(Submitted by Lisa Roberts.)
Whether you are a family person looking for a place to settle down or a younger person that wants to escape the hassle of big cities, Eastern Oregon is the place for you. This fine part of Oregon is filled with terrific little cities that can accommodate anyone looking for a decent, hardworking life. But, besides that, there are a couple of more things that you should be aware of before moving to Eastern Oregon. Luckily, we are here to give you all the necessary info to make Eastern Oregon feel that much closer. So, without further ado, let’s jump in.
A thing or two about Eastern Oregon
Eastern Oregon is, as you might have guessed, the eastern part of the Oregon state. Although we feel that it is quite different from Western Oregon, it is still not recognized as a geographical entity. Therefore, defining the boundaries of Eastern Oregon can be a little tricky. So, if you plan on moving to a city that is a bit closer to the Western part of Oregon, it can be a bit hard to determine the name of the area you are living in.
Geography and climate
One of the most notable differences between Eastern and Western Oregon is the climate. Namely, Eastern Oregon has a much drier continental climate with greater seasonal variations in temperature. This means that the summers in Eastern Oregon tend to be warmer, while winters tend to be colder and snowier than in Western Oregon. This is important to remember when moving to Eastern Oregon, as moving in snow can be much more dangerous and arduous than moving in nice weather. So, keep that in mind during your moving preparations.
Eastern Oregon is also known for its deserts and woods. Over 35% of Eastern Oregon is covered with pine and juniper forests, which are excellent for camping and exploring. No less noteworthy are the Alvord and Owyhee deserts which formed due to a rain shadow effect from the Cascade Range.
Cost of living and job opportunities
While Oregon as a whole tends to be more expensive than the U.S. average, especially when it comes to housing, Eastern Oregon is cheaper. The median home price in Umatilla, for instance, is $114,700, while the median rent is $605. This is way below the Oregon average as the median home is $247,200 and rent is $941. But, moving to Eastern Oregon does come with some difficulties. While the largest city in Oregon, Portland, has over 654,000 residents, the largest city in Eastern Oregon is Hermiston with around 18,000. So, finding a job might be a bit more difficult. But, if you are planning on working here, consider a career in agriculture. Crops such as wheat, potatoes, onions, sugar beets, grapes, orchards, different types of grains and other specialty crops are very popular in the area. Good growing conditions and cooperative agreements with Idaho make the area great for production and processing.
Living in Eastern Oregon
The people of Eastern Oregon are what makes living here worthwhile. Mind you, there are some cultural differences between living here and living in Western Oregon (especially the Portland area). Namely, people here tend to be more down to earth and welcoming. We like to take our time and find joy in the more grounded values of our great country. The Portland metro area, on the other hand, tends to be a bit more modern and is striving to have that big city lifestyle about it. Mind you, there is nothing wrong with that. But, if you are planning on moving to Eastern Oregon, at least know what environment you are moving to.
How to prepare for moving to Eastern Oregon
Now that you have a better idea of what Eastern Oregon is like, let’s go over a couple of tips on how to move here. Mind you, no online article can give you the full impression of what Eastern Oregon is like. So, if you plan on moving here, make sure to visit first. Cities are not that far from each other. So, it is even possible to see a couple of them in one go. But, even a day or two in Eastern Oregon can give you a much better glimpse of what living here is like.
Finding reliable movers
The best way to move to Eastern Oregon is to hire local movers that have experience moving here. Now, you can opt for looking for Eastern Oregon movers. But it can be a bit hard to coordinate with them if you are moving from far away. So, instead, find movers that are closer to you. For instance, if moving here from neighboring Nevada, consider hiring Nevada movers with Eastern Oregon experience. Make sure to check their online reviews and ask them whether they can give you any references. Their former satisfied customers can not only verify that they are good but can even be your future friends once you move here.
Moving plans
Once you find decent movers to help you relocate, you will have to organize a moving plan. Now, there are a bunch of things to consider when it comes to long-distance moving, so we won’t go over all of it. But, what we will mention again is to pick the timing of your relocation carefully. The average winter temperatures here are about 28.4 °F (−2.0 °C), with record low being −27 °F (−33 °C). So, if you plan on going for the cheaper option and move here during the winter, make sure to prepare properly.
Packing
When it comes to packing, all that we have to tell you is to not pack too much. Even though most places in Eastern Oregon are small, they have everything you need. So, there is no need to overburden your movers and make your relocation needlessly expensive. If you are moving to Easter Oregon after college, this will be easy. But, if you are moving here with your family, it will be a bit more difficult. Just keep in mind that the fewer things you have, the easier and less stressful it will be to relocate.
Author’s Bio
Brad Thompson works as a freelance blogger, his topics of interest being relocation, traveling, and business. He has had more than 10 years of experience in writing and has learned a lot along the way. When he’s not writing for different blogs, he likes to read biographical novels and cook with his wife.
