Should I Stay Or Should I Go ?

[buzz]

I am looking to relocate from the midwest to Oregon Or Washington. Its big decision in my younger years I would have left already with the torch on my back but I have four children and don't want to disrupt there lives like that. I only want to make it better. I have it pretty good here I have good accounts they keep me busy I currently average about 3500 in sales a month but could not rely on them for mail orders. However the Midwest sucks! I am going no where been the same for the last 7 years. This is what I am looking for a nice town with cool people, good schools, cheap rent just a nice place to live and some accounts.
Now here is my question should I stay or should I go? I really want to go but I am afraid of another set back So I would like some advice or help from some of you who are establihed out there any input would be appreciated.
Thanks
Buzz

[wildrokproductions]

i felt the same about 2 yrs ago . i just wanted to be happy, and i wanted my wife and 3 kids to be happy also. we move from IL to AR.
i'd have to say it was worth it, and im happy now, we all are.
the first yr or so was hard , but thats what makes it fun .
find what makes you happy and go after it.
this move was the biggest risk i've ever taken , but our happiness was worth it.

[misled youth]

damn 4 kids? you forgot to pull out a few times? just kidding
dude, go!!! the midwest sux. i would save up a bunch of money and go.
as soon as my obligations here are done i am outa here.

[ShttrdSpctrm]

get the hell outta there! i grew up in MI and i cant stand the midwest. its too flat. i moved like 12 years ago and have NEVER thought of goin back to live. i only go to see my mom. im tryin to get her to move out here so i dont have to go back there at all. :tongue2:

[ech]

I would have to tell you not to do it. I have lived in Eugene several times over the last 20 years. I can tell you the economy sux. Eugene is the heroin capitol of north america, and the rest of the pacific north west is flooded with it. If you think making a living with glass is dificult in the midwest then you'll think its impossible on the west coast. It may seem now like people from the west coast are freindly and welcoming and they are to people who are just visiting but if you move there and look to take yet another chunk of their economy they will not treat you so well. In april of 2005 my wife and I arrived in Eugene with about $20000 we left in september broke. That is not the first time for me either. I lived there in the late 80s for 3 years and again in 96 for a year. I made every effort to get settled all three times but was never able to. Jobs are scarce at best and finished glass product goes for about half what your getting in the midwest. Don't get me wrong I love Eugene and if I had $100K I might give it one more try. The problem is the economy.

[buzz]

Thanks for the response Yeah Eugene is out of the question. I Like small towns I am sure there is good towns in Oregon.

Eugene is the heroin capitol of north america, and the rest of the pacific north west is flooded with it. If you think making a living with glass is dificult in the midwest then you'll think its impossible on the west coast.
I would have no problem with the drugs. The glass I do need to make a living and as far as prices Mine are already beat down to distributer prices.
Look forward to hearing from more of you.
Buzz

[Racer X]

I haven't been back much, but I left in 2001. At first I hated PA and couldn't wait to move back. Now, I'm glad I'm here. If you're solely moving to be around more glass, there are other places where glass workers live. Oregon is beautiful, but if your kids have allergies... they aren't going to like the valley very much.

[fumalicious]

could not rely on them for mail ordersThen I'd say start figuring out other mail order accounts and get yourself set up so that it doesn't matter where you live... no reason to not expand your business in the first place.

Both Oregon and Washington are beautiful... lived in both and love them both...

[mondovetro]

I lived in Colorado for 6 years,learned to blow glass their,and I dont regret it at all but im glad that I setteled back down in michigan,it is flat and you really have to work to find a spot that is untouched,but my roots are here.
I should say that I havent though about moving back untill recently,Michigan decided to make glasspipes a crime and now myself and alot of other people have lost some major accounts,and for myself I have only two small accounts outside of the state and thats just for pendants.,the other for headys that take me forever to make,but I shouldnt complain I am truely blessed, so I just keep adding to my stock and work as much as possible.
And its not just the money eather glasspipes are a great form of expression as well and it will be missed,but it will never go away,its just political bullshit.
So as always Im trying to get better as a lampworker and also more than ever pushing forward.
So travel if you have the means,you wont regret it!
C-

[mer]

ech is so high.. i've been in eugene twenty years and i've never seen a heroin problem here. not sayng it doesn't exist but i think you would have to look pretty hard for it if you wanted to find some. meth is another story but that shit's everywhere now.

the economy here has been growing every year since i came and there are plenty of opportunities to be had. oregon has lots of glassblowers so local accounts aren't the big moneymakers but there are more than a few distributors. i've raised my child here and found excellent alternative schools for her. the area is truly beautiful. it's inspiring to be surrounded with nature in so many forms (beach, mountains, rivers, valleys, desert, etc.) the counterculture here is huge and very supportive of alternative lifestyle choices.

i would suggest building up your savings for a while and then making a choice about where you would like to be. also visit the northwest and travel around a bit. it's hard to make a choice about someplace you haven't researched. whatever you do i wish you and your family the best of luck.

peace, m

[twunt(baylie AE)]

not a lot of work for lampers out west... I left the west for the mid west.
However, the west coast is the most beautiful place I have found. And you will never have any trouble finding someone help pick up slack on prodo....

[WORLD FAMOUS]

I'm not sure what Ech is talking about either, people are great here, and I haven't heard or seen heroin problems in years - meth on the other hand is everywhere in the US now-a-days, including Oregon.

It's beautiful here in the PNW, but to compete with the prodo here is tough - there are a handful of decent distributors around though. I don't even try to compete with the locals, so my accounts are all out of state. There are tons of nice little towns here in OR, good luck with whatever you choose.

[buzz]

I just need a change the laws here are messed up. I feel like a criminal for having my medication that is really only dirt here. Everything sucks! I have lost all my inspiration and need to be around more lampworkers or atleast be able to take a lesson from someone when I want to. I don't know I just feel out of place. There has to be a reason why so many lampers are out there.
Buzz
http://www.glasspipes.org/Gal21959_1toke_s_Gallery.asp

[Swampy]

Definately it helps if you have creative people around you, the buzz is infectious.

I hope you find your place.

[puddletown]

I live in Portland, where the rent is skyrocketing, but its nice to live here, and you can still find cheap places to live. Out of town is REALLY nice though.
I would say move, even thought its not gonna be easy with 4 kids and stuff, but it will be well worth it.
Think about it, the beach, the mountains, the desert, anything you want within a few hours drive wherever you end up.

my opinion

Jason

[ACE]

I just need a change the laws here are messed up. I feel like a criminal for having my medication that is really only dirt here. Everything sucks! I have lost all my inspiration and need to be around more lampworkers or atleast be able to take a lesson from someone when I want to. I don't know I just feel out of place. There has to be a reason why so many lampers are out there.
Buzz
http://www.glasspipes.org/Gal21959_1toke_s_Gallery.asp

illegal dirt medication?

[PyroChixRock]

every time i see the title of this thread i get that song stuck in my head. :twitch:

[yellowplanetaryseed]

Come to Spokane! Rent is cheap, schools are decent, the Coast is about 4 or 5 hours away, there is competition here but I think you could do well. Some people think it sux here but I love it. There is also a glass society, glass festivals and a lot of galleries/craft fairs/farmers markets/head shops that aren't as over run (like on the coast). Also the 'medication' isn't too bad.. at least it's not dirt!

[homer]

You is crazy fred... you are in a pimp area, you just have to take advantage of it and market yourself and art better and you will do just fine... You are only 20 minutes from my shop and you can always rage it up here... anytime.

The cost of living, the people... its all good here. I think you are just in a slump. I was for the last month or so, but things are getting good now! Get yer ass down here...

[buzz]

Thanks for all the replies! I have been looking at different areas newspapers for places to rent a few more obligations to meet and I am on my way. Thanks Homer for the invite I just might hit you guys up this week been real busy unfortunatly not blowing glass. Yeah I am in a slump lack of inspiration . I need to get out of it or my obligations will never be met and I'll be stuck. Well back to the torch I have obligations that must be met see you all out west soon!
Buzz