Land question for the GIM folks Oregon
 

I have been hunting incessantly for some rural land in the western region of the U.S. Southern Oregon recently was thrust onto my radar by a friend and I have been searching the Klamath and Bonanza areas.

I am looking for any advice on the suitabilty of the land from a non shtf perspective. More of a rural living standpoint. I live in Northern CA and would like some rural land to put a small cabin on that can serve as a possible fallback home in case Sacramento becomes zombieland.

Anybody know the area? Is it a Methlab melting pot and is Oregon still fairly a free state? (at least relative to CA) I know it is a pretty leftist state but their gun laws seem better than CA.

ALL input is appreciated.

Re: Land question for the GIM folks Oregon
 

I too am in Cali, and am considering purchasing some rural land in Oregon. I am currently looking at Josephine and Coos counties. Klamath would be cheaper, but it looks awfully dry over there. Have you done any research on the availability of water, well digging, etc? Bend is supposed to be beautiful, but they only get around 12" of water per year there. That's why I'm currently looking to be west of the mountains. Also, for what it's worth, I have a sister in law from Oregon, she said the Roseburg area is very redneck (including white supremacists?). Hope this is helpful. I've found it pretty hard to get general information about areas, maybe will try some local papers. Good luck, and let me know if you come across anything useful.

Re: Land question for the GIM folks Oregon
 

I don't live there but spent a week there last July, Eugene area and it's wonderful. The people are amazing, easy going laid back friendly, the country is stunning, beautiful, clean. I really really liked it. Good luck.

Re: Land question for the GIM folks Oregon
 

I recently spent a day driving through the Klamath Falls area and the people seemed really nice. Stuff seemed really inexpensive compared to Seattle.

I used to have family near Coos Bay and would travel there usually taking the coast route. Even in the summer it was often cold! They used to sell shirts depicting a duck sitting in a lounge chair with shades on sunning himself that said, "I love the Oregon Coast Summer...

.....it's the best 6 hours of the year!"

Definitely an exaggeration, but too close to the truth for me to move there.

-Willie

Re: Land question for the GIM folks Oregon
 

I lived in Portland for 2 1/2 years. We loved Oregon. Don't miss the TWO brewery fests on the river walk in Portland each summer. And I don't even drink.

If you are FROM Kali, don't make that known, because Oregon is being overrun by you folks, and you are driving up the prices. And we moved away 12 years ago.

If you want the 'wet' side of the state, stay WEST of I-5 - though it does go east somewhat. Generally anywhere within 100 miles of the Pacific Ocean will get you plenty of rain.

It will rain from November to May every day (almost). The Oregonians think of it as 'liquid sunshine'.

But dang man, I had the BEST GARDENS I've ever had when we lived in Oregon.

The folks are friendly - if you don't drag Kali around your neck like an albatross, constantly comparing Oregon to Kali. A lot of folks do that and then wonder WHY no one wants to be their friend.

Also, you can go down the Columbia River for quite a ways and both sides are green but inland a little ways, not so much.

I've seen a pix of a guy standing on tree stump about twenty feet in diameter. And he was surrounded in a see of cut down tree stumps as far as the eye could see.

Further research showed that the heavy forests that are still currently growing in western Oregon USED to grow as far east as Boise, Idaho.

Ever hear of the 'Boise Cascade' company?

Re: Land question for the GIM folks Oregon
 

portlands unemployment rate. 11.6%
http://www.portlandpro.com/employ.html

Look into the northeast region of oregon if you dont need a heavey stream of income.
Hermeston-tricites area. They have some of the best employment rates in the county right now, its all based on agriculture.

Re: Land question for the GIM folks Oregon
 

So, asking the locals about the best place for a soy latte is a bad opening move?

Re: Land question for the GIM folks Oregon
 

I have lived in Oregon all my life and we don't have soy lotte's but the dutch brothers coffee is some of the best in the West. Better then hawaii's kona. Our emplyment is down but you will not find a more kind group of people anywhere. Yes it rains here but in the southern part we get 4 seasons and if you were here you would love it. Our property has gone down but is coming back, and now is the time to purchase. I live in So ore just 26 miles from cali. but on I-5 and we can get around the state easily. 10 min from the lake waterskiing or 35 min to snow skiing, or 45 min to craterlake or fishing. I ride motorcycles and we have alot of orv trails mostly single track and some quad trails. We do not have sales tax but our property tax's are a bit high. But you can find some repos @ a great price, also if you are into turnig propertys there good money in that here. Come check it out, if you have questions get ahold of me..

Re: Land question for the GIM folks Oregon
 

Great replies, thanks guys. Not to worry, I'm originally from Pennsylvania, so I think I could fit in, the Cali folks here drive me crazy too. Most of them here have their priorities all f'd up, it's all about what u drive, so you can see folks driving BMWs that you know can't afford them. When things get bad, most will melt if they can't drive to the corner Whole Foods.

Anyway, answer2me, I considered the northeast of Oregon, maybe La Grande, but it looks pretty dry. Do you know if there are water issues there? Can you get a parcel with a well, or dig one reasonably?

KiloKel, do you know much about the Grants Pass area? I'll keep doing research, and maybe check back with you for questions if that's ok.

Again, thanks to all. As usual, GIMers are full of valuable info.

Re: Land question for the GIM folks Oregon
 

Not much to say really. I would select your destination based on what you're looking for in terms of proximity to recreation, occupation, and socialization.

The culture in "Burns" is much different than the culture in Eugene which is much different than Portland.

Rock climbing, snowboarding, gold panning, and hunting in the east.
Beaches, cold water surfing, fishing, and hunting in the west.

There's rafting in some areas, and we've got Casinos in a couple of places.

Jobs on the other hand... Big cities are the only places with any jobs that I know of.

Re: Land question for the GIM folks Oregon
 

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/41000.html

http://www.retirementliving.com/RLstate3.html#OREGON

Re: Land question for the GIM folks Oregon
 

Also, although there is no sales tax in Oregon, there is a income tax, which can get quite steep for the average middle class wage earners.