Need help finding the right place in OR - Page 2

[briansmama]

Originally Posted by ryleigh'smama

I don't live in Bend...yet, but my best friend does and she is recruiting us to move there. I have to say that everything we have seen seems great. Lots of parks, museums, big pool complex, schools seem good,there is a Whole Foods, and a Wild Oats, farmers market twice a week in summer, etc. I actually, although coming from CA, am surprised at how much housing prices have dropped in Bend. A year ago, when my friend first got us looking, housing was considerably higher than it is now. We are excited about the housing market now (except the selling our house part) and my friend said that the people she has talked to (she's in marketing for the town) have indicated that they think housing prices will continue to fall for at least another year, if not more. Houses on the low end of the market are moving, and on the high end, but there are somewhere near 1,000 houses on the market in the 200,000-350,000 price range.

This has been our experience too. We're also from CA and visited friends in Bend a few years back, and loved it. Housing was expensive then though, so we figured we wouldn't really be saving any $$ by relocating. Now though, prices are more reasonable.

[ryleigh'smama]

We just went and visited a friend in Bend last weekend, scoping the housing situation. It is much less expensive than it was awhile back. We had a GREAT time. So much for us to do with the kids. Parks, hiking, free concert on Sunday. We had a blast. We will definately be thinking of heading there....if/when we sell our house.

[~Megan~]

I bet you'd like Silverton. Its East of Salem so you are near plenty of things (Willamette University, West OR Univ in Monmouth).
Its a great little town with a nice downtown area (great yarn store! and coffee places) and its just a charming looking place.

[aniT]

Originally Posted by AtHomeMom

Wow! So many great suggestions. I think Forest Grove and McMinnville sound really great...but I am worried about the grey skies! I don't mind the rain...love the green...but worried about missing the sunshine. Sooooo while we are still planning to check out the W. Valley...I am currently researching the Bend area. Anyone live there now?

Thanks Mamas!

You know we moved up here from California too. I grew up in the Stockton Modesto Area and DH in Santa Rosa. We lived up by Clear Lake before we moved.

I don't really notice that much more rain than I did in the Clear Lake area. Yes there are periods of grey skys but you also get the sun. And growing up in the valley, the fog set in about December and didn't lift until late Feb. so I think I see the sun more now.

Coming from Santa Cruz it is rainy and green there. I personally would not be happy in Bend. It is too desert like. I need the greenness of the trees and undergrowth. I am really happy here.. although we are trying to move to a much smaller town than the one we live in. I wouldn't recommend the town I live in cause the schools are horrible. We also are on the very east side so not by the Ocean.

Good luck with your decision. The best thing to do is come up here and scope everything out!

Oh.. I also wanted to touch on the seasons. Coming from California the OP would be used to two seasons. Summer and Winter. Winter in Santa Cruz is probably milder than some of the falls here. I love the fact that the leaves actually change color here instead of falling of the trees then turning brown. I love that there is a crispness in the air as fall rolls in rather than the two weeks of fall there is in Cali. We have seasons. Maybe nothing like NY.. but much better than Cali.

[MadiMamacita]

I just moved to Bend and LOVE IT. I was living in Tacoma, WA and before that in Lima, Peru, so I was all done with the grey skies, which really don't agree with me. Its great here! Friendly people, no traffic, small town feeling but everything you need right in the area. Its perfect!

[mama2004]

I don't have much to add about specific locations, but with regard to meterological tendencies, I moved here (to Portland) from Michigan, and I find that I do really miss having four seasons (and cider and donuts this time of year). That said, winters in Michigan tended to be steel grey, often bitter cold, and days could pass without a change in the light or the general greyness of things. One of the first things I really noticed about Portland is how the sky changes constantly.
To me, it seems rare that a single day goes by without at least a glimpse of sun here and there, however feeble. I'm probably not explaining it well, and I've been here for four years now, so I'm really beginning to miss snow, and large, warm bodies of water and vibrant fall colors--I particularly miss this time of year in Michigan, with the really crisp mornings and warm afternoons, and I miss being so close to the edge of a time zone, it gets dark a little early here (thank you, west hills), but it never really feels socked in here like it did during Midwest winters. Also, there will be people out doing things in all kinds of weather, so it's easy to feel like being out and about, grey skies and rain or not, is a good idea and fun, albeit maybe a bit damp. Rain in Portland is only very rarely like the kind of rain I'm used to; it's more of an enthusiastic mist a lot of the time.
Good luck with your search, I hope that you find what you are looking for.

[Essie]

Originally Posted by AtHomeMom

Thanks to all for the great information. We are currently in Homer, NY about 25 miles from Ithaca. We love a lot of things around here...but there are some very bad family vibes here (my dh's) and I really want to be closer to my home (Santa Cruz,CA...can't afford it!!) and milder weather.

I am currently interested in Bend and Corvallis ...but I know I can only do so much research .... we just need to get there and check it out.

OMG! we live here in pdx, my sis lives in Santa Cruz, and we grew up in Berkeley! WEll, I have to say that with every year that goes by I get MORE sick of the rain and the grey. When summer rolls around you forget about it, but summer is SO short compared to winter. I don't know what your jobs are, but if you can do them anyplace I would chk out Bend as it's much drier. Corvallis is nice too and Ashland from what I hear.

Yes, you do need to chk it out and come when it sucks like dec-feb.
Good luck! I really miss CA too and want to go back!

What do you guys do for work?

[loira74]

Skies

I am from Sacramento and we live in Salem, it's quite an adjustment, maybe southern Oregon would be a better bet for sun...

[niengolina]

Originally Posted by AtHomeMom

Wow! So many great suggestions. I think Forest Grove and McMinnville sound really great...but I am worried about the grey skies! I don't mind the rain...love the green...but worried about missing the sunshine. Sooooo while we are still planning to check out the W. Valley...I am currently researching the Bend area. Anyone live there now?

Thanks Mamas!

I grew up in the area. Yes, you can definitely garden. I love living here (Culver, actually, but very close. Redmond is great, too - not too big, not too small). We don't get very much rain at all; it's been quite sunny this year. It is the high desert, though, so you have to work for your green landscaping. It's absolutely beautiful, though. You should definitely check it out. So many recreational opportunities, too - skiing/snowboarding, trails, lakes, rock climbing, the list goes on and on.

[niengolina]

Originally Posted by AtHomeMom

Wow! Thanks. Forest Grove looks cute. Also will check out Mcmenamins...looks fun. I've never heard of it before. I am hoping we will get to visit Oregon in the Fall or Winter this year.

We have a McMenamins in Bend too. So good. :

[Essie]

Re; Bend...

How are the schools? what is there in the way of jobs?

[Essie]

Oh yeah, what about the Banana Belt; Brookings!

[Juliannathoennes]

I live in Corvallis, and its a wonderful town! Ask me any questions you want. If you don't want grey skys, Bend is a great town too! Lots of snow though in the winter! In Corvallis, the weather is very mild. Yes, it does rain in the winter, but it keeps us nice and green! Speaking of green, this is a very ecofriendly town. Bike lanes on every road, and electric cars everywhere! Recycling is easy, just dump all your recyclables into a big garbage sized bin, and place on the street for collection every week! There are two locations of First Alternative Foods in town. One South of Oregon State University, and one several blocks North of the university. This is a very family friendly town! There is always something fun to do with your kids! The festivals are creative, and fun! Check out Da Vinci Days! The Kinetic Sculpture Race it just a kick in the pants! LOL! http://www.davinci-days.org/ Anyway, GL on your decision! P-mail me if you want more info.