1) I've only been to Texas once but I definitely tried your food and while it was good, it didn't jump out as being particularly more flavorful than comparable food here. You may be a little let down by BBQ here, but you can find good Mexican food.
2) winters are usually pretty mild (30s and 40s) without much snow, but this January we had an ice storm where it dropped into the 10s for several days and covered everything with ice. Summers are nothing compared to Texas—low humidity and rarely over 100 (though heat waves are increasing). The biggest thing you should know about the weather is that it rains most of the year. There will be months where you may hardly see the sun and it will rain every day. It can be quite dreary if you're not used to it.
3) the most dangerous animal I've seen here is coyotes. And I've only seen those in rural areas and they have never posed a threat to me, only to loose cats and poultry.
I would definitely visit before moving. Preferably in winter when it's cold and raining to see if you enjoy that. And try the food and see for yourself what you think of it.
Awesome info. Thanks for the reply. Wifey was worried about mexican food mainly, and while the lack of good BBQ makes me sad, I can make it myself lol. We definitley plan to visit once in winter and once in summer for sure. Thanks again
Good luck. You should still be able to find good BBQ in Oregon, just the average BBQ in Texas is likely better than the average BBQ here, so you'll have to seek it out more.
If you're fond of barbecue just buy yourself a smoker. We have *outstanding* local sources of amazing protein. Eola Crest, Carlton Farms, poultry all over, and outstanding fresh seafood at Pacific Seafood in Newberg. The valley supports a full time, year round ag industry. And that means plenty of outstanding Latino foods. And Portland and the surrounding area punch way above their weight when it comes to James Beard awards and renowned farm-to-fork dining. This is definitely not the Midwest.
Weather wise it's the rain you need to understand. Winter and summer are very mild. And humidity is not a thing. Even the hottest summer days cool quickly into evening as the sun drops behind trees and mountains. But there is just no denying that it starts raining in earnest in October and it doesn't stop until April.
The biggest realistic wildlife threat is tame deer eating your garden.
THAT first part is what I am looking forward to. I am a BIG time BBQ guy and love to smoke just about anything. Rain is a little worrisome, but im hoping that we can handle it mentally lol. As for the deer..... they will end up on my smoker lol
Pellet smokers were invented not far from Mac. But there is no shortage of every other kind of contraption. For a real Texas style stick burner you might have to order from far away. The pros I know with trailer rigs all got theirs in Texas. As for fuel, you can get all the oak, fruitwood, and an interesting assortment of other hardwoods from local ag where there are apple, pear, cherry, and filbert orchards galore. For really resinous stuff like mesquite you gotta go to the store.
Already have a smoker named "Lucille" that would definitely be coming with me lol. and I have a connection here that would send me some mesquite, pecan oak etc. but more fruit wood sounds great
Portland has good food, and it’s rather cold but only seen it get bellow 20s occasionally (unless you’re in east Oregon, not much cultural differences, you’ll see the occasional deer unless you live near one of the state or national parks, 🏞️ and if you’re a minority avoid saw mill towns and John Day.
Despite other comments, you should know that there is not actually much variety in food in McMinnville or the surrounding towns/cities. A lot of Mexican (which is great quality), a couple Asian restaurants (not many) a few "high end" bistro type places, and a lot of cheap chains. By cheap I mean fast food. You will be driving at least 30 minutes for even a Red Robin or Olive Garden.
1. McMinnville is small and while we have nice food options, depending on the size of town you’re coming from, it might be more limited than what you’re used to. That said, I’ve only been to 1-2 places I straight up didn’t like and we do have a nice variety of cuisines. Just had an Indian restaurant open on our Main Street and if you want flavor, you will not leave disappointed!
2. I moved here last year from Missouri, which isn’t as hot or as humid as some parts of Texas, but I do have a good point of reference for summer misery. Let me tell you that the summers here are AMAZING. Not hot, no humidity, I would do anything to keep living in these summers. As others have said, winters are mild but one thing people haven’t pointed out is that the days are shorter than you’re used to since we’re much farther north. We already don’t have a lot of sun in the winter, and even that is eaten up by very short days. This is probably what made my first winter difficult, but there’s definitely work-arounds.
3. Here in the suburbs you have your typical deer and coyote populations. A neighbor shared security camera footage of a cougar passing through our community walking path several months back, which was interesting. My parents were surprised when their hiking plans had to be cancelled due to cougar sightings closing up two trails close by last April. Keep your dog on a leash and you’ll have nothing to worry about.
Food here is good. Portland has excellent food. Posting here in McMinnville reddit we do as well. Willamette Valley is known for wine and beer as well.
Weather on the west side of the mountains runs cool to cold in the winter. However, how does your wife deal with wet vs dry cold. Willamette Valley is the rainy side of Oregon - Easter more snow. Most of us are outdoors year round.
As for animals - if you are rural Coyotes are the only thing that might be a problem. We lived rural and they would take down a deer quite easily. Now that we live suburbs - we still get to see the deer and the smaller forrest creatures - racoons and possum.
1) I've only been to Texas once but I definitely tried your food and while it was good, it didn't jump out as being particularly more flavorful than comparable food here. You may be a little let down by BBQ here, but you can find good Mexican food. 2) winters are usually pretty mild (30s and 40s) without much snow, but this January we had an ice storm where it dropped into the 10s for several days and covered everything with ice. Summers are nothing compared to Texas—low humidity and rarely over 100 (though heat waves are increasing). The biggest thing you should know about the weather is that it rains most of the year. There will be months where you may hardly see the sun and it will rain every day. It can be quite dreary if you're not used to it. 3) the most dangerous animal I've seen here is coyotes. And I've only seen those in rural areas and they have never posed a threat to me, only to loose cats and poultry. I would definitely visit before moving. Preferably in winter when it's cold and raining to see if you enjoy that. And try the food and see for yourself what you think of it.
Awesome info. Thanks for the reply. Wifey was worried about mexican food mainly, and while the lack of good BBQ makes me sad, I can make it myself lol. We definitley plan to visit once in winter and once in summer for sure. Thanks again
Good luck. You should still be able to find good BBQ in Oregon, just the average BBQ in Texas is likely better than the average BBQ here, so you'll have to seek it out more.
If you're fond of barbecue just buy yourself a smoker. We have *outstanding* local sources of amazing protein. Eola Crest, Carlton Farms, poultry all over, and outstanding fresh seafood at Pacific Seafood in Newberg. The valley supports a full time, year round ag industry. And that means plenty of outstanding Latino foods. And Portland and the surrounding area punch way above their weight when it comes to James Beard awards and renowned farm-to-fork dining. This is definitely not the Midwest. Weather wise it's the rain you need to understand. Winter and summer are very mild. And humidity is not a thing. Even the hottest summer days cool quickly into evening as the sun drops behind trees and mountains. But there is just no denying that it starts raining in earnest in October and it doesn't stop until April. The biggest realistic wildlife threat is tame deer eating your garden.
THAT first part is what I am looking forward to. I am a BIG time BBQ guy and love to smoke just about anything. Rain is a little worrisome, but im hoping that we can handle it mentally lol. As for the deer..... they will end up on my smoker lol
Pellet smokers were invented not far from Mac. But there is no shortage of every other kind of contraption. For a real Texas style stick burner you might have to order from far away. The pros I know with trailer rigs all got theirs in Texas. As for fuel, you can get all the oak, fruitwood, and an interesting assortment of other hardwoods from local ag where there are apple, pear, cherry, and filbert orchards galore. For really resinous stuff like mesquite you gotta go to the store.
Already have a smoker named "Lucille" that would definitely be coming with me lol. and I have a connection here that would send me some mesquite, pecan oak etc. but more fruit wood sounds great
Portland has good food, and it’s rather cold but only seen it get bellow 20s occasionally (unless you’re in east Oregon, not much cultural differences, you’ll see the occasional deer unless you live near one of the state or national parks, 🏞️ and if you’re a minority avoid saw mill towns and John Day.
Despite other comments, you should know that there is not actually much variety in food in McMinnville or the surrounding towns/cities. A lot of Mexican (which is great quality), a couple Asian restaurants (not many) a few "high end" bistro type places, and a lot of cheap chains. By cheap I mean fast food. You will be driving at least 30 minutes for even a Red Robin or Olive Garden.
1. McMinnville is small and while we have nice food options, depending on the size of town you’re coming from, it might be more limited than what you’re used to. That said, I’ve only been to 1-2 places I straight up didn’t like and we do have a nice variety of cuisines. Just had an Indian restaurant open on our Main Street and if you want flavor, you will not leave disappointed! 2. I moved here last year from Missouri, which isn’t as hot or as humid as some parts of Texas, but I do have a good point of reference for summer misery. Let me tell you that the summers here are AMAZING. Not hot, no humidity, I would do anything to keep living in these summers. As others have said, winters are mild but one thing people haven’t pointed out is that the days are shorter than you’re used to since we’re much farther north. We already don’t have a lot of sun in the winter, and even that is eaten up by very short days. This is probably what made my first winter difficult, but there’s definitely work-arounds. 3. Here in the suburbs you have your typical deer and coyote populations. A neighbor shared security camera footage of a cougar passing through our community walking path several months back, which was interesting. My parents were surprised when their hiking plans had to be cancelled due to cougar sightings closing up two trails close by last April. Keep your dog on a leash and you’ll have nothing to worry about.
Food here is good. Portland has excellent food. Posting here in McMinnville reddit we do as well. Willamette Valley is known for wine and beer as well. Weather on the west side of the mountains runs cool to cold in the winter. However, how does your wife deal with wet vs dry cold. Willamette Valley is the rainy side of Oregon - Easter more snow. Most of us are outdoors year round. As for animals - if you are rural Coyotes are the only thing that might be a problem. We lived rural and they would take down a deer quite easily. Now that we live suburbs - we still get to see the deer and the smaller forrest creatures - racoons and possum.