vacation in Oregon

[BCA142]

Bend has a population in the 80,000's. It is the bigger of the three towns. Bend, Redmond and Sisters. This area is very outdoors oriented. Hiking, biking, winter sports, lots of local breweries. Lakes and rivers galore if you fish. Many well known golf courses if that's your thing. A couple of gun ranges. One has a 500 & 1000 yard range. People are friendly. Pace of life is a lot slower than Bay area. Sisters is a small town. Lots of artists. Has a big rodeo every June and an annual quilt show every July which is really fun to check out.
Typical rainfall is 13" a year. as you are on the east side of the Cascades. It is high dessert and centrally located in the state. You can find a nice 3/2 or 4/2 home on average for under $350,000. The Descutes river flows through Bend. The Old Mill district has been rebuilt with an amphitheater, restaurants, a Regal multiplex, and popular stores. The old downtown area is being revived. The local hospital was built maybe 8 years ago.
If you are going to be in the area for a week on vacation, check out craigslist under vacation rentals or also sublease. You can find places at better rates than the motels. There is a small airport in Redmond. The area east of Redmond is really cool. The John Day Fossil Bed area is a great place to explore.

[Yreka]

I want to move to Oregon so bad.. Been looking for work in the Medford area, but no luck so far.. Dad lives in White City & can't go much further north to keep close enough to the wife's family in the Chico/Sac area.

Every time I go for a visit, I have to ask myself WTF am I still living in California??? Love my job down here, about the only reason I have left.

[scotchblade]

Pace of life is a lot slower than Bay area.

Oregon is calling us too. The Bay Area is a round the clock rat race now. Get out on the road and it's dog eat dog, every man for himself. I expect my stress level to drop considerably when we get out.

That and all the other benefits.

[caldude]

Another one heading to Oregon. We've got our retirement home west of Medford and plan to move there in 2-5 years. Love the area - lots of outdoor stuff to do, wine industry is growing, people are friendly, and the weather isn't a whole lot different than the Bay Area.

[Michael_Js]

retirement...ahhh...can't wait. Been to Bend - 2 BILs live there. They are both self-employed. No jobs for either my wife or I ;(

We were there the week between Christmas & New Year's - -5 / -6 at night. mid teens in the day We enjoyed it though.

It all comes down to jobs for us. nothing in the 8 months we've been looking. We're hopeful and are itching to get out of San Diego ASAP!!

Don't believe the cost of living is lower in OR! It's very much the same as CA, IMHO...Seattle is the same, if not a little higher...still, OR companies show a salary of 10-15% lower than what I make - I'd probably take it if I could get an offer though and then be able to move around once I'm there...

Best of success!

[sfbay]

Sun river is beautiful

[QXSOUP]

Another place to look is in the Cottage Grove area just S of Eugene. It's a nice area with decent things to do.

I'd also mention the McMinnville area (the Oregon Wine Country) as well. SW of Portland about an hour or so. It is BEAUTIFUL there.