MOVING TO OREGON FROM CALIFORNIA

THE STATE OF OREGON

It is known that Oregon is a very small state. The capital city, under the gloriously known name of Salem, has long been beloved by natives and visitors alike because of its rich green vegetation. At the same time, about 600,000 people live in the metropolis. The locals simply adore their state, and what is most interesting, Portland, the largest city, is called completely differently: “City of Bridges”, “Beer Bar”, “Place of Roses”. Thus, moving to Oregon will be an interesting journey into a new life, where new cool titles can be applied.

WHERE IS OREGON

Popular and beloved by many people, the state is located in the fortunate northwest direction of the United States of America. It is additionally called the Pacific State because it is bordered by Pacific waters. There are several large cities in the state, and not only Portland is among them (coordinates 43.65910 latitude and -70.25682 longitude). We are talking about Eugene (famous for the fact that the University of Oregon is located in the city), Gresham, Corvallis, Beaverton, Medford, Astoria, Springfield, etc.
And yet, the state is distinguished by the ninth place in absolutely all of America in terms of its area. If you look to the north side, you can see the border with Washington. And if you look to the south, then California and Nevada will be located nearby.

OREGON STATE TAX

Many are interested in taxes, because it depends on them whether a person will live in this territory. Local income tax is currently not levied at all. If we talk about corporate tax, then according to statistics, the rate ranges from 6.6% to 7.6 percent (although there is a point here - this rate is only if the income is more than 1 million US dollars).
There is also a catch - corporate tax special services will charge 21 percent when the source of profit, respectively, is America itself. Of course, there are inheritance and gift taxes, social contributions, property, duties, stamp duties (at the state level). And the personal income tax ranges from 10 to 37% (if there are estates for a total of 1 million US dollars or only if the income is from 1 million dollars).

HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE IN OREGON

According to official statistics, 4.176 million people currently live in the state, and this figure continues to grow. Naturally, among the people there are many Ukrainian-speaking, Russian-speaking and people of different nationalities (Armenians, Belarusians, representatives of other countries) in general. In terms of racial composition, 83.5% are white, 3.1 percent are mixed race, as well as 8.0% Hispanic, 3.0% Asian, 1.6% African American, 1.3% Indian, etc.

HOW FAR IS OREGON FROM CALIFORNIA

Those people who decide to go to another state - hot California, or vice versa, move to Oregon, they will be interested in mileage. So, the distance from oregon to california is 1022.9 miles. If we transfer the numbers into mileage, then it will be only 753 kilometers, which is a lot. This is approximately 16 hours and 34 minutes to drive. In a straight line, the mileage is 1170 km or 727 miles on the highway. Therefore, when moving from California to Oregon, you only need to find out the pros and cons of such a trip. You can get there in several relevant ways:

• By plane
  This method of getting there or back will be the fastest. True, the method is not cheap, so you won’t be able to save at all. The journey may take approximately 2 hours 10 minutes or so. At the same time, you will have to spend on air tickets at least from 100 to 900 dollars (it all depends on the class, the presence or absence of luggage, and other factors).

• By bus
  As for those who bet on the bus, they may be a little upset when they hear the news that there is simply no direct bus from Oregon to California. True, you can get there with the help of several buses, respectively, with transfers. This route is suitable for those who do not have a lot of luggage, otherwise it will not work to carry a lot of things. The whole journey will take approximately 24 hours (a day).

• By train
  The presence of a direct train makes many think about this method of moving. The train often departs from Portland and arrives in Los Angeles. True, you need to count on the fact that the trip will drag on for 31+ hours in time.

• By car
  This way can be attributed to the cheapest. All that you have to fork out is for fuel for refueling the car (gasoline, diesel, gas). If the car is an electric car, then you should carefully consider the route, where special gas stations for electric cars with quick chargers will be located along the road. The trip can take around 16-17 hours.

• On foot
  This, of course, is not an easy way, but if tourists, people, other interested parties want to go on foot or get there, for example, by bicycle, with overnight stops, then everyone has the opportunity to go on such a trip - this is not prohibited by current US law.

LIVING IN OREGON

California remains a dream location for millions of people from around the world. However, many residents of the state are seeking relocation to Oregon, Texas, Arizona, Washington, and Nevada. 653,551 Californians left the state in 2019 with 41,100 moving to Oregon. Why are so many CA residents leaving the state? What are the pros and cons of living in Oregon? In this guide, we will discuss why CA may not be one of the best places to live in the country anymore, and why moving to Oregon might be a better decision for a lot of people.
If we look at statistics, we will find that Oregon is one of several American states, where the number of immigrants is almost equal to the number of people who were born in it. However, not everyone enjoy living in the state because of various factors like climate, weather, the cost of living, housing cost, availability of jobs, a good university, and other reasons. They think of moving out after some time. If we compare Oregon Vs. California, we will find that 57% of the current residents of Oregon have moved here from other states, most often from Washington and California. According to a study by Josh Lehner, almost every fifth resident of Oregon was born in California – 18% of the population compared to 43% of born locals. This impressive data seems unbelievable, but there are several apparent reasons for this:

• The cost of living in San Francisco, the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Diego, Sacramento, and many other regions is much higher than the average living cost in the US;

• State income tax is the highest in the country;

• Lack of public transport and high traffic congestion in the big cities;

• A lot of poverty and many homeless people;

• California is on the seismic zone and often suffers from severe disasters;

• High cost of starting a business;

• High crime rate in California.

So after studying all the points, it becomes clear why more and more people are moving to Oregon from California. Unfortunately, the biggest part of people who move to California get disappointed with life here rather quickly. That is why both locals and newly arrived people come to the conclusion to leave the state forever.

CALIFORNIA VS OREGON

California and Oregon are neighboring states, both on the west coast of the US, along the Pacific. However, there are differences.

Why move to Oregon?

So, why do so many residents of Washington and California consider Oregon the most appealing destination for relocation? Let’s see what attracts people from other states to Oregon.

• Climate and Weather
  A large section of California’s population is thinking of relocation to Oregon because of Oregon’s Mediterranean-style climate. But overall, the state is considerably cooler than CA. Oregon has about 70 days of sunshine, while it is 205 days on average in California. The eastern side of Oregon is dryer, much like California because of the Cascade Mountains. Most of the dry days are in the summer. There are rainy clouds in the winter and fall months.

• Cost of living
  California is 19.3% more expensive than Oregon. The housing cost, rent, groceries, and monthly expenses – everything will cost more in CA. Housing costs 39.5% in California, transport costs 11.5% more, and the monthly grocery expense is likely to be 11.8% higher. Oregon residents will pay 37.5% less for childcare. The average CA residents earns more money, but it is still very difficult to save because of the high cost of living in the state.

• No sales tax
  Next to income taxes that vary between 5 and 9.9% and 1% of property tax, there is no sales tax unlike California. This is one of the reasons for moving to Oregon from California.

• Beautiful nature and a variety of leisure activities
  Nobody will feel dull in the state. Oregon coast features many water activities like fishing, surfing, diving while mountains, valleys, rainforests and deserts offer much more chances to rest clod to nature.

• Laid back style of life
  In Oregon, you can hardly meet people who rush anywhere. There is a moderate style of life: even drivers on the road prefer to move slowly.

• Public transit leader
  Portland public transit is the fifth best of the nation. There is a Portland Transit Mall, a converge corridor of different means of transport, and a highly-developed system of public transportation. It is famous for its neat and clean look and low crime rates too.

• A huge percent of the federally owned land
  Oregon is perfect for exploring not only thanks to the unique flora and fauna located here but also the huge territory that is open to residents. 53% of land in the state is federally owned. It means that many beaches and vast forests can be used by everyone.

• Satisfaction from life
  According to Gallup-Sharecare poll, residents of Oregon state consider themselves the most satisfied with their lives in the country.

• Experiencing all 4 seasons
  Oregon has a rather diverse climate from the Mediterranean in the south to Subarctic in the north. Here you can feel all the seasons with hot summers and snowy winters. Moreover, air is fresh and clean here too thanks to the variety of plants growing here and fewer detrimental factories.

• Friendly and pleasant people
  As many local people are satisfied with their lives, they also treat other people well. They are friendly and smiley and never ignore other people’s troubles.

• The best beer is produced here
  Oregon is a home to more than 200 breweries and there are several annual festivals organized to honor this drink.

PORTLAND VS SAN DIEGO

We compare several facts, where it is better to live, for what reasons and what people prefer most often. Which city is better - Portland or San Diego:

• Climate
  Portland has a rather dry and hot climate - there is no rain, and temperature fluctuations can reach +30 degrees or more. The winter months can be snowy, but the snow does not stay for long - it melts quickly. The ocean and mountains are right next to each other. San Diego has the distinction of being a famous resort city, so the weather is mostly exceptionally warm and sunny, and virtually all year round. Due to the Mediterranean climate, the absence of hurricanes, beach holidays, people come here all year round. The temperature in the ocean is somewhere around +20 degrees Celsius, and the air temperature varies from 25 to 28 degrees Celsius.

• Food
  Mexican cuisine is developed in Portland, and thanks to the green areas of the state, there are always berries, fruits, and vegetables. In principle, you can enjoy delicious food in expensive restaurants of other cuisines of the world. There are a lot of Spanish restaurants in San Diego due to the fact that there are many immigrants from Latin America. The cuisine is quite common, but it all depends on the budget.

• Briefly about renting housing and utilities
  Let’s make a comparative analysis. An apartment in downtown Portland can cost about $1,300 a month, and utilities will be about $150-200 more (electricity, water, garbage disposal, satellite TV, internet, etc.). In San Diego, utilities are almost the same as in Portland, but to rent an apartment, you will need from 1500-1800 dollars a month and this is not in the center, but on the outskirts. But in the center of the apartment is even more expensive and can be from $ 3,000 per month and more.

• Entertainment
  Oddly enough, there are a lot of striptease clubs in Portland, where young people often like to visit, and American football is also popular. Among the current entertainment in San Diego, shopping should be emphasized - it is very developed in the city. There are also expensive restaurants, amusement parks and other expensive services.

• Transport
  Many people and most families prefer to have a personal vehicle, so in Portland people travel by personal cars, although public transport is no less popular, there is an overhead metro. Transportation in San Diego is both public and private. True, most tourists prefer to rent cars by the day, so many still travel by road.

• Characteristics of life in general
  In Portland, under no circumstances should a person himself be engaged in refueling a car at a station, because only the station employee fills in gallons. Since holidays in San Diego are really expensive, prices for houses, as well as hotels are high, you should understand that in order to live in the city you will have to earn at least $ 200 per day for 1 person.

Reasons not to move to Oregon

However, next to the positive sides of relocation, there are several things to know before moving. They can be called cons and must be considered by everyone who wants to reside there:

• There is one of the highest income taxes in the country (between 5 and 9.9%);

• Farmer food produced here is more expensive than in California;

• The weather is often rainy and cloudy in Oregon;

• There is a lack of international airports apart from Portland or Salem;

• Cost of living is higher than an average one in the country;

• None of the Oregon beaches can be compared to ones located in California;

• Very slow driving and narrow roads with sudden turns make newcomers feel nervous.

These are the main reasons that can prevent you from moving to Oregon, though some of them may seem insignificant.

If you would like to consider another state, though, Texas is considered by many a good place to relocate to, from California.

COST OF LIVING IN OREGON

Since many people really prefer to live in Oregon, since there is where to find a job and there is enough work for everyone, it is necessary to understand real estate prices. The cost of housing varies:

• stylish apartment with a balcony in a modern condominium will cost 535 thousand US dollars (total area of ​​about 93 square meters);
• a beautiful two-level penthouse with a fireplace and a private veranda, with a good view from the window will cost about 1.725 million dollars (the area is about 222 sq. m.);
• good studio apartments near the metro station with panoramic windows and on the other hand with beautiful views can cost 1.320 million dollars.

As for rent, most people prefer to rent apartments in quiet corners and this can cost $1300-1400 per month or more. The closer to the center of the city where you live, the more expensive. But renting one room with a shared kitchen can cost 850+ US dollars, depending on the area of ​​the room.
Utilities, however, are a separate issue altogether. So, water supply plus garbage disposal will cost, for example, in Portland about $25 per month (in other cities, prices will range from $20 to $40 per month), Internet will cost about $45 per month, and electricity will cost about $30. dollars, mobile communication is about 50 dollars (together with satellite TV). You can also order additional household services – it will cost $ 50+ per month.

BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN OREGON

When you come to the conclusion that Oregon is undoubtedly the place you want to live in, you may be puzzled by another question: where should you move to Oregon? The state is rather big, though there are not many large cities here. It means that the choice of cities and towns to move to is not very vast. There are top 7 most popular places where to move to in Oregon.

Portland

With the population of 647,805, Portland is considered to be one of the world’s environmentally conscious city that is often called the “City of Roses”.

Eugene

The population of Eugene is 166,575. Being a city of natural environment and recreation, it offers great outdoor activities and has a focus on arts. It is also often called an emerald or track town.

Salem

A huge number of the population that is equal to 167,419 people are students of multiple colleges and universities located here. Today it is one of the main agricultural and food processing centers of the state.

Corvallis

Being not very big, Corvallis has been chosen as a permanent residing place by 55,298 people. It is home to Oregon State University and offers great opportunities for small businesses.

Astoria

Astoria is a port town with the population of 9, 527 people. There are several museums and an airport located here.

Medford

The population of Medford is 81,780. The biggest number of people work in healthcare as the city is a popular retirement destination. Another industry flourishing in the city is agriculture.

Beaverton

A quite impressive recent increase in population resulted in 97,590 people living in the city. The reasons for that is being an important economic center with several large corporations and a two of one of the best small cities to live in.

Despite quite a small size of these cities, except for Portland, of course, several of them have been ranked ones of the most comfortable cities to live in, so it is not surprising why their population is constantly growing.

CHEAPEST PLACES TO LIVE IN OREGON

Oregon is definitely the kind of state that has population, geography, climate, and opportunities at every turn. True, each city is still promising and attractive in its own way. For those who adore nature and communicate with hipsters, Oregon will definitely suit. It is necessary to emphasize one more important detail - Salem is considered the capital, but people really like Portland, because it is in this city that all the most interesting things happen. It’s worth figuring out where and how much housing costs within Portland, as well as in which suburbs it’s worth renting or buying real estate in general:

• Bethany
  This is a suburb of the famous Portland. About 22-23 thousand people live here. To buy real estate, you need somewhere around half a million dollars. This is a suburb where you can buy housing quite cheaply, and besides, it is completely safe.

• Northwest Heights
  It is also a suburb of the already familiar Portland. About 10 thousand people live in it. True, the suburbs are exclusive, and the cost of one house varies from 550 to 650 and more than thousands of US dollars.

• Healy Heights
  Located in the southwest near Portland. 1500 people live here, but at the same time, the town is considered a really cool village resort. Indeed the buying a beautiful house will cost about 800 thousand dollars.

As for the major cities of the state, the statistics are as follows: in Eugene, Gresham, Corvallis, Beaverton, Medford, Astoria, Springfield, apartment rentals range from $1,300 to $1,800, apartment rentals in the center from $1,500, real estate purchase depending on quadrature - from half a million dollars and already to the taste and capabilities of the buyer. If we consider the purchase of real estate, then it can be:

• Coos Bay
  This city is the largest on the south coast of the state. The average cost of one house is less than 200 thousand US dollars. It is worth emphasizing that people here have incomes of approximately 40 thousand dollars a year. True, most argue that in this city it is really difficult to find housing to buy.

• Sheridan
  When there is a need to settle in a small town where farming mainly thrives, then this city is what you need. The Columbia River also flows here - the largest in the state. To buy a house, you need to allocate an average of 230 thousand dollars. True, again, in order to purchase real estate, you need to search well.

• Baker City
  To buy a really normal housing will have to spend about 360 thousand dollars. But it will not be difficult to find a job in this city, because production, trade, and social assistance are flourishing here.

• Albany
  To buy a house, you will have to pay a lot and a little, but a fairly tidy sum of 275+ thousand dollars. True, the city is worth the money and living here, because here you can see truly historical houses, several famous covered bridges, and there are also picturesque beautiful views.

In general, in order to live comfortably in the state, you need to earn at least 60 thousand dollars a year per person. Only then can life be called truly comfortable and prosperous. And if it is less, then most likely buying a home will become a problem, because it will take a very long time to pay it.

WHAT IS OREGON KNOW FOR

Oregon today is considered an ideal place to actively engage in tourism, especially maritime tourism and look at the incredible natural scenery. Naturally, the whole point lies in the nature of the state, which is very diverse in all senses of the word. The mountains in Oregon are very unusual because they have plateaus, smooth rocks, interesting plains, and much more. In addition, Oregon is famous for its numerous lakes, including the world-famous Crater, the deepest lake in the Western Hemisphere. Separately, each tourist should know the following interesting facts:

• Eugene
  This city takes the third position among the largest in the state. It is known that Eugene is considered the "Running Capital of the World", it is this state that provides treadmills and stadiums for athletes to train before big sports competitions, there are also many options for ordinary residents of the city to go in for sports to have a healthy mind in a healthy body. It houses not only the largest university in Oregon, but also the famous art museum named after Jordan Schnitzer. You can also visit many parks - Elton Baker, Hendrix, the Birds of Prey Rescue Center, the beautiful Rose Garden.

• Bend
  This city is stunning in that there is a volcano within walking distance, which a lot of tourists come to see every year. Also, this is a favorite place for everyone who loves beer, because there are numerous breweries with an amazing variety of different types of beer.

• Cannon Beach
  Although this is just a village, but still it is located on the Pacific coast. Every year, 750 thousand people come to this village for recreation, because there are just snow-white beaches, coastal waters (which is good for divers), etc.

IS OREGON A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE

To make moving to Oregon the most correct and perfect decision of your life, you should get acquainted with several facts that will definitely affect this decision as a whole:

• The state is located in the northwest of the country. It is washed by the Pacific coast.
• Nearby there are - California, Idaho, Washington, Nevada.
• Oregon covers an area of ​​255,026 square kilometers.
• In terms of population, the state ranks 27th with 4+ million residents.
• There is an extinct volcano Hood and Columbia - one of the largest rivers in the country, and there is also a desert.
• In addition to the whole state known for its numerous plants, an abundance of beavers.
• Portland is a huge city with 650,000 people who live in it.
• Housing prices in Portland and the suburbs are quite affordable for rent, but to buy real estate you will have to pay from 500 thousand US dollars.
• Oregon does not have a tax on the purchase of goods, but there is a tax on business activities whose income is more than $ 1 million per year.
• Climatic conditions are very favorable.
• There are many attractions on the territory of the state (Lan Su Chinese Garden, Maritime Museum of Art, Portlandia statue and much more).
• The state capital is Salem. It is famous for the fact that it is located between the equator and the north pole exactly at the 45th parallel.
• The state is quite safe for tourists. It develops the agricultural sector and light industry. Tourism is also popular.
• The best time to travel to the state is summer (specifically from the 2nd half of May to the 1st half of September). And in winter it is better to go to the mountains.
• In Oregon they really know how and, most importantly, they love to brew delicious beer, so Oktoberfest in the state is truly celebrated with a wide range.

COST OF MOVING

Long-distance moving will always cost more than a local move. However, Oregon and California are neighboring states. So this means that the cost won’t be that high.

You should always rely on professional moving services, even in the case of neighboring states. One thing of note is that our state-to-state movers can also help you when you move from California to such areas as Washington State.

Of course, the cost will also depend on the location. For example, Portland is at the northern corner of Oregon so the cost will be higher. Medford, on the other hand, is on the CA border. It also depends on the location in CA. San Francisco and Sacramento are closer, but LA is farther away.
There are several ways of moving to Oregon:

• Hire a truck with a driver and load your belongings;

• Buy or rent a trailer and transport everything alone;

• Deliver valuables by airplane. Hire a truck to transport them to the new dwelling;

• Work with a professional moving service.

The first way may be the cheapest one, but you should also remember that all the other responsibilities like organization, packing and unpacking, loading and others lie on your shoulders. Moreover, you entrust your belongings to a person you see for the first time and who knows if he keeps his word to deliver them to the final destination. Transportation by air is rather costly and you need to deliver all your valuables to and from the plane, so the chances to damage or lose anything are more than just high, while a trailer is owned by a few number of people. That is why the most reliable and safe way of relocating is to hire a long-distance moving company. You will get not only a well-organized moving process with the consideration of all moving services needed but also insurance of your valuables.

Our professional movers from California to Oregon provide a lot of options, even if you are looking to move further away, to a location like Arizona.