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When I moved to Oregon in 1975, the sentiment among “native” Oregonians at that time was for the most part a reflection of what then-Governor Tom McCall was preaching. His “come visit but don’t stay” attitude inflicted discrimination on those moving in from California and other parts of the U.S. Being one of those “Californians” who moved to Oregon, most Oregonians perhaps didn’t understand, then or now, what it felt like to be a newcomer to Oregon.

“Come visit us again and again. This is a state of excitement. But for heaven’s sake, don’t move here to live.” - Governor Tom McCall, 1971

I remember trying to be cheerful, upbeat and cracking jokes only to have those “natives” look at me as if I were some “alien” from another planet. My response always was, “Gee, I didn’t know I had to be a citizen of Oregon but that I had to be a citizen of the United States!” Most of “us” didn’t say where we were from because Oregon really was not a warm and inviting place. We would skirt around the issue and never admit to being a Californian.

Then during the 1980’s when Oregon’s economy came to a halt along with the rest of the U.S., that attitude started to change. However, I thought all this was forgotten long ago. In fact, I had forgotten it as well. But recently, I happened to be traveling back East. When asked where I was from, my “new-found” traveling friends remarked; “oh, your State doesn’t like people from other places moving in.” I couldn’t believe that was the first thing that came to people’s minds when they thought of our beautiful Pacific Northwest. But then those same people thought we in Oregon still lived in log homes and that we didn’t have indoor plumbing (I’m not kidding, they really said that!).

Oregon is a friendly and wonderful place to live. It gets high marks and ranks “first” in lots of categories. In another blog I will tell you about Oregon’s great accomplishments and more about living here. But in the meantime, please come and visit. Consider this an invitation to stay, we’d love to have you! Oh, by the way, did I mention that Governor Tom McCall was from Massachusetts?

(For more local and national real estate news, click on my monthly newsletter - JUNG’S JOURNAL - on my website www.bettyjung.com).

United Van Lines’ 31st Annual 2007 Migration Study reports that Oregon ranked as the 3rd most popular destination to move. The top spot went to the South, specifically North Carolina. Nevada ranked #2, Oregon and Washington D.C. are almost tied at #3. Oregon has sustained this high in-bound traffic since the company started reporting in 1986. It comes as no surprise to me that we rank that high consistently. New York, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Ohio had the highest out-bound traffic.

“Home is always open arms.” - Jane R. Neuman

More than 20% of Oregon’s population has moved from out-of-state over the last 10 years. In addition, the state projects that almost 100,000 people between the ages of 40-79 will relocate to the Portland metro area within the next 10 years.

WHAT STATE ARE YOU FROM?

According to the latest Census report, most Oregon residents were born elsewhere in the United States. Of the 1,556,490 Oregonians, here is a listing of the top 10 states of origin:

• California (443,276)
• Washington (190,295)
• Idaho (57,069)
• Illinois (51,016)
• Texas (48,934)
• New York (44,453)
• Minnesota (41,867)
• Colorado (35,649)
• Montana (33,729)
• Oklahoma (32,996)