Welcome to CalifOregonia
February 27th, 2006
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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Entry Filed under: Relocation
4 Comments Add your own
1. Kim | March 5th, 2006 at 8:58 pm
You can’t blame people from California moving to Oregon. It’s beautiful here!! We truly do have it all, but don’t let it get to the other overpopulated states!
I welcome people to Oregon, it’s nothing new that Californians are moving here. It’s already hard to find people that have been born and raised here in Portland. It’s kinda funny because when I do run into rude people around town, I always ask, “You’re not originally from Oregon are you?” the usual response is a suprised “How did you know?” That’s when I smile and say, “I can just tell . . . ” Point of the story. . . people moving to Oregon, leave the Californians attitudes behind and truly start fresh when you come here. No here is impressed that you lived in California, we feel sorry for you.
2. Kim | March 5th, 2006 at 9:01 pm
hahaha - like we’re not impressed you’re from California. I didnt impress you with my typo in my last sentence
3. Ron | March 5th, 2006 at 11:20 pm
No, you can’t blame people for moving here. Just a few hours distance to rugged coastline, year-round skiing, the Gorge, the high desert, lots of recreation. Jobs are improving, real estate is affordable (to Californians), weather is great from March through October.
I don’t think I buy the California = poor manners equation. Rudeness is a universal trait, and even native Portlanders/Oregonians are not immune. The Oregonian article pointed out that one attraction of Oregon to California immigrants is finding like-minded citizens. That’s been my experience, anyway.
Thanks for the comment.
4. jimbo | February 25th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Just for thought, I drive for a living been to the moon and back in miles The people along the way .Oregon is a place to be any day.Live in california I hate It more every day. Cant wait to move to Oregon wonder full place wonderful people. Hope to meet some good people along the way. See ya some day.
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