My son just found out he'll be transferring to Coos Bay next June. He is in the Coast Guard and chose this town as his first pick so he and his wife are very excited!

They have been living in Cocoa Beach FL for the last 2 years and wanted to experience living in the Northwest for a couple of years.

As I've been reading the posts from this board, I've noticed quite a few negative comments about Coos Bay.

So, to balance out those comments, I'd love to hear some positives about the area. Thanks in advance!

BTW, I'll be visiting them next summer so I'll be asking for travel advice soon!!

I've only visited briefly, but recall that there is a nice waterfront boardwalk and an art museum. Typical Oregon coast weather (lots of rain) but a mild climate. The Oregon Dunes National Seashore is nearby.

Ummmm...... ummmm...... Hmmmm......... The high school usually has a decent football team? It's a good place to raise a family? Truth is, there aren't a lot of positive things to say about Coos Bay. It's not on the coast (not sure what boardwalk boom_boom is thinking about), and it's struggling to climb out of the economics hits taken in the timber and fishing industries. Best thing it's got going for it is the port, which is rumored to be next in line for development to compete with other major west coast deep water port cities. But that's years away.

On the other hand, there is spectacular coastline nearby: Cape Arago, Sunset Bay. Not to mention the Oregon Dunes just north of North Bend. And it's close enough to other places like Bandon (if your son plays golf, he'll be in heaven), Gold Beach, or even Newport, all great options for sightseeing and other activities. Except for the rain, it's a great place for outdoor lovers.

I'm a retired Coastie and I can tell you that there is a lot to like about the Coos Bay/North Bend area (joined at the hip). This link will be valuable: http://tinyurl.com/6pt5ve

There is a lifeboat station, an air station, and a 110-foot cutter there...maybe a buoy tender, too. There is a commissary of sorts at the air station. If he is assigned to the lifeboat station he will most likely have to go to the motor lifeboat school made famous by the Discovery Channel.

Not certain about the medical care situation (I retired in 66) but it will probably be contracted out to local doctors/hospitals.

For entertainment, Eugene is about 140 miles away...lots of goodies there. And the coast is beautiful.

Google "coast guard + coos bay" or north bend to learn more.

PS...getting nine month's warning on a transfer must be something new. In my day, it was either "leave your wife behind to sell the house...report to your next duty station in two weeks" or "Your wife can find a place to live while you are gone...your ship sails next week for sixty days (six months for icebreakers."

It's a brave new world.

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

Sounds like the overall area is really nice and I'm sure they'll love traveling throughout the Northwest. It's a great opportunity for them having lived on the East Coast their entire lives!!

Bobmrg, yes the CG is very different these days. The reason why many Coasties know 9 months in advance is because of all the schools they must attend before they are allowed to transfer and advance. Luckily my son has most of his schools done, but he said some schools take 6 months to 2 years to complete. The new post expects the transferee to be ready to perform all expected duties immediately.

However, he did say sometimes you do get called without much warning, just like you described! I guess it depends on the job and the need.

Thanks again!!

Jayneann, I taught at the Electronic Technician School twice, and my graduates found out their next assignment when they graduated. Much nicer situation now!

I pass through CB several times a year, and my take is that it's very much like other towns on the Oregon coast - nothing remarkable in terms of style or cuteness factor, but comfortable enough, tight knit, and very close by some wonderful country - not just the coast, but the coast range and the rivers that pass through the hills. CB's history is very colorful (big center of radical union movement, for instance) and the town has certainly seen bad days as well as good ones.

It will, obviously, be a hugely different place from Cocoa Beach, and will require quite a lot of adaptation. But I wouldn't despair - it's Oregon after all, and one can do a lot worse for places to live.