considering move to oregon?

U.S.A. Oregon

Published

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?

I am as well considering a move to oregon i have interviewed at a hospital in medford. I thought it all went well but as they say it can take up to 3 months to get my lic there.

the weather is not as extreme as in minnesota as to where i am from. its way to hot in texas.

any suggestions on to where to live in medord?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, Clinic, Hospice, Corrections.

HI

consider that around 75% of Oregon is EAST of the cascades.. where the sun shines.. now this part of the state is generally not liberal except maybe around Bend.. but it is all pretty laid back and beautiful!!! and many good opportunitites

Up Vote Up Vote ×
HI

consider that around 75% of Oregon is EAST of the cascades.. where the sun shines.. now this part of the state is generally not liberal except maybe around Bend.. but it is all pretty laid back and beautiful!!! and many good opportunitites

I'm just curious, never having lived east of the Cascades. I have heard the summers are hot but what about the winters. Are they as bitter cold and snowy as I imagine? I drove through Oregon from Idaho when I first moved here and really loved the wide open spaces and peacefulness. Thought at the time that Burns looked appealing, but as someone who hates cold weather and snow I'm afraid I wouldn't last long there. Also, for anyone thinking of moving to eastern Oregon, except for the Bend area and Pendelton, it is extremely isolated, with no cities of any size. Lots of ranching and beautiful country, but think one should take a trip there before considering a move, no? JMHO

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm just curious, never having lived east of the Cascades. I have heard the summers are hot but what about the winters. Are they as bitter cold and snowy as I imagine? I drove through Oregon from Idaho when I first moved here and really loved the wide open spaces and peacefulness. Thought at the time that Burns looked appealing, but as someone who hates cold weather and snow I'm afraid I wouldn't last long there. Also, for anyone thinking of moving to eastern Oregon, except for the Bend area and Pendelton, it is extremely isolated, with no cities of any size. Lots of ranching and beautiful country, but think one should take a trip there before considering a move, no? JMHO

We head to sunriver usually every year which is a ski/resort community just south and outside of Bend, OR, it is quite cold and snowy in the winter, but that is in comparison to the Portland metro area, people from from Minnesota would probably laugh at us for saying that...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
We head to sunriver usually every year which is a ski/resort community just south and outside of Bend, OR, it is quite cold and snowy in the winter, but that is in comparison to the Portland metro area, people from from Minnesota would probably laugh at us for saying that...

Ack!! you ski???!!! I actually had to move from Boston, a city I absolutely love, because I could not stand the cold there. And I am the one who is sitting around the fire drinking a hot toddy at the ski resort - definately not the one out there in the SNOW.

Yes, indeedy, I can just hear those Minnesota folks laughing now. I think Eugene get plenty cold enough for me. Any temp. lower than 50 F is toooooo cold. LOL

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
Ack!! you ski???!!! I actually had to move from Boston, a city I absolutely love, because I could not stand the cold there. And I am the one who is sitting around the fire drinking a hot toddy at the ski resort - definately not the one out there in the SNOW.

Yes, indeedy, I can just hear those Minnesota folks laughing now. I think Eugene get plenty cold enough for me. Any temp. lower than 50 F is toooooo cold. LOL

I'm with you, Weetzie!! I'm just like a cat---I HATE being cold and wet.:madface:

Even right now, with a snowstorm reportedly heading our way, I'm dreading the chill, although I do get kind of excited about seeing snow. Having grown up in snow-deprived San Diego County, I still turn into an instant eight-year-old when the flakes really start flying............OK, I'll admit it, I like to dance in the middle of a heavy snow shower, and play in the soft fluffy white stuff. For about an hour. THEN I want heat, and quickly too---I've got to get some coffee in me, and throw the blankets in the dryer for a couple minutes on HOT so I can wrap myself up in warmth before I start shivering. Once I get chilled, it takes an act of God to warm me up again; I have much more tolerance for heat than cold. (And yes, my thyroid's OK.)

I'm so glad I don't live where it gets frigid and stays that way for days or weeks on end! When I first came from California, I had to put on a sweatshirt when the temps dropped below 70 degrees; that first winter, I thought we would literally freeze to death when an Alberta Clipper blew through the Valley, dumping a foot of snow and dropping our daytime temps into the teens, with below-zero wind chills and single-digit temps at night. But other than the occasional brief dip into the 10-12 degree range every few winters or so, it's never been quite that cold since then, and that was almost 18 years ago. Thank Heavens!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, Clinic, Hospice, Corrections.

Hi

well there is still a range of climates in the East Side of Oregon.. and bitter cold is relative.. I have lived in some of the coldest, windy, and one record breaking time of not above zero for 42 days.. but those are the really remote areas with no local nursing jobs.. not enough people!! now for the flip side. the winters are dry, and if not windy I am been comfy on a sunny winter day doing light activity outside with a light top on,, and I was born and raised in LA.. but the wind can make it cold. there are lower elevation areas, Madras, John Day, along the Columbia and Snake Rivers, Vale etc. that have a lot less cold.. and I think the beauty of the high desert and forests is without compare.. but that, and how you feel about the weather is in the eye of the beholder, and many of the best areas are desolate!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Ack!! you ski???!!! I actually had to move from Boston, a city I absolutely love, because I could not stand the cold there. And I am the one who is sitting around the fire drinking a hot toddy at the ski resort - definately not the one out there in the SNOW.

Yes, indeedy, I can just hear those Minnesota folks laughing now. I think Eugene get plenty cold enough for me. Any temp. lower than 50 F is toooooo cold. LOL

I do ski, but only runs I know I won't fall on (green and blue) no moguls or at most beginning moguls, won't ski when it is actively snowing or drizzling, also hate getting wet and I must admit to enjoying the lodge and hot toddies as well! But we put our then 5 year old on a snow board last year and she is ready to go try it again so I am sure I'll be spending a long day on slopes here soon. In any case it is definitely sunnier and less rainy east of the Cascades, but it is a more arid, deserty climate so you get the nightime temperature drop that makes it colder at times. hotter in the summer and colder in the winter. Gorgeous all around this state and Washington as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi

well there is still a range of climates in the East Side of Oregon.. and bitter cold is relative.. I have lived in some of the coldest, windy, and one record breaking time of not above zero for 42 days.. but those are the really remote areas with no local nursing jobs.. not enough people!! now for the flip side. the winters are dry, and if not windy I am been comfy on a sunny winter day doing light activity outside with a light top on,, and I was born and raised in LA.. but the wind can make it cold. there are lower elevation areas, Madras, John Day, along the Columbia and Snake Rivers, Vale etc. that have a lot less cold.. and I think the beauty of the high desert and forests is without compare.. but that, and how you feel about the weather is in the eye of the beholder, and many of the best areas are desolate!!

O.K. I want more info.

Desolate is just fine with me. Remember, I thought Burns looked appealing. But not going above zero for 42 days is something I woudl call 'Hell'.

Now, when you say the winters are dry - are you saying there is no rain OR does that include snow as well.

Lets take any of your examples: Madras, John Day etc. I knew a nurse who moved to John Day and couldn't handle all the snow.

Are there actually places in eastern Oregon that are just dry and windy. Decent temps. (above freezing) during the day and cold at night? That I could handle - for a little while anyway. It would be a nice break from all the rain. I'm still waiting for the price of living to enter all time lows in Hawaii.

Nice to hear from someone in eastern Oregon. BTW, where is it so cold and desolate that you spent 6 weeks with below zero temps? Want to make sure I avoid that place like the plague!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
O.K. I want more info.

Desolate is just fine with me. Remember, I thought Burns looked appealing. But not going above zero for 42 days is something I woudl call 'Hell'.

Now, when you say the winters are dry - are you saying there is no rain OR does that include snow as well.

Lets take any of your examples: Madras, John Day etc. I knew a nurse who moved to John Day and couldn't handle all the snow.

Are there actually places in eastern Oregon that are just dry and windy. Decent temps. (above freezing) during the day and cold at night? That I could handle - for a little while anyway. It would be a nice break from all the rain. I'm still waiting for the price of living to enter all time lows in Hawaii.

Nice to hear from someone in eastern Oregon. BTW, where is it so cold and desolate that you spent 6 weeks with below zero temps? Want to make sure I avoid that place like the plague!!

We have friends in Kennewick, WA which is just on the other side of the river across from Oregon. 3.5 hours east of the portland metro area. Very sunny and dry. According to them not a lot of snow. It seems like it is a bout a ten degree difference for them. About 10 degrees hotter in the summer and 10 degrees colder in the winter. Not a bad climate, nice area for families and still fairly cheap. (still can buy a starter 3/2 home for under 100k and a nicer home for around 150-160k).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
We have friends in Kennewick, WA which is just on the other side of the river across from Oregon. 3.5 hours east of the portland metro area. Very sunny and dry. According to them not a lot of snow. It seems like it is a bout a ten degree difference for them. About 10 degrees hotter in the summer and 10 degrees colder in the winter. Not a bad climate, nice area for families and still fairly cheap. (still can buy a starter 3/2 home for under 100k and a nicer home for around 150-160k).

Wa! Maybe we oughta be quiet about this. We managed to scare off lots many people by warning everyone about the terrible rain we have eight months of the year, and now folks are putting up with it for all the other reasons that make this state a 'pacific wonderland' - as our licence plates used to say.

Now we better watch out or eastern Oregon will suddenly start sprouting Starbucks and Wal*Marts, and have traffic jams.

Just between us though, thanks for the info.:D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment