Is Salem, Oregon really as terrible as everyone says?

Question

Enlighten me, please.

Answer 1

I was in Oregon only for about 5 days but did get around to lots are areas - I have to say that I really didn't like it much.  I love to travel and am open to lots of new things - but I could not get past the overcast and gloom on mid June and the cold damp coast.

And I don't know if it was just where I was but - what's with not pickiing up after your dog potties - I saw people everwhere with dogs that dumped and they just walked away.  Even in quite nice areas.

And garbage at the Portland Rose Garden - pails overflowing right away in the AM -

I don't know - folks there think they are progressive but the areas I was in - it was just a bit backward.  I'm sure there are wonderful people and I did meet quite a few helpful folks but - there's lots of stuff to see and no easy signage to see it.

Answer 2

What has everyone been saying?

I'm sure there are nicer areas (the college towns of Eugene & Corvallis seem like nicer places, as do some towns that make up the Portland Metro area, though I've never lived at any of those places.)

If you like doing many different activities, and don't mind a short drive, then we're perfect.  Salem's unofficial motto is "Salem, an hour from everything", since were have the mountains, the coast, the state's major universities, and Portland, all about an hour's drive from here.

We're not the type of town that requires a person to drive to another city for anything, unless you're looking for designer clothes, but there's really nothing special here.

Fact: There are three Wal-Marts within the city limits.  Portland has ONE (and it's banished to the outskirts).

The city has about 170,000 in the city limits, but about 400,000 in it's "metro area".  The crime rate isn't bad, but it isn't exactly Andy Griffith show.  We're the country seat and state capitol.  There's a fairly large Community College here.

So, if you've heard it's bad, you've heard wrong.  There are certainly some nicer neighborhoods here that others, but your basic neighborhood here is fine.  If you need lots of clubs, shopping, professional sports, and lots of office work, that you need Portland.  Otherwise, were a decent town.

Answer 3

Terrible? unless you hate polititcians, No.

Answer 4

Salem is okay, just not a whole lot to do there. It's a spread out small town, the state capitol, and surrounded by farmland.