Feeling Lucky to be an Oregonian
By Patty Soza
22 Nov 2008
What city do you live in? What neighborhood?
As luck would have it, I am currently living in Salem, Oregon. Not only that, but I ended up in my favorite part of Salem, south Salem, across the street from a huge, nearly 1,000 acre wilderness park, Minto Brown Island park, and not far from the historical district and the capitol.
And just 20 miles east of Salem is Silver Falls State park, a beautiful rain forest with its trail of ten falls, rivaling some of the most spectacular waterfalls I've ever seen.
What are some adjectives that describe your neighborhood?
Colorful, beautiful, breathtaking, varied, rural, scenic, many parks, numerous trees, historical, fantastic, interesting, peaceful, serene, green, running rivers, many creeks and streams, rustic, nostalgic
How long have you lived there, and what brought you there?
I am a native California, forced out of California by the condo-conversion craze. I'd move into an apartment complex where they'd swear the place would not be converted to condos, and sure enough, sooner or later I'd be forced to buy my apartment or move on, which would cost me thousands in movers and moving expenses each time. Finally after the third move, it became evident that I'd either have to move out of state or go under.
I explored several states in my search for a new place to live, and although I knew no one, my final decision was to move to Oregon. Having visited my sister when she lived here, I already knew that as a nature lover, I would be in heaven here.
I quit my job and my Scottish Terrier, Smitty and I moved into an extended stay hotel in Salem, hoping against hope that someone would hire me quickly.
As luck would have it, Boise box plant was hiring at the time, so my first job in Oregon came together just two weeks after I moved here.
What is your favorite thing about this place? Your least favorite?
I have so many good things to say about Oregon!! The first thing that became evident was that I'd seemed to step into the past, once here. Salem, Oregon reminded me of my childhood memories of Orange County, California.
To my delight I was also driving among the most courteous, skilled drivers I had ever maneuvered among. People actually waved me into traffic ahead of them or slowed down to let me merge! And no one seemed to be daunted by rain! Even in the heaviest downpours, everyone was still out and about, driving around.
What a surprise to find that these same people were so cordial and friendly too, everywhere I went! Anytime I mentioned that I was new in town or that I'd just moved to Oregon from California, people never failed to welcome me and offer me some helpful advice.
The only thing that gave me pause were the winters, having never experienced the seasons like this before. They are exhilarating but a bit frightening too. Driving during flooding, fog, snow and ice has taken some getting used to. But when spring and summer arrive, the burst of colors makes you grateful you live here!
Do you feel that you belong there?
I should have lived in Oregon from the very beginning, but I know my daughter would never have been happy here, so California was probably a good place to start out my life I suppose.
My daughter will visit me here, but this is the place that makes me happiest and California is where my daughter belongs I'm afraid.
My older sister who used to live here has long ago moved on to Kauai, in the Hawaiian islands, and I still try to talk my other sister into moving here, but I'm afraid family may never join me here.
What is the most common misconception about where you live?
Maybe the biggest misconception about moving to Oregon is how difficult it might be, acclimating to the weather and the frequency of rainfall here. Even native Oregonians sometimes want to escape the gray skies in winter for sunshine elsewhere.
I knew I'd be fine, because I love the rain, and what makes this state so beautiful is due to the frequent rainfall, but you really do have to love the rain!
What is a special fact about your city that you have to live there to know?
The unique, natural beauty of Salem, Oregon is probably the best kept secret in the country!
There are so many waterways that run through it, and so many varied creatures that live here, the squirrels, bald eagles, hawks, egrets, barn swallows, ducks, owls, and Canadian geese, racoons and deer.
What aspect of your city do you secretly love?
I probably never mention that living in Salem, Oregon still gives me some of the variety and excitement that I once enjoyed in southern California. There are more events and attractions and places to see here, being the capitol town of Oregon I think.
3 responses
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Pamela Johns gave props (22 Nov 2008):
I like it. I voted yeah for ya!
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Peter McLaughlin said (22 Nov 2008):
I lisited Oregon in September 08. It's a beautiful state. I went to Portland, Mnt. Hood, Govn. Camp is a nice little town. Great State !
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Marty McAuliff said (23 Nov 2008):
Well written praise for the Beaver State.
We lived in Eugene for two years. We really felt like we belong "back East" though and returned to New Hampshire but Oregon really is a perfect place for nature lovers, hikers, backpackers, ...and photographers! There may be no greener place in the US.
