Forest Living in Oregon (Portland, Enterprise: homes, neighborhood, buying)

[Wile E. Coyote]

Originally Posted by NORTY FLATZ

From the people that I know, that have tried "off-the-grid, simplistic living" they unanimously all say this: "It's NOT easy and carefree. And, it's A LOT more expensive than buying a house and living in a city/neighborhood."

Now, as far as the legality of living amongst the trees and frogs, that's another cross to bear...

Finding a place (escapism) on this planet that has 9 billion people walking on it is increasingly difficult.

Alaska was the classic solution. Even Siberia has wildfires now.

[MtnSurfer]

What you are describing exists, at least in part, along the CA coast in the redwood forests. I would check places like Big Sur, the Santa Cruz mountains and NorCal. There are old commune, hippy type meditation centers all throughout those areas. You could find a place near a commune which shares similar goals, lifestyle ambitions and so forth.

I lived in Monterey next the redwoods in Big Sur and Santa Cruz. So, I'm familiar with that lifestyle in those sorts of settings. Having a smaller town like Santa Cruz or Monterey within an hour or less would provide all the kinds of health food, organic markets you seek. The redwood forests are awesome. There are some on private land which at times go up for sale.

The one thing I would caution you about is that depending on where you go, you may encounter drug cartel squatters that invade the forests to create their grows while polluting the land and water systems. And they are heavily armed - not the peace and love types you might imagine. So, you must perform some due diligence in checking with local law enforcement. Because in some those NorCal and southern OR counties, its a huge battle and one law enforcement cannot keep up with. That is where some place closer to Big Sur may be better policed and also more expensive. But that cost may be worth the peace of mind you'll find.

These groups would really have some good ideas for you with shared common interests as well - solitude, meditation, forest bathing in the redwoods, etc... So, worth a one-on-one visit. They are pretty close to each other:

New Camaldoli Hermitage
Esalen Institute
Tassajara Zen Mountain Center


Derek

[Wile E. Coyote]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

What you are describing exists, at least in part, along the CA coast in the redwood forests. I would check places like Big Sur, the Santa Cruz mountains and NorCal. There are old commune, hippy type meditation centers all throughout those areas. You could find a place near a commune which shares similar goals, lifestyle ambitions and so forth.

I lived in Monterey next the redwoods in Big Sur and Santa Cruz. So, I'm familiar with that lifestyle in those sorts of settings. Having a smaller town like Santa Cruz or Monterey within an hour or less would provide all the kinds of health food, organic markets you seek. The redwood forests are awesome. There are some on private land which at times go up for sale.

The one thing I would caution you about is that depending on where you go, you may encounter drug cartel squatters that invade the forests to create their grows while polluting the land and water systems. And they are heavily armed - not the peace and love types you might imagine. So, you must perform some due diligence in checking with local law enforcement. Because in some those NorCal and southern OR counties, its a huge battle and one law enforcement cannot keep up with. That is where some place closer to Big Sur may be better policed and also more expensive. But that cost may be worth the peace of mind you'll find.

These groups would really have some good ideas for you with shared common interests as well - solitude, meditation, forest bathing in the redwoods, etc... So, worth a one-on-one visit. They are pretty close to each other:

New Camaldoli Hermitage
Esalen Institute
Tassajara Zen Mountain Center


Derek

Yeah, most people have known about the drug thing in N CA / S OR for decades. But, it's a good point in case someone is not fully aware of that.

You have an interesting point about Big Sur. One thing I would point out with that is that it not that infrequent that Big Sur gets cut off (just something to be aware of).

I mean if I had $1M to $2M to spend on housing I would do Monterey, Pacific Grove or Carmel area (though I realize it what that buys is radically different that what you could get in inland suburbs).

I am not sure what that might get just north of SF either as I do not know that area all that well.

[ejisme]

You won't get redwoods or sequoia, but if the goal is deep evergreen forests near a city, then why not southern British Columbia? Yes, they get fires too, but Vancouver BC sounds like a city you'd like to live near.

[texasdiver]

For what you are describing in the Pacific Northwest, I'd buy a place on Orcas Island in the San Juans. I know it isn't Oregon but I think it better meets your description than any place I can think of in Oregon.

That is where you will find a higher concentration of like-minded people as opposed to old logging towns in the Cascades which are going to be more right wing.

For a budget in the $1 million range you can get something like this

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...61002841_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...72288262_zpid/

Or buy some forested land and build your own: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...38107229_zpid/

Orcas is the most forested of the San Juan islands and has an enormous state park in the center. The others are more rural farmland which is still very pretty but not what you are looking for.

And if the San Juans don't have what you want I'd keep going up into British Columbia and find something maybe on Vancouver Island which is enormous and has endless forests.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by texasdiver

For what you are describing in the Pacific Northwest, I'd buy a place on Orcas Island in the San Juans. I know it isn't Oregon but I think it better meets your description than any place I can think of in Oregon.

That is where you will find a higher concentration of like-minded people as opposed to old logging towns in the Cascades which are going to be more right wing.

For a budget in the $1 million range you can get something like this

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...61002841_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...72288262_zpid/

Or buy some forested land and build your own: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...38107229_zpid/

Orcas is the most forested of the San Juan islands and has an enormous state park in the center. The others are more rural farmland which is still very pretty but not what you are looking for.

And if the San Juans don't have what you want I'd keep going up into British Columbia and find something maybe on Vancouver Island which is enormous and has endless forests.

I was thinking of the San Juans and BC as well. However, the OP did not say anything about climate preferences. And obviously there is a big difference between the amount of annual sunlight one receives along with much colder temps, greater rainfall, ice, wind storms, snow, etc.... as one heads further north. Now if you're ok with those things including doing zen yoga indoors for the darker, colder winter months and lower temps are not an issue, then yes. Or bundle up and do it for hours in the rain then there are a lot more opportunities.

As far as southern Oregon, I tend to agree. It's not really ideal between the extreme fire prone forests, major drug problems in those forests and remoteness. If looking down there, I would check out Del Norte County which is home to the largest redwoods in the world. Though its not without its pros/cons one must be willing to accept. BTW, when I talk about drug problems, its nothing to do with locals smoking pot. This is more about the dangers when stumbling onto an illegal grow operation. Those criminals would rather leave no witnesses than leave no trace.

"Some two years ago, the ideal growing conditions began attracting criminal gangs from Mexico, Russia and other countries, police said.... Landowners have been intimidated and suffered environmental damage from illegal grow sites." -- Oregon looks to crack down on illegal pot growers by holding landowners responsible

Derek

[StealthRabbit]

Ferndale, CA (Humboldt County)
Arcata, CA if you want a bigger city

or San Juans (WA)
Fairhaven, WA for a bigger city, closer to services and airport (if needed)

= most likely locations of finding your Zen.

There are many 'mindfulness / meditation) retreat centers on the left coast for you to experience and determine your best path to pursue. You'll meet folks who can fill you in with the details of their journey and paths. (That will save you a lot of time taking your own detours). As a retiree... time is running out. Be purposed and objective.

Create a weighted spreadsheet to shake out the fluff and look at the facts for your decision. Your top (5) choices will filter our very quickly.

1. Go visit them all times of the year.
2. Stay with local people,
3. Engage in activities as if you were a resident.
4. Ask a zillion questions.
5. Document the answers.
6. Go away to your quiet spot and think about it.

If you choose an island... be sure to give it a yr + before buying, as Island life is very different +/-.

• Ferry dependent
• Close knit society +/-
• Expensive subsistence
• Limited events and enrichment
• Tough to leave. ST or LT or permanently (logistics)

[Wile E. Coyote]

Originally Posted by texasdiver

For what you are describing in the Pacific Northwest, I'd buy a place on Orcas Island in the San Juans. I know it isn't Oregon but I think it better meets your description than any place I can think of in Oregon.

That is where you will find a higher concentration of like-minded people as opposed to old logging towns in the Cascades which are going to be more right wing.

For a budget in the $1 million range you can get something like this

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...61002841_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...72288262_zpid/

Or buy some forested land and build your own: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...38107229_zpid/

Orcas is the most forested of the San Juan islands and has an enormous state park in the center. The others are more rural farmland which is still very pretty but not what you are looking for.

And if the San Juans don't have what you want I'd keep going up into British Columbia and find something maybe on Vancouver Island which is enormous and has endless forests.

Oh gosh, what a fabulous idea! My absolute favorite thing I have done in the PNW is to go whale watching for the Orcas out of Anacortes. It is so drop dead gorgeous out there. However, you need to be a lot more rugged there than on the Monterey Peninsula . So, it depends on who you are...

OP should do that whale watching of the Orcas (not to be missed) if nothing else.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by Wile E. Coyote

Oh gosh, what a fabulous idea! My absolute favorite thing I have done in the PNW is to go whale watching for the Orcas out of Anacortes. It is so drop dead gorgeous out there. However, you need to be a lot more rugged there than on the Monterey Peninsula . So, it depends on who you are...

OP should do that whale watching of the Orcas (not to be missed) if nothing else.

I would love to see orcas in the wild vs. Sea World and such places.

Regarding whale watching, it's really hard to beat the Monterey Bay and the Big Sur coastline since they cruise right along that shoreline year round. I've even paddle boarded with whales out there. It was more of a 'o cr@p' experience than zen. Well, that was more when they surprised me and popped right up next to me while paddling. Then the whales starting breaching and lunge feeding. Though after recovering from the initial shock and surprise, I sat on my board and watched them in awe. So, in that moment it was zen like for me. Plus, going whale watching from places in Point Lobos or from the coastal cliffs of Big Sur was also quite a treat. I could do that for hours and did.














Derek

[Wile E. Coyote]

I lived in Monterey for a couple years and never knew about the Orcas there (young and dumb).

I was on a large vessel to see the Orcas and they scared the crxpola out of me. I would not do it on a smaller boat. You could here them breathe. They are like very large sharks. They are awesome creatures.

But, the boat trip around the San Juans and the views back at shore the drop dead gorgeous mountain ranges. It's really unbeatable.

I have never been to Sea World. Everyone should see the Orcas out of NW Washington.

The Monterey Bay is also one of my favorite places in the World. I lived in Monterey a couple of years and in the Bay Area for a couple decades.