What do you like about where you live?

I thought it would be fun to have all of us join in and tell a little bit about why we like where we live? If we don't like where we live, then what is bad about it? Dina

Well, I'll be the first to respond! I didn't choose to live in Medford, but that is where the job I got was, so there ya go! LOL! I do like it though in that it has pretty much anything you want to do to offer, and the climate is very nice. The winters are generally mild and the summers hot. Not so great if you don't like the heat, but thankfully we have a pool, so it is right up my alley now! We do have lots of beautiful scenery in this area and for those who like to ski, there is lots of that. Ashland is nearby and very cutesy as is Jacksonville. There is a lot of growth in our area and housing costs are skyrocketing. Great for those of us who bought when it was affordable. Rotten for those who are coming in from a more reasonably priced area. Traffic does suck here, but then I guess it does in any city. As for where I would like to live (I know, not part of the question, but I'll still tell ya!) I would love to live back on the coast again or in New England. I lived in Curry County for several years and adored it. Just couldn't afford it as the pay there is inadequate for the economy. Dina

Good question! Actually, it is one my husband and I have been thinking about a lot lately. We were transferred here from the San Francisco bay area ten years ago. We love Oregon, and the Portland area. Have felt so lucky to raise our family here, and escape the insanity (and hour plus commute) of big city life. As much as I picture myself in a neat old house in downtown, we chose to live in Lake Oswego, because of the reputation of the schools. Also, though my husband is capable, he doesn't enjoy the work that comes with owning a neat old house. We live right in the little downtown, and it has really been like raising the kids in Mayberry. They can walk to Tillamook for ice-cream, or to swim in the lake, or go to the library. If I go to any shop downtown, the shop people not only know and feel free to tattle on mine or the neighbor's kids, they give them a free cookie, or let them owe 25 cents. While the above is true, we are very over the Lake Oswego scene. I hate to generalize about people, but the people here are kind of living in a bubble. We are a medium income family, in an affluent community. The chichi (sp?) shops are not anywhere I buy anything. There are too many instances of spoiled, indulged, kids used to flying to Hawaii for sping break and London for summer vacation, sixteen year olds driving luxury cars, etc. for me to even go in to. I've made some great friends over the years, but the scene can get to me. My son must think like his parents. He has chosen to take the city bus to Portland to go to high school, because he feels more comfortable in a more diverse environment. I actually looked at some houses this weekend, because we are thinking about making a move. I would love to move further out so my daughter could get a horse, but I think my son would die if we were too far out. I also am somewhat anchored to my daughter going to gymnastics practice five days a week in Tualatin. The thought of having to do what I would have to do to get my house ready to sell, is enough to make me think "never mind". Hey - this is too big of a subject for me not to ramble. You asked! Patty

I lived in "LO" for a few years......I hear ya sista! Didn't like living there at all! I often saw the level of courtesy and service received was determined by the size of your diamonds and the make of your car! Michele

dina, I have no time to be sitting here doing this and yet here I am.. LOL.. I was born and raised in vancouver wa..... it's home!! I have lived in kentucky, louisiana, colorado, and florida and now oregon.. all I can say is there is NEVER any place like home.. all those places had there pro's and con's as does the NW but this is where my family is. I actually only live about 20 min from vancouver so I still consider where I am now "home".. as for what I like about the PDX area in general is I love the fact that you can drive 2 hours in any direction and have a whole other climate. what I don't like? when did PDX become so liberal?? I was in the south for WAY TO LONG.. LOL I feel out of place here!! I suppose it was always that way I was just to young when I left to understand what it meant to "ME".. as for the people? people are what YOU make of them.. you get back what you put out. I have lived too many places and it's all the same. school systems? governement issues and programs? jobs? again every place has there problems.. and where would I like to live? ha, I already answered that one.. HOME SWEET HOME.. I like the rain.. hell, when I was in florida and we would have "ONE" over cast rainy day a year I was all giddy and happy.. it was the opposite of people who have that sun light deprevation thing.. LOL (that's when I KNEW it was time to come home before someone put me in a nut house) I would eventually like to have a place on the orgeon/washington coast. maybe a moble home or something to go to on weekends. my fav time of year there is this time of year.. jan/feb.. ok.. enough already.. ramble ramble.. Theresa

What's up with you Dina? You're always posing these questions that lead to "pondering", lol. Here goes! I've lived in Oregon all of my life...but in different parts....Eugene, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Molalla and primarily the Portland Metro Area. Yes, I get around. (No smart remarks by those *****ALLY know me! lol) I've travelled to quite a few places in the US....but like Theresa said...there's no place like home. I always look forward to getting back to the green, the rain, the fresh air and grea****er! I loved living in Mac and Molalla because I knew everyone, and they knew me. Some of my best memories are living on a large dairy 7 miles out of Mac...what a great childhood! I wish my girls could have had that experience! They did a bit in Molalla....but they could have had more "small town" memories if we'd stayed longer. Not having to show ID when I wrote a check was nice! If you were local, your check was good! It was difficult to move back to the Metro area after my divorce. Two years after moving, I still can't yet used to the traffic again and just because the lifestyle here is so much busier doesn't excuse the rudeness I've experienced since my move back. But, on the "up" side....there's more access to shopping and things to do. I don't have to drive 13 miles to Walmart for some new undies! I can drive 3 and get nice ones at M&F! lol Going to the movies or a decent restaurant isn't a 4 hour trip w/2 hours of driving. We're thinking about retiring in Bend or Rogue River....or somewhere along the Umpqua River. I certainly can't think of living anywhere but in Oregon! Okay...pondering led to rambling, didn't it! I'll stop! Michele

Good question..... I'm in Newberg...I HATE it, in fact my husband and I are moving to bend in June... Better climate, and sooo many things to do year 'round. No offence to those of you who love the rain, but I hate the gloomy grey sky that comes with the frequent rain in this area. AND I was born here....it's time to experience a new city. I will only have three hours to drive to meet with my friends and family....not too bad. Lauryn

Lauryn, Funny you should hate Newberg, so do I. I was raised in Newberg. I lived there from 1949 until 1979. I am reluctant to use the word never because it is an awful long time but I hope I NEVER have to move back. I still have family and friends there and we do visit about once a month and that is enough. I have lived in Alaska and several places in Oregon, all small town. I like all of them much better than Newberg. Hope you like the Bend area. My parents live in Sisters. That 3 hour drive is a long one when there is an emergency and all the family is 3 hours away. But life happens and we do what we must. Enjoy your new home. Tanna

Hey dahlin' faboo question! I live in Milwaukie ( Hiya Theresa, I was at Pete's last friday night, didn't see you there though). Anyway, I live in a house with my soul mate, my best friend, and 2 other guys and 4 cats between us. I think it's a groovy house, but messy and icky most of the time. I grew up in Gresham, which I love and hope to move back out there again. Milwuakie doesn't have the same feel to me as Gresham does, but maybe that is because it isn't "home" to me, ya know? Anyway, guess thats all for now...love ya all! Brandi