9 Things People Moving to the North Willamette Valley Wish They’d Known

There’s nothing like talking to people six months after they’ve moved to hear what really surprised them. Here are 9 things new residents of the North Willamette Valley often say they wish they’d known sooner.

1. “Small town” doesn’t mean “nothing going on”

Places like Canby, Oregon City, and Molalla may look sleepy from the freeway, but once you plug in, you’ll find:

• Festivals

• Parades

• Local concerts

• Farmers markets

The key is to watch local calendars and community Facebook groups—you won’t always see the best stuff advertised in big, flashy ways.

2. You really can build community faster here

If you’re coming from a big city, the speed at which people will actually learn your name can be… startling (in a good way). Show up at the same coffee shop, market, or park consistently and you become “a regular” faster than you think.

3. The weather is gentler than the stereotypes

Yes, it rains. No, it’s not “constant pouring disaster” most of the time. It’s more like an ongoing rotation of mist, drizzle, and overcast. When the sun does come out, everyone collectively loses their minds in the best way and heads outside.

4. Your hobbies may change

Access to:

• Trails and rivers

• Wineries

• Gardening that actually thrives

…means you may find yourself caring less about certain indoor hobbies and more about weekend hikes, backyard projects, or trying new local food spots.

5. Commute patterns matter more than map distance

Two homes that are the same number of miles from your job can feel very different in real time based on routes, bridges, and traffic rhythms. This is one place where “it’s only 12 miles” can be a little misleading.

6. You don’t have to give up good food

A few years ago, you might have had to trek into Portland for a true “date night” meal. These days, places in Oregon City, West Linn, Aurora, and Wilsonville have filled in that gap with serious cooking and atmosphere. You can live “out here” and still eat really well.

7. You’ll probably own more outdoor gear

Most people eventually accumulate:

• Mud shoes / boots

• Decent rain jackets

• A bin of “river stuff” (tubes, chairs, camp stove)

It’s not required, but it sure makes life more fun.

8. Your definition of “close” might shift

Once you get used to having essentials within 5–10 minutes, you may start thinking of a 30‑minute drive as a relatively big outing. In a good way: you gain a sense of local radius and really use what’s nearby.

9. You’ll quickly have “your” spots

It doesn’t take long before you find:

• Your grocery store

• Your go‑to walking loop

• Your favorite river access

• Your “let’s meet for coffee” spot

That’s usually when it goes from “we live here now” to “oh, this actually feels like home.”

Thinking about making the move?

If you’re considering a move to the North Willamette Valley and want to know what it would look like for you specifically—not just in theory—let’s talk.

You can schedule a 30‑minute intro call or connect with me here to start untangling whether this is the right next chapter.