Moving to the PNW

Grilled Tees

Grilled Tees

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My family moved to Southern California in 1987 from the midWest and I have lived here since then - worked at Disneyland for 7 years - graduated college from UCI and started a family here.

We have enjoyed california most of the time but recently have felt the need to get out of here - too many people - too much focus on stuff vs experiences - people in so cal especially where I live seem to drive the newest car so they can live the perceived status in life they want you to believe they are. They shop at Whole Foods holding starbucks cups pushing a stokke stroller. I feel less like some one who calls southern california my home and more of a tourist waiting to go home.

A few months ago we made the decision that if we were going to do it now was the time. Our older daughter is going into a new middle school, my father turned 73 and is ready to retire. So my wife found a new job we sold our home and as our daughter says we are going to become vagabonds.

Our home sold faster then expected and now need to be out on May 12th and will be homeless for a month while the kids finish the school year - we need to be in Portland July 1 for my wife to start her job - we need to find a home and move our belongings.

Our plan is to buy a used motorhome and travel to the grand canyon with the kids before we leave and make the most of the time between the end of the school year and July 1. I have been looking for a cheap toyota sunrader or the like to live out of for the month and make some weekend trips maybe take out to overland expo this year.

Any suggestions for a good running motorhome in the next month? Sights to see on the way between here and there?
 
If going to stay at the Grand Canyon try to make reservations in advance. Especially more so if traveling to the north rim where the CG is much smaller
 
Dude! Don't go!

Kidding - Congrats. Trust me when I say I really feel the same way here. That said, PNW is great and Portland is an awesome basecamp area for Adventures! My suggestion is to eschew the I-5 corridor and head up PCH/101! :D
 
Good for you! Family oriented tax payers are fleeing the state in droves to be replaced by tax users welcomed by the luxury car drivers so they don't have to pay the state's minimum wage and employee taxes/costs/regulations that they voted for.

I also hear that Oregonians don't take kindly to fleeing Californians so watch your back!

Cam
 
Dave said:
Dude! Don't go!

Kidding - Congrats. Trust me when I say I really feel the same way here. That said, PNW is great and Portland is an awesome basecamp area for Adventures! My suggestion is to eschew the I-5 corridor and head up PCH/101! :D
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To whom it may concern:

Having grown up on the central coast of California, San Luis Obispo county specifically. Please do not encourage people to take motorhomes on highway 1 also known as PCH.

Thank You

:brokedown
 
Many, many best wishes to you and your family in the move to a better place! I'm glad to hear everyone's on board for it.
 
Good for you bud, it's a big step but will be a good one. You'll get a lot of use from the new scooter. Be sure to send pics of the new terrain.
 
Wow, congrats!

Does Jerry (TemboTusk) still have his motorhome for sale? It's older, but pristine...not sure if it's big enough though.

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Good move. Expand beyond Sunrayders, as they seem to command a premium, where you and find full size motorhomes of the same era for much less. Best of luck to you.
 
I recommend https://www.campendium.com/ for finding places to stay. Run by some friends, all the reviews are added by community full timers. Try to focus on public lands, national parks, state parks, national forests, for the best experience. Sublime Point on the North Rim is absolutely beautiful backcountry camping, you can access it with a 4x4 trail.

If you go to GC, I'd suggest you head up to Portland via Utah. Zion NP, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands & Arches are all must see places.

Personal opinion based on experience. If your RV breaks down, your house is broken down. And if your house is in the shop... where are you staying? If your tow vehicle breaks down, you won't have to pay for a hotel. And sometimes a trailer can be cheaper if you already have a TV.
 
^^^^That style/generation had front wheel drive and an Olds 455 in it if I remember correctly. Check the tow rating on it if you're planning pulling a toad behind it. (toad = full timer lingo for a car, I'm practicing in case I ever get a turn ;))
 
One of my good friends got a job in Portland in February. He describes it as hipster central but so far he likes it (he's a little off kilter himself). He said the housing market is insane though and he's still looking for a house despite he and his wife both having professional (high paying) jobs.
 
Robert said:
One of my good friends got a job in Portland in February. He describes it as hipster central but so far he likes it (he's a little off kilter himself). He said the housing market is insane though and he's still looking for a house despite he and his wife both having professional (high paying) jobs.
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We spent two weeks in Portland, OR in an AirBNB - it's hipster central. To the point they have forced mandatory recycling
 
Good for you and the family! I've been to Portland a couple of times. I love it there. Outdoor activities everywhere, bike trails throughout the city. Have fried s in other parts of Washington state and Oregon. Definitely a great place.
I'm stuck here for just a couple more years for my job then getting out of Ca. Plenty of open jobs for my paramedic license and my national instructor certs I will acquire in July.

Good luck to you!!
 
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