Hello from Belfast,Northern Ireland, I'm planning on visiting Oregon this year for about a month. Portland presumably and possibly Eugene. I've been reading a lot about it on this forum and elsewhere and intrigued coming as I do from a small and conservative place. Could any of you kind folks give me a few pointers on what to do (where to stay, fairs ,festivals ,places to meet people) bearing in mind I've never visited the States before. I'm definitely looking forward to the mountains and the forests. I'm 35,very unremarkable, from a small town in a small country and frankly I just want to see a different world and a different world view. Thanks,
I've been maintaining this thread for years, check out the events under Oregon: http://www.hipforums.com/forum/topic/4336-spring-summertime-music-festivals-and-hippie-gatherings/
My son is going to college this Fall in Salem, Oregon. I want to move there but I don't know anyone there and I'm afraid to just 'go for it' without any contacts...is there anyone out there that can give me some advice? I currently live in rural Indiana...long story. All I can say is that I'm in hell here. I can't find a good job, I don't fit into this small industrial bible belt atmosphere and I want to be near my son in case he needs help! i'm feeling very helpless at this point...I'm not even sure if I'm in the right forum?...
I like Oregon a lot. You've been here before, right? I've lived in the Willamette valley near Salem and all over the state. What kind of questions do you have?
How much traveling around are you going to do? What do you wish to accomplish while you're here? There is What the Festival up near the Mt. Hood area that takes place every summer. http://whatthefestival.com/
I've never been to Salem, Oregon...or to Oregon, for that matter! I hope the job market there is better than it is in Indiana. I was thinking of maybe renting from a private homeowner and hoping to find a decent job within walking/bus ride. I used to be a casino dealer and I did contact Spirit casino...maybe I could take a dealer's class there and brush up on my skills? Or just keep trying to find something good here in Indiana...I just don't know what to do in this economy! i haven't been very lucky finding anything decent here though...and I did hear that the people are much friendlier there, I hope!
I'm not sure how the job market compares to Indiana, but I know of a couple casino resorts located slightly west of Salem. One is on the coast in Lincoln City, and the other is half way between the coast and Salem. The northwestern coastline is arguably one of the most beautiful in the country and that would be a great place to live. I can say that in the last 5 years, the job market has been growing here very gradually. Especially in the Willamette Valley. It's true because Portland cannot build multi-level apartment complexes fast enough to keep up with demand. I used to have a very nice downtown Portland apartment until my rent increased by $200.
If you go to portland, you gotta hike around in forest park! Either way, you'll have to get your self into some forests, Oregon's are very incredible
