outsiders be aware you will never be from here
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9/8/2019
When I moved to Springfield with my family, we came from the north so didn't we didn't experience the scathing hatred Californians might encounter. Even so, not being a native Oregonian we paid a price. For a reasonably big town it is surprising how small town closed it was toward people that moved from elsewhere.
Yet, I was so thrilled to be there, out of the cold and snow to the beautiful lush green and gorgeous parks. There were cute little houses at reasonable prices (not anymore) I expected to be happy and live there the rest of my life.
The thrill wore off when we got involved in a church that was friendly, but only after much damage was done did we understood it was more cultist. We stayed several years but after scrambling my husband couldn't never could get full time work. Part time jobs without benefits forced us to apply for food stamps to our horror. Ashamed of things getting that bad, the worker lectured us "go back where you came from, why do you losers show up here?" Okay then.. hiring local got them that sort of talent. The scathing contempt left an impression we never recovered from
When we finally left I couldn't get out of town fast enough. When I drove through recently, the neighborhood our little house was in was derelict, run down, depressing. Now I wonder if that attitude toward "outsiders" helped caused the terrible decline in this area? There might be enclaves of stability say in Eugene in a professors neighborhood, but Springfield is definitely, more down and out.
Whatever town you are leaving, thinking of coming to Springfield could be going from the frying pan to the fire. I was so relieved to get out of the snow and cold. I happily went back to a place where people are more hospitable.
Grace | Springfield, OR