Bring Lot of Cash! - 8/15/2006

We moved here to Medford, Oregon from Phoenix four years ago. (Boy, do I miss Phoenix; would move back there in a second if we could!) Housing prices are even higher here than they are in Phoenix. We scrambled fast to buy a tiny condo here before the prices ran up any further two years ago. The escalating housing prices have far outstripped salary increases and they are closing an elementary school in nearby Ashland because the middle class can no longer afford to live there. My wife and I jokingly call it Medford, California because of all the California residents who have left that horrible state for southern Oregon. My advice: have a job lined up before you move here, and bring lots of cash if you want to buy a home, because you're going to need it!

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NE v. NW - 7/21/2006

My husband and I are considering a move from Maine to the Grants Pass-Medford, Oregon area. My husband is also considering attending the Willamette Carpenter's Training Center headquartered in Portland. (We've found out that they conduct some classes in the Medford area and are hoping he'll get assigned there.) At this time, he has several years' worth of carpentry skills. The three main reasons we're considering a move out there (and we haven't visited the area yet, but have LOTS of information) are climate (which has an affect on my husband's health, which in turn affects his work), education, and finances. I've read the comments posted about these two cities and it appears, with a few exceptions, that it's no better living out there than it is here. We don't have the level of crime in my area as you have out there, but we have a much lower population(pop. +/- 9500). The cost of living in Grants Pass is lower than Medford. Guess what I'm fishing for is for several differing opinion about what it's like living out there. It's especially helpful if you've ever lived on the East coast, particuarly New England. But I'd be grateful for whatever you'd like to contribute. I realize that we just need to visit, but right now it's not affordable for us to do so. So, talking with someone who lives out there would be almost as good. Thank you for any contributions you can make!

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Paula, be glad you are in Medford - 7/6/2006

Paula, it sounds like you are talking about the whole country. Drugs, no health insurance, high taxes (one way or the other)employment is substandard, and housing!! Wow, it is out of sight everywhere. I live in Phoenix AZ. at least you don't have shootings every day and three hour commutes in 110* heat. Be thankful for the rain and the green you have. We are still moving to the Medford area as soon as possible. Can some one else tell me what it is like in Medford?

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Not as good as it used to be - 6/28/2006

Sadly, I have seen the Medford area deteriorate in many ways in the past year. The cost of living has increased dramatically, the wages are still astonishingly low, and the state income taxes are the second highest in the nation. Health insurance is not provided by most employers. Granted, there's no sales tax but if you don't have anything to spend it's a moot point. The air quality is poor on many days (it's called *haze* up here) and traffic is unbelievable. There seems to be never ending roadwork going on which does nothing to alleviate the problem. All of a sudden we're seeing a lot of the superficiality (expensive foreign cars, half mil homes on the golf course, plastic surgery, etc) that is so prevalent in many areas of CA. The drug problem - methamphetamine - is old hat but still here and the jails are overcrowded to the point that a lot of druggies are released on their own recognizance. Culturally, there is very little to recommend Medford and I shudder to think of the education most children in this area are receiving. The nearest *big* city is 4-1/2 hours away which sounds nice at first but turns out to be a disadvantage in the long run. This being the Pacific Northwest it IS pretty wet in the fall/winter/spring - although not as wet as more northern spots - but also very hot in the summer and frequently humid. If you need sunshine - you're out of luck. The good points? Absolutely stellar weather for about 3 weeks in spring, 3 weeks in fall, and occasionally a day or 2 here and there. Outdoor activities are pretty fantastic during that time and you can fish, hunt, hike, camp, ski, snowboard, etc - whatever you'd like, really. Low, low auto registration, the afore mentioned lack of sales tax. Hmmmm.....I honestly can't think of much else unless you're retired and then the bad points aren't really a problem.

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How's Medford, Oregon for a family???? - 4/1/2006

We are looking into moving from Riverside, CA to Medford, OR....To get away from the crowds, smog, traffic; can't go anywhere fun anymore without the crowds and traffic. Public schools are crowded Looking for some good info. from a family's perpective??????????????????? How are the school performances in Medford area? Any drug problems that are out of control? What is there to do for 10-16 yr. old boys? Are sports too competative or does everyone play? Is it a upbeat town or what?

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HOUSING - 2/28/2006

THE PRICE OF HOUSING HAS GONE UP SO MUCH. MANY PEOPLE FROM CA HAVE AND ARE MOVING UP TO THE MEDFORD AREA. THIS HAS MADE THE HOUSING MARKET GO SKY HIGH. THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE LIVE IN OREGON THEIR HOLE LIFE CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY THE HOMES THAT ARE ON THE MARKET OR BEING BUILT. IT'S A SHAME. ALSO THE CRIME IS OUT OF CONTROL, AND I MEAN OUT OF CONTROL. AND THE LAW ENFORCMENT DOSN'T KNOW HOW TO HANDLE IT.

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Steve-12/9/05 Can someone tell me what is driving - 12/9/2005

Yes Floyd, To answer your 3 questions. 1)Rich old white folks. 2)Job growth? Yes! low paying service jobs (to serve the rich old white folks). 3)Yes!-would you like fry's with that? That's about the long and short of medford.I know the place well.Still a backward,good'ol boy cowboy town. hope this help's

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Future Job Growth - 10/18/2005

Can someone tell me what is driving the economic engine in Medford? Why is the job growth expected to be so high? Are there companies hiring?

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housing costs - 10/12/2005

fast growing area lots of people from CA moving up. Have lots of money from house equity in CA thus it is a sellers market

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Terrible house price to annual salary ratio - 10/7/2005

Unless you are in the poverty level and eligable for all the government assistance programs or making at least twice what the average income is, it is incredibly difficult to get ahead in this area.

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Cost of Homes - 6/18/2005

6/2005 It is extremely expensive to own a home here. The average price of a home is now pushing $300,000.00 not the amount you have on this website. On top of that, the property taxes are outrageous. Families are moving away because it is becoming an area for wealthy retirees only. The job outlook is very sparse and the wages are below national averages. It is tough to survive here financially. It is definitely a beautiful area with many outdoor activites, but just beware of the cost to live here.

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