Red State refugees considering Portland or Eugene, any advice? [View All]

[Greyhound]

My SO and I just won't take this anymore and want to live where sanity still has value. I've lived all over the country, while she has always been a desert dweller. Aside from the usual complaints, I loved living in LA, but found Northern California far too regulated. I've never had any trouble getting along with people of all political stripes in the past, but the intolerance and bigotry here is unbearable.

There are no knee-biters involved, so quality of school districts and "family friendly" are irrelevant, possibly a detriment if the area is controlled by the "won't somebody think of the children" crowd. We are not interested in the slow-death of living in the suburbs but she appreciates the country lifestyle and I am adaptable. We want to be near where things are happening and after 5 years of the *Co. economy we have pretty limited means and will, in essence, be starting over.

Any information about jobs (political activism, high tech sales & service, management), particularly smaller companies where integrity is more than a buzz-word

housing (we'll be renting & have four dogs), neighborhoods to avoid, are the historical districts at all affordable, high speed internet access is a must

where's the best Trader Joe's, public transportation, libraries, shopping choices that support local independent businesses & farmers markets, non-chain restaurants, do you know a good chiropractor, where do the "weird people" live and go

These are the sorts of things we're looking for and any and all help & advice is greatly appreciated. :hippie: :toast: