year was North Carolina and the number two destination was Oregon. Now that we're here and getting used to not being part of a major urban area, I can say we like it just fine. I miss SoCal but not enough to trade this place to go back. I also miss NY but wouldn't consider going back there.

We've had almost a week of bright sunshine in Ashland with temps in the upper 40's/low 50's. Great walking weather during the day and cold enough at night to crank up the fireplace and have a nice glass of wine.

[tiffela74]

EarthtoRachel,
What a wonderful post!! Thank you!
Im so glad youre loving your new home here in Oregon!! Its a great place to be and raise a family. Mostly. You'll have to check out the baby show at the convention center when it comes around again. They have hundreds and hundreds of booths with everything for the little ones. From organic foods, to handmade clothes, inventive toys, to incredible furniture. You might look into getting a booth of your own set up there too, its great exposure, not to mention you should check it out too so you can meet others in your line of work and see whats popular and what you might be able to market on. new friends too of course!
Congrads on the new baby, theres not much better in life than that!!
I have to admit.....Im a native Oregonian, as is my husband, and....well.....gulp....he owns a corvette w/spinny wheels....it was his mid-life crisis/quitting smoking incentive...sorry! lol
Its been quite lovely weather on the coast too! Gotta love a clear blue day in such a beautiful state!
Tiffany

[freedom]

Tiffela,

Now thats funny, corvette with spinny wheels, I am jealous. Your husband rocks I want a ZR6 but haven't had my crisis yet, and I quite smoking 20 yrs ago. Can you think of anything that I can use to justify the purchase? I think I could even right it off on my taxes if I work it right.
Again, God bless your husband, he is a lucky man............

freedom (to drive fast and like it)

[martoni]

I will be relocating to Sweet Home From mich, and absolutly can't wait to see all it's beauty! Michigan is a great state I am orignally from Curtis ( in the U.P.) . but have lived most of my life in Battle Creek. I work outside and as I get older, the more I have no tolerance for the bitter temps, and snow, and blow! I spoke with a very friendly young lady at Sweet Homes chamber of commerse and told her that I would be moving and wanted to introduce myself and asked if it would be ok if I came in person when I arrive. She said that she looked forward to meeting me and assisting with anything I may need! Wow! I told her that I wanted people to know who I am and that I want to become a positive member of there community! She also gave me an invaluable tip, as I had used the word Oregon a couple of times, and finally very politly she said "It's en, not on, Just like Michigan is en, not an! She said she just wanted to save me from the inevitable " You must be from Michigaaan" remark! I appreciate so much the beauty and diversity of our country and feel privlidged to be able to travel freely and live where I choose. There are so many people on this earth that would give anything for that right! Take Care and remember This land was made for you and me!