Pacific Northwest Scouting Trip
#21
I think you'd have a better chance in Portland than Seattle. I know my friend working as a nurse living there now pays significant less rent on a nicer apartment than he did in Seattle.
I agree with Gardyloo's suggestions of places like Corvallis or Eugene. Both are lovely imo.
I agree with Gardyloo's suggestions of places like Corvallis or Eugene. Both are lovely imo.
#22
Join Date: Jun 2003
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I know we're not on your list,but health care is the major industry of the Rogue Valley owing to the large influx of retirees in the last 10-20 years.
Our two major organizations are Asante and Providence Health Systems,
spread between 4 hospitals.
Our two major organizations are Asante and Providence Health Systems,
spread between 4 hospitals.
#24
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I definitely appreciate all of your suggestions, and you've inspired me to add Bend, Seaside, Bellingham, Olympia, and Corvallis to our road trip planning considerations. We won't have time to hit them all, but this gives us a great place to start.
To answer your questions -- we currently live in Chicago and are tired of the pollution, the temperature extremes, the crime, the corruption, and it taking an hour to get anywhere in the city due to congestion and constant construction nightmares. We're also both outdoorsy people who don't like heat or sun -- a cool foggy morning hike or kayak trip sounds right up our alley. And we both really love rain and overcast weather, so that aspect of the PNW shouldn't be too much of an issue. We also love cultural things like theater, live music, and art, so being driving distance from a sizeable city without being in the thick of it is our plan.
Thanks to everyone for their awesome suggestions! I can't wait to explore!
To answer your questions -- we currently live in Chicago and are tired of the pollution, the temperature extremes, the crime, the corruption, and it taking an hour to get anywhere in the city due to congestion and constant construction nightmares. We're also both outdoorsy people who don't like heat or sun -- a cool foggy morning hike or kayak trip sounds right up our alley. And we both really love rain and overcast weather, so that aspect of the PNW shouldn't be too much of an issue. We also love cultural things like theater, live music, and art, so being driving distance from a sizeable city without being in the thick of it is our plan.
Thanks to everyone for their awesome suggestions! I can't wait to explore!
#26
Last weekend at the Tower Theater in Bend, there was a production of 1776 with an all female cast. I do have a friend who has been on the staff of the Tower for many years.
There are few cities (81K) that you can go skiing in the morning and play golf in the afternoon.
The worst pollution Bend has had in the past 3 months is the Pine pollen.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/1776-...81149751947387
St. Charles Medical Center I am told is a great place to work.
There are few cities (81K) that you can go skiing in the morning and play golf in the afternoon.
The worst pollution Bend has had in the past 3 months is the Pine pollen.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/1776-...81149751947387
St. Charles Medical Center I am told is a great place to work.
#27
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Hate to disagree with you Tomsd, but Bend is considered an urban area. OK, it is not like San Diego, Portland or Seattle, but it is urban. I am presently at our vacation home in Sunriver, about 15 miles south of Bend. Many homes in the area would be considered rural. Bend has grown tremendously in the 10 years we have been coming here. It has all the stores (Macy's, Kohls, Target, Home Depot, etc.), a wonderful downtown section, community events, health care and other amenities that constitute an urban area. The area has wonderful opportunities for outdoor activities (hiking, fishing, tubing down the river, kayaking on rivers and lakes, skiing, golfing, etc). It is on the Eastern side of the Cascades in the high desert, so it does not get as much rain or clouds as towns/ cities on the Western side. It can be warm during the summer, but cools off (40's & 50's) at night. It does get some snow during the October through May. Only downside is that the airport in Redmond would not be considered a major airport.
#29
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Thanks again, everyone. Our trip was fantastic. It was rushed, by necessity, because it was a scouting trip, but we both had so much fun, and it really clarified where we think we want to land.
We flew into Seattle late Saturday night, spent Sunday in Seattle as well as on Vashon and Bainbridge Islands. Monday we drove down to Olympia, WA and spent the whole day wandering around town, finding unexpected bookstores and watching sea lions hunt salmon in the sound.
Tuesday we drove south, passed briefly through Vancouver WA, then met a friend for dinner and a long neighborhood walk in Portland. Wednesday we walked around Portland most of the day, went to Powells, and explored neighborhoods.
Thursday we drove east from Portland to Hood River, OR, had lunch, then turned north and drove along the Eastern Cascades (stopping in Snoqualmie Pass) to Bellingham, where we spent our last night before flying out of Seattle Friday afternoon. Like I said, it was a whirlwind.
It's looking like Olympia WA was our mutual favorite place. A small city with a vibrant Capitol and two universities, close enough to Seattle, Portland, and the Olympic Peninsula to allow us lots of weekend trips, with outdoor trails, eco-friendly initiatives, and lots of friendly people. And 3 independent bookstores within a few blocks! We had a blast there and could both imagine living there within a couple hours of our arrival. Ultimately our move will depend on where I get a good job offer, but we have solid ideas now to work from.
Thanks again everyone for the advice and the guidance! I wish we'd had more time. Once we live out there I'm hoping to explore the Oregon Coast more as well as Bend and the other places people suggested!
We flew into Seattle late Saturday night, spent Sunday in Seattle as well as on Vashon and Bainbridge Islands. Monday we drove down to Olympia, WA and spent the whole day wandering around town, finding unexpected bookstores and watching sea lions hunt salmon in the sound.
Tuesday we drove south, passed briefly through Vancouver WA, then met a friend for dinner and a long neighborhood walk in Portland. Wednesday we walked around Portland most of the day, went to Powells, and explored neighborhoods.
Thursday we drove east from Portland to Hood River, OR, had lunch, then turned north and drove along the Eastern Cascades (stopping in Snoqualmie Pass) to Bellingham, where we spent our last night before flying out of Seattle Friday afternoon. Like I said, it was a whirlwind.
It's looking like Olympia WA was our mutual favorite place. A small city with a vibrant Capitol and two universities, close enough to Seattle, Portland, and the Olympic Peninsula to allow us lots of weekend trips, with outdoor trails, eco-friendly initiatives, and lots of friendly people. And 3 independent bookstores within a few blocks! We had a blast there and could both imagine living there within a couple hours of our arrival. Ultimately our move will depend on where I get a good job offer, but we have solid ideas now to work from.
Thanks again everyone for the advice and the guidance! I wish we'd had more time. Once we live out there I'm hoping to explore the Oregon Coast more as well as Bend and the other places people suggested!
#30
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From what I know - Olympia is as you described and one of my hs classmates likes living there.
BTW - while I still consider Bend as not really "urban" (Barbann - my best - no way is Corvallis even in the discussion as urban.
Bend has a lot to offer but a lot of people want to live there also so not sure how many openings there would be in your chosen field.
BTW - while I still consider Bend as not really "urban" (Barbann - my best - no way is Corvallis even in the discussion as urban.
Bend has a lot to offer but a lot of people want to live there also so not sure how many openings there would be in your chosen field.
#32
I *love* Corvallis Oregon. I'd live there in a heartbeat if I were wanting to get out of Seattle but stay in the Pacific NW somewhere less urban. It's a fantastic little town/city. My family all lives there (not where we grew up but someplace they've each chosen).
I'm not sure why Olympia has never done it for me personally, but plenty of people live there are like it OK I guess. I used to visit quite often when I had friends who went back to college at Evergreen. I don't know... just something about it.
I'm not sure why Olympia has never done it for me personally, but plenty of people live there are like it OK I guess. I used to visit quite often when I had friends who went back to college at Evergreen. I don't know... just something about it.