thinking about relocating to Astoria OR area..

**fluttermuffin** · 06-05-2011, 02:40 AM

any thoughts, suggestions or information would be wonderful.

I'm an 44 year old RN who has lived in the midwest (Missouri/Kansas) my entire life. Recently divorced and I would love an adventure and the northwest coast of Oregon just looks so beautiful to me.

**frugalfoster** · 06-05-2011, 10:14 AM

I live about an hour and a half from Astoria. We frequent the area often. It is a beautiful location and it is a town that is growing, not receding. You have the ocean within minutes and it's located on the Columbia River. It is truly one of the places that I myself would not minding moving to. There is only one thing for you to understand, though, it rains here...A LOT!!!! Oregon also has a state income tax...where as Washington it's neighbor to the north does not.

**zakity** · 06-05-2011, 02:05 PM

Hey! I live about an hour and a half away from Astoria also! Oregon side though.

When we go to the coast, Fort Stevens is where we go. You can drive out on the beach (suggest a 4WD vehicle though).

**frugalfoster** · 06-05-2011, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by zakity

Hey! I live about an hour and a half away from Astoria also! Oregon side though.

When we go to the coast, Fort Stevens is where we go. You can drive out on the beach (suggest a 4WD vehicle though).

We LOVE Fort Stevens....we practically camped there every weekend when our kids were young!

**waterbaby77** · 06-06-2011, 12:47 AM

Astoria is so quaint and beautiful. We love to go on vacation there, and it seems like a great place to retire to. Rents are still relatively cheap and I think you can find good deals on houses to buy. I'm not sure what the work situation is like; the economy is still pretty soft in Oregon.

**zakity** · 06-06-2011, 01:17 AM

Pretty soft is being kind.

**waterbaby77** · 06-06-2011, 08:45 PM

I guess an RN might have an easier time finding a job... There is a small hospital in Seaside, about a 15 or 20 minute drive away from Astoria.

**Iansmommy** · 06-06-2011, 08:50 PM

Love Astoria, I live about 1.5 hours away on the Washington side. It does rain a lot here, but I love our coast.

**walker24** · 06-06-2011, 10:30 PM

Pretty soft is being very kind. haha. I love Astoria. I grew up all over Oregon and think I might love everywhere though. It's gloomy in the winter every time I've been there. But nothing beats the oregon coast in spring and summer.

**zakity** · 06-07-2011, 01:11 AM

Yeah, the weather takes some getting used to. Some people love it (like me) and some people have a major problem with it. A dear friend has SAD (seasonal affective disorder) pretty bad from living here.

**frugalfranny** · 06-07-2011, 01:23 AM

Astoria is small but very pretty...........the Oregon coast is very pretty.

Yeah............hope you own an umbrella!!!

Originally Posted by frugalfoster

Oregon also has a state income tax...where as Washington it's neighbor to the north does not.

But Washington is in the TOP FIVE for sales tax! OUCH! The only good
thing is that food isn't taxed.

No sales tax in Oregon!

**zakity** · 06-07-2011, 03:19 PM

Yeah, but the property taxes and income taxes will kill you. Though, our vehicle registration is cheaper here than in Washington.

Oh yeah, in Oregon, you don't have to pump your own gas. It is lovely.

**fluttermuffin** · 06-14-2011, 05:48 PM

I've applied for my Oregon nursing license and looks like a move date is in the works for Mid September... the Nursing agency provides my apartment while I"m on assignment... they are going to try and place me in Astoria or Seaside, but it's possible I'll get a job in Portland, but am not adverse to commuting.

seems that 2 of my kids are ready for a change too, so I think they're coming out once I get settled... it's exciting and scarey at the same time.

some silly questions though.... is there a bus or taxi service in Astoria?
Wal-mart or K-Mart? dollar tree?.... how are the thrift stores there?
would anyone be interested in sending me newspaper classifieds if I were to send a SASE? I looked at the Astoria newspaper online, but there are only a few job opportunities listed and like 7 rentals... most online papers don't list their full classifieds online...

I've never made this kind of a change before and I'm extremely psyched!!

Jamie

**fluttermuffin** · 06-14-2011, 05:54 PM

and another thing... I'm so ready to leave TORNADO'S behind me... was in a mobile home that had the roof ripped off 7 years ago... terrified of them ever since..

**zakity** · 06-15-2011, 12:04 AM

Um... I have no clue what shops there are in Astoria. We only drive through to get to the beach.

Ok, looked on the net, no Walmart near Astoria. There is a Walmart in St Helens and Newport though (both would be quit a drive). There is one in Longview, WA also that would be slightly closer than the St Helens one and it is more than likely a bigger one also.

No Kmart either. There is one in Chehalis and one in Beaverton.

There is a Fred Meyer in Warrenton (right by Astoria). It is like a SuperWalmart. It has groceries and clothes and everything else in between. They use to have more "hardware" stuff, but they took that out a while back. They do have decent loss leaders though.

There is a Winco in Longview. They have decent prices and they have bulk items.

There is also a Costco in Warrenton.

Um, you realize that a commute from Astoria to Portland isn't something you want to do everyday, right? It is like a two hour drive (maybe more). It takes us an hour and half to get to Astoria. It takes us about 40 minutes to drive to the I-5/84 interchange in Portland from our house.

Also, they say that food prices are high here. Just to forewarn you.