gypsymonkey Wrote:
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> I have another friend in Oregon that is smack dab
> in the middle of the state. They are thrilled at
> the prospect of having Portland 65 miles north and
> other major cities within a stones throw. I guess
> it's all about how badly you want to make money.
You're not "smack dab in the middle" of Oregon, if Portland is 65 miles North. Not even close. Even if Portland is 65 miles to the West, you're still no where's *near* smack dab in the middle. You're somewhere in the NW quadrant of the state. In fact, the middle of the state would probably be the worst place to be, so far as MS'ing.
There's money to be made in Oregon, alright; but it's best if you have reasonably easy access to lots of the smaller outlying towns rather than Portland. Pay goes up quicker and higher in those more outlying areas, than in Portland. Portland is only 45-50 miles North of me, yet I only go there for shops three to four times a year. There's so much work in so many of the other smaller towns in the area that keep me busy.
Also, Portland is a MAJOR pain in the ass to navigate, if you're not used to it. I strongly get the idea that Portland (and the greater area) is a pain in the ass to drive in, even when you *do* know where you're going. Not such an issue in the smaller towns.
Work availability around here also seems to vary quite a bit by time of year, for some reason. Some times there's just a lot more jobs available than others, it seems. Haven't ever figured out why, or what the exact pattern is, or if there even is an exact pattern. But then I've barely spent any time trying, either.
And sometimes, like everywhere else, the jobs available never do pay enough to even cover the gas/driving costs.
Practitioner of the Nerdly Arts.