Subject: RE: Oregonians, I need your help Oregonian here (Eugene, worked for a while in Portland), when not overseas. The area around Klamath Falls is beautiful--high desert/plateau and mountains, close driving distance to Crater Lake. Potential for glorious biking and running, as well as skiing in winter. I personally would choose it over Vegas in a heartbeat. That being said, it's a small city, somewhat isolated, and like most of Oregon has been brutalized by the economic downturn. The last time I was up there (I think two years ago) it seemed that about half the downtown businesses had shut down and/or were for sale. Lots of foreclosed homes. It's never seemed to me to be one of the more prosperous towns in Oregon, and it's obviously been hit very hard by the recession. Your concerns about schools would be legitimate, at least in terms of funding. Most districts have had to make major cuts in the past five years (it's one reason I, and a lot of other Oregonian teachers, are working overseas). That being said, there are some great schools in Oregon doing impressive things on low budgets; I'm just not familiar with that district. I believe you can access test score data and other info online, or maybe private schools would be an option? Not sure what's available. Best of luck with your decision! |