Starving in Spokaloo

hobbsla · Since 28 Jan 2006 389 Posts Obsessed

For steady wind that is... Twisted Evil

Been talking with the wife for quite awhile about relocating to Oregon coast. While I've been from Astoria to Cresent city CA, I've spent most of my time in both Newport and Florence so those are the two places we've discussed the most. I believe Newport wins for job ops but, I love the dunes in Flo and the beach there in general. Plus am I wrong or is the weather just a bit better in Florence. I'd also be open to LC or points north if they fit the bill! I'd love to hear any opinions any of you that live on the coast or go there regularly have. Feel free to PM me if you want to.

Thanks,

Jeremy

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

i have heard that ft. stevens is the best ....hands down.

unless your going to sell meth or start an old folks home florence is a slow economy.

newport definately has more job ops.

yachats is between flo and newport.

living at the coast would be great in the summer but the winter wil require some commutes to the mtn. or love wet south winds with scary big waves, goofy footed.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

Florence is a small community of retirees.
I wouldn't come here to make money ,unless you already have money then there are some opportunities .
We rent a place out for the payments and that is pretty hard to do on the coast
so housing is a little more expensive than south of here (but probably not north of here as housing prices generally go up the closer you get o PDX
It has the largest esturary of lakes on the coast
Some dunes that run for 50 miles
The most high wind shy of Pistol River
But the wind is not very good for anything larger than 7.0 meter
because it builds so fast you are always changing your kite .
So mostly 5-9 meter size.
Small surf most of the summer but the shoulder seasons is when it really adds up
and can be some huge surf Shocked

Great jetty and sandbar for kiting ,all wrong for boating
Crabbing, ocean fishing ,lake fishing-good to great
Surfing is great at many local locations and some epic surf within 50 miles
Summer is cool to cold if you live along beach or south of town
warm to hot north of town in lee of Cape Perpetua ( or any leeward side of of any cape in Oregon in the summer)
Very mild winters.
It seems to me after only 2 yrs. of living here full time
much more sun than where I grew up in the Mckenzie valley east of Eugene.
December and January might be more fun somewhere else ,But some of the best weather of the year is when the valley is foogy and we get warm and sunny easterlies in these two months
Hard fast storms and then sunny and nice.As opposed to grey for months on end.
Not much of a Spring or Fall, the leaves fall off and then they come back ,I do miss that and the smells, the air is somewhat sterile ,ahhhh

Lot's of scenic qualities in the surrounding forest ,hiking, biking ,hunting for mushrooms or whatever else you can eat which is quite a lot.

As Registerd can tell you cheaper fuel and food than in the valley and in general much cheaper than most places (old people)
Think fresh crab encrusted Halibut with a view for $12
Oh did I mention the Beach is close by Cool

Quite a few friendly kiters here too

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

I think Florence is for sure a notch windier than Newport when the afternoon, NW thermals are working. (Usually this makes Flo a bit more fun, but sometimes it blows even the hardcores up to Newport to get some action). I'd be surprised if Flo was less rainy in the winter than Newport. The Siuslaw drainage typically gets some world class soakings during Nov-Feb. Mapleton was partly underwater each of the last two years as I recall, but perhaps those storms leave a strip of sun along the coast (or at least over Blowhard's crib Very Happy

)

Florence sure looks sleepy to me and I'm no city boy. If you like ocean sports (surf, kite, SUP) you can probably have a good time there year round. If you want a selection of restaurants, schools and employers you're probably going to end up in the valley like the majority of us slobs.

hobbsla · Since 28 Jan 2006 389 Posts Obsessed

Thanks for all the info Blowhard.

Florence has always been my gut instinct choice when contemplating a move to the OC. I used to go there when I was living in Eugene and I love the feel of the place.

But, I do need a decent job. I have a young son and a wife who stays home with him so minimum wage wont cut it.

Maybe Eugene.....

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

sure thing ,
I guess there is only hoodies and pdxers
in NEWPORT
so they wouldn't know Laughing