Welcome to CalifOregonia
The February 26 Oregonian reported that a floodgate on Interstate I-5 has opened, with the largest percentage of California emigrants in a decade pouring into Oregon–and the influx is just getting started. I believe it…about 1/2 of my current active homebuyers are moving from California.
It wasn’t all that long ago that Oregon’s most outspoken governor Tom McCall was stating on national TV,
“We want you to visit our State of Excitement often. Come again and again. But for heaven’s sake, don’t move here to live. Or if you do have to move in to live, don’t tell any of your neighbors where you are going.”
(Which didn’t scare off my family from making the move north in 1972.)
According to the article, 27,000 Californians applied for Oregon driver’s licenses last year. Cities like Bend, Ashland, Medford, and the southern coast (think Bandon) have been popular final destinations for California residents. The state’s improving economy and real estate value are major drivers.
Baby-boomer Californians are cashing out of their residences and finding Oregon lifestyle and real estate prices to their liking. And with average home prices at $500,000 in LA and $700,000 in San Francisco, first-time buyers have a tough time with California’s prices, and find Oregon appealing, too.
By 2025, the state is expecting to absorb 1 million additional residents. To what impact? The article suggests migration to Oregon will result in increased pressure to expand urban growth boundaries, higher construction fees, and higher housing prices. Simple supply and demand dynamics.
The article states, “Newcomers change Oregon’s landscape, literally and figuratively.”
“But for all of Oregon’s growth, residents’ personal values have stayed remarkably consistent, a new Portland-area survey shows. Pollster Adam Davis says newcomers seek out Oregon ideals. He dubs it the “my kind of people” effect.”
Maybe that’s why I haven’t seen the “Don’t Californicate Oregon” bumper stickers come out of retirement.
Full article here.
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4 comments February 27th, 2006
