My husband and I and our 13 year-old son are considering a move from Northern California to Oregon. We are trying to decide between the Salem area or the Bend area. The main concern about Salem is the rain. Bend looks good to us but is a little far from Portland and the Coast where we would like to spend some time. We would very much appreciate your insight about comparing the two regions.

I live in Eugene- just down the road from Salem. I have not spent a lot of time in Salem but think I would rather live in Bend than Salem. Bend is the fastest growing city in Oregon- and I feel a different energy there than Salem. There is a lot to do as far as outdoor activities- downside is Bend is a drive to coast and Portland and airport is in Redmond and fairly small.
Also I hear housing is overpriced in Bend- but it is a great community.

Born and raised in Salem, live near Portland now, but spend a lot of time in Bend. So here is my .02 worth In Salem I would stick to the south and west areas. Yes, there is a lot of rain, but it is more like a constant drizzle. It doesn't stop anyone from going about their day to day business...you just adapt. I think it is a great location as it is pretty central to so many great areas of our state (the coast, Portland, central OR). Bend of course doesn't have the rain that Salem does, but has more extreme temperatures during the year. Lots of Californians are moving to Bend. Enormous growth in the area in the last 5-10 years. Loads of outdoor activities in the immediate area. Of course 3-4 hours to Portland and/or the coast. Just depends on what you are specifically looking for. A good website for relocating is www.city-data.com.

I would not choose the town based on how close it is to places I am interested in visiting. I would choose on choose based on livability and with a school aged child, the school district. I really do like Portland and the coast so I understand why you wish to visit those places. I also really like Bend. It’s a great place. Quite beautiful and very near many outdoor activities. I don’t know about the schools there but I do have really good friends whose children attended Bend schools and both have successfully launched to college. Good luck with your choice.

I agree about the school issue. I should have clarified, but that is what I was referrring to when I mentioned which areas of Salem to look at.

The thing about the rain in the Willamete Valley is that frequently you can drive over to the mountains and it will be sunny - or at least not rainy.
I cant tell you how many times I decided not to go on some outdoor excursion because it was raining in Eugene only to find that the weather in the mountains was sunny -
So as mms- you just have to adapt and not let it keep you home

Here's a link to a relocation forum that may help you out:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/washington/

AustinTraveler,

Do you have a financial stake in that website? I notice you recommend it on every relocation thread.

Why are you leaving out the Rogue Valley?
better than Salem or Bend. Just ask all the Californians that have moved here.

I live in Salem, used to live in Portland, Seattle, Bay are and LA. We opted for Salem b.c we love the NW, its got a smaller feel than Portland which my husband liked, it has affordable housing (way less than Portland and Bend), and its close to portland and the coast. If you like it dry I would compare bend to the CA central valley but colder and with snow covered Mt's near by. Both towns are growing, Bend feels like a tourist town to me but I have never lived there. Salem is an old town but its growing. Real estate has slowed in the last 6 months. If you are looking at neighborhoods I would suggest the south overall, some like the west side-to me its too new. Keep in mind Salem does have a conservative streak but you will find that all over Oregon, we seem to be pretty divided politically with a slight majority that goes left. Overall Salem Keizer school district isnt bad, but all of Oregon has had a hit with its school funding in the last 5 years. Hope this helps