considering move to oregon?

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jul 31, 2006

I currently am an LPN working on my RN living in Cleveland, Ohio. I am really trying to get out of this town and move to a more liberal, laid-back city that is more geared towards nature. Not to mention the weather here is awful (in my opinion). From the little bit of research that I've done, I've come across a real mix of opinions as far as the weather in Portland. I love sunshine as much as the next person, and I'm even considering Arizona or maybe Colorado. Could someone give me a little rundown as far as the city itself and the climate. If it is as gloomy as some people make it out to be, what are the benefits of living there?

You want liberal and laid back, you want Eugene or Corvallis. Both cities are bicycle-friendly (to a fault, IMO), environmentally aware, and chock-full of progressive ideas. I work in Corvallis myself; it's a beautiful little town that's home to Oregon State University. As in Eugene, there is a lot of diversity here, as well as left-leaning thought; both cities are fairly expensive to live in, but wages are decent.

Now the bad news: For eight months out of the year, the weather is drippy, soggy, gray, and chilly. However, it's hardly ever really cold---average high in January is ~45 degrees, with the occasional cold snap in late December, January or February. In July the average is around 82. Our summers are sheer perfection most years (although this one is especially hot) and our autumns are gorgeous. We get a little snow once in a while, as well as a rare ice storm just for interest.

Hope this information is helpful.:)

lannisz · Jul 31, 2006

You will probably have less rain, and a lot more sunshine if you move to the Medford area... only a few miles from Ashland, a town too expensive to live in, but close enough to get your "liberal, laid back" hippies fix! Lots of art/culture in both Ashland and nearby Jacksonville. Weather wise, summers are hot, fall is perfect and winter/spring are pretty mild, can be rainy but not as much as Portland area.

weetziebat · Sep 4, 2006

I live in Eugene and will say that the weather in Portland tends to be much hotter in the summers and much colder in the winters. I'm not talking Minnesota cold, just relative to other cities like Eugene.

And, yes, from November to early July it is either cloudy, drizzling, threatening to rain and windy or actually raining. Usually not an all day rain - it comes and goes, but sometimes it can rain non-stop for days. I find no one gets to the point of liking the rain, but you do get used to it - and the fact that you have to just get out there and go about your business, cause if you wait for it to clear up, ain't gonna happen.

I have a friend with SAD, who found herself so depressed during the winters she had to move to New Mexico. and a lot of folks I know do tend to turn to cooking and eating during the rainy cycle.

Personally, I think it would be 100% better than Cleveland, but if you really want sunshine I think Arizona, New Mexico, Las Vegas, California etc. would be more to your liking. Eugene is definately laid-back, mellow and surrounded by nature. Hiking is big, along with bicycle riding and camping. So is Portland, which is the largest city in the state, with lots to see and do. Plenty of quirky little neighborhoods and museums. Price for housing (either to rent or buy is pretty astronomical compard to elsewhere in the state), but salaries tend to be good. Lots of good hospitals in Portland and there are plenty of cultural events going on.

Its a good state to live in, IMHO, but the rain can get to ya after awhile. Would it be possible to take a winter vacation here to get an idea if it is something you could, or would, want to put up with?

In any case, best of luck!

MuddaMia · Sep 4, 2006

I lived in Oregon before moving to Florida and miss it very much! I lived in Ashland, Corvallis, and Portland. Ashland is fabulous! I LOVED it there! It is so beautiful and the ppl are great. I hated Corvallis and really liked Portland. although Ashland can be costly..it is well worth it. There are places to live outside the town of Ashland and traffic really isnt an issue like it is in major cities

debinius · Sep 5, 2006

Thanks for everyones input regarding my questions about Oregon. I think I've made the decision to move and give it a try. Of course now I just need the money to do it. Any recommendations on areas of Portland to live, or to avoid?

smilin_gp · Sep 7, 2006

Downtown Portland rents/housing = expensive. West and East suburbs are cheaper, though traffic can stink for day shift. There are some avoidable neighborhoods, especially in NE Portland.

pacifica · Sep 7, 2006

Northeast Portland is great! I lived there for years and loved it. Particularly anywhere close-in to downtown, around NE Alberta or NE Fremont. N Mississippi is good too. Just Google these neighborhoods or look on Portland City Search--you'll find lots of info on the good, inexpensive restaurants and cute shops all over NE Portland. These areas in NE are the most culturally diverse and interesting neighborhoods in Portland, imho. But you'll find mainly houses over there, not a ton of rentals.

Northwest Portland/Uptown has lots of apartments for rent, it's not cheap but not as expensive as the Pearl. But you will save lots of money in gas if you live in NW Portland because you can take the bus, streetcar, lightrail or walk to get almost anywhere.

Good luck!

Kris

:redbeathe

I'd avoid the suburbs unless you want to spend all your free time sitting in gridlock, driving from strip mall to strip mall. Most of the hospitals are very close to downtown anyway: Good Samaritan, Legacy Emanuel, St. Vincent's.

tess_cat · Sep 8, 2006

I too am considering a Portland move (from $$$ Bay area)- all this info is great. I'm new to nursing and trying to get my prerequisites done at local colleges. Does anyone know about the community colleges / schools in the area that are good ones for the pre-recs?

pacifica · Sep 8, 2006

I too am considering a Portland move (from $$$ Bay area)- all this info is great. I'm new to nursing and trying to get my prerequisites done at local colleges. Does anyone know about the community colleges / schools in the area that are good ones for the pre-recs?

Hi Tess,

I did most of my pre-reqs at Portland Community College and loved it. They also have an RN program but they use a bizarre lottery system for admissions so I'm not applying there. I'm starting the RN program at Clark College in Vancouver WA in January 2007.:balloons:

There's also a great program called ONCE (http://www.ocne.org) at several of the Oregon community colleges, including Mt Hood CC and Clackamas CC which are near Portland. These programs are linked with Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) so you complete your pre-reqs and do your lower level nursing classes at the community college, then finish your BSN at OHSU (a great school). If I was just starting pre-reqs I'd definitely look at that program because I plan on doing my BSN at OHSU after I finish my RN.

Good luck!

Kris

:redbeathe

-Midget- · Sep 21, 2006

I am also doing my pre-reqs at PCC, and enjoying it a lot. I start Tuesday. :)

circanw · Oct 1, 2006

I too am considering a Portland move (from $$$ Bay area)- all this info is great. I'm new to nursing and trying to get my prerequisites done at local colleges. Does anyone know about the community colleges / schools in the area that are good ones for the pre-recs?

Hi! I'm a displaced Oregonian writing this from Philly, PA where I'm attending nursing school. Something to keep in mind when considering nursing school in Oregon is that there just aren't enough programs to go around which has created a rediculously competetive environment for aaplicants. I heard recently that about 10% if the applicants get accepted a anually, and I believe it. The most important thing to do with your pre-reqs. is make the grades, make the grades, make the grades, especially in the sciences, A&P in particular. I really struggled w/A&P and did not earn the stellar grades, which is why I looked to programs outside of Oregon. PCC is a great place to get those classes out of the way. I highly recommend taking Dr. Ed McGrauw at the Sylvania campus for your Anatomy. He is excellent....I took him for 231 (the second time around) and learned so much, and he will do everything he can to help you earn the A, all the while actually teaching you something. For the chemistry, I really liked Wayne Yanamura (I think that's his last name........I know it's Japanese and starts w/a Y). Good luck with your classes and get those A's!!!! :wink2: