Coos Bay, Oregon feedback needed!
Jan 30th, 2006, 03:16 PM
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Coos Bay, Oregon feedback needed!
Hello everyone,
I am planning to study in the U.S. this year and I narrowed down my choices to a few schools and one of them is located at Coos Bay, Oregon. The scenery and the landscape seems fantastic but how about the other things like weather, criminality rates, shopping, local atractions, dining, malls, and so on? I am married and have small children so schools are also a concern. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.
I am planning to study in the U.S. this year and I narrowed down my choices to a few schools and one of them is located at Coos Bay, Oregon. The scenery and the landscape seems fantastic but how about the other things like weather, criminality rates, shopping, local atractions, dining, malls, and so on? I am married and have small children so schools are also a concern. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.
Jan 30th, 2006, 03:47 PM
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Hello,
I don't live in Coos Bay, but have visited there many times. Frankly, it has some real negatives. Its coastal weather stays cool in the summer, perhaps too much so if you like sun, and the winters are windy and rainy. It is hardly a mecca for dining or shopping. You'd have to drive a long way for a variety of quality shops. It is basically a lumber and fishing port that has declined as these industries have declined. It does have some nice shoreline scenery and the people there seem very friendly. If it were me, I would go to school elsewhere. I know nothing about crime rates or schools. Perhaps some Coos Bay residents can give you more positive feeback. Unfortunately, I can not.
I don't live in Coos Bay, but have visited there many times. Frankly, it has some real negatives. Its coastal weather stays cool in the summer, perhaps too much so if you like sun, and the winters are windy and rainy. It is hardly a mecca for dining or shopping. You'd have to drive a long way for a variety of quality shops. It is basically a lumber and fishing port that has declined as these industries have declined. It does have some nice shoreline scenery and the people there seem very friendly. If it were me, I would go to school elsewhere. I know nothing about crime rates or schools. Perhaps some Coos Bay residents can give you more positive feeback. Unfortunately, I can not.
Jan 30th, 2006, 05:14 PM
#4
I think coming from Brasil you would find the climate in Coos Bay depressing and tedious.
Although there is a lot of poverty in the region, I don't think you'd find it particularly threatening from a safety standpoint.
Perhaps you could mention what other choices you have and we can comment on the relative merits/issues.
Although there is a lot of poverty in the region, I don't think you'd find it particularly threatening from a safety standpoint.
Perhaps you could mention what other choices you have and we can comment on the relative merits/issues.
Jan 31st, 2006, 04:36 AM
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Thank you folks to all replies so far. I am also considering Johnson & Wales University. They have four campuses: Providence, RI, Charlotte, NC, Denver, CO and Miami, FL. They all seem better choices than Coos Bay, OR, although I am considering Coos Bay because of the cost of tuition and fees and also cost of living.
Jan 31st, 2006, 12:41 PM
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If you do end up choosing Coos Bay, I would recommend you consider living in Bandon or Coquille, both fairly easy driving distance away. Bandon is a prettier coastal town and Coquille is far enough inland to escape much of the ocean fog.
Mar 9th, 2006, 12:49 AM
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Coos Bay's beauty and friendliness is a good reason to live there. Only petty crime . Schools are very good. There are some low-income folks there but most are hard-working .
Coos Bay is isolated from any large city...the closest is Eugene, 2 hours away. This is exactly why people like it there. If you are into wholesome outdoor family things to do, this is the place. Outdoors is a part of life there, rain or shine. If the beach is too foggy...drive 20 minutes up Coos River for clear and hot weather in the summer. The city park (Mingus) is a beauty and a fine place for a family picnic, jog around the lake or a hike in the forest behind it. People that want a place that is upscale with trendy shops, this probably isn't the place (go to Sausalito or Ashland)within 30 minutes you can be at a deserted beach, a deserted clean river or one of 5 or 6 lakes...also clean and pristine. You can crab, clam, fish for salmon or trout and catch crawdads. There are two oyster farms for fresh or grilled oysters.. I think it's paradise.
Coos Bay is isolated from any large city...the closest is Eugene, 2 hours away. This is exactly why people like it there. If you are into wholesome outdoor family things to do, this is the place. Outdoors is a part of life there, rain or shine. If the beach is too foggy...drive 20 minutes up Coos River for clear and hot weather in the summer. The city park (Mingus) is a beauty and a fine place for a family picnic, jog around the lake or a hike in the forest behind it. People that want a place that is upscale with trendy shops, this probably isn't the place (go to Sausalito or Ashland)within 30 minutes you can be at a deserted beach, a deserted clean river or one of 5 or 6 lakes...also clean and pristine. You can crab, clam, fish for salmon or trout and catch crawdads. There are two oyster farms for fresh or grilled oysters.. I think it's paradise.
Mar 9th, 2006, 07:45 AM
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I lived in Coos Bay for 10 years and have since moved inland to the Rogue Valley. I will say that there is NO other place on the coast I would live. While it isnt as tourist oriented as many other coastal towns it still offers more to those that live there than any other town on the coast. SWOCC has some great programs for a small college!
Criminality is almost non existant. The people are very friendly and it is still one of those places where you talk to your neighbor.
I wouldnt say the dining is great but there are a few places that I still miss the fresh seafood. Shopping isnt great either but it is better than any other place on the coast. It has most of the chain shopping you would expect...Walmart,Safeway,Albertons,Fred Meyer etc. The mall isnt great either (if you can call it that) but they do have Macy's for clothes. I usually went inland to Eugene once in awhile if I needed anything i couldnt get at home.
The real highlight however is the scenery and amount of things to do outside. Whether its hiking , fishing, crabbing or sitting on the beach. The outdoors and the beach are what makes it a great place to live.
Coos Bay schools (for your kids) are not great however(Oregon in general is not a great place for schools!)! I would live in North Bend with kids as the schools there are MUCH better than Coos Bay.
The weather is one of those things you either love or hate. I saw many SoCal retirees move to Oregon for a year and run screaming but I liked it.Its never cold...never hot. Lots of rain and sometimes wind but there is actually something I miss about it. I still go over there once a month to visit family and really look forward to it.
The economy isnt great and a decent job is tough to find. If you or your spouse has decent skills it shouldnt be a problem but economy would be my biggest concern moving there.
Coos Bay gets a bad rap on the boards and is often overlooked for travel as the city itself isnt quaint or attractive like others on the coast but the scenery itself is as good or better than anywhere else on the coast. Cape Arago highway specifically. Good luck!
Criminality is almost non existant. The people are very friendly and it is still one of those places where you talk to your neighbor.
I wouldnt say the dining is great but there are a few places that I still miss the fresh seafood. Shopping isnt great either but it is better than any other place on the coast. It has most of the chain shopping you would expect...Walmart,Safeway,Albertons,Fred Meyer etc. The mall isnt great either (if you can call it that) but they do have Macy's for clothes. I usually went inland to Eugene once in awhile if I needed anything i couldnt get at home.
The real highlight however is the scenery and amount of things to do outside. Whether its hiking , fishing, crabbing or sitting on the beach. The outdoors and the beach are what makes it a great place to live.
Coos Bay schools (for your kids) are not great however(Oregon in general is not a great place for schools!)! I would live in North Bend with kids as the schools there are MUCH better than Coos Bay.
The weather is one of those things you either love or hate. I saw many SoCal retirees move to Oregon for a year and run screaming but I liked it.Its never cold...never hot. Lots of rain and sometimes wind but there is actually something I miss about it. I still go over there once a month to visit family and really look forward to it.
The economy isnt great and a decent job is tough to find. If you or your spouse has decent skills it shouldnt be a problem but economy would be my biggest concern moving there.
Coos Bay gets a bad rap on the boards and is often overlooked for travel as the city itself isnt quaint or attractive like others on the coast but the scenery itself is as good or better than anywhere else on the coast. Cape Arago highway specifically. Good luck!
Mar 14th, 2006, 09:34 PM
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Coos Bay has the very highly respected Southwestern Oregon Community College. I know many people who have gone there for their first two years and loved it! It is also a beautiful campus located in the forest on two natural lakes...in the ciy limits.
I don't think the people who have responded to this subject have lived in Coos Bay. The weather is beautifully stormy in the winter and wonderfully warm, yet not hot in the summer. The quality if life is high. Small town feel and great outdoor living. Again, if you are into cutesy shops and megagmalls, this is not the place to live..do go somewhere else. If you love clean air, clean water and outdoor pursuits and the opportunity for a great education, this is the place.
I don't think the people who have responded to this subject have lived in Coos Bay. The weather is beautifully stormy in the winter and wonderfully warm, yet not hot in the summer. The quality if life is high. Small town feel and great outdoor living. Again, if you are into cutesy shops and megagmalls, this is not the place to live..do go somewhere else. If you love clean air, clean water and outdoor pursuits and the opportunity for a great education, this is the place.
Oct 28th, 2015, 07:24 AM
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One of the most beautiful areas of the country with great fishing,boating,and a lot of friendly people. I came here to live because of my past experience living in Astoria, Or.(about 250 miles north of Coos Bay), I have been here almost two years and am packing to leave as I write this. The things that are not good for me are the 6 month a year fog bank,the inability of the great hospital or 2 clinics to attract and keep medical personnel,the fact that this area is known as the Meth capitol of Oregon, and the " the good old boy network" that guarantees that you will never fit in. Such a shame that such a wonderful area is a backwater stuck in the past.
Oct 28th, 2015, 01:02 PM
#11
If you are thinking about moving to Oregon, check out Bend.
The scenery is great, the schools are good, there is a great medical center and there is the Central Oregon Community College.
I prefer the mountains to the coastal area of Oregon.
The scenery is great, the schools are good, there is a great medical center and there is the Central Oregon Community College.
I prefer the mountains to the coastal area of Oregon.
