What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Well, Utah is out and I'm back to the drawing board, fellas, but that's o.k.

I'm now considering eastern Oregon as a potential home after a Brother here on GIM recommended it. Unless I hear bad things from the membership, I'm thinking I'll investigate and scout around in Baker City and Bend, at a minimum.

> Things I like about eastern Oregon:

Winter much less severe than MT or the Dakotas
Good growing season and water supply (in some valleys, anyway...)
Close to ID, MT, and WY, where other freedom-loving people can be found

> Things I DON'T like about eastern Oregon:

CA libs up there who want recreate CA-style socialism and regulate my life (NO!)
the state doesn't seem too friendly to gun owners (but no AW ban... yet)
the state DOES appear overly friendly to illegal alien invaders (uh oh...)

Still, when a GIMer I respect and admire says, "lookee here, H7..." I have to do so. Any and all input, good or bad, on Oregon (mainly the eastern part,) is, as always, gratefully appreciated.

Thanks!

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

eastern Oregon and eastern Washington state are both very simalar. They are nice places to live, and offer more than WY, MT, or the Dakotas. The climate in these areas is very nice and the recreational opportunities are first class. But, keep in mind that the eastern sides of both of these states are rural and agricultural based for the most part. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people in these states live on the western side of the cascades and are very liberal. Both states are heavily controlled by democrats and there will not be any changing of that anytime soon. So, if that is important to you, than think about that.

Also keep in mind that there are large populations of illegal immigrants in both of these areas because of the agricultural intensity. And, you will find that most republicans in these areas, while publically they toe the republican line on immigration, quietly, they know that these areas are heavily dependent on these workers and they would never support legislation that would deport all of the illegal workers. Eastern Oregon will tend to have less illegal workers because it has a much smaller tree fruit base than eastern WA. If you want to stay out of the way of illegal workers, then concentrate on areas that do not have labor intensive agriculture.

The panhandle of idaho is also a very nice place to live. Bend will be more liberal as it is a playground for many people from western oregon. Baker City will be much more conservative and very religious.

I can tell from your selection of quotes at the end of your posts what your opinion is of illegal immigrants. Not here to start a discussion on that, but if you get time, spend some time in The Dalles area of Oregon during cherry harvest and go out and watch it, or go to a u-pick farm and pick for an hour or two. Most cherry pickers make around $100/day for a 6 hr day. I think you will realize pretty quickly that not too many white americans are going to do that work, no matter the pay. But, not here to pick a fight with you.

Both eastern OR and eastern WA are great places to live with cheap housing and lots to offer, especially if you are into outdoor activities. Depending on what your career is, it can be a little tough finding good paying ($50,000 plus) jobs. If being around illegal immigrants is a big deal to you, there are many areas that still do not have large populations of them in this region, you just have to find them. Good luck.

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Bend is kind of an odd duck, like a miniature of the state. Lots of hippy earth first liberals downtown which adds some color and isn't necessarily a bad thing, but as you radiate outward it becomes more conservative and rural feeling. As long as you are out of city limits, the rural voters still control things. CCW is easy to get in this county also. I live on five acres outside of town and it works pretty good. I can drive into town, visit all the 'big box' stores and eateries, and when my blood pressure gets up to the point that I want to strangle people, I just head back home to peace and quit. My wife is a local real estate agent and we've both been here for over 20 years, so let me know if you need any help.
As for Baker, I've only visited, but if I had the money and didn't need a job I move there to "get away" from it all. Not a bad little town, just not a whole lot to do.

on edit: I thought I'd add, that the local paper runs a "feel good" article about illegals almost every friggin day, but at this time 90% of the illegals in this part of the state stick to Madras which is 50 miles to the north which has large agricultural crops. Nothing will grow around Bend, so except for the mexican roofers or food joints, they are still pretty darn rare around here.

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

I live in eastern Washington. Eastern Oregon and Washington thrive and survive on irrigation water. In other areas you buy land. Here you buy water rights with land attached. Without water, the land is desert and will grow cheat grass and sage brush only. Without water, you cannot survive here.

The most important thing to evaluate with the land are the water rights and source.

It is a great area for the coming hard times. The area has the advantages of water transport in the Columbia River, good rail transport, large regional supply of hydro power, large food production in regional farms/ranches, moderate climate, and good growing season if you select the proper area.

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

I Believe Ponce lives in Oregon, so that is a Big Plus!

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

I believe he lives in the SW part which is another interesting part of the state. Populated by lots of survivalist, living in a bus types. Another place I'd live if I didn't need a decent job. Rains quite a bit, but not that bad.

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Here is an interesting evaluation of 19 western states.
Oregon is ranked 3rd. Particularly the La Grande Ronde area which Baker City is in that area is referenced as a good area.
http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Seeing as how even Drifter failed to mention it, Bend's population is 70,000+ people and that's about three times larger than it was about ten(ish) years ago. It's growth has become exponential. Generally by conservative white folks trying to escape the liberal bent of the larger cities in the NW. Which are being inundated by white people trying to escape the hell they created in Kalifornia.

CCW issuance in ALL of Oregon and Washington, regardless of ALL the efforts of the liberals, are must issue states. So unless you have a black mark on your 'rap' sheet, you can get a CCW in 90 days or less. I should know, I held one before I went to school to become a gunsmith.

I lived in Portland a while back. Not too bad, but very liberal. And mexicans are over running the NW entirely. Yes, you can escape it somewhat by moving to some of the smaller towns like Bend, but I have found that if you give them an inch they will take a mile.

And the license plates used to be issued every TWO years instead of the 'normal' one year. That was about ten years ago and may have changed. Maybe Drifter can address the current situation.

I'd like to address the BS line about the 'need' to allow illegal mexicans into our country to pick our fruit and vegetables. Here in Colorado, I know a fruit grower on the Western Slope. He's had the same family of mexicans pick his fruit for over twenty years. Grandfather, father and now sons, with all their women come up and live in nicely made, well built small homes for about six weeks. The grower pays them well. They harvest his crops. Then go back to mexico until next year. They live WELL above the poverty level in mexico because of this set up. It's called 'the guest worker' program. It works well. The problem is so many mexicans come up and find that it's a much better place to live than where they came from that they don't go home. They send money home, yes. But they are taking money out of social programs that used to go to AMERICANS. Not to illegals. The USA cannot possibly allow ALL the people that want to come here to come here. We as nation can't possible AFFORD to support another 50 million mexicans that would come up if we opened our borders like some suggest. Standing behind that 50 million mexicans are another 150 million 'immigrants' from Central and South America. That also says nothing of the 200 million chinese that want to come here.

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

If you like AK's, Oregon is also a Class III state, so if you're willing to spend the money and fill out the paperwork, you can have literally anything you'd like. Seems like everytime I go to the 'range' somebody has a full auto toy. The local county fairgrounds has a pretty good gunshow about 4 times a year and they usually have all the goodies that Californians can only dream about.

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

I live in eastern wa state, so I am not totally sure about Oregon, but both states do not seem to have the state budgetary or social program problems that California has had.

One thing to note is that Oregon has a state income tax; whereas WA doesn't; WA primarily gets its funding through a sales tax. I do know that Oregon just passed some very favorable land owner rights initiatives, so that may be of importance to you.

I wouldn't let the illegal alien thing bother you too much; you can find areas where you won't be bothered by them. Another city to think about that doesn't have many illegal aliens is Spokane; and it is generally pretty conservative. It is a fairly large city with good job opportunities, and is centered in dryland wheat country, so the ag in the area is not labor intensive, and will never be in your lifetime. Although, I wouldn't go around talking about how farmers should get off the USDA welfare rolls........:) But, no place is perfect......the govt has done a good job of hooking both liberals and conservatives on uncle sugar. Conservatives are just as good at pork barrel politics as liberals.

wallew, I completely agree that the way the situation now with illegal immigration is not ideal. But, the issue is not whether these workers are needed or are not needed. They are needed. Where I differ from others is that I believe you have to have a one time amnesty for the ones that are already here so you can find them and document them. Then, they can become legal, tax paying citizens. Then build a 30 ft tall fence along the border to completely stop the illegal entry and have a liberal immigration policy that allows continued immigration, but at levels that are controlled and where the workers can be documented. By legalizing these people, you will get rid of the transient nature of many of them, they will settle down. One thing to realize is that it is difficult to get across the border and costs money, so what happens is that once these illegal aliens get here, they will not risk going back because they have to get across the border again, so they hunker down, keep to themselves, and live under the radar. If you legalize them, you let them travel back and forth without fear of getting caught. So, the ones that do want to go back in the winter, will go back in the winter, and the ones that don't, can legally settle down here without fear of deportation.

while your friend the fruit grower sounds like he has found an ideal situation; colorado is at best, a niche fruit growing area and his operation sounds very small. He most likely has found a legal, hispanic family that is willing to work here and go home in the winter, but that is getting more rare as time goes along. And is not going to be a solution for commercial tree fruit production, The average fruit farm in WA state needs anywhere from 30 to literally 1000's of workers, on a few days notice, intermittently throughout the year. WA state is the premier growing region, due to its climate, to grow apples in the world. Apples are a billion dollar industry to eastern wa state, and that is just apples, and does not inlcude cherries, other soft fruite, wine grapes, etc, etc. Those total several more billion. It is just not realistic to think that existing americans are going to somehow fill that void. Believe me, we have tried......even with the current system of illegal immigration, we cannot find enough workers. The average wage for ag workers in WA state is well over $10/hr. WA state has the highest minimum wage in the US at $8/hr and it is indexed to inflation, so the idea that illegal aliens are depressing the wage scale, at least in this area, is not really valid.

Guest worker programs are not really a solution because I, along with most other fruit growers, need a stable, mostly year around, workforce. People who are legal, live locally, and have families, are more stable workers. The guest worker problem is a small piece of the solution, but not a very large one.

If we suddenly had to start paying $20/hr to $30/hr to get people to pick our fruit, in an export dominated industry like fruit production, it would be a tremendous blow to the industry. It is not such a big deal for domestic type companies (house builders, cleaning services, lawn mowing, restaurant workers) because if the wage structure goes up, it goes up for every employer equally.

I do not doubt that there has been a host of social problems brought about by the illegal immigration, but, if the workers are needed, which they are, the only real solution to getting a handle on it is to legalize them.

Hope you find what you are looking for, I think you could find a place in Or, WA or ID that will fit your criteria.......what is kind of funny, is that everybody up here bitches about the California transplants that keep coming up here to escape California and its lifestyle!!!

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

I live in oregon too.

Bend is growing like crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lots of habla espanol...I mean lots

check out the southern part of the state.

gun rights are good...not great like mt

overall a good state...no perm military bases, no nuke plants

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Just don't move next to the Umatilla Chemical Depot near Hermiston! :beer:

Frosty

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Remember he's coming from California. Too us that have lived here the past 20plus years the increase from 0 to maybe 5% mexicans seems like a lot, but compared to southern california it's pretty darn white bread. Unless you hang around construction sites or mexican restaurants you won't come across too many, and unlike Californian mexicans, they know they're outnumbered and "outgunned" so they tend to keep to themselves.

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

It sounds good so far, especially the Class III thing. My shooter pals started leaving CA once we lost our Class III rights around 20 years ago. I've always dreamed of my own MP-40 or Tommy Gun.

There's a job possibility in my field in a little town called Lakeview, where the 140 and highway 395 meet. CitizenKane said check out the south and that's in the south, so I'm gonna' follow up. Even if it doesn't work out I'm adding Lakeview to my short list of "places to see" for my summertime trip.

It's a bit early for the hiring cycle to begin but I am encouraged by this... :smile:

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Stay away from the Klamath region, 'cause if is not pain, then it is suffering.

http://www.klamathbasincrisis.org/

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Lakeview is great if you have a job prospect there. Nice small little town. I've stayed there when passing through to Reno and also when I was doing some engineering/survey work on the hwy near there years ago.

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

H7, what is your career field?? that could dictate to some degree where you might want to look

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Hey Hive, did you make the move to Lakeview? I drove through there on the way to Crescent City, CA. Nice little town! Ate at nice little burger place called the Burger Queen. I have been looking for some land and it sure looks like a well watered valley. The job thing is a problem for me so will have to just maybe buy the land and move there later. They did have a uranium mill in the 60's there but looks like they have it cleaned up. Here is the link for that. Just locate away from it

http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/nuclear...ew_title1.html

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Personally I am looking into Northern New Mexico. Pretty country, fiendly gun laws,and somewhat conservative. Thus far, a well kept secret.

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...RSign_fxwb.jpg

http://www.clipdude.com/photos/boringorcity.jpg

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

I know nothing much of Oregon besides what my wife has told me. Seems like just another place to me, nothing too terribly special, though I get the impression caucasians are the majority by far. I was similarly struck by this when visiting Wisconsin. I never saw so many white people in one place at one time in my life!

FWIW, Arkansas is currently on my short list but bear in mind that unless you're considering Alaska there is nowhere you can go to get away from the people and politics you don't want to be around, not on a large scale. You might find a local area that is what you want but there are no garauntees of stability. Just stay clear of the main cities and live the way you want.

Your stance on this issue seems mighty peculiar to me. It seems what it boils down to is rather than fix artificially supressed food prices, right the trade deficit and improve production methods you'd rather see our entire culture devestated. If insourcing foreign labor was at all a workable fix I could even excuse it, but it isn't because it fails to address the two largest problems; artificially suppressed food prices and the trade deficit. It actually makes the trade deficit worse.

Ignoring that I would like to know how much you feel you can afford to pay your workers?

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Hive,

Also an Oregonian here, living in bureaucratic hell, also known as Salem, the capitol. I agree with most everything other Oregon posters have said here. West of the Cascades, it's mostly socialist liberals. East of the Cascades, more rural, conservative folks, the exception being Bend. Unfortunately, Multonomah County (Portland) most heavily influences election results for the whole state. So, while it's not quite California or Massachusetts here, it's heading that direction. As for immigration, I was at the mall this past weekend, to look at the only coin shop around here open on Sunday, and I thought I was in Little Mexico!

Funny, I myself have been thinking about bailing out to MT or WY, maybe ID. We do like Bend for variety and climate, so maybe somewhere in the outskirts of there could be good, but the Californians have driven property values through the roof over there; locals can't hardly afford to live there anymore.

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Hey Hive,
I moved away from Kalifornia awhile back and into central Penn. I thought I'd be happy but I wasn't. I missed alot about KA. I liked alot about PA too but I just wasn't ready for the differences. I hate the scum people and dems and the commies that run our state but I am kind of stuck.

My family was very small and my dad a survivalist and step dad a gun totin berkeley hippy. I was looking at moving to Oregon myself when I got back from Iraq but My wife baby to be keep me in little mexico. Funny though that they are also Mexican but oh well. Good people. They are close with there family in the bay but I am compromising with her to move to Redding area or near Yreka where pops is buried. It is just a thought. Buy enough land to build and stay away from the crooked world but close enough that you don't get home sick if you know what I mean.

If you have any input on the area good or bad it would also help me out.

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Damn! If even the social studies teachers are looking to bug out, perhaps I should to? :)

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

I have heard Oregon reffered to as "California's Canada".

I know its against the law to pump your own gas there. Sounds pretty leftist to me if the OR population is considered too stupid to pump gas.

Anyways, I don't know much, unless we're talking sofas.:smokin:

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

My completely unscientific emotion driven evaluation:

Stay far, far away from the Portland area. I lived in Wilsonville for 14 months and I can safely say I despise that area of the state. The first thing the hungry hordes will do in a SHTF scenario is fan out north and south on I-5.

However, as far as other parts of Oregon, Baker City is well out in the boonies and seems very 'small townish.' I liked it. The Grants Pass area is pretty well known in survivalist circles and if you had to live in Oregon would be a good choice. Ashland is a college area but may also be a good choice.

If you got the bux there are rural areas where you can do the Ponce thing.

Coming from California I also was struck by how many white people there are in Oregon, but there is also a HUGE population of illegal mexcrements bringing their lovliness and 'culture' to the state.

Free advice, worth what you paid for it. ;-)


The no pumping your own gas thing is to give locals a job. There are VERY few decent jobs in Oregon unless your in tech so the law-monkeys try everything possible to create jobs. The only other state that does it is New Jersey, IIRC. Also, Oregonians are very provincial and are almost paranoid about dem der Caliefernians invading their little slice of Dogpatch. My second day in Oregon I had a wahoo tailgating me making rude gestures because I had a California license plate on my car. I was thinking afterwards that clown woulda got shot on an LA freeway.

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

It's quite refreshing to see that there is a teacher left in this state, who is on the conservative side, especially from the L.A. area. I'm sure there are quite a few here in gold country. The local paper is named "The Mountain Democrat", but I hear that this area is 70% conservative voting wise. Good luck Hive. My Parents bought a lot in Bend 3 years ago (1/4 acre) for around $36K. They tell me it's worth around 3 times that now! They just wanted a spot to park their 5th wheel on. They spend the Spring/Summer up there, Winter in Arizona. Personally, that area seems pretty barren to me. I drove up there expecting to see trees everywhere, all there is where they are, are those lodge pole pines. It's a shame the prettiest parts of Oregon are where all the socialists live!

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

90%,
I live in Gold Country CA Too. Funny I didn't think there were any GIM'ers in my area. Cool beans.

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Right on! There is at least one other among us. Can't remember His, or Her handle, but they said that they lived in the foothills around here. I moved up here from L.A. a little over 3 years ago. Been wanting to move up here for the last 15 years! Finally made it happen. Take care.

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Yeah I just moved back from PA. I used to live in Long Beach and I just hated it. LA is a sewer. Run by the Mexican gangs not the police and city gov. Keep up hope I know KA is a hard place to live but now you are in a better part. Take care

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

[quote=REV127;510356]I know nothing much of Oregon besides what my wife has told me. Seems like just another place to me, nothing too terribly special, though I get the impression caucasians are the majority by far. I was similarly struck by this when visiting Wisconsin. I never saw so many white people in one place at one time in my life!

FWIW, Arkansas is currently on my short list but bear in mind that unless you're considering Alaska there is nowhere you can go to get away from the people and politics you don't want to be around, not on a large scale. You might find a local area that is what you want but there are no garauntees of stability. Just stay clear of the main cities and live the way you want.[quote]

Just for you Rev127, since Arkansas is on your short list. Just click on Search Listings in the upper left, below that you can search for listings in other states. Just fill in the field to meet your criteria.

http://ar-realestate.net

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Wise words about not being able to avoid and politics onboard.

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

You should try Chile.

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Suckramento, here, and seriously considering Oregon too.

Grant's Pass has been mentioned-anyone local to there? I've also been looking at Klamath Falls. I'm also curious about Brookings, on the coast. Ideally, anywhere that is more than one tank of gas away from Portland, if you understand my meaning, and a lot of the southwestern coast looks isolated.

Someone mentioned Ashland being a "College town"-Southern Oregon State College, right? I'm less concerned with local politics than I am with zoning restrictions. I'm also concerned about the I-5 corridor-is there a growth boom going on?

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

sindgefallen, the wise words belong to Rev127. I left off the end of quote. I've gone back and edited :Sorry: .

Re: What are your thoughts on... Oregon?
 

Hey no problem they are wuse words no matter who .

I am still compromising with the old lady about Redding CA because she won't leave the state. From what I have researched I could buy 20 acres up there for roughly 100-120 thou and build a cabin home with solar and well for roughly 100 so if I do some of the work instead of relying on a contractor then I can still have my dream for less than some 250 thou piece of sh** in Modesto or a real nice one with no land in elk grove. F it I am gonna relocate but hopefully the commies will contract a strange strain of bird flu that only kills them so I don't have to fight enslavement in california in the coming years.