Bend, OR vs Provo, UT vs Orange County, CA

[mefa30]

I can handle a few months of heat, just not year round.

Moving to OC, CA is the first area I lived in where there is no snow. I miss the snow.

Im turning down jobs in TN, NC, SC, etc. for this reason.

[Sirshredalot]

Saying "the" before a freeway is something that I picked up since moving here. I also say bro, dude and sweet a lot. Words I never said before moving here.

Don't get me wrong, I can manage to live in weather hotter then 70F, just not year round. I'd like a break from being hot. My AC has been on since moving here. I never turn on the heat.

Last summer I spent a week DH MTB at Mt Bachelor (sweet) and SkiBowl (lame amusement park on Mt Hood with hikers on the trails). I was hot and had to constantly refill my hydration pack, but I was too focused on biking to bitch about it.

Two things I like about Sundance in Provo is that the season pass is only $150 and by looking at the trail map, hikers are not allowed on the bike trails. I think its a bad idea to have people bird watching on a DH MTB trail.

Im originally from the upper midwest, so I don't need "epic" (to use Vail terminology) sized mountains. Sundance, Mt. Bachelor, etc. is plenty for me.

If you want to ride lift-served every weekend, I would spend the extra money for deer valley or park city/canyons. Sundance is nice but it doesn't have the size or variety of trails.

[TWINS]

When I mentioned San Diego I was thinking more like Pacific Beach area.
Close to the water but not that close. Qualcom is too far inland.
Spent Saint Patrick's Day at a friends rental on 36th street Newport Beach.
There is no way in hell I would live at that place.
Everyone party's every night there. I know what you mean about the disruptions in sleep.

[mefa30]

So I take it that Provo is a no despite actually living in Heber, Draper, American Fork, maybe Orem?

What about Bend? I managed to get a decent paying engineering job there, but if it docent work out I'm likely SOL.

Will look more into Reno/ Tahoe.

[Dantheman]

So I take it that Provo is a no despite actually living in Heber, Draper, American Fork, maybe Orem?

Draper could be pretty good. Great riding right out your door 8 months per year. They are just wrapping up a major upgrade to I-15 and you'd be going opposite the flow so it would be a pretty easy commute for the foreseeable future. Not much of a singles scene in Draper but you are reasonably close to downtown SLC and can take Trax the whole way.

Heber is a maybe since it's close to Park City, not as hot in the summer, and it's get's you above the inversions in the winter. If you're planning to rent it might be worth trying out.

There's no way I would live anywhere in Utah County, especially as a young single guy. No. Fucking. Way.

[Sirshredalot]

So I take it that Provo is a no despite actually living in Heber, Draper, American Fork, maybe Orem?

What about Bend? I managed to get a decent paying engineering job there, but if it docent work out I'm likely SOL.

Will look more into Reno/ Tahoe.

The issues posed by the heavy Mormon presence really depend on where you are in life. I think I would go to Bend if I were single because the dating pool here is so odd. However, it is a big metro area. There is definitely someone here who is single and your type. It's just going to be difficult to find her amidst the Mormons who don't want to socialize with you, the crazy divorcees, and the people who don't share your interests or life priorities.

There is a pretty strong subculture here of outdoorspeople, so you'll make friends to go biking and skiing and beer drinking with. It's just that the dating scene will be weird or frustrating. Is that worth the access to the mountains, cheap cost of living, and relatively robust job market? That's up to you.

If I were in your shoes, I'd give Bend a shot, but you've got some good options.

[mefa30]

The issues posed by the heavy Mormon presence really depend on where you are in life. I think I would go to Bend if I were single because the dating pool here is so odd. However, it is a big metro area. There is definitely someone here who is single and your type. It's just going to be difficult to find her amidst the Mormons who don't want to socialize with you, the crazy divorcees, and the people who don't share your interests or life priorities.

There is a pretty strong subculture here of outdoorspeople, so you'll make friends to go biking and skiing and beer drinking with. It's just that the dating scene will be weird or frustrating. Is that worth the access to the mountains, cheap cost of living, and relatively robust job market? That's up to you.

If I were in your shoes, I'd give Bend a shot, but you've got some good options.

Other then the job situation, do you (or anyone) see any issues with Bend?

I understand that Mormons don't want anything to do with non LDS people. I lived in Emigration canyon in 2008 and Eden in 2014 and saw that first hand.

Do you think there are outdoors people in Utah county who are non LDS? At Sundance, I did notice that a lot of the lifties who were pretty helpful were from Orem, American Fork, etc.

[markb]

Lots of little tech companies are moving or expanding to Bend. Maybe it's all relative, but browse the paper online www.bendbulletin.com and every couple days there's another story. It's a theme around here but I think it's real. With the new OSU campus opening up that's only going to continue. After living a long time in both, I can't imagine thinking coastal CA has friendlier people than OR. Congestion+competition for scarce resources=aggression. Things aren't nearly as crowded up here, so far.

[Sirshredalot]

Other then the job situation, do you (or anyone) see any issues with Bend?

I understand that Mormons don't want anything to do with non LDS people. I lived in Emigration canyon in 2008 and Eden in 2014 and saw that first hand.

Do you think there are outdoors people in Utah county who are non LDS? At Sundance, I did notice that a lot of the lifties who were pretty helpful were from Orem, American Fork, etc.

Yes. I know outdoorsy non-lds people who live in Utah County for proximity to work. But they are married Utah natives who have friends and family in other places nearby. They would prefer to move north for proximity to friends and family, their kids' school, etc., if the right opportunity comes along.

There is no similar caveat for Bend that I'm aware of. Real estate has gotten much more expensive lately, but I'm sure it'll seem cheap to you after your time in SoCal.

[TahoeJ]

Bend is booming. Even with prices already much higher, buying a house there is probably a good investment.

[bodywhomper]

Anchorage

[TBS]

Lots of little tech companies are moving or expanding to Bend. Maybe it's all relative, but browse the paper online www.bendbulletin.com and every couple days there's another story. It's a theme around here but I think it's real. With the new OSU campus opening up that's only going to continue. After living a long time in both, I can't imagine thinking coastal CA has friendlier people than OR. Congestion+competition for scarce resources=aggression. Things aren't nearly as crowded up here, so far.

The tech scene in Central OR is more hype than substance - a lot of two-person companies living off their savings doing the lean startup thing. A large portion of presenters at Bend Venture Conference are from Portland. I'm unaware of anybody doing anything in the electronics space. Unless you want to work on a server farm in Prineville.

Lots of people moving here so housing is tight and comp is low. People here tend to work-to-live not live-to-work.

[mefa30]

The tech scene in Central OR is more hype than substance - a lot of two-person companies living off their savings doing the lean startup thing. A large portion of presenters at Bend Venture Conference are from Portland. I'm unaware of anybody doing anything in the electronics space. Unless you want to work on a server farm in Prineville.

Lots of people moving here so housing is tight and comp is low. People here tend to work-to-live not live-to-work.

I like Bend more then Utah. I also like getting in before it becomes another Boulder. I looked at housing costs, and while its much less then Orange County, its still expensive. I think I missed the investment opportunity with low housing costs.

The company is Bend is about a dozen people versus a few hundred for the company in Provo. I worry with the Bend company, if sales slow then they could let me go and have a hard time finding something else in the area. I looked at Indeed, and there are ZERO electrical engineer jobs in the area. I could switch to IT, there are about a handful jobs in the area I could do, don't know if they pay the same though. I don't want to always worry and be paranoid that I will be SOL in Bend.

I could really see myself in Bend long term and even raising kids there. However, at this time I'm thinking that if I do move there, I need to bring my job/ business with me and not be dependent on someone else.

The Bend company was kinda cheap when having me out there, pays $15k less, the recruiter is obnoxious and needy constantly calling me like I own him money or I'm his BFF, the company is tiny and I still have reservations on the owner.

The CEO of the Provo company called me and we talked for about 45 minutes. I told him how much Weber county sucks and how I was putting in 50-80 hour weeks fixing stupid mistakes and filling out OSHA incident paper work. I mentioned how I planned on ski/ bike a lot which is why I lived in Eden and didn't do either for the 9 months I lived there. He mentioned how work/ life balance is important for the company. He's not the first person there to mention that.

I think I'm going to go for the Provo company. Ill live in Heber or South Salt Lake county. Im stoked on the job and if something happens I can easily find other work. I also like how I am within drivable distance to Alta, which I think is how ski areas should be. I also like how at Sundance bird gawkers aren't allowed on bike trails. I wish that was the same at SkiBowl.

Utah isn't perfect, but it really is the only place where you can be so close to the mountains and have a professional job with some job security or a backup option.

Maybe one day ill start a business and locate it in Bend.

I agree that the Bend job market may not be what it seems.

Speaking of hype, Voo Doo Donuts. Wait in line for a hour for a frickin donut? Then get up to the counter and find its cash only and what you want they are out of.

Id like to work-to-live. Thats why I am specifically targeting places near mountains. If I only wanted work in my life, Id be working at offers I had at GM in TN, BMW in SC or Stihl in VA where I don't think the skiing so good or close by.

Ill just have to put a period to my Ogden experience and move on.

[snowaddict91]

I think you have a good plan. Live in Draper, ride corner canyon, work in Provo, ski Alta. SLC is far from perfect but damn if you aren't spoiled here for work-life balance (as long as you have the right job). Real estate market seems to be getting crazy these days though

[mefa30]

I think you have a good plan. Live in Draper, ride corner canyon, work in Provo, ski Alta. SLC is far from perfect but damn if you aren't spoiled here for work-life balance (as long as you have the right job). Real estate market seems to be getting crazy these days though

Well, I was told my the recruiter for the Provo company that comparing SLC or Utah county to Ogden is offensive and there is no comparison. I spent about a week in Provo and aside from everything being closed on Sunday and not many coffee options, I think I could work there.

Is living in Heber and working in Provo a reasonable commute? How about in the winter? I have snow tires for my car and plan on getting a Wrangler or truck long term.

[splitinbend]

I'm baffled that your impression of people in Newport area are nice. I lived in Costa Mesa/Huntington/Newport over a span of 5 years and Newport dudes are entitled ass holes. Everyone is rich and expects to rest of the world to cater to them. Honestly if your using AC in OC you've got problems. Is it the moist ocean air that makes it feel hot? I can understand how one season year round will drain you if your used to seasons. I couldn't do it anymore and bailed. I got a job in Bend and I love it. Unfortunately wages are not matching the increasing cost of living in the area. Housing is a cluster fuck. Currently in search for my first home, at the worst time ever and it's not fun. For quality of living, Bend is it. If you want something similar but not Bend check Idaho. I've looked into jobs in Idaho Springs. If I ever had to be dragged back to Cali for something, I would not live north of the San Diego/Orange County border. But if your not into SoCal coastal living then leave. It won't be long before that place sucks the rest of your life out of you. Fuck the 55/5/405/91 freeway congestion. It takes a lifetime to get anywhere outside of SoCal. I could never do the Mormon controlled Utah, holy hell. Good luck on the search, Bellingham is another potential option for a sweet zone. So yeah, good luck dude, living on Bend is Sweet, the people are super chill, and I've met a bunch of bitchin homies. Surfs up bra!

[mefa30]

I'm baffled that your impression of people in Newport area are nice. I lived in Costa Mesa/Huntington/Newport over a span of 5 years and Newport dudes are entitled ass holes. Everyone is rich and expects to rest of the world to cater to them. Honestly if your using AC in OC you've got problems. Is it the moist ocean air that makes it feel hot? I can understand how one season year round will drain you if your used to seasons. I couldn't do it anymore and bailed. I got a job in Bend and I love it. Unfortunately wages are not matching the increasing cost of living in the area. Housing is a cluster fuck. Currently in search for my first home, at the worst time ever and it's not fun. For quality of living, Bend is it. If you want something similar but not Bend check Idaho. I've looked into jobs in Idaho Springs. If I ever had to be dragged back to Cali for something, I would not live north of the San Diego/Orange County border. But if your not into SoCal coastal living then leave. It won't be long before that place sucks the rest of your life out of you. Fuck the 55/5/405/91 freeway congestion. It takes a lifetime to get anywhere outside of SoCal. I could never do the Mormon controlled Utah, holy hell. Good luck on the search, Bellingham is another potential option for a sweet zone. So yeah, good luck dude, living on Bend is Sweet, the people are super chill, and I've met a bunch of bitchin homies. Surfs up bra!

Im on the Huntington Beach border and hang out in HB all the time. When I first visited OC, I went to Laguna Beach and was turned off by people flaunting their wealth. People in HB flaunt their wealth, but they do it by rollin' in a lifted truck or mall cruiser Wrangler. Where people in Laguna roll in a Bentley. I also didn't like all the congestion with all the artsy events going on in Laguna.

HB is the 909 on the beach.

Parts of Costa Mesa are ghetto, especially near Santa Ana. I work in Costa Mesa near South Coast Plaza.

People in OC say I have problems with temp. I was working at a plant in Anaheim and a lady said 75F is freezing!!!! WTF. I goto the pier and see old dudes who's wrinkly burnt skin looks like a old work boot. The sun and heat can't possibly be good for you looking like that.

In Laguna I could live downtown, take the bus to the top of the canyon and ride my bike down. There are a lot of gnarly trails there.

Ive only lived in OC for almost 1 year and never lived in a area with no seasons before. It could be the humidity...

Im not really into board sports like surfing, skateboarding, etc. Tried snowboarding and messed my arm up bad. I think surfers are kinda d-bags and I think a lot of them at my apartment are supported by daddy. Thought about living in Big Bear and drive down to the 909 for work as there is a lot of industrial engineering jobs there. Was told that driving would be a pain from Big Bear daily and not to do it.

The 55 north is getting bad. I don't understand how traffic at 2PM on a weekend can be backed up all the way from Anaheim to Costa Mesa. I avoid the 405/ 5. I take side streets to work and don't hit the freeway except for PCH.

I fly out of Bob Hope all the time and constantly hit traffic even at odd times of the day. No traffic at Redmond airport.

A pharma company in Thousand Oaks made a offer and I drove up from NB on the 405 to check it out up there. It took 5 hours each way. Fucking hot too. Stopped a half dozen times at 7-11 for slurpee breaks to cool off. AC on max blast.

House AC is set to 65F (not C, obviously).

Good thing about the Mormons, is they want nothing to do with you. Bad thing is that they are 80% of Utah County and call the shots.

Bend sounds sweet, but I'm afraid of the job outlook there for me. There really is nothing other then the offer I scored. If things don't work out I'd probably have to work as a Barista or at Mt. Bachelor teaching gapers. Housing is starting to get to OC prices. $300k for a townhouse???

[Phall]

Heber is growing, you can easily get a house in Heber or in Midway (if you fly fish, you're in a fantastic spot) for a reasonable price, and probably be able to flip it in 10 years for a profit if the valley continues to grow. I have a good friend who closed on his house in October in Heber and works in Springville. He drives a 4Runner and hasn't really had any issues with Provo Canyon. He skis up in PC, because driving from Heber to Alta is a long drive, before you factor in avalanche control, the canyon traffic backup (can double your travel time if its bad). Alta/Snowbird have been more crowded this year than in the past. Another benefit to Heber is access to the Park City area trails. You're in an amazing place for mountain biking with a huge trail network that continues to grow. Limited bar/singles scene in Heber Valley/Midway as well. You get really quick access to the Uintas for summer camping, backpacking, etc. There are some good restaurants (Tarahumara), and an actual "downtown" area with modern grocery stores and amenities.

Well, I was told my the recruiter for the Provo company that comparing SLC or Utah county to Ogden is offensive and there is no comparison. I spent about a week in Provo and aside from everything being closed on Sunday and not many coffee options, I think I could work there.

Is living in Heber and working in Provo a reasonable commute? How about in the winter? I have snow tires for my car and plan on getting a Wrangler or truck long term.

[zion zig zag]

Well, I was told my the recruiter for the Provo company that comparing SLC or Utah county to Ogden is offensive and there is no comparison.

Jesus Christ. Yeah, I'm offended that anyone would compare Utah county to Ogden. Who is the recruiter? I'd like to kick him in the dick.

[happytimefunbox]

Provo is approximately 6.5 Ogdens, give or take an Ogden.

[Sirshredalot]

Jesus Christ. Yeah, I'm offended that anyone would compare Utah county to Ogden. Who is the recruiter? I'd like to kick him in the dick.

I'm sure your dick kick would have to be extra hard to do damage through the magic underpants. From what I can tell, many of the lds were brought up to think of Ogden and Park City as cesspools - presumably because of the large populations of non-Mormons and the presence of a legit bar scene back in the 70s and 80s. You must be familiar with that attitude: it's usually expressed in euphemisms and dog-whistles, but I know I've noticed it.

[Dantheman]

Jesus Christ. Yeah, I'm offended that anyone would compare Utah county to Ogden. Who is the recruiter? I'd like to kick him in the dick.

Yeah, that's pretty rich.

[mefa30]

Provo is approximately 6.5 Ogdens, give or take an Ogden.

What about on Sunday?

[mefa30]

Jesus Christ. Yeah, I'm offended that anyone would compare Utah county to Ogden. Who is the recruiter? I'd like to kick him in the dick.

Take the 405 south to the 15 north to Vegas (caution, fucking hot in Vegas) to the 84 east. Go past Bubbas used bro trucks on Antelope in Layton go up the 2200 to Eden past the Valley Market to the Moose Hollow, condo 201.

The recruiter drives a Lexus, I drive the VW (sorry I'm a straight male and a engineer, can't bring myself to drive a Lesburu) with Cali plates.

Also, the recruiter is not LDS and she's a chick (no dick to kick).

[zion zig zag]

So you're vacationing in Utah with your recruiter?

Yeah, I've lived here long enough to get it. The tribe that wants to live in a house exactly like their neighbors, whose "keeping up with the Joneses" mentality is the worlds strongest, loves having a chain restaurant on every corner, and has never traveled out of the state other than to Disney. That tribe thinks that Ogden is a ghetto and Utah county is some kind of mecca.