Official Luthiers Forum!

I see we have a few people from Oregon. I have been considering a move there for some time. A friend recommends Ashland. I see some one here is from Sheridan. I think Charles Fox left Sonoma for Portland (that blows my mind). So what is the best place/town in Oregon?

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Dave,

I have to answer your question with some questions!

What climate do you like?
Mountains or flat land?
Big city or small city?
Near the beach or out toward the arid regions?
Near Washington, or near California?
What type of employment will you seek if any?
Liberal or conservative?
What kind of recreational activities do you like?

That should get you started!

JeffJeff Doty38590.4028703704

Jeff,
Thanks for your response!

to answer your questions:

What climate do you like? BOTH RAIN AND SUNSHINE PREFER WARM TO COOL...NOT BELOW FREEZE
Mountains or flat land? DEFINITELY MOUNTAINS
Big city or small city? BOTH...NEED GOOD REAL ESTATE BUY.
Near the beach or out toward the arid regions? NEAR BEACH
Near Washington, or near California? DON'T KNOW?
What type of employment will you seek if any? CPA AND LUTHIERY
Liberal or conservative? MOSTLY CONSERVATIVE
What kind of recreational activities do you like. PLAYING GUITAR, SAILING, SCUBA, SWIMING.


WOW I feel like I should light a cigarette! Just kidding.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR RESPONSE JEFF!!!!!!

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Hi Dave,
I am considering a move to Oregon as well.
My daughter is finishing Medical school next year and she has been bugging me to move. She lives in a small rural town called Forest Grove. It's about 40 minutes west of Portland. Very nice area.
Let me know how your search comes along. We should move to the same town and build guitars together.
Good luck!

Walter

[QUOTE=WalterK] Hi Dave,
I am considering a move to Oregon as well.
... We should move to the same town and build guitars together.
Good luck!

Walter [/QUOTE]

Ya never know Walter! That may be just what God has planned!

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Hey Dave After Katrina's vists last night I can only say one thing- It was a Category ONE hurricane, and it brought down part of route 863- the overpass. Either it was built poorly (naw- not in this day and age! ) Or Katrina is pretty upset.

I know she's not supposed to vist your way exactly, but watch out for her O.K? They say she may get a tad bit worse.. maybe 3-4?
Be ready!
Craig

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www.handcraftinlay.com

Our son, daughter-in-law and 2 year old granddaughter live in Dallas...about 15 minutes west of Salem. Starts to get into the rolling hills of the coastal mountains, about an hour from the beaches and relatively inexpensive housing (compared to anything in California).
Salem is the capital so you have a good selection of social outlets, plus it's only about 45 minutes to Portland for all the big time events.

Ashland, as mentioned, is pricey to live...too close to Calif and it's influences.
Conservative...not a lot of that in Oregon. Check out their recent elections/ballot measures.

But..if we didn't have 3 grandchildren in California, only 20 minutes away, we'd be gone along time ago!

You like rain?

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

You've got several geographical regions that run in North/South bands. From West to East they are Coastal/ Coastal Range / Willamette Valley / Cascade Range and Eastern region. Roughly the east side is hot and arid and you get cooler and moister as you head west. Also hotter and dryer the farther south you go.

Portland is the largest city if you like large cities and is the home of Charles Fox (and his school), Mike Doolin and John Grevin among others.

My three favorite spots are the foggy mountainous central coast, Hood River at the Columbia Gorge and Eugene, which is the second largest city, but has a smaller town feel and not to hot or cold or too wet.

Either the coast or Portland area will get you the sailing, but they are a little stepper in real estate prices. If sailing and scuba are your passions, you might also check out the Puget Sound area up in Washington.

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Scott Thompson
Port Townsend,WA

"In a perfect world we'd all sing in tune
But this is reality so give me some room"
-Billy Bragg

Here's a link to some maps of Oregon.

Various Oregon Maps



I grew up in Oregon and love the place but what John How said hits the mark because it does rain in Oregon.........alot. Not the sub-tropical downpours that you probably get in Florida but this long drizzle that starts in the fall and can last until June. And it gets cold in the winter- you have a damp cold west of the Cascades and a dry very cold east of the Cascades. Also the scuba diving is low vis, cold water (about 50 degrees) diving.

That said it's a great place to raise kids. Lots to do outdoors and the people are good folks. Portland is an active city that is still not too big. The country side is beautiful and there's lots of it and as Hank said the real estate is still reasonable.

I hope this helps.

I used to live in Hood River, where I could windsurf on the mighty Columbia river in the morning and ski Mt. Hood in the afternoon. I only spent one summer there but I enjoyed the area very much.