hiluhriehope

I may end up working at a pet hospital in Salem. My husband currently works at a gas station here in Corvallis. I'd really like to not live in Corvallis, plus I currently don't have a driver's license, so I wouldn't be able to drive myself to work in Salem. So I'm trying to find somewhere that would be a nice compromise. We can't live in Salem because my hubby is definitely not going to make a 45-min commute every day for a gas station job. He'd basically be working for the gas money at that point.
I've lived in Corvallis and Albany, but my sense of direction is terrible. Is Albany in between Salem and Corvallis? Are there any other towns in between that have a reasonable cost of living? As I said, hubby works full-time at a gas station so he's making minimum wage. I'll be working as a vet tech which means I'll be making just above minimum wage. We both go to school at Linn-Benton in Albany. We also have a ten month old son - not old enough yet to worry too much about schools, but daycare is going to be a big factor.
Anyone know of a good place that might work for us?
Thanks!

lcuy

This doesn't make sense. You don't have a driver's license, so you won't be able to live anywhere BUT Salem if you work there. Salem and Corvallis are 30 miles apart and Albany is in the middle, which I am amazed the you don't know, seeing as you go to school in Albany and live in Corvallis. There is this thing called Google Maps that you might want to look into.

Anyway, it is 11 miles from Albany to Corvallis and 20 miles from Albany to Salem, and no miles from Albany to your school. i'd say Albany would be the best place to live, but you will need to get a license or a job in Albany.

hiluhriehope

Wow. Way to be rude. One, I get rides to work. I do volunteer work and such now and I make it there. However, nobody wants to drive me 45 minutes to work. Two, if I end up working in Salem there's a damn good reason for it: Banfield Pet Hospital has a vet tech student program to get paid work experience.
And I don't know that Albany is in between because as I previously said, one, I don't drive so I barely know where anything is and two, I have a terrible sense of direction. I always have and probably always will.
I'm working on getting my license, but I do not have it yet. Hubby makes min wage. I make nothing yet. We have a baby, rent and car payments. We don't have money to pay for my license until I get a job.
I know what Google Maps is, thank you. I was hoping I might be able to get some helpful, real opinions on here that are based on more than just where something is located. Yes, I am looking for a place in between Salem and Corvallis. However, that is not my only consideration, which I also made clear. I also asked if there were any towns *besides* Albany in between the two cities.
How about you toddle off and be rude to someone else?
So does anyone *else* have any kind, helpful answers for me?

hiluhriehope

It's sad to me that I asked a simple question, looking for assistance, and had to defend myself right off the bat. Really?

suze

I don't think it's rude to suggest that a map would be really helpful to you. You don't need a good sense of direction to read a map.

My family lives in Corvallis and Philomath. Philomath can be a little cheaper but really doesn't change your location by much.

I would just start checking the rental ads in the newspaper and look at any towns that are on the route between the two places. I'm just guessing but the probably smaller towns would have somewhat lower rents than actually being in Albany or Corvallis proper.

Placename

hiluhriehope-

You original post did not indicate how you were going to get to work or childcare.

lucy gave you reasonable information about the options and what appeared to be a very unworkable situation as you originally expressed it.

You could have easily and politely added the additional information instead of posting a rude and huffy answer.

The fault was yours for not providing a rather vital piece of information.

suze

Placename, Please notice that the editors have removed the first reply. I'm guess THAT was the rude one.

I still say all you need is a map (have your husband get one from his gas station) and the local paper. Check the smaller towns for lower rents.

tomfuller

I don't intend to be rude, but if you can't afford to get a driver's license, what makes you think you can buy a car,
license it and pay for gas and insurance?
Amtrak has 2 morning trains from Albany to Salem #500 @ 6:13AM and #504 @ 9:43AM they take 30 minutes to arrive in Salem. The fare is a reasonable $9.50. Here's hoping the Vet school/clinic is near the Salem train station. Until your son is 2 he rides free on Amtrak if that helps.
In the late afternoon there are 2 buses that go back to Albany @ 4:35 and 6:45. The buses take 36 minutes. Unless you make friends at the clinic that can take you home, Amtrak could be your best option. My vote is for someplace in Albany within walking distance of the train station.