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It rains like 500 inches a year here in Eugene...

I'm an outsider that has researched the area a few yrs back. Also have some family way out in the country in south central OR.

Can only contribute that it appears to be one of the most scenic and green areas of the NW... But of course with that come tons and tons of rain that help produce said greenery, I understand some of most rain out of the entire NW Falls in the willamette valley. So get good rain gear. Lol.

Can't contribute anything else about willamette except in reference to OR in general, I had a friend yrs ago in Bend/Redmond and I have nothing but great memories of our times there.

I have heard that Bend is being overran by expat Californians which is making the housing market blow up and harder to afford for the non affluent.

I'd also check the local police crime maps for the area you are planning to move to..... Cuz I hear locals call Medford.... Methford

Lastly pls check out CITYDATA.COM

Tons of info on the region.

OR is def still on my short list if I ever relocate. I'm thinking Lincoln OR, or Coos bay...

All we got here is hippies and government workers. Union activists and tree huggers too. ACLU membership is required. Socialists won't even let you pump your own gas.

First off, Sacred Heart Medical Center in Springfield has oodles of RN positions open at present. Go to Peacehealth.org. and check it out.

Climate: average 40-60" of rain a year. In the winter doldrums, the temp will reach a high of 48 and the overnight low will be 43. We will often see snow that sticks around for more than a few hours once or twice a year. This means that, when it does stick around, nobody knows how to drive. We have no snowplows, because it's not cost effective. Cities tend to shut down when it snows. In the summer, it can get warm; we've had a record number of days 90 or above this year. If you have allergies, think about finding another place to live. Seasonal allergies can be severe here in April, May, and June. Pollen counts are typically off the scale... Literally.

All of the above said, many of us ride pretty much year round.

Here in Eugene/Springfield, you're 90 minutes from the ocean or mountains, depending on which way you head. Lots of outdoor activities in the area, depending on your interests.

Politically, Eugene is "progressive" liberal while Springfield tends to be a bit more conservative. Lots of old hippies here, one of the annual national gatherings - Oregon Country Faire - is nearby. If you don't like hippies, think about locating elsewhere. Eugene is home of University of Oregon, hence the liberal feel.

Corvallis, the home of Oregon State University, is a nice town, with a decent hospital, but other will have to fill you in on the details of living there.

Oregon has no sales tax, but a relatively high income tax. Property taxes are probably somewhat less than the rest of the west, depending on exactly where you settle.

There's a start. More to come from others, no doubt...

Portland, Lake Oswego, Eugene and Ashland are mecca for liberals. Everywhere else not too bad.

Central Oregon (Madras to Bend) is much less populated. Bend has grown rapidly and the housing prices have increased as expected. Hospitals in Bend, Redmond, Prineville and Madras.

Riding in the Willamette Valley is WET during the 6+ months October through March. Central Oregon is year round riding, albeit cold in the winter. Heated gear makes year round riding enjoyable.

Hope that helps!

I had no idea OC was a left wing place. Must be those union government infrastructure employees. Learn something every day.

Haha! Don't worry we are a good mix of conservative knuckle draggers and liberals here in Oregon. I have some friends in health care in Corvalis and they are happy down there. It's got a nice quiet small town feel, much smaller than Eugene. I also have a cousin in Eugene who is an NP at Rogue Valley Medical Center down there, who came from Michigan, and she loves it down there. Just my two cents. Good luck with your search!

More than a few have left the soggy valley due to the airborne mold problems. Cloud induced depression is real. Bring meds and good gear.

Don't move to Oregon without a job in place before you make the move. I've seen many, many people move there without employment, buy a house like you would somewhere else, fail at finding employment, deplete their resources, finding themselves unable to sell the house to move away...don't get caught in the Oregon trap.

We chew 'em up and spit 'em out.

After feeding them pot brownies, requiring they register for the Green Party, buy 3 live chickens, and they are sent off with caffeine DTs.

Very wise, you'll be fine. The closer you get to the beach or the mtns, the better that area is...meth has left it's mark. When my wife visits the kids in Eugene she won't park her car at one kids house, she leaves it at the other kids place and makes them come get her...it's a pretty sketchy place.

Oregon is the new California.

And will be more so as the California drought continues and they move here for water. On the bright side, many of them are literate compared to other new arrivals.

Fucking Texans.

I just talked to a nurse moving here from out of state who had multiple job offers before she moved out. You might even get a job in a Bend which I'd take over the Valley any day.

Oh, you might also try BEND!

Or Redmond.

Some people like rain but I grew up in the valley and found the clouds and rain depressing. Nice when the sun shines but the winters are dreary. The coast is even worse. Bend fits my lifestyle much better with lots of sun but winters are long and cold. For winter commuting here you'll need a cage or at least a hack and heated gear, where in the valley you can ride almost every day of the year as long as you have good rain gear.

and as far as meth goes, it's open season on tweakers. just make sure you land one and not just a graze or they'll be back....and in greater numbers.

That^^^ reminded me of this pic.