Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with oregon

Help with my insurance and SR-22s

mokin — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:58:22 -0800

I am having trouble getting my insurance company to issue an SR-22 to the Oregon DMV so my license isn't suspended. OK, this is a little complicated:

Last year I moved from Oregon to Texas. I did not get a Texas license immediately because I was waiting until I had a permanent address. My family was going through some financial difficulties, and we had also canceled our car insurance.

In December, I was pulled over in Johnson City, TX for speeding. I was given a citation for lack of insurance. I paid the fines, and obtained automobile insurance from State Farm in April.

A few weeks ago, I got a letter from the Oregon DMV stating that I needed to provide proof of insurance (or "proof of future financial responsibility," in their words) by having my insurance agent file an SR-22 with the Oregon DMV. If I do not do this, my license will be suspended on May 16th.

I emailed my State Farm agent and asked if she could send an SR-22 to the Oregon DMV, and she said:

Since we've had you insured less than one month I don't see how we can assist with an Oregon issue. We have only had a Texas policy for you since April 25th. If Oregon is needing proof of coverage prior to that, I regret I cannot provide anything. Let me know if I'm missing anything? I will forward you a copy of your ID Card (proof of insurance) and you could send that to Oregon folks to see if they accept that.

I responded by explaining that I didn't need prior proof of coverage, just proof of FUTURE financial liability, and asked again if she could send an SR-22 to the Oregon DMV.

She responded by saying, "We do not provide SR-22s," and suggested that I call an different insurance company like Progressive, and buy coverage for Oregon and have them file an SR-22.

Since I am already have insurance coverage, buying more coverage just to take care of this problem seems a little ridiculous. My coverage in Texas meets all the minimum liability requirements for Oregon, and looking at the State Farm website, it looks like they do provide SR-22s. I called State Farm customer service to figure out if my insurance agent was wrong, but the customer service agent was unable to help me, saying that I would need to talk to my agent.

My agent misunderstood what I needed in the first place and seemed reluctant to help me with an Oregon issue, so I'm having doubts about what she told me. I feel like the issue is clouded because my agent is used to working in Texas and my problem is in Oregon. I am reluctant to believe that State Farm truly cannot provide an SR-22, especially since the Oregon DMV says it's fairly routine. I am tired of talking to my agent about this, but I cannot seem to get anyone else at State Farm to help me.

Is buying more insurance from another company truly my only option?

Considering moving from the NE and wonder about Durham NC

privatechef — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:48:16 -0800

We are a couple in our mid-50's and are looking for some specific things in our next move; more temperate weather than the North East where we are now; progressive thinking people, good food and a thriving food scene, ability to buy a house for less than $350K, low property taxes ( less than $5K) within driving distance (45 minutes is the max) to a major airport and open-minded people. We are both entrepreneurial and active, love the outdoors and nature and want a small yard for a garden and to be near some kind of water be it a large lake, river or coast. We are considering Portland Ore. or Durham NC. We are still working and work for ourselves. Anyone have an opinion on either or both?

Destination request, western/northwestern US; 20th anniversary edition

mosk — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:33:44 -0800

We're celebrating our 20th anniversary this summer (yay!) and we're trying to find a place to stay for a week in the western/northwestern US to celebrate this milestone. The catch is that this destination needs to be some place new to us. A few other particular requirements below the fold. The kids will be with the grandparents, so this trip is just for us. Looking for a little peace and quiet, some quality time with each other, and also some opportunities to fish, hike, and lay around.

We're from Northern California, so we've seen a lot of NorCal, and I think we've visited many/most of the obvious choices. We'd like to try another western state. A preliminary search has given us some promising leads in eastern Oregon and southern Idaho. It looks like there are some cool places in Montana, too, but I think that may be too far to travel. Similarly intrigued by the Ruby Mountains in Nevada, but I don't think we can make it there and back and still have enough time left over to make it worthwhile.

We'll have about 8 days total, including travel time. We're willing to invest a solid day of travel on each end, but no more than that.

Here are our requirements:

1. In the Western US, within a single day's travel from the SF Bay Area. Prefer to drive, but flying is OK if all other requirements are met. If driving, this could be up to 12 hours of travel time.
2. As stated, this must be some place we haven't visited before. Tahoe and environs are out, NorCal wine country is out, central CA coast is out, Ashland and Oregon's Lake of the Woods are out. Yosemite is out. Some parts of Sequoia and Kings Canton Nat'l. Parks are out. We've visited other places, too, but those are the ones that come to mind.
3. Must be near great natural beauty and good hiking possibilities.
4. Must be near good fishing -- I strongly prefer to fish for bass, but trout would be acceptable. I have a small aluminum fishing boat that I'll bring if I can (hence the preference for driving).
5. Accommodations must be nice to very nice, where nice = clean and comfortable, and very nice = a little luxurious. This is our 20th anniversary, so no cheap motels, though a rustic cabin at a resort or lake is OK as long as it's reasonably clean. A hotel or resort with some spa facilities (or something nearby), a nice pool or lake, etc. is what we're looking for.
6. No camping this trip.
7. At least one very good restaurant within a 30-ish minute drive.
8. Off the beaten path would be an added bonus.
9. This will be in early August, so heat is a consideration.

Thanks for what ever suggestions you can pass along!

Options for fun, multi-generation family stay near Portland OR in May?

purenitrous — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:43:15 -0800

My dad is turning 70 and we're trying to schedule a three night stay in Oregon somewhere as a surprise for him. Unfortunately, almost everything in Portland is booked the weekend in question (May 17th) as the Rock and Roll half marathon is happening. We need other ideas for places that would be fun for my folks and for my children....give me your best ideas! My folks are on the Oregon coast, I'm also in in Oregon, and my sister is hoping to fly in to Portland. She'd like to meet up with her boyfriend, who will be working until Friday in Pacific City-so Central Oregon wouldn't work well. My folks are active and in great health, enjoy wine, food, and the blues. My sister and I love food, too. My kids range from 3-16, though the 3 year old may be on a trip with dad that weekend (which would make this all easier to plan). We'd thought about renting a house in Portland, but the ones she's found so far all seem to be booked. Skamania is unavailable. There are some hotels in Portland, but most are pretty suburban and very basic...if we're going to do Portland, we'd love to be close to downtown and/or have a place with a pool. My sister's been looking at Wine Country, but I'm not sure if there are places that would be fun for the kids, too. Mt. Hood? Northern Coast?

Best Bookstores in Pacific Northwest

silusGROK — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:48:43 -0800

I'm road tripping thru the Pacific Northwest. I'll be vetting bookstores for my upcoming book tour in Boise ID, Bend OR, Eugene/Corvallis OR, Portland OR, Seattle WA, Spokane WA, and Missoula MT — and any towns in between that warrant it. :-) I'm hoping y'all might have bookstores to recommend! Aside from Auntie's in Spokane and Powell's in Portland, I'm relying on Yelp — but I'd much prefer your personal recommendations for bookstores that host author events, have a great vibe, and friendly staff.

Food delivery and other help in McMinnville, OR

looli — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 09:30:01 -0800

A friend's toddler is in the pediatric ICU in a Portland hospital for the foreseeable future, possibly several weeks. They live in McMinnville. A group of us would like to set up some kind of food delivery and/or housecleaning help for them over the duration, both for the parents who are basically living at the hospital and for the family friend and older kids who are at home in McMinnville. Constraints: none of us is in McMinnville, so we need something that can be arranged over the phone or the internet, but we do have folks in Portland who may be able to help out for hospital runs; food needs to be vegetarian.

Oregon Road Trip

ShooBoo — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:36:07 -0800

At the end of August, we are going on a 9 day road trip through Oregon (round-trip from Seattle). The plan is to start on the east side of the Cascades, visit Bend and Crater Lake, arrive in Ashland (for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival) and head north along the coast on the way home. Any suggestions on what to visit and where to stay? "We" are two adults and an 8 year old boy. We're going to skip Portland as we've already spent time there. Things that interest us include interesting hikes, geological features, museums, quirky places.

We may do a mix of camping and staying in motels/cabins.

Any suggestions what to see and where to stay will be much appreciated.

Sign Painting Class/Resources in Portland, OR?

redsparkler — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 10:24:18 -0800

Since learning to sign paint is one of my biggest dreams, what's the best way to get some on-the-ground instruction here in the Pacific Northwest? I have a great library of resource books for traditional sign design and showcard layout, but I really want to take a basic hands-on class/tutorial that will teach me the nitty gritty of equipment and process. I love handlettering in general, but I know from my calligraphy classes that knowing your tools and being around a professional is one of the most valuable resources for learning stuff like this. If I can't find anything here, I'll probably just shell out the $300 for New Bohemia's upcoming spring classes in San Francisco, but I'm finding it hard to believe that Portland doesn't have something like this.

Where is the real life Rancho Relaxo?

lilnublet — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 18:07:06 -0800

My 40th birthday present to myself is to run away for several days by myself to indulge in restful solitude, nature walks, spa treatments and room service. I live in Oregon and am considering the coast, but could also be talked into Washington/California, or places other than the beach. Price is no object, but would prefer it to be within driving distance of Portland. Requirements and preferences within... In a perfect perfect world, I would like a solitary space - I'd rather a cabin than a hotel room - close enough to the ocean to hear the waves, but secluded from other people. Actually, I'd love not not to have to see or speak to a single human being the whole time, but will make exceptions for the purchase of goods and services. Things like: healthy meals, bottles of wine and icecream sundaes delivered via room service. Mud baths, facials and massages; saunas and whirlpools. Good places to run, or access to a yoga class(?). I want a fireplace in my room or a personal firepit outside it. And/or a jacuzzi. Preferably and. Beautiful nature if I feel like walking around outside, lots of stars if I just feel like sitting, and a soft fluffy bed if I don't feel like doing either. Bonus if I'm not subjected to other peoples' romantic getaways or conversations with other tourists. Suggestions?

Financing a renovation of a house in a different state?

Glomar response — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 08:13:17 -0800

How to finance home renovation? I am an absentee co-owner of a property on the West side of Portland, Oregon. My brother and I own it outright, but I'd like to make a plan on the finances of improving it. Neither owner lives in Oregon. Cry me a river, right? But I need help. The house needs work (siding, maybe roof) before it can be insured (according to one insurer).
Additional interior improvements are on the list.

The property is valuable but the house not so much. I'd like to improve the house and its value.
What lenders and options are there for non-domicile loans when it is not insured? I'd like to work with a credit union but the non-residence would be a hurdle, I think.

I plan to move in to the house in the next few years and that would open up other options.

What are the best possibilities for a small loan to get the short-term work done until then?

Car rental options at PDX?

parmanparman — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 18:13:02 -0800

How soon should I book a small car in advance for a 7-day trip to Oregon beginning Dec 1 in Portland?

Help our Thanksgiving trip not be a turkey.

rabbitrabbit — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 09:41:31 -0800

Portland-area getaway, Thanksgiving weekend, mountains or coast. With dog and toddler. Help? We are thinking of skipping Thanksgiving this year in favor of a mini-vacation either at the Oregon Coast or up in the mountains. Slight preference for the mountains, since we've been there a lot less than we've been to the coast, but either would be good.

Difficulty: elderly dog (so pet-friendly, no stairs, and easy to get outside to go potty), 23-month-old (so we would prefer a suite, where we can put him down and close the door and have some adult time), and Thanksgiving weekend (so there will need to be nearby restaurants open on Thanksgiving, or our suite will need a kitchen so we can cook). Also, relatively short notice. Is this good or bad, considering it's Thanksgiving weekend? I do not even know.

Prefer to pay $150 or less per night. Ideally, we'd like a cabin or something "special" like that, but I know that's not likely.

I hate researching and booking accommodations almost more than I hate anything else in the world, and this is not something priceline is good at. Any ideas?

Bus from Albany/Corvallis to Portland?

long haired child — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 12:07:07 -0800

Does public transportation between Corvallis, OR (or Albany) and Portland, OR exist? A bus that ran at least a few times a day would be great, but I can't seem to find one. I know about the hut shuttle but I am looking for something less expensive.

What freelancers' groups sell health insurance to members in Portland, Oregon?

jeb — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:07:59 -0800

I need to buy health insurance in Portland, Oregon and I'm wondering if there are any professional guilds or Freelancer's Union-type groups that sell health insurance. In this question, SpecialK said:

There are several creative guilds in Portland that offer group plan insurance if you're a member; if you're freelancing in IT you'll qualify to join at least one of them. I can't remember names or contact info right now though.

I am freelancing in IT. I can't find any information about these groups anywhere. The only thing that comes up in Google is Freelancer's CO-OP, which isn't going to start selling coverage for another year. Freelancer's Union also doesn't sell health plans in Oregon.

Is there anything worth checking out or should I stick with ehealthinsurance.com and brokers?

Where to live in coastal Oregon?

jennyjenny — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 14:42:22 -0800

Where to live in Northern coastal Oregon? Vernonia? Astoria? Manzanita? Portland with a wicked commute? I am coming to Oregon to work for three to six months on a short-term contract job based in Seaside. The job involves traveling up to about 45 minutes in various directions from Seaside, visiting people in their homes, doing health-care stuff. My job will make an effort to focus my work around where I live, within that area.

A possible goal of this job is to get myself set up for a move to Portland. If I stay in the area, I am fairly certain that I ultimately will be living in Portland, as I am a city kid. I will very likely be traveling to Portland at least every weekend. I'll be working four days a week.

I am unfamiliar with the area, and uncertain about where to be looking for short-term (or long-term, if I go the Portland-with-crazy-commute route) housing. I am an artsy-type person, and would be happiest in a community with some artsy vibe to it, with a nice place to get coffee and a yoga studio being very welcome as well. But I don't need a full-on artists' colony vibe. Just somewhere where I wont feel like I'm from another planet, and could potentially meet some like-minded folks to have a beer with.

What would you recommend, MefiOregonians?

Thinking of relocating to the Pacific NW but I've never been. Help me decide between Oregon and Washington.

iamisaid — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 15:43:00 -0800

I'm thinking of relocating to the Pacific Northwest USA for the climate and scenery, though I've never been before. I have 4 days to visit next month, and am having trouble deciding between Portland and Seattle as a base of exploration. I do not mean to start a debate over which city or state is best. Just need some help deciding which place I might enjoy more. I work from home, so the local job market is not an immediate concern. Cost of living is something of a concern.

I have spent some time in Austin and enjoyed the vibe there, and I've heard Portland shares some similarities with it. I'm less sure about Seattle. However, it's quite possible I'd want to live in a smaller town outside of these cities and just visit them occasionally.

I have also spent some time in California, particularly Big Sur and the Monterey Bay area and absolutely loved it for the beauty, scenery and proximity to the ocean. I'm all about scenery and easy access to natural beauty.

For those who have been to both Washington and Oregon, which area would you recommend for me and how would you compare the two?

All your medical recommendations for Portland, OR

ansate — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 20:15:19 -0800

Recommend me your dermatologist, gynecologist, and GPs in Portland, OR. (Some of this was covered in previous questions, but there were either few answers, or the doctors have mostly moved on. (The two gynos I followed up on from that thread have moved to new jobs!))

I'm in downtown, but I'm willing to drive (or take at most one bus) for someone that you have had really good experience with. Ideally they'll be in network for United Healthcare.

Most pressing is a dermatologist - I want someone that I will feel comfortable looking at all of my skin for suspicious moles. It's pressing because the suspicious mole that got removed a few months ago is coming back, so I want to get that looked at ASAP. :(

I'd prefer a lady gynecologist.

All I'm really looking for in a GP is someone who you feel listens to you, and isn't insanely hard to see when you're sick. (Though I hear ZoomCare is really good?) No complicated history or anything, I just don't want to have to be doing the search for one when I'm actively sick.

What are the main cities for creative, arts and media scenes in Canada?

stackhaus23 — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 05:06:44 -0800

What are the main cities for creative, arts and media scenes in Canada? Over the last few years, I've travelled the United States looking for potential places to move with my girlfriend and try to find work in the Art, Design and Media industries.

Amongst other places we have travelled to San Francisco, Seattle, New York and for obvious reasons loved our time in Portland, Oregon.

Many people have also recommended we visit Canada and as such we are planning to travel to Vancouver next year and would like suggestions of other cities in Canada for a similar vibe.

If it helps, I am a Graphic Designer of 6+ years for a major Video Games developer, my girlfriend is involved in marketing for the arts and cultural travel industries.

Thanks so much for any suggestions.

A "Where should I live?!" question!

fuzzysoft — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:37:54 -0800

So. I need to move and live with my best friend. We are looking to move west in the USA. She suggested southern Arizona and I suggests Oregon. We thought Cali might be good, but are open to pretty much anywhere. Here's what I'm lookin for:

1. Large Hispanic/Latino population --> she wants to get into translating and wants to live in an area where this is a large demographic.
2. Snowy(ish?!) winters. I love the cold, but I'm willing to compromise on cold as long as there is snow. Places in Cali with snow? (But also not crazy humid??)
3. Large-ish population. Not LA large, but around 100,000-80,000 or so?

Other things that would be nice:
4. close to the beach?
5. not particularly earth-quake prone
6. not as humid
7. warm, dry summers
8. Cheap-ish?
9. nice view of pretty snow capped mountains (a dream!)

Any suggestions? I've looked at Salinas, Cali but no dice on the snow and so expensive.

Roadtrip advice needed: Portland and other areas!

drjimmy11 — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 20:35:17 -0800

Roadtrip advice needed: Portland and other areas! So I'm taking a roadtrip that basically goes a bit like this:

L.A. -> SLC -> Glacier Nat'l Park -> Portland -> SF -> L.A.

map

I'll be camping/hiking for three days in Glacier (thanks to a comment by notsnot in a previous Ask), but other than that I'll be driving most of the time.

I do have a day off in Portland, and I've never been there before. I'm wondering where I should stay (neighborhood or specific hotel) and what I should see? To make it easy let's say I like "hipster" stuff (bands, art, books, anything offbeat), musuem-y stuff, and nature stuff.

I'm also wondering about how easy it will be to find hotels on much of my route. In the past I've driven up and down the West coast on the 5, and you can pretty much drive til you're tired, exit the freeway and find a motel.

Will finding a motel outside a city be a problem in say, Idaho? I'm planning to visit the Craters of the Moon monument and then head towards Idaho Falls, but I'd like to know if I could find a roadside motel if I couldn't make it that far... and just get a general feel for motel availability in these more isolated areas.

Also, anything else cool or unique along this route, feel free to throw it at me- thanks!!

Northern California and Oregon Coast road trip questions

sinical — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 07:41:14 -0800

Northern California and Oregon Coast road trip questions: specifically a place to stay on the coast within 2 hours North of San Francisco, advice on Sonoma and where to camp on South and Central Oregon Coast! I'm doing another Northern California road trip during the first week of September. A friend and I (we are 30ish, girl and a guy) will be camping a few nights in the Redwoods and the Lost Coast, spending a night in San Francisco, a night in Sonoma, and then up the Oregon Coast, a night in Portland and then back home.

Looking for assistance with a few things:

- place to stay on the coast, North of San Francisco. Ideally this would be within about 2 hours of SF, with ocean view. Seems like something in the Bodega Bay area might make sense? Willing to pay in the $250/night range. Don't mind a hotel but wouldn't mind a vacation rental, but it's only for one (weekday) night.
- advice on Sonoma. We're looking at Sonoma as an alternative to Napa which seems like wine Disneyland. Specific wineries to visit? Low key tours without a massive coach bus and 60 other people? Neither of us is particularly knowledgeable about wine, and are looking more to enjoy the general experience.Also a place to stay, again in the up to $250/night (but hopefully lower) range? Mid to high end interesting place for dinner?
- Camping on the Oregon Coast? This will be my third trip to the Coast and while I've camped before I've never been awed by the campgrounds. Likely planning one night in the vicinity of Brookings and another around Lincoln City/Tillamook. Would like to be close to or on the water but would sacrifice that for an alternate neat location.

Bonus tips on San Francisco or Portland also welcome.

Leaving Portland

zvs — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 20:28:56 -0800

Fastest breakfast on the northbound way out of Portland (OR)? Leaving Portland (from the Lloyd District) to drive to SeaTac early tomorrow morning. Really jonesing for one last awesome Portland meal. Can you recommend a FAST breakfast venue between here and Vancouver WA that is

(1) awesome
(2) vegan-friendly and meat-eater-friendly
(3) open at 7:15 AM
(4) east of the Willamette?
(5) FAST (like, ~15m)

I have a feeling the correct answer is a truck or cart. This is fine.

Seeing Portland, OR without a rental car?

AdamOddo — Sun, 05 Aug 2012 07:55:34 -0800

Me and the wife will be flying out to Portland, Oregon roughly six months from now to check out the city to see if we want to relocate. We were thinking of not renting a car and just using light rail to get around, since good public transportation is a major factor of why we want to relocate. How good or bad of an idea is this?

Better late than never!

fillsthepews — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 09:29:35 -0800

Last minute honeymoon--need input on the most awesome, strange, memorable places to stay on our road-trip between Seattle to Portland, and then down the coast to San Fran. Other "must see" advice is most welcome. Damn the torpedoes, we're going on our honeymoon!

So far our plan involves: 2 nights in Seattle, 1 night in the Cannon Beach/Seaside area (or??), 2 nights in Portland, 1 night in the Coos Bay area (or??), 1 night in Eureka, 1 night in Santa Rosa, 1 night in SF.

We've got the most flexibility in the "Oregon Coast" part of our trip.

We'd like to stay in places that are generally nice, clean, and comfortable--but also interesting and/or in an interesting area. If we end up in a Motel 6 one night, no biggie. Luxury is cool, but isnt the be-all-end-all especially considering how much people charge for the teensiest suggestion of fancy stuff.

Our priorities for the trip: beer/breweries, good food, local flavor, weird/unique scenes, nature (the "drive somewhere and take a stroll and some pictures" variety, as opposed to the "hardcore hiking" variety).

Sadly, money is indeed a consideration but if something was super out of this world amazing, we might be able to make it work for a night.

Thanks for helping! I've been googling my heart out, but there's always this feeling that I'm missing something only an experienced traveler or local would know.

Where to go on our weekend roadtrip?

gracious floor — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 10:56:08 -0800

Portland, Oregon. Bend, Oregon. Salt Lake City, Utah. These are possible destinations for my family as we embark on an end-of-summer roadtrip. Help us decide! My husband and myself, along with our 10-month-old daughter, are trying to plan a somewhat last-minute roadtrip to end our summer 2012. We'd like input from anyone in-the-know regarding events or fun things to do in any of the aforementioned cities. Our possible dates for this short adventure are the weekends of August 11 or 25 or September 1 or 15. We only have one weekend of time off to take!

We're interested in most things- so concerts, art shows, markets: pretty much any event that would make a visit to one of these cities enjoyable. We also like beer and good food. Money is fairly budgeted, so the more free or nearly-free options, the better.

A little more: we're from Boise, Idaho, so anywhere near by that we might not have thought of is fair game.

Thanks everyone!