About Adrienne Devecka Expertise Portland, camping/fishing Central Oregon(Bend)
Experience Native Oregonion/Life long explorer of state.
Fly fishing,river rafting,rock hound,and an added bonus of knowing health care providers in Portland
Expert: Adrienne Devecka Date: 8/27/2004 Subject: One more question, if you have the time...
Question Dear Adrienne:
Thanks so much for your prompt answer. And yes, I am planning a trip to the Pacific Northwast, hopefully very soon, to do a big sweep of the region...I have friends who attend Univ of Montana and Univ of Idaho.
Since I'm going to be driving around all over the place out there, what towns in Eastern Oregon would you recommend visiting? Ideally I would like to live in a place with a few nice restaurants, an art movie house, friendly people, not too extremely cold in the winter, and of course natural beauty galore, especially with water if possible.
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Followup To
Question -
Now that I can do my work over computer, I can live anywhere, and all my friends recommend that I move to Oregon.
I would LOVE to live in a place where I am not so dependent on a car (as I have been these last many years in L.A. and D.C. suburbs)!!! The ability to get around town WITHOUT a car is very high on my list of priorities.....
MY QUESTION: Is it true that many places in Oregon (such as Eugene) are filled with people who seldom/never use cars...instead biking and walking, and public transportation....?
Many thanks,
Craig
Answer -
Now Craig....you've been reading urban myths again haven't you.
Are these friends or people who would rather laugh behind your back for years?
So,Oregon sans car.
Well, in eastern Oregon you can get a horse, covered wagon, and go the Oregon trail route. Fuggetabout actually getting anywhere. In central Oregon, much the same, but expect to be mowed down by trucks.
In western Oregon, at least in the city zones, cars are still unfortunately inevitable.
Portland and Eugene are very livable sans car, IF you live on the rail or bus lines.Biking very easy in Eugene, less so in Portland, a city of hills.However, very active bike community, and pushing every year for more and easier access to roads. We do have a problem w/sharing roads, the SUV gang hogs more than their share.!!!
Seriously, would strongly recommend you hop on a jet and rent the dreaded car and get out and visit Oregon. Beautiful state but only you can decide how livable it really is for you.....I would live in eastern Oregon, to hell w/cars, less people!
Adrienne
Answer Craig,
Excellent adventure! Sadly though, eastern Oregon is really rural. As they like it. Although do take a trip off 84 at LaGrande, follow 82 all the way to Joseph and the Wallowas. My favorite corner of the state. Enterprise a growing little town, check it out.Rivers galore. Cold in the winter though!
Central Oregon has Bend, crowded now, but lots available just out of town, good biking territory, rivers, lakes. Good food, movies, community. Hwy. 97 a mess, Cascades Lakes Hwy. a must see!
The Willamette Valley has Eugene. The mecca college/laid back town. Food, movies, community, and rain. Close to ocean, mountains. Corvallis also good, another college town, less crowded, same perks. Eugene has better weather than Portland, less rain, mild winters.
Lots of small college towns around Portland, Forest Grove, McMinnville to name 2. Both cute towns but have almost become bedroom communities of Portland. Still, nice places, and close to mountains, oceans. With some small town charm and community still of their own.
Or you may enjoy Portland, the inner city areas. Do spend time here looking at neighborhoods, hop on the light rail train and see where you get to.We have it all, however housing very spendy. East side of town flat, easy to bike everywhere, yet easy to hop in car and get to beach or mountain in an hour or so.
Come enjoy....have a good trip! Happy hunting.
Adrienne
