DH, 2 kids and I are looking to move in the near future for better quality of life, and we are thinking about the northwest. I've been exhaustively researching places to live in the US based on our wants, and Washington and Oregon keep popping up on top. We have only ever been to Oregon once (Ashland/Medford area -- loved it) and haven't been to Washington in person yet. If possible, can you help point us to a few cities based on our wish list? Then we will visit and check them out in person.
Our wish list --
- Nature nearby. We are trail runners and x-country skiers. We love to hike, backpack and canoe.
- Reasonable housing costs. Would like to be able to get a 3BR/1Ba house for $250k or less if possible.
- Interesting/cultured/nice people. Not sure how to phrase this one, but here goes. Over the years due to various jobs we have lived in some rural/extremely religious areas where we felt like aliens. Would like to instead live somewhere more secular, where people are smart, laid back, and nice. Am guessing this will likely take care of itself in WA/OR, but wanted to say it out loud, as it is important to us.
- At least some sun. :) I understand that some places in the northwest are extremely overcast and rainy. How dark is it, really? We do need some sun, so that DH doesn't get down, and our vegetable garden will grow.
- Bikeability. We like to do grocery store runs, etc., by bike.
- Preferably a small town or mid sized city, rather than a big city.
- School districts are not an issue -- we home school. However, proximity to a college or community college would be a bonus as DH (a college teacher) may want to keep working.
So what do you think? Does our ideal place exist? Thanks!!
My favorite towns in Oregon that fit your description:
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Bend/Redmond/Sisters (westside and northern part of Bend are just nice and while not as close to Phil's Trail and Mt. Bachelor, not that far away, Redmond would be a good choice depending on what you want to do). Sisters is really nice with good schools but is expensive like the westside of Bend. With the addition of the OSU Cascades Campus, Bend/Redmond is projected to be the 2nd largest city in the state in 20 years.
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La Grande is a really nice town equidistant between Boise and Portland and not far from Tri-Cities. EOU is in town which gives it some diversity and a college town feel. Great mtn biking and lots of access to the Wallowa Mountains, Anthony Lakes, etc. The biggest problem here is other than farming, I don't know what folks do for a living. Like much of rural Oregon, the town has lost population with the end of major timber/mill work.
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Grants Pass-Just a few minutes from Medford and much more affordable than Ashland, Grants Pass is on the wild an scenic Rogue River. The schools here are the centers of the community and there is a nice downtown area and great access to the Redwoods, the coast, Crater Lake, etc.
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Forest Grove-Butted up against the coast range, FG is in the middle of farmland, wine country and the edge of the "Silicon Forest." Pacific University gives is a nice college feel and the Oregon Coast is very close as is Beaverton and Portland. This has to be the most underrated city on my list but I think it has a lot of offer.
-La Grande-College
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Hood River-Easy access to the Columbia River Gorge, close to Portland and Mt. Hood and in the middle of fantastic orchards, wineries and breweries.