Am I Nuts??

[sped]

Well, here goes nothing…….simply put, I’m thinking of uprooting my whole life here in Massachusetts and moving west to your neck of the woods, the Pac NW. I have lived in MA for my entire life and everything I know and love is here including my family, friends, and a basically cushy teaching job at a great high school with zero hooligans. I’m 35 years old now. 25 years ago the town I lived in was rural with minimal traffic and minimal people. Not any more, the area including surrounding towns has exploded in the last 20 years. The roads are clogged, and the commute to work is awful, and I’m not sure if any of you can relate but people around here are in high gear, they need everything now, SUV’s everywhere, and $$$ on the brain. I ain’t like it used to be. On top of that I am an avid fly fisherman. Fishing in the Pac NW is heaven. The opportunities around New England are pretty disgusting…….10 ft wide worn paths around every river that is not totally polluted, and the obvious put and take trout fishery is a huge turn-off. We do however have a world class striped bass fishery. We do however get a crap load of snow every winter. I’d like a new adventure. I’d like to explore. I’d like to be able to take day trips to places that I’ve never been. I’ve visited Oregon etc. a few times and people generally seem to be more relaxed. I know you’ve got your set of problems but I just don’t think any are as bad as the ones we have here. It’s just too damn overcrowded and I’m still young. I’d love to grow old without the stress.....and if it doesn't work out I can always go back home........am I out of my mind?

[Pete]

I'd think long and hard about bringing a teaching career to this part of the country. Like everywhere else, suburbs are growing faster than infrastructure can keep up with it. Maintaining fishing opportunities seems like an ongoing battle with the resource management agencies which should be watching out for public assets, but aren't. Funding for government, public infrastructure and schools is miserable. It might be worth finding the Oregonian newspaper on the web and doing some topical searches to see the sorts of issues we're dealing with on a regular basis. Plan a summer vacation to see what we've got, but don't uproot yourself until you see the brown stubble that passes for grass on this side of the fence.

[bait boy]

No, I did much the same thing when I joined the Navy but I actually lived in other places before deciding to live on the other coast from most of my family... If you're single and educated and have the credentials for teaching in this area, come on out. Be aware its not all roses here either. we have the same traffic and suv thing going on in most small communities, as the city grows you get pulled in as the people spread out... Washington isnt getting hammered quite as badly by the lack of school funding that I hear about from the news and the papers.

The fishing and hunting are definitely better from a variety standpoint!! You dont have to shovel rain either...

[PapaHog]

Well it would be hard for me to leave family and friends. However you do not mention a family so if your single then moving would not be as tough. You can always fly back east for a visit when ever you want.

Are you Nuts? Probably but there is are so many fishing opportunities with in a hour and a half drive that it will make up for the mental defect.

I moved here because I did not like snow just to see if I would like it. That was 35 years ago and I never left. Not very much snow and year around fishing.

papa

[Cool Texan]

Sped...I live in the greater Portland area, but am currently in Burlington for work. Trust me, its better over there.

[Pete]

I guess my first response looks really negative. I only meant to suggest that you make any changes with your eyes open. I travelled all over the world before deciding to live where I do. I have never regretted it or considered moving somewhere else, but I've certainly stubbed my toes a time or two!

[sped]

Let's take Burlington for example.......who in their right mind would want to go there never mind live there? A town that is an absolute traffic nightmare with zero other good qualities.

As for the teaching degree and the state of education in your area I have heard the horror stories......things are obviously better here.....although huge, that's only one aspect of life. I'm not making too much $$ here and you just can't beat the hours.......the ones in July and August specifically.

I have been to the Eugene area on two occasions.......and I loved it. Sped

[Cool Texan]

There's plenty to see and do in Burlington. Lets see...there's uh....the mall, the lounge at the hotel, uh.... yeah, that's about it. Best view of Burlington is in your rear view mirror. Now dont get me wrong, I'm not saying Burlington is Hell...but you can see it from here. ha ha

Ok...back to work before I get into some pissa wicked trouble.

[sped]

Catch any stripers since you've been here? Sped

[Cool Texan]

Uh...no. Got to the hotel at midnight last night. Will be doing nothing but work unfortunately. Such is life. Been here a jillion times, and have never had an opportunity for sight seeing.

[sped]

How bout hitting the surf after work on thurs.....I'm done by 3 and can pick you up.......not a stalker, just returning the endless hospitalty given to me by your fellow Oregonians......I've got extra stuff to fish with.....Sped

[aye fsh]

sped,

You may want to consider a not so urban alternative from PDX or Vancouver. There are still lots of relatively small towns that are very comfortably paced and have plenty of elbow room left. My little college town is one of these and is geographically located such that I am not too far away from just about everything the State has to offer. I often times have a difficult time deciding what to do just because there are so many options, I have to pare down my activities because I just can't physically do everything. What a dilema to have, eh?

I have a friend whose career took him to the USDA in Beltsville, Maryland and he hates it compared to the west. As soon as he retires he will return to Oregon to enjoy the "wild" places we still have. I've spent enough time in large cities to know they're not a suitable habitat for this boy.

And just to show ya what kind of folks we have around here, If you make it out this way give me a hollar and I'll show you a thing or two about a thing or two around these parts!

Good luck with your decision,

TM

[Cool Texan]

Sped, I'd take you up on it...but I fly out Thursday after work. Sounds like I'll be out here somewhat regularly, so maybe on a future trip.

[rimrock]

The big question is what are the most important things in your life???

If fishing is number one then to put it mildly you are nuts.

Seriously though you need an honest look, the grass always looks greener on the other side. Oregon is a beautiful place but it’s not paradise either you mentioned traffic Portland is fast becoming Seattle and Portland regularly ranks top 5 nationally in cost of living… I have a friend from Virginia and have seen some mighty nice pics of that area; he is also growing tired of the “commute” home to visit his family back east and is considering relocating back.

There are many nice qualities to the NW as well, but there are far more things to consider than fishing. This forum will not be very objective in this regard (example: the tread on marital advice for the guy who “never” could go fishing was about as bad as it gets).

The old adage isn’t bad, “Home is where the heart is.” So where is your heart?

[FishiinShawn]

There are way better places to live in oregon then portland. Why does everyone assume he would want to live there? Springfield, Eugene, Thurston, Jasper Cottage Grove, Creswell. He could get pretty rural and only be 20-40mins from the bigger cities. He could come out to the coast, Newport, Lincoln City, Florence, Coos Bay, Bandon, Gold Beach. All these places have access great fishing. As long as he has a degree I am fairly sure he could get into a teaching job.

[duckboy]

Go to Boise.

Better Weather, Great Fly Fishing in the Mtn Trout Streams, Salmon and Steelhead up on the Grande Ronde and Salmon Rivers.

It is still possible to get a nice place there for less than 1/2 million dollars too.

[GSD]

There are way better places to live in oregon then portland. Why does everyone assume he would want to live there?

This seems to be something people do. They get a picture in their mind of a state and they automatically think of one town there. When I moved out here from Illinois the first thing people ask was "are from Chicago"? When I lived in Colorado for a while the question was Denver. Think of Washington, Seattle of course. New York ? yep The Big Apple New York City and so on....

Oregon is a big state and has a great deal to offer besides just Portland.

William

[lost_sailor]

As long as you don't need a job, you should be fine.

You know that it rains steadily 9 months out of the year ...

[sped]

I can tell you flat out I would never live in Portland......I'm trying to get Away from people.....

There are many things that are important to me....my wife, she'd love to go......she's more for it than I am....my job, tough to leave, I do like it here......my parents, friends, can always make new ones and invite the old ones out..... my hobbies....they have ice rinks and tennis courts.....and fabulous fishing......Sped

[reeldick]

It sounds as if you should take a trip to Alaska. Most areas have little traffic, close to wilderness, close to great fishing and hunting, and they pay big bucks for teacher salaries. The last I heard starting salaries for new teachers were in the $48k to $54k per year. If you have any years experience you should do quite well.
The cost of living was less up there (Anchorage) when I lived there than the cost of living here in Portland.

[uhmw]

get your job first- teachers are not finding jobs their loosing them. I know -my wife teaches and she says unless your a green horn and cost the distric little you will go to the bottem of the list. portland has been threating 140 teacher lay-off. now bend OR is a fishing mecca and growing like a weed with teaching oppertunity. So is medford OR and lastly vancover washington is still hireing. I think living in bend would be worth it for sure fly fishin mecca-snow skiing heaven and teaching job potential, medford is country folk mixed with people escaping california very nice and awsom fishing. Just do-it portlad would be more of the same city run around and traffic can suck and our river is dirty too

[Zodiac-Fisherman]

Pack up and move west young man...

You wont regret it!


Folks,
How often is it that you meet an unhappy NW'ner...

[SalmonNilla]

Eugene is pretty nice if you can put up with the hippies. Your close to the Mckenzie river and Siuslaw and Umpqua too. Property prices are going up way too fast though. If you have any questions about the schools in the area I know a few people in the 4j district. What do you teach?

[wthr4d]

Sep- you have a winter break coming up. here is a way to make your descision....

Come to oregon for the two weeks you have off. spend the holidays away from your family, travel our fair state a bit. If you can handle the thought of the holidays away from family and like what you see in the winter, it only gets better during the two months of summer.

I would Urge you to look at towns like Bend, Redmond and Prineville. I used to live in redmond and loved it. fishing everywhere and the snow was very light but provided a clear division between the fall rain and the summer rain. Id be happy to show you and your wife around corvallis and you could even join us for christmas if you like! Think carefully and travel away from your family when you are most used to having them around...its a good test.

Paul

[larryb]

try washington no income tax most places on the olympic peninsula have good fishing both fresh and salt water but not the traffic and only 5 hours or so to great fly fishing for trout in eastern washington but you need to like green trees rain and clean air and rain

[TheKing]

My son'd kindergarten teacher packed up and moved to Alaska last June. He had visited once before he moved. He loves it so far. Sometimes in life you just have to take chances to find out what you need and want out of life. Do it while you are young because it gets harder the older you get and their is nothing worse in this life than regrets IMHO.

[Ryan Pultz]

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence till you step in the neighbors Dogs Crap.

I love Oregon moving up here from California about 6 years ago. The job market in Portland sucks but for a teacher eastern Oregon would be the way to go. From what I here bend has a lot of teaching job as does Klamath Falls. But trust me it is really hard not seeing family for some times as long as two years. rp

[sped]

I'm not overly close with my parents anymore....I like them but they are not huge factors in my life now....that would leave one sister and her husband.....guess they'd have to visit and vice versa.....

I've been to Bend, snowboarded Mt.Bachelor, caught a few steelhead, caught a monster Sturgeon in the Colombia, caught a few trout in the beatiful streams......and generally had a blast the few times I've been....

Alaska seems like too much.......definitly an adventure but I think that it would be just too far away and remote....heard the mosquios are a nighmare as well...

I teach physical education.....not sure if that makes a difference getting a job, but usually we're the first ones to go come cut time.....

Eugene, Corvallis, Salem or any of the other smaller city's or towns would do....

Anyway, thank's for all you input and invitations.....nice to know that there are some good souls left in the world.....Sped

[SalmonNilla]

I thought you might be interested in this link. It's where they post jobs for the Springfield public schools. (Springfield is right next to Eugene). I would bet that you could find a similar webpage for Eugene's 4J school district.

Springfield public schools employment opportunities

[Gus Orviston]

Bozeman MT. About a million people in the entire state, WY has less! If I had teach credentials and was looking for a change and fishing.. it was there. The winters would be familar for you

Short drive to the Henry's Fork, Galatan, Yellow St. River, Madison. Whew... what a place to have summers off.

gus

[Salty Walty]

Sped, Give Newport a look. Great fishing in the ocean, bays and river. It is busy in the summer but it slows back down in September. It is still small community and that has its pluses and minuses. I've been here for +3 years and really like it. My wife and I also lived South of Burns for +4 years before we had kids and really liked that too. It can be a bit isolated for some but if you like Big Country with few people it is all of that. If you come out get in touch with me and I'll give you a tour. Depending on when maybe get you out fishing.

[Bartman]

Sped< central oregon is very nice with plenty of flyfishing,metolius,deschutes,crooked and fall river are all great but if your looking to get away from the suv's and traffic stear clear of bend, there are several nice,small and quite towns in that area.

[wthr4d]

You know when my wife finishes her masters and I get my Med Tech BS finished we will be torn between the Newport and Bend areas.

Juat funny how similar situations can be sometimes.

paul

[MattyFlavor]

Alright... we're on page 3 and I have held back from chiming in, as I a conflict of interests here.

You see, I grew up across the street from Sped. For 12 years of schooling, his sister and mother were pretty much the 2nd or 3rd people I would see or talk to in the day... (we always walked to the bus together)... anyways, we've been pretty tight for a while.

I moved out a decade ago, sight unseen. I had my brothers come out in advance of my arrival, so they cushioned my fall, so to speak. Plus I was only 22, so I was okay with "slumming it" on couches and floors and what not.

Sped and I have talked a good deal about this and I am glad to see that you all have given him the same warnings and encouragement, more or less, as I have.

There are plusses in fishing, space, and the overall pace of life...
There are minusses in being away from the family and friends, giving up a cherry job and taking a pretty massive risk...

But in the end, Sped, yes buddy you are nuts, but it has nothing to do with your decision, it's just pretty much on principal... you are wicked freakin nuts!

A few comments on the comments here:
Jeez Pete... was there an important meeting right around the time you first replied?

Salmonilla... I resemble that hippie remark about Eugene and I have to clarify a common misconception - the "Hip" tag attached to The Eug is becomming a little erroneous. Sure, there's still plenty of 'On the Bus'-types here, but I think it's become significantly muted in the last several years. Peace man!

And finally...
yeah the "teaching to funding" situation here is grim year in and year out. On the up side I can easily see Sped guiding during the downtime at school or if he were to get laid off. First, he's that good of an angler and it would really just be a matter of time I think; and Second, he teaches P.E. and can coach inter-scholastic sports in a couple different areas... this adds value to his presense in a given school district. He's top notch in his field, and that generally defies funding crunches if he gets dialed in with good people in a good place.

I like the Central Oregon and Coast ideas... remember how sweet that campground outside of Newport was buddy? (and don't fear The Big One or the Tsunami... you'll have a boat!)

I think you have all the tools you need to make this decision, and really, I think you've already made your decision... so what are you gonna do now?!