I
don't want to move to the West Coast because I want to move to
the West Coast. Of course, it's not just because I like the sound of
it, or that it has a good ring to the location (though, it kinda
really does). Aaaand it's not just because I'm obsessed with the show "Portlandia." No, no convincing there at all. I guess I didn't always
want to move to Washington, or Oregon, or Northern California. To be
honest, I've always had my sights set on moving to Europe. When I was
twelve--years-old, I had this ultimate dream of living in Greece. I'm
not sure why, exactly, but I think it's because I had just read the
book Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants, and the way Greece was
described was nothing but beauty and uniqueness. It was a hopeful,
younger dream of mine. Today, nothing much has changed. However, now
that I've gotten older I am beginning to think about where I really
want to spend the rest of my life (with the exception of traveling
the world and doing A LOT of sight seeing. I'm one who cannot stay in
one place for a long time.
I want to move to either Oregon, Washington, or Northern California someday -- specifically Oregon. It's become a goal of mine for about a year now. Every time I tell
somebody that I want to live there, I get a variety of responses.
They range from “Oh, you'll absolutely love it there!” to “Yes.
I can see it. Oregon is totally you. The West Coast is YOU.” to
“Nope. Been there. Done that. You won't like it. It's nothing
special.” But there is one thing that never changes for me: I want
to move there someday. I know, maybe it doesn't seem that significant
to you or to anyone else, but I have my reasoning and I am allowed to
dream big right now. I was born and raised in the Midwest, but that
doesn't mean I'm not exactly a Midwest kind of girl. My heart belongs
in the West Coast, and I'll tell you why. Here are the top nine reasons
why I personally want to move to Oregon.
1. The Weather
We've all heard that when it rains in places like Oregon... it pours. That's actually not completely accurate. Yes, it's true that during the spring, Oregon obtains a lot of rainy weather... enough to get you wet on the way out to your car. And it is true that the sun rarely shines and it's really gloomy looking with a lot of overcast weather. That's what I like best about this area. I am a huge fan of cloudy, grey days. A lot of people prefer sun all around, but I live for those days where it is cloudy. It makes everything look so much more vibrant, bright and beautiful. If it did rain every single day though, I wouldn't have a problem with it. I LOVE the rain. Oregon actually does have four seasons, which I do more or less like. But what I like is that it doesn't snow in the winter time. Instead, the temperature ranges from 40-50 degree weather, so it's a little bit on the cooler side - but I like that! It's good layering weather and I'm not a fan of too much heat, and I hate the snow. Living in a place where it never snows is enough for me. And the four different weather changes aren't so extreme, compared to the Midwest. (cough, Wisconsin)
2. The Culture
Plain and simple. I love everything that Oregon stands for. Extreme diversity, freedom of speech, creativity, independent coffee shops and stores, music, art, nature and putting birds on things (Portlandia reference, hahaha). But honestly, I already love everything about it.
3. The
People
4. The Pacific Ocean
Ahhh, this is a big one (literally, too). Now one of the main reasons why I want to move to Oregon is so that I'm closer to the Pacific Ocean -- natural landscapes and nature in general plays a big role in my life, and inspires me in many different ways -- artistically and mentally. I need to be close to the ocean because it makes me happy and that way, I can spend the days on the beach, writing, reading, hanging out with some good friends, just enjoying the gorgeous weather and the constantly loving the view. I've always loved the ocean and I've always had suspicions that I am secretly a mermaid.
5. The Redwood Forest
Here is another "nature reason" I want to move to Oregon. If I moved to Oregon, I could find more excuses to get lost and go on crazy adventures, alone or with friends. We could take drives down the road and admire the majestic, tall redwood trees, or go hiking in the woods. Ever since I was little, I've been going camping with my family, so being out in the wilderness is in my blood. I've seen so much of Wisconsin already, and now my bones and soul are aching for a new adventure - in Oregon. I have seen pictures, movies, where it captures Oregon's beautiful redwood forests, and I need to be there!*Bonus: The forest is where I could get a lot of inspiration for writing . .
6. No Taxes
UM. YES. HELLO?! If there's one thing in the world that annoys the living hell out of me, that's taxes. I don't understand why something should be labeled $5.00 and then actually be $5.23 at the check out line. Why don't you just put the tax on the tag right away if you're going to charge more!? In Oregon, there are zero taxes. The concept of taxes do not exist, and now, being apart of the adult population, that makes me extremely happy. It'll be soooo nice seeing a price on a tag and knowing that it will be exactly that. How satisfying.
7. The Weird and Unusual
I think we've all heard the term "Keep Portland Weird"... but it's more than just Portland, Oregon. There are other places all throughout Oregon itself that obtain the most random, outlandish and eccentric things -- which makes Oregon automatically bad ass and cool. I will never ever get bored in Oregon because there are always interesting things to do there, and some of them are bizarre and just flat out... unusual. For example, there are some pretty neat tourist attractions. A few to name are Kam Wah Chung & Co. Museum, which is a perfectly preserved Chinese Medicine Shop that was literally untouched before it opened and turned into a museum. Other places are The Oregon Vortex, Mount Hood, And The Enchanted Forest, which is a charming homemade amusement park that has been growing for 40 years.
8. Writer's Thrive There
New York City might be the mecca of publishing books and is usually what comes to mind. Other creative cities would be San Francisco or Los Angeles. But, there is another place quite vibrant and full of independence that is driving upcoming authors to find that spark of creativity. Where might that be? Oregon, of course. And did you know that Portland is also home to three major comic book publishers: Top Shelf, Oni Press and Dark Horse Comics? It all makes sense, though. Quite liberal and the home of creativity, places like Portland, Oregon is the gateway of producing great stories. I want to spend the rest of my life writing and hopefully someday becoming a best selling novelist. Even then, I don't have to be extremely famous, but I want to find that spark of creativity and inspiration, and Oregon seems like the place where I would thrive in my writing. It's all the atmosphere and where you surround yourself.
9. The Music Scene.
You can't not put Music and Oregon in the same sentence. It just doesn't make any sense. Because individuality, art and creativity are major roles that thrive throughout Oregon, it is without a doubt, huge with the music scene. And for me, that's perfection. I am a HUGE concert goer, and if I lived in Oregon, there would be plenty of stellar concerts to attend. Also, as of now, I live in Wisconsin and not a lot of my favorite bands usually come to this area. Most bands that I like are independent and so most of them tour in the South or the West Coast. (Most bands I like are originally from the West Coast, such as Best Coast, Wavves, Starfkr, so seeing them in concert would be 10000 times more easier) A few music festivals that take place in Oregon are MusicFestNW and Oregon Bach Festival.
My goal is to move to Oregon a few years after I graduate from UW-Whitewater. I'm currently looking at Grad schools in the West Coast area, specifically in Oregon. Some people think that I won't get out of Wisconsin. It's not a personal thing, but I think it's because they didn't get out themselves. But I don't belong here, and I know I have the strength, the willpower and enough ambition to make it out of here and make new adventures and do what I want to do -- to do what makes me happy. I know that I will be able to achieve my goals and fulfill my dreams, because I am determined to get there. When I want something dearly, I don't stop until I get it. My heart is on the West Coast.
