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Across the Fence:  Oregon opinions  |
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Farmgirlheart
True Blue Farmgirl
103 Posts
Valerie
Los Angeles
California
USA
103 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 09 2009 : 9:58:54 PM
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Hey ya'll! So, I have to tell you, I'm ready to get the heck outta Los Angeles! Rude, superficial people just really getting me down! The worse part is is knowing that finding more like-minded people here will be a struggle. I'm not like them. I want gardens not spas, aprons not facelifts, and goats not chihuahuas! ANYWAY! What I'm getting at is I would like some advice. I really like Oregon, southern parts seemed pretty nice more than closer to Portland. Anybody here live in or know Oregon well?? Best place for a small hobby farm? A band b? A tearoom? Thank you thank you!
HUGS!!! |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2009 : 11:02:36 PM
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Welp, I live close to Grants Pass and while it's gorgeous, the unemployment here is almost 11 percent. It's damp and rainy right now, more so than in years past. In GP, there are all sorts of tea rooms and boutiques. If you go more towards the CA border, you'll find even more things like that.
Sad to say, that even here, you'll find some pretty closed minded people, but that's everywhere you go. People here can be rude and superficial too, almost acting entitled at times, pretty intolerant if you're 'different', which gets my goat. There are farmer's markets around but I haven't shopped there. My hubby is a native here and he's said it has changed totally from when he was growing up.
But I live way out from town in a little community and we pretty much mind our own biz and make our own life. I only go to town to do shopping about twice a week. If you're looking for a geographical fix, this isn't the place but if you're willing to go with the flow and adapt, then you can pretty much live whereever you'd like. Pick and spot and make a life. I'm not trying to talk you out of here but it's not the glory-land that you might think it is.
Also, the prices here are out of this world, not even close to reality, so think of that also. We are thinking of moving back close to Klamath Falls (cuz it's drier over there) and even the prices are high over there. I'd suggest you come up for a visit and stick around for a while, meet some locals and go from there.
Winona ;-)
To read funny stories about my cooking 'skills', please visit http://lostadventuresincooking.blogspot.com/
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
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Ms.Lilly
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Lillian
Scotts Mills
OR
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2009 : 06:51:35 AM
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Everything that Winona says is true. We have the 2nd highest unemployment in the nation, and people here can be just as rude as the ones in California. I am a native Oregonion and am actually considering moving out of the state. We ourselves have 7 acres but would like more, so we can have some goats and maybe a pig, but the cost of land in this state is outrageous. If you want to stay in a "sunny" climate then you need to stay in the south or east part of the state, any where else and you get quite a bit of rain. Good Luck.
Lillian |
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kpaints
True Blue Farmgirl
1564 Posts
karen
cheney
wa
1564 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2009 : 08:05:54 AM
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Maybe you should try Washington. I have lived here all my life and while I grew up in Seattle I have lived in Wenatchee, Spokane and now Cheney ( west of Spokane). I love Washington but then I have never lived in Oregon but I do love Portland. My daughter and son both lived there for awhile and liked it. You would have to get use to rain. I live on the nonheavy rain side of Wa. near Idaho and we get lots of snow and heat in the summer. I like the people here, not so much in Seattle. Good luck on your quest.
Find your joy and live it. http://cheneybaglady.blogspot.com/http://www.kpaints.etsy.com http://www.thevintagebaglady.etsy.com FG #377 |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2009 : 09:29:43 AM
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I love Oregon! I was born here on the Oregon coast, lived in the Willamete Valley, moved away for a long time, but have been back in OR for 6 years. The southern part is pretty, the coast is gorgeous, more rain though, Willamette Valley is my favorite area. My daughter and I travelled up to WA a couple of days ago for Easter holiday with family. As we drove through the valley, all I could do was smile and thank God for such beauty. The fields and hills are so green and lush. Full of frolicking lambs. Daffodils and mustard growing wildly along the road side. And then when I saw a sign for the Tulip festivial, I wanted to turn and be whelmed by the fields of color. Oregon would be a grand place to have a small farm, I say the more farms, the merrier! Come on!!
For tomorrow and its needs I do not pray, but keep me, guide me, love me, Lord just for today.
St. Augustine
#440 |
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one_dog_per_acre
True Blue Farmgirl
1572 Posts
Trish
Sandpoint
ID
USA
1572 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2009 : 1:37:35 PM
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Hi Valerie,
I miss Oregon so much. I grew up in S. Oregon and lived in Portland for 10+ years. S. Oregon is very dry, hot in the summer, and commonly has wildfires. What are you looking to grow? IMHO, the Willamete Valley is the best place for a farm, where you can drive a little was for some culture. You might also consider west of Portland out the Columbia.
My favorite tiny towns are Silverton, Jacksonville, and Sisters, which are all very Old Westy.
The best place for a band would be within driving distance of Portland, which has a large Indie scene, and gallons of great beer. Most places have tearooms these days, but the best tea in the world, Yogi Tea, is made in Eugene.
I went to LA afew years ago for a career move, but could not take the smog. My eyes burned in the morning, like someone was smoking a cigarette next to me. I think it must have been a lovely place in the 50's.
If you are planning a trip let us all know, and we can tell you which greasy spoons to avoid, best river access, etc.
Trish
Farmgirl Sister #91
Make cupcakes not war!
http://adventuresofowenmaxwell.blogspot.com/ |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2009 : 1:44:30 PM
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I think that you would love Oregon or Washington. I will have to say that our unemployment rates are very high right now. In Clark County WA, where I live, it's at 10%. However, that will change as the economy gets better. There are many wonderful rural areas to live in around here. And you have Portland right across the river which is a wonderful city to visit. People seem to be more open minded and not as superficial. Although we do have the spa and face lift crowd too - you have that in most any large metropolitan area.
Handmade Soap & Lotion Bars http://www.therusticcottagebath.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
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gspringman
True Blue Farmgirl
387 Posts
Gail
Bonanza
Oregon
USA
387 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2009 : 3:59:02 PM
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I have lived in Bonanza Or 20 miles east of Klamath for going on 6 years and love it here. I do all my shopping in Klamath but there are'nt a lot of stores to choose from. We are losing Gottschalk which pretty much leaves just Walmart, Kmart, Ross and a few small dress shops to shop from for clothing. The people here have been so friendly and nice ever since we moved up here. Now that I've joined MJ and we have a chapter here in Klamath, we are getting a bit of community garden going and more people are talking of doing so to help each other out. We have a small Farmers Market and a few all natural stores have come here. Our weather is considered high desert so we don't get a lot of rain but we do get some. Sunshines a lot, but our growing season is fairly short. You can enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, snowmobiling, quad riding, hunting, skiing. Lots of activities within an hour or less of Klamath.
Check it out and I do hope you can find a place you could love. Anything is better than the city rat race in my opinion.
Lots of luck.
Gail
Farmgirl #486
Zone 5
http://grammasladybug.blogspot.com/ |
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Farmgirlheart
True Blue Farmgirl
103 Posts
Valerie
Los Angeles
California
USA
103 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2009 : 6:02:52 PM
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| Thank you ladies for your great input...it is most helpful!!! |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2009 : 8:08:21 PM
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Gail, wow...I lived outside of Bonanza for a couple of years, till 3 years ago this month! We lived 9 miles from Bonanza proper off of Yonna Woods! I'm pretty sure that was before I learned of MJ's though.
As I mentioned, I'm having a lot of difficulty with the dampness here, outside of GP and we're going next week to check out places out towards Bonanza, Beatty and Bly even. Doesn't matter how far out to me, as long as I can breathe!!
Winona ;-)
To read funny stories about my cooking 'skills', please visit http://lostadventuresincooking.blogspot.com/
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
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farmeratlast
Farmgirl in Training
35 Posts
Jana
OR
USA
35 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2009 : 07:25:24 AM
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Well we settled on the Willamette Valley after three years of long car trips out to Oregon from Phoenix. We started with Medford just sure that was going to be our spot but it was drier than we wanted. For us community was important and we found wonderful friends in the valley during our search and made a point of looking for property to be near them. We are about 1.5 hours from Portland I guess on our new place which is close enough to run into the city once a week for fun and adventure for the kids. We homeschool but carschooling may soon be in our future. The valley is rural but not backwards by any stretch. People have been very nice to us on all of our adventures here. It is beautiful country dotted with small farms with goats and sheep and cattle out in lush pastures and lots of vineyards sprawling over sloping hills. It is wet but that is why it is lush which was important to us. Also the coast is an hour away. Can't beat that!
Jana |
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Linder
True Blue Farmgirl
592 Posts
Linda
Lake Forest
IL
USA
592 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2009 : 11:33:17 AM
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Hey Valerie,
What part of L.A. are you living in? I just moved from there and might be able to hook you up with some lovely "farm" hearted girls. It might help at least until you get to the Northwest, which I highly recommend! I am from Seattle and like Oregon they are stunning places to live!
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom"
www.mylusciousjourney.blogspot.com |
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Farmgirlheart
True Blue Farmgirl
103 Posts
Valerie
Los Angeles
California
USA
103 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2009 : 7:32:52 PM
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| Hey Linda! I live in west los angeles, close to venice beach. what part did you move from. why did you move? my best friend laura (laura marie here on the mj chatroom) are just starting our own chapter and are looking for great woman to join us! |
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gspringman
True Blue Farmgirl
387 Posts
Gail
Bonanza
Oregon
USA
387 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2009 : 7:54:33 PM
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Winona, Yonna Woods is only a couple miles from me. We are just before the Bly Mtn cutoff. Good luck in your search for another spot down yonder. Let me know if you move close by. Our chapter in Kfalls is growing. Its really nice to finally meet ladies around here that have the same interests.
Gail
Farmgirl #486
Zone 5
http://grammasladybug.blogspot.com/ |
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Farmgirlheart
True Blue Farmgirl
103 Posts
Valerie
Los Angeles
California
USA
103 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 5:50:38 PM
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| okay, so ive been doing a little bit more research...what is medford like? or ashland or eagle point? for living, safety, decent bakeries/tea houses/ and/or bed and breakfasts. i just had another LA car accident and am beyond ready to leave! |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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K-Falls Farmgirl
Chapter Leader
2096 Posts
Cheryl
Klamath Falls
Oregon
USA
2096 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 6:12:23 PM
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I live one mile past Klamath Falls City limits.We love it here 300 days of sunshine, A for sure country ranches & farm country.Definately Cowboy/Girl town...There are some great places here in the country. A great place is for sale just between Gail & I.. Medofrd is Hot in the summer, Wetter than K Falls Or Bonanza, Love Ashland is a college town and very expensive..Shakesperian Theater there and many shops.. We checked out Medford, Grants Pass,& Jacksonville. Great towns.. Eagle point is nice too . We live a few miles from Klamath Lake which we can see from I used to own one in North Bend Washington..There is one B&B on Hyw 97 going towards Bend. Come on to Oregon & chewckus out. We do have a local theater troupe, a few nice restaurants, KFalls is trying to make a comeback.. we need People like you.. Come On...
Cheryl
Farmgirl #309
Klamath Falls "Charming Chicks Chapter" Mother Hen
Almost daily posts at:
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Come visit the barn at http://barndoorcreations.blogspot.com/
Grandmas are mom's with more icing. |
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Farmgirlheart
True Blue Farmgirl
103 Posts
Valerie
Los Angeles
California
USA
103 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 8:05:59 PM
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| is medford a decent place o live...is it safe, do you know? |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2009 : 10:00:35 PM
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Gail and Cheryl, we're gonna go to K Falls on Monday and Tues of next week. I have to be back on Wednesday cuz the horseshoer is coming out and it doesn't 'do' to tick off a good shoer!! Anyway, we'll be out and around those two days. If my allergies clear up and I can breathe, then we're moving, doesn't matter how we get there, just as long as I can breathe clearly.
I have taken every sort of OTC stuff, stuff that doesn't bother anyone but when I take them (Claritin, Zyrtec, things like that), it works a little bit and then after a few hours, I feel 'hungover' and sick. Can't quite explain how I mean but the wearing off side makes me just as ill as my allergies.
When we lived outside of Bonanza, I don't remember ever having any allergy problems at all. Zip. Here's hoping it's still the same.
Winona ;-)
To read funny stories about my cooking 'skills', please visit http://lostadventuresincooking.blogspot.com/
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
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Across the Fence: Oregon opinions |
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Oregon opinions
