Northwest life in OR and WA

[bcj]

Mostly we encourage outsiders to think it's a wet, cold, dreary black hole out here to keep them where they are.

It's a running inside joke since the 50's. Not succeeding very well though.
Bellevue used to be acres of forest. Now it's nearly completely condos and suburbs.

[Billylammerkins]

Originally Posted by 1086

Curious, what is life like in OR and WA? I have been thinking of possibly moving to Oregon, Washington, or Arizona. Focusing on the NW, what cities in OR/WA would you recommend? **keeping in mind low crime rates, good schools, well kept neighborhoods, etc.

I am aware Arizona will be inevitably hot, but as far as Oregon and Washington goes what is weather typically like? I am not very familiar with either state and would appreciate any input. Thanks!

Honestly Washington is the best place I have ever lived. I've lived in Cali, Texas, and Idaho. Honestly nothing is better then the pacific northwest, we get all four seasons, the roads aren't too bad, and it isn't as heavily populated. Wouldn't trade it for anywhere else. But prepare for some cold weather 8 months out the year

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Monogram

............
Again, anyone considering moving to Washington and Oregon will be much happier anywhere else. Thank you.

OK, @Monogram ..... THAT tears it !! ......

You are OFF the board of directors of the Washington State Chambers of Commerce AND the Washington State Visitors Bureau .....!!

Just turn in your rain soaked, moldy badge and waddle away on your webbed feet .....

humfrz

[#944_10_Series_FRS]

Monogram forgets few things though... All Washington State's parks are full of mosquitoes. Lakes are dirty with sewer's lines going straight into lakes.

[Dvipercop]

Originally Posted by #944_10_Series_FRS

Lakes are dirty with sewer's lines going straight into lakes.

Which makes for good brown trout fishing... Much like the Willamette River here in Portland.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by #944_10_Series_FRS

Monogram forgets few things though... All Washington State's parks are full of mosquitoes. Lakes are dirty with sewer's lines going straight into lakes.

I beg your pardon ..... they DO NOT go directly into the lakes ..... they fan out on the swimming beaches, to filter and dissipate the effluent, so as not to contaminate the shellfish and salmon .....

humfrz

[JesseE]

I grew up in Oregon, overall 28 years, wife and I moved to Arizona this last April as we were just completely sick of the weather. The weather sucks, there is no way around it, its always raining and misting, and ALWAYS cloudy. you get 1.5 months of summer if your lucky these past 5-8 years and honestly it gets depressing and you don't even realize it until you live sunnier places.

I would not give up growing up in Oregon for anything to be honest, people are nice there really are no "bad" area's. you don't notice racism hardly ever, and generally speaking people are really nice. But the weather gets to you, and if you like good sunny weather... you won't like it long term (more than a couple years)


Oregon is really expensive to live compared to Arizona, and hard to find jobs, IT work is there but it won't pay very good. My wife's salary almost doubled going to AZ (mine stayed close) and its way cheaper to live, we sold our house in Oregon for 270k and bought twice as big of a house, with 3x the lot size space and a pool and paid 30k less.

I love Oregon, and most of my family and friends are there, but I can't do rain/clouds 9/10's of the year anymore. -- Granted the weather used to be WAY better, about 15 years ago it was much closer to 50/50 rain/cloud vs sun.... but its gotten much worse over the years.

Seattle is very expensive, roads are shitty, traffic is horrible, I've got tons of friends in seattle, and most of them love it. I think its significantly worse than Oregon though.

Portland traffic is getting worse, roads are pretty good.

Phoenix has some traffic but the roads are SO efficient, you can plan a trip in rush hour all on side roads and never hit any of it.

Overall I think it boils down to these things

Culture/things to do/don't care about weather/want higher paying job - move to Seattle

Portland if you don't like "big city" but still want that nw culture/adventure

Phoenix if you want to live in the sun but live really well for the $$$ - also a ton of stuff to do in phoenix, you can wear shorts 99% of the year, tons of car stuff here, lots of race tracks, 5 hours from LA 5 hours from LAS Vegas, few hours from skiing/snowboarding 30 minutes from lakes.


Oh and Go Blazers!

[stockysnail]

Originally Posted by Monogram

Washington movie theatres are dark, damp, cold, small screens, and the bowling alleys all have outdated equipment. As for the skiing, lift waits can be in the hours, the snow is wet, and the runs are bland. Other outdoor activities? Well, I could go on.

Again, anyone considering moving to Washington and Oregon will be much happier anywhere else. Thank you.

Talking like this won't keep away the Californians. Native Oregonians have been trying it for decades.

[stockysnail]

Originally Posted by JesseE

I grew up in Oregon, overall 28 years, wife and I moved to Arizona this last April as we were just completely sick of the weather. The weather sucks, there is no way around it, its always raining and misting, and ALWAYS cloudy. you get 1.5 months of summer if your lucky these past 5-8 years and honestly it gets depressing and you don't even realize it until you live sunnier places.

I would not give up growing up in Oregon for anything to be honest, people are nice there really are no "bad" area's. you don't notice racism hardly ever, and generally speaking people are really nice. But the weather gets to you, and if you like good sunny weather... you won't like it long term (more than a couple years)


Oregon is really expensive to live compared to Arizona, and hard to find jobs, IT work is there but it won't pay very good. My wife's salary almost doubled going to AZ (mine stayed close) and its way cheaper to live, we sold our house in Oregon for 270k and bought twice as big of a house, with 3x the lot size space and a pool and paid 30k less.

I love Oregon, and most of my family and friends are there, but I can't do rain/clouds 9/10's of the year anymore. -- Granted the weather used to be WAY better, about 15 years ago it was much closer to 50/50 rain/cloud vs sun.... but its gotten much worse over the years.

Seattle is very expensive, roads are shitty, traffic is horrible, I've got tons of friends in seattle, and most of them love it. I think its significantly worse than Oregon though.

Portland traffic is getting worse, roads are pretty good.

Phoenix has some traffic but the roads are SO efficient, you can plan a trip in rush hour all on side roads and never hit any of it.

Overall I think it boils down to these things

Culture/things to do/don't care about weather/want higher paying job - move to Seattle

Portland if you don't like "big city" but still want that nw culture/adventure

Phoenix if you want to live in the sun but live really well for the $$$ - also a ton of stuff to do in phoenix, you can wear shorts 99% of the year, tons of car stuff here, lots of race tracks, 5 hours from LA 5 hours from LAS Vegas, few hours from skiing/snowboarding 30 minutes from lakes.


Oh and Go Blazers!

I visited Tucson last year in October and liked it. I'm not sure if I liked it enough to move there as it was a little depressing as far as scenery. I guess I'm used to hills and trees everywhere with snow peaked mountains in the distance. Not quite as hot as Phoenix but still shorts all year type of place. Every place is a trade off so pick what is most important to you. Maybe I'll move to Arizona in a few years, who knows? Or maybe San Diego or Austin. Depends on how tired of Living in the same spot all my life gets. Plus it's not warm enough for the ladies to dress nice around here for the most part.

[MattinglyBuilt]

Hey everyone, Im Michael and this last sunday the 29th I purchased a brand new 2014 Subaru BRZ!!! I love the car all around, besides lack of power. But non the less this car is amazing!

I want to get to know some fellow brz/frs owners in the tacoma and surrounding areas. I met a few people at the Paul Walker meet a few weeks ago. I told them I would be buying a BRZ soon... My last car which I still have and wont sell is a stanced SVT focus, red with the black bottom. Im sure many of you know of it from Stancewars.

Anyways, hope to hear from many of you!

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by MattinglyBuilt

Hey everyone, Im Michael and this last sunday the 29th I purchased a brand new 2014 Subaru BRZ!!! ..........!

CONGRATULATIONS and WELCOME .....

humfrz

[stockysnail]

Originally Posted by MattinglyBuilt

Hey everyone, Im Michael and this last sunday the 29th I purchased a brand new 2014 Subaru BRZ!!! I love the car all around, besides lack of power. But non the less this car is amazing!

I want to get to know some fellow brz/frs owners in the tacoma and surrounding areas. I met a few people at the Paul Walker meet a few weeks ago. I told them I would be buying a BRZ soon... My last car which I still have and wont sell is a stanced SVT focus, red with the black bottom. Im sure many of you know of it from Stancewars.

Anyways, hope to hear from many of you!

Since you have Mattingly in your name... I dated Don Mattingly's niece for a while. She may still work at the Olive Garden at Mall 205. Although you may not be referring to the great first baseman of the good old times.

Random worthless fact of the day.... COMPLETE! Achievement unlocked!