Moving From California to Oregon: What I’ve learned
Once upon a time…..I was the “Not-From-Around-Here” Girl: flashy car, acrylic nails, Sun-In hair and 20 pairs of high heeled sandals. I drove up here on a whim, fell in love with the coast, gave my notice at my job and started house hunting. That was 15 years ago. Since then I have learned a lot about becoming an Oregonian here are my top 5:
#1 SLOW DOWN! That was a hard one for me. The coast has a different time frame than the rest of the world. Things are more relaxed…which is great because you actually have time to meet people, remember their names and make lasting friendships and enjoy the view all at the same time.
#2 Don’t expect all directions to include a street name. This one floored me! I needed to get from a friend’s house in Toledo to a friend’s house in Waldport. It went as follows:
- Turn left out of the drive way and drive until you reach that church with the red door, turn right (OK…what street is that? No Answer)
- Take that street until you see the police station and turn right (Ummm..OK, but I’m scared now)
- Follow the road until you see DQ (OK, seriously, what street am I on now? Still no answer),
- Turn left on HWY 20 (YES! A STREET NAME)
- When you hit Newport turn left at HWY 101 (We are on a roll, that’s two street names in a row!)
- Take 101 to Waldport and turn left at the street after the one with the light (are you kidding me?) there is normally a nice old man named Earl on that corner (I kid you not, my friend not only said this, but Earl was actually there! I waved.)
- Follow that until you get to a polka dotted mail box, take that gravel road until you get to the white house and You Are There! (This last part was said with a cheeky little grin that I know was meant to humble this California girl! It worked.)
#3 If you think you know how to pronounce some of the landmarks, you probably don’t! For example:
- Yaquina (ya-KWIN-a)…not Yakeeena
- Not to be confused with La Quinta (Keeen-ta)…..not La Qwinta
- Siuslaw (Sigh-u-slaw) Not sue-we-slaw
- Philomath (Fill-LO-muth) Not Filowmath
- Yachats (YAW-hots) Not Yaa-chets
- It’s Lincoln City, not Lincoln
- Siletz (Si-LETS) Not SI-letzzzz
#4 If you show up with an “I’m a Food Snob” attitude, like I did, you will be put in your place…nicely. We have the best food here! From fabulous seafood with a view at Georgies to awesome locally made beer and Kobe burgers at Rogue. We have something for everybody!
#5 If someone asks you if you are a Ducks Fan or a Beavers Fan, answer quickly and decisively and stick with that decision, forever! That, my friends, is how I became a Ducks Fan!!!
I am thankfully still learning, daily, about the Central Oregon Coast. This is where I work, play and raise my family, and I love it here!!
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Comments
Thank you so much for such a good explanation of how to act in Oregon ,but we planning to see Oregon before we move and if you please give some more tips that will be great thanks a lot.
As a girl from So Cal who moved to Portland just over 3 years ago-
Here are my tips:
1) this city has interacts passive-aggressively. If you want something accomplished, refrain from direct communication. This can be challenging, but will save more time and money than imaginable.
2) The “rain” is not horrible. It is over-hyped. In fact it can be a nice change.
3) Oregon is COLD. Noone discusses the cold, because being strong, tough, non-whiner is highly valued here.
4) Unexpected luxury: homes, apts, townhouses, condos all come with microwaves and washer/ dryers-standard. They may not work well, but they are included-everywhere.
5) Expect to be “new” and untrusted for much longer than Cal. The divide between good people and criminals is mucky, here and tbe happy, perky, sweet person us not necessarily recognized, as such. On the flip side- when Oregonians love you….. Finally…. They LOVE YOU.
6) Renters rights don’t exist. If RENTING you have no legal rights. Any illusion to the contrary is sadly disappointing. Cut losses and purchase. While yiu may never sell the property, it is the only way Being an A+ tenant has no value. The system is bent. Just take pictures, videos, read REVIEWS and believe them. expect unethical behavior when leaving rental property. Landlords missing the “walk thru” is ridiculously common and be prepared to prove exact condition via dated video and pictures, when leaving. To avoid unnecessary legal squabbles: mention these video and pictures, passive aggressively, as if part of casual conversation. Oregonians are not a complaining bunch. So if you find bad reviews- BELIEVE THEM!
7) give away all your designer, beaded, jeweled handbags and shoes. You will never see them again.
9) Beware of “nicest, perkiest, happy people” as they are likely trying to steal your copper pipes or something more sinister. Crime is rampant, here. . (helps clarifying point #5)
10) Start a business if you can. Oregon is slow moving and what mighy be common in LA- is brand new here. Opportunity knocks!
11) Be prepared to get sick ( flu/ unknown alkergies) for 2 years. The words “mold spores” are NOT UNUSUAL OR ALARMING, here. They are just part of the casual, expected conversation.
12) finding decent cleaning people is no small task. “work ethic” is practiced brutally at big tech companies but NOT common for house cleaning. If you find someone good, hold on to them!
13) Last but not least- if possible- sublet or rent out your home before giving it up. The “transition” to ” “acclimate” is long and challenging. The weekend/ week visit can not prepareanyone for freezing temperatures 8-10 months straight, depression everywhere, cyclist & joggers hitting streets, in mass, upon 90 seconds of sunshine that will last 4 minutes and will be considered a BEAUTIFUL day!
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