Oregon bound and I need help

[OS OK]

Outstanding revelation! It's exactly what I thought...having been there/through there at times in the past decades...Your plight is so similar to my own within the state you live.
The numbers are a little different but your intentions are the same.

[GL49]

Oregon Administrative rules:
Quoted in part:

"OAR 918-282-470
The division may issue a provisional general journeyman electrician license to an applicant who meets the requirements of this rule.
(E) Applicants from the State of Colorado must provide:
(i) A copy of a valid journeyman electrician certification issued by the State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. This certificate must be current and in good standing with no history of violations;
(ii) Proof of passing the State of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies journeyman electrician examination; and
(iii) A copy of certificate of completion from an approved apprenticeship program.

Effective Dates
(1) Applications for a provisional general journeyman electrician license issued under OAR 918-282-0470 must be submitted to the division prior to July 30, 2017. Applications will not be accepted after this date.
(2) All provisional general journeyman electrician licenses issued under OAR 918-282-0470:
(a) Are valid from the date of issuance;
(b) Expire effective February 1, 2020; and
(c) Are not eligible for renewal."

Oregon has established a method where applicants from selected states and provinces in Canada can apply for a provisional license in the state of Oregon. The deadline for applying is July 30. No applications will be accepted after this time. You'll have to pass a four-hour "Oregon Rule and Law" course, I'm completing an online course for my continuing education requirements for my Oregon license at this time. No big deal. If you can meet the application requirements, this will get you licensed in the state and you'll have about three years to prepare to take your Oregon Journeyman exam before your provisional license expires. If you're interested, google OAR 918 and read the requirements, contact the Oregon Building Codes Division, (google OregonBCD), for more information. If I can help, PM me.

Oregon's not so bad. You can find something wrong with anywhere you live. If you can get the electrical license, there are a lot of jobs available.

P.S. dale2242 is correct about Ashland, it's "different". I live there, but prefer to tell everyone I live "west of Klamath Falls".

[snowwolfe]

Good luck with your choice. We lived in Colorado for a little over 3 years and moved out before taxes and fees ate us alive and the dems ruined everything we liked. It was/is the only state we lived in that both the wife and I absolutely hated.

[Gunor]

There is work for electricians - my wife runs a electrical contractor company..union shop. They are always looking for electricians that stay put....

[TexasGrunt]

Want another opinion? Well, perhaps another experience would be a better description. Here's my Oregon story:

Moved here in 1988 from Calif. as a medically retired LEO. While the injury was not fun, the pension was adequate. I worked in jack-of-all-trades building maintenance for three years, then went into full time gunsmithing. Business was pretty good because Oregon is a big hunting state, plus lots of folks just like guns. I stayed at it for 15 years, but it would slow down in the winter and I started looking for supplemental employment. I could have gotten by, but have never been one to waste time. I got into the armored truck industry as a driver and messenger, and soon the gunsmithing started getting squeezed down to the supplemental job! Actually, I really enjoyed the armored job, going here and there, usually not on the same route two days in a row, and observing "The People of Walmart". When I reached 63 I retired again and we moved from a beautiful 30 acres in the Coast Range where the property taxes were $1,800 per year to a small town in the Willamette Valley where the taxes on a .485 acre lot and a 3 bedroom 2 bath home were $2,500. I built a shop in the back yard, and after living there for 11 years, last year the taxes were $4,035. I could afford them if I wanted to pay them, but I don't, so I just completed a move to the Cascade Mountains where I have 2.5 acres, a very nice manufactured home and a 30' x 40' shop. Last year the taxes were $800, but I anticipate them possibly going as high as $1,500 because the sale price will cause a re-assessment. But perhaps not. So, it is true, that in parts of Oregon the property taxes are outrageous. Now I can see snow capped mountains from my kitchen window and a deer or two walk through my little meadow every morning and evening. I'm sure the winters will be cold and memorable, but it's worth it to me. I'm laying in a huge pile of firewood, and will spend my time hibernating and reading the Castboolits Forum.

But, on the plus side: There is no sales tax. If the item is marked $2.50 that is what you pay. The cost of vehicle registration, be it brand new or 35 years old is $86 for TWO years. The last year I lived in Calif., 1988, my wife had a 1986 T-Bird and I had a 1987 Dodge Raider (still have it!) and between the two the fees were $1,000 for ONE year. So the savings there, between sales tax and vehicle registration are worthy of consideration.

There is a lot of great fishing and hunting, but the hunting regulations -- more so the various zones, seasons, tags, drawings, and regulations are such that, although I was a Hunter Ed Instructor for several years when in the gunsmithing business, I never hunted as I previously had in Calif. There are guys who wait half-a-lifetime to get an Elk tag and then don't see one. Deer hunting is less complicated.

Of interest to you, my son-in-law is a Deputy Sheriff with 15+ years on the job. He makes a good salary in a mid-state county, and my daughter works in a CPA tax business. Between them they seem to do very well. Law Enforcement is kind of hard to get in to. You haven't indicated what your age is, but the older you are the more difficult it is to break into the field, because some agencies prefer to train a recruit to do things their way; and then of course, there is the consideration of will you have enough time left to pay into a pension plan. More agencies, like Portland P.D. are requiring a B.A. degree. On the other hand, electricians seem to stay pretty busy. I do believe that there is economic opportunity for those willing to work.

What you've been told already about the politics is right on. There are three heavily populated counties in the northern part of the state that are
deep blue, as are several of the major population centers. Because of the large voting block they pretty well control the state's politics, although the other 85% of the state is decidedly red and conservative. Baring some unforeseen event happening to change their minds, it will likely never go back the other way because you can't outvote them. But if you live in one of the red areas, and again--that is most of the state geographically speaking, you'll meet lots of nice people and get along well.

So, next year I will have been here for 30 years. I have no regrets, and would do it again. Best of luck to you in making your decision and move.

DG

There is that 9% income tax though and if the Political class can find a way to get rid of the property tax cap they will skyrocket. Many of the rural counties that depended on timber revenue are going broke since they haven't been allowed to cut down any trees. The whole state is facing bankruptcy over PERS.

[TexasGrunt]

Kokanee are landlocked sockeye salmon. If they are given an opening to sea, away they go. The reverse is true if you stick premigration sockeye in a lake where they can't find their way out, they become kokanee. This is why the little salmon taste so good and smoke so well. This is making me hungry.

These are salmon. I know the history of Kokanee. I just like to give the people whose gear outweigh the catch a hard time.

[fatelk]

Having lived in Oregon my whole life, I'm heartbroken over where this state is going politically. It's always been a little different, not traditionally conservative or liberal, more libertarian maybe? The rural areas are all "red", but the Portland area is hard-core deep blue. They are absolutely nuts up there, and the population of Portland absolutely rules the state.

It reached a tipping point just a few years ago, to where they now have their unbeatable majority. They are now starting to run roughshod over everyone else, like they do in California.

That said, bash on Oregon politics all you want, but please don't bash on Oregonians in general. We're not all radical leftists. It always bugs me a little when people get going on Californians. Sure, the politicians in charge in Sacramento may be raving lunatics, but there's still a lot of good people left in the state.

the gun laws are getting as bad if not worse than Kalifornia.

No, not even close. Not by a long shot. It could go that way I'm sure (the loons in Salem openly idolize California) but I sure hope not.

[RedJackson]

Wyoming would welcome you. We have more guns than people, NO gun laws, NO income tax, LOW sales/property tax .....need I go on ?

[dragon813gt]

I am so glad I don't have to go back to Oregon anymore. Was working on a project there since last August. The state is beautiful. But the weather sucks just as bad as the politics. I would only move there if I absolutely had to for some reason. I got to see a good bit of the state and everything was expensive compared to home. Even w/ no sales tax. It's a real shame because the state is gorgeous.....when it's not raining.

[Edward]

These are salmon. I know the history of Kokanee. I just like to give the people whose gear outweigh the catch a hard time.

Now that was funny

[rockrat]

Been living in Colorado for 26 years now. On the Western side of the state. Would hate the Denver area

[tdoor4570]

Been living in Colorado for 26 years now. On the Western side of the state. Would hate the Denver area

Rockrat you just about know your way around , I have been here for 70 years

[Bullfrog]

Thank you kindly for the comments and suggestions. Life is full of choices and although some are driven by spouses, some are concessions to find balance. Sure there are other places in the country that I have considered, but with the last name I have,color of my skin and being American Indian the prejudice and discrimination is also a factor. Thus why Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho is off the list. Sad I have to think that way, but after all the schooling I have under my belt the reality is that the minority of society still can make existing a private hell. I have it where I am at and choose to be alone on the plains to avoid the bull ****. I am fully capable of protecting and defending but by choice I choose peace. I know that I will have **** no matter where I go but I can limit the number of ******* people and choose the flakes over the hatred. Pointing out political **** does not help because unless you are privy to what I know here then going to another state with similar but different **** is still **** but a different smell. I have been here all my life and never left except to Fort lost in the woods. My skin and sinuses need the moisture and the inside of my nose is all scar tissue from years of dryness. The wife is from the pacific northwest and so I seek to find my little area that I can go home to and live with new experiences while I work to live and enjoy my wife and daughter. I am leaving more than political bull **** and this is not an easy decision. I am leaving family and truth is that only my parents and one grand daughter is a regret. I am choosing to do this while I still can and have a chance to start over. As far as kalifornia and the disease spreading across the country it is a national crisis and not just Colorado or Oregon.

[jmort]

Like I said earlier, I hope you find what your looking for.
Most every post seemed sincere to me, just wanting the best for you.
God Speed.

[fatelk]

Well, having spent my whole life here racial discrimination is something I've never seen much of. I have been told that as an average white guy I probably wouldn't notice, so maybe that doesn't count for much. I've known plenty of people of various ethnicities over the years and never known it to be an issue.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Bullfrog--that last post of yours is very interesting. I'll second fatelk's statement that discrimination and prejudice in Oregon is something I haven't seen much of either. I'm pretty certain, though, that American Indians don't necessarily get along well with themselves either, different tribes and groups. But, economically, which is what your original post seemed most about, you might be interested to know (if you don't already) that there are a number of smallish, wealthy tribes here that own Indian Gaming Casinos. Among them would be the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Indians who have The Seven Feathers Casino on I-5, the Selitz (sp?) Indians who have a casino in Coos Bay, several on the coast owned by different tribes. There is some reservation land left and they might have their own police agencies. Also, casinos use security, usually employees of the casino, and prior police experience is a big leg up on getting one of those fairly well paying jobs.There are many Klamath Indians and their descendants in the Klamath Falls area, and they have a casino on Hwy. 97 in Chiloquin. Bet those casinos hire electricians..........this is what you call using lemons to make lemonade.
Best wishes.

DG

[tinhorn97062]

We just moved from the Portland area down to the New Braunfels, TX a little over a year ago. There's things we miss about Oregon, but pretty much every post I read is accurate. I know you've likely made up your mind, and I'm not one to try to persuade a guy in either direction anyway. But, there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors and I hope you count the cost before going. Easy side is high desert, brush, junipers...west side is dense pine forest, rain, gray skies...I lived in both areas at one time or another.

[thxmrgarand]

I live in a very red state, thankfully, but I live in the state capital. State capitals tend to be liberal because of public employee unions and other features of big government. I go to moving sales often. Whenever the people moving are lesbians they are invariably moving to Portland, OR. I don't have any idea why that might be but Americans now tend to cluster together along philosophical lines. That seems more and more to translate into state politics. Possibly the best those of us with views that tend toward rural values of self-reliance and freedom can do is continually work for reducing the size of government; admittedly we haven't been successful for the past 75 years or so.

[Chief]

If you are comparing Oregon as a positive move from urban California you do have a small chance to find something positive.

[RedJackson]

You have been warned. If you go ahead, you're only a few steps ahead of an old, unarmed white guy, with Franklins falling out his pocket, deciding that a night time walk thru Watts is a fine idea.