12 Pros and Cons of Living in Oregon

Last Updated on March 12, 2021 by Filip Poutintsev

Oregon is a state filled with an unusual history, a strangeness that is the best way has reached the modern-day. Believe it or not, in fact, the Japanese invaded Oregon in World War II. Starting in 1944, the Japanese army deployed balloons carrying bombs against the United States’ west coast.

Living in Oregon — Photo by Benjamin Massello on Unsplash

Although most of them were intercepted by the U.S. military before they entered U.S. land, a small number of them found their way through Gearhart Mountain, Oregon and took six people’s lives – these deaths are probably the only deaths on U.S. soil.

You’ll soon discover the odd interesting history Oregon is considered to have stuck with. If you’re considering moving to Oregon, you’ve picked a gem that’s not easily definable. By the end of this article, you’ll know pretty quickly if Oregon is the right place for you to call home.

Table of Contents

Pros of Living in Oregon
Cons of Living in Oregon
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Pros of Living in Oregon

1. Greenery

The green trees that tower over the mountains and beaches along the coast aren’t the only way when you live in Oregon to get in touch with nature. Additionally, the state provides one of the lowest carbon footprints found in the USA.

There are more environmentally friendly buildings which are certified in the state than elsewhere in the country. Portland is also ranked amongst the world’s greenest cities. Energy-efficiency requirements, recycling services and renewable energy access are all accessible and affordable when building your home in Oregon.

2. Quiet Environment

Even if you prefer living in a village or city, you can find there are plenty of large open spaces with smaller towns where you can have plenty of room for yourself. Simply take the Baker City community as an example.

It is situated in the eastern Oregon hills, provides a population of less than 10,000 according to the 2010 census, and is far enough away from major urban centres that a road trip is needed to go nearly anywhere.

3. Stunning Coastlines

Oregon is home to some of the world’s best beaches. There are more than 360 miles to explore along the coastline, with Highway 101 carrying you all the way. You will find that the place feels magical and safe, allowing you the opportunity to explore the Columbia River, the aquariums along the coast, and peaceful stretches where the wind and the waves are all you hear. If you’re living by the beach in Oregon, make sure you take a trip to Tillamook County to visit its cheese factory and dairy services.

4. Crabs in Winter

Crabbing period is a special time of year in Oregon. You’ll find several households opting to place Dungeness crab on their holiday tables because of its abundance instead of ham or turkey. The season starts the week after Thanksgiving, assuming the weather is working together and you’ll find the cost of having a proper meal in Oregon is surprisingly low. Many seafood options, including salmon, are more often available at better rates than you can find in the Plains or Midwest states.

5. Weather

Actually, Oregon rains a lot. Occasionally at a time, for days or weeks. But according to data obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Oregon still has a marginally better overall balance of more potential sunshine days and lower humidity than other states.

6. No Sales Tax

The federal sales tax rate in Oregon is 0 per cent, according to Avalara. Rather of taxing sales to raise taxes, the state is now imposing a higher federal income tax. There are also taxes on car usage related to citizens bringing in a car from outside the state. You have to pay the tax before issuing a title and registration. In certain cases, county taxes and local taxes may apply too. However, the price you see on the shelf mostly is the amount you pay when you live in Oregon.

Cons of Living in Oregon

1. Problematic Traffic

Portland is renowned for its traffic jams thanks to the bridge system that you are forced to cross as you drive around the area. The I-5 Corridor through the Grants Pass is packed with traffic that comes to and from the area’s schools. Also when you’re coming in from the North, there are traffic pockets to remember that will confuse you.

Despite the lower speed limits now in practice on state highways (65 miles per hour), it takes you longer to reach your destination legally, too. While there have been improvements to raise speed limits from 55 mph in 2016, the roads are still slower than in other states.

2. Crime rate

Oregon has a significantly higher overall crime rate than other states for both property and violent crime according to FBI data.

3. High Rental Costs

The rental vacancy rate for 2014 in Oregon rose to 3.6%. And if you could afford to rent a nice apartment, condo or home in the town, it would be a hassle to try to find one. It was the lowest rate of vacancy in the whole world. Some rentals went for more than $1,200 a month just to give you 400 square feet of access.

The state’s housing market is similarly bleak for those looking to move to Oregon. Demand has exceeded the supply at the time of writing for nearly 4 consecutive years, with homes typically selling in the range of $300,000 to $500,000 for square footage below 1,500. The level of inventory is at its lowest point in over 10 years, with most properties receiving multiple offers.

4. Students Have Lower Test Scores

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students of Oregon have significantly lower test scores than the students of most other states. The student to teacher ratio is slightly higher than the national average.

Despite these two lower-scoring factors, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, over the past five years, more Oregonian graduates have earned a high school diploma or college degree than the national average.

5. Limited Access to Professional Sports

If you want to watch professional sports, then basketball and soccer are your choices while living in Oregon. Both the Trail Blazers and the Timbers are enjoying a robust and passionate base of fans that will easily include you.

Whether you’re more of a baseball or football fan, you ‘re either going to have to support the San Francisco Bay Area clubs or head north to Seattle. These solutions are not inherently satisfied either, given the ferocity of the rivalries in place at Cascadia.

6. Natural Disaster

Oregon is overdue for a major earthquake, a similar hazard that has been expressed up and down the US West Coast. The rumble may be stronger than 8.0 for the quake. With the event is a tsunami predicted that could inundate the whole coastal area.

Many who look at the possibility of such an earthquake claim that, if it happens, it might become the worst natural disaster in North American history. The odds are 1 in 10 for the Big One, and 1 in 3 for a smaller shaker, and many households are still not ready for this case.