We had several friends ask wht we saw as differences between Arizona dn Oregon - MAjor things that intially stuck out.
Here is what we sent them.
AZ: People buy new umbrellas every year since they cannot find the one they bought the year before.
Or: Most people do not know what an umbrella is- have coats with hoods
AZ - Do not need to set your clocks back or forward – No Daylight Savings Time
Oregon : Water and Sewer Rates are much higher in Oregon( and in Arizona – Water
availability is a big issue. Something is wrong in Oregon )
Oregon Natural Gas rates are higher
Oregon Fruit and Berries taste fresher
Arizona: Vegetables ripen earlier – Tomatoes, Jalapeno’s, etc. ( 2 seasons)
Oregon: Deer , Elk, Antelope, Goats, Bear, Turkey,
Az: Antelope, Deer, elk, buffalo, Javalina, Big Horn Sheep, Bear, Turkey – still difficult to get drawn
Plants grown in Oregon are more expensive at the retail level in Oregon than the same thing in Arizona ( Same growers from Oregon) Imagine Oregon Nurseries ripping off Oregon residents.
Water - Oregon does not have as many hard elements Both taste good – All well water where we are at.
Oregon: Portland Marathon
AZ: 10 mile Illegal Immigrant Obstacle Course and scramble
Oregon: Need CCW – limitation where you can take them.
Az: CCW is for select places . Most everyone Open carrries or conceal carries. Can carry on University campus at this time. Not unusually to see husband and wife carrying pistols on hips in the store with their children. No one gets upset. See lots of motorcyclist with guns on their hips.
Oregon: Few charter schools
Az:: Many charter schools - several received awards for teaching / performance excellence
*Full funding transferred to charter schools vs Oregon 60 – 80%*
Many charter schools out performing most public schools.
Oregon: No sales tax - high property taxes and State Income Tax (Bet you there is a sales tax within 4 years.)
Az: 10% (9-11% depending on where you live) sales tax - 3 % (max) State tax
More consumption based. Lots of people order on line to avoid sales tax. Most of it is free shipping.
Oregon: Rain 300 days per year
Az:: Sunshine / no rain 300 days a year
Beautiful sunrises and sunsets almost every day
Oregon: College’s cost goes up ( Tuition increased)
Az:: Jr College reduces everyone’s pay, cancels Basketball programs to avoid raising tuition!!!!! Novel idea – It is about education not sports.
Oregon: State Liquor stores and high prices
Az:: Can buy everything in the Grocery Store and a lot cheaper. They even have some Oregon beers.
Oregon: Major cars: Subaru, Kia, Prius, Then SUV and other cars
Az:: Major Vehicles: Pick up/ SUV/Jeep, other SUV’s , Motorcycles, other cars
Oregon: Can’t pump your own gas
Az:: You pump your own gas -
You know I have yet to see anyone over fill a gas tank.
Oregon: Forced recycling - Pay deposits on certain containers or even forced to recycle at your home
Az:: Your decision on recycling. You pay $10/mo to do it.
No container deposits or recycling machines to deal with at the grocery store.
You just do not have to go through the whole bottle redemption program. Dump in your recycle trash.
Oregon: Fewer Smokers – at least it seems that way
Az:: Lots of smokers ( More older people where we live walking around with oxygen tanks.) Never seen so many people with oxygen tanks. Scary – they drive and smoke with their oxygen tanks next to them
Cigarette best deal I saw was 2 packs for $5.00. Busiest place in town – Yavapai Smoke Shop on the reservation. At 9:00 am when they open – Line out of the shop. I do not smoke but it seems to be theplace to buy.
Oregon: Government should pick which companies that should be allowed to open ( Thinking of Walmart controversy)
Az: Government roll should be to make sure the companies are legal, safe, and meet regulations ( Building codes, etc),
Customer decides if they succeed not government.
Walmart has to compete with other stores here with price matching.
Oregon: Cheap Plastic Bags or No Plastic Bags - if that ever passed
Az:: Plastic Bags - the good thick type. They have no problem with recycling them because of the equipment they have.
Here is what we sent them.
AZ: People buy new umbrellas every year since they cannot find the one they bought the year before.
Or: Most people do not know what an umbrella is- have coats with hoods
AZ - Do not need to set your clocks back or forward – No Daylight Savings Time
Oregon : Water and Sewer Rates are much higher in Oregon( and in Arizona – Water
availability is a big issue. Something is wrong in Oregon )
Oregon Natural Gas rates are higher
Oregon Fruit and Berries taste fresher
Arizona: Vegetables ripen earlier – Tomatoes, Jalapeno’s, etc. ( 2 seasons)
Oregon: Deer , Elk, Antelope, Goats, Bear, Turkey,
Az: Antelope, Deer, elk, buffalo, Javalina, Big Horn Sheep, Bear, Turkey – still difficult to get drawn
Plants grown in Oregon are more expensive at the retail level in Oregon than the same thing in Arizona ( Same growers from Oregon) Imagine Oregon Nurseries ripping off Oregon residents.
Water - Oregon does not have as many hard elements Both taste good – All well water where we are at.
Oregon: Portland Marathon
AZ: 10 mile Illegal Immigrant Obstacle Course and scramble
Oregon: Need CCW – limitation where you can take them.
Az: CCW is for select places . Most everyone Open carrries or conceal carries. Can carry on University campus at this time. Not unusually to see husband and wife carrying pistols on hips in the store with their children. No one gets upset. See lots of motorcyclist with guns on their hips.
Oregon: Few charter schools
Az:: Many charter schools - several received awards for teaching / performance excellence
*Full funding transferred to charter schools vs Oregon 60 – 80%*
Many charter schools out performing most public schools.
Oregon: No sales tax - high property taxes and State Income Tax (Bet you there is a sales tax within 4 years.)
Az: 10% (9-11% depending on where you live) sales tax - 3 % (max) State tax
More consumption based. Lots of people order on line to avoid sales tax. Most of it is free shipping.
Oregon: Rain 300 days per year
Az:: Sunshine / no rain 300 days a year
Beautiful sunrises and sunsets almost every day
Oregon: College’s cost goes up ( Tuition increased)
Az:: Jr College reduces everyone’s pay, cancels Basketball programs to avoid raising tuition!!!!! Novel idea – It is about education not sports.
Oregon: State Liquor stores and high prices
Az:: Can buy everything in the Grocery Store and a lot cheaper. They even have some Oregon beers.
Oregon: Major cars: Subaru, Kia, Prius, Then SUV and other cars
Az:: Major Vehicles: Pick up/ SUV/Jeep, other SUV’s , Motorcycles, other cars
Oregon: Can’t pump your own gas
Az:: You pump your own gas -
You know I have yet to see anyone over fill a gas tank.
Oregon: Forced recycling - Pay deposits on certain containers or even forced to recycle at your home
Az:: Your decision on recycling. You pay $10/mo to do it.
No container deposits or recycling machines to deal with at the grocery store.
You just do not have to go through the whole bottle redemption program. Dump in your recycle trash.
Oregon: Fewer Smokers – at least it seems that way
Az:: Lots of smokers ( More older people where we live walking around with oxygen tanks.) Never seen so many people with oxygen tanks. Scary – they drive and smoke with their oxygen tanks next to them
Cigarette best deal I saw was 2 packs for $5.00. Busiest place in town – Yavapai Smoke Shop on the reservation. At 9:00 am when they open – Line out of the shop. I do not smoke but it seems to be theplace to buy.
Oregon: Government should pick which companies that should be allowed to open ( Thinking of Walmart controversy)
Az: Government roll should be to make sure the companies are legal, safe, and meet regulations ( Building codes, etc),
Customer decides if they succeed not government.
Walmart has to compete with other stores here with price matching.
Oregon: Cheap Plastic Bags or No Plastic Bags - if that ever passed
Az:: Plastic Bags - the good thick type. They have no problem with recycling them because of the equipment they have.