Portland Travel Answers

Hi, I live in Salem, Oregon, which is about 45 minutes down the freeway from Portland. It is also the capital city of Oregon. We moved to Oregon from Southern California in 1990. Oregon has two major climate zones. East of the Cascades, it is hot and dry in the summer and cold in the winter, with a fair amount of snow. Eastern Oregonians, please correct me if I'm wrong, because I live in Western Oregon. Western Oregon is fairly mild in the summer. We will usually have about 10 days over 90 degrees during any given summer. In the winter it doesn't usually get much colder than 30 degrees, and we have a good snowstorm every 5 years or so. This is the year! We're having a big snowstorm this week. But it's big news, 'cause we're not used to it. It rains a lot in Western Oregon, especially from November through March. Some people get depressed because the skies are overcast all the time, and a Floridian who is used to seeing the sun will probably miss it. Oregon's economy is bad right now; we lead the nation in unemployment. So don't come here without a guaranteed income. Our state budget is in a bad way, but not as bad as California's! I suspect that housing is cheaper in Oregon than in Florida, and that pay rates would be lower too. Manufacturing jobs are going away here; lots of people have to take lower-paying service jobs. But things are slowly improving as the economy picks up. I think Oregon is the most beautiful state in the country. I've visited a lot of other states, and some of them come close, but I would rather live here than anywhere else. The lifestyle is probably more laid-back than in Florida - depending on where you live, of course. Hope this helps - send more questions if you have 'em. --Dave

I was in portland for a few weeks last year and found it the coolest place ever..everything is so accessable,skateparks,swimmingpools,tennis courts,mountains,it has the lot.and i found it really cheap.people are friendly.I know a lot of my work collegues that worked over there for a year and none of them have one bad word to say about the place.the all loved it..and would move back in an instant

Economically speaking, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that Oregon has no sales tax. The bad news is that unemployment is among the country's highest, and housing (at least in the Portland area) is very expensive.

You will find that most of the people that replies to your question is from somewhere in California.... In Bend Oregon alone Right in the middle of the state.. 40,000 Califonians moved there in the last ten years... And the Portland area has seen no shortage of people from California... I have lived here pretty much all my life... But suprise---I was born in califonia.. Anyways.... Portland is grand... Mt.Hood is 1 1/2 hours east and the Ocean is 1 1/2 west... Very rocky beautiful coast line... We have very disticntive seasons here in oregon... Hot in the summer.... Cold in the winter... Bring an umbrella... 'Cause it rains quite a bit... this is where i have chosen to raise my two boys.. I think you'll will find it nice as well... The locals are really laid back people compared to my experiances from the east coast..... i have been at the same job for ten years... the un-employment rate is so high here because Oregon seems to cater to lazy people...with extensions and goverment asst.. Oh well.. You have to pay taxes for something I guess... The housing is very expensive compared to the rest of the country... 3 bed two bath.... 125,000.... to 250,000 depending on different areas of the state....You can spend the same amount on a mansion in scottsdale AZ> Any hoo... Hope you find my state pleasent... and I welcome you and your family if you want to move.... But that's it ---No more... your the last one's I'll let in....Ha HA....

Thank you for asking about OR. I have a daughter that is thinking of moving to OR with here fiance. He is looking into being a policeman. He is on in CA. I think they feel it is going to be so much better then living in Santa Cruz, CA. Looks like the cost of living and all is just as high. As a mom I sure don't like this information. But I'll be sure to give this information to her. Thanks again.