I greatly admire the people of Ashland, but not the artsy-fartsy crowd that has taken over. I have relatives living in Ashland, east of I-5, and they hate to go downtown. Of course, they also hate Shakespeare, so they may be a bit biased.
In 2003 a couple we knew decided to cash in on their California home and move to Oregon. They both liked fly fishing and hunting and decided that either the Corvallis area or Ashland area would be good. She is one of these people who likes to take a college course every semester just to learn something different. So the universities and the outdoor potential led them to consider Corvallis and Ashland.
He served 20 in the Marine Corp and retired after 20 years of law enforcment. Both are very proud and up front Christians. They had a full size SUV and a big pickup with a cross sticker on the back, a Marine Corp sticker, a NRA sticker, and old Bush/Cheney sticker and a new Bush04 sticker. After their family and church they loved America, the Corp, GW/Cheney and the second amendment.
So when they discussed moving to Oregon, I tried to warn them about the areas they had picked out and suggested spending a few days in each area without a realtor, reading the local news to see if they would fit in. They agreed.
They went up in early June of 2003 and a relative had suggested they consider Eugene too. So they drove to Yreka and spent the night with relatives. Their stay in Eugene was quiet short. They were confronted by some scaggy greenies as they came out of a Burger King after a food stop. The scags didn't like their big GMC SUV with the stickers above. One made the mistake of trying push the husband. He is probably still hurting.
So they cancelled their motel reservations and drove to Corvallis. By noon the next day, they had seen enough and been confronted enough. So they went to Ashland spent the night, and shortly after noon I got a call saying they were leaving Ashland. Where did I recommend they go. I recommended Brookings and Medford. I told them to call back in about 20 minutes. Then I called a fishing friend in Medford and explained the situation to him. He recommended a new development east of Medford. I told them.
They went to the area, found one of their churches, loved the development and signed for a new home. They love the area, their neighbors, their church. He is back to work in law enforcement part time, and she is an office manager. Their adult children love to visit and so do their grandkids. Since moving to east Medford area, they haven't been back to Eugene, Corvallis nor Ashland except to drive by. When we see them or talk to them, I joke about when are they going to visit those 3 left wing cities. Now they can laugh and say never.