[Snerfling]

but it rains like hell there (Oregon)

Actually, Joe, the proper retort is: it's either raining, about to rain, or just rained.

I knew a guy who moved back after a few years; he said the biggest problem wasn't the rain. It was the constant GRAY overcast skies that threatened to rain.

[First Amendment]

Actuallly it depends on where in the state - Portland is like that, and Eugene. On the coast there's tons of rain but it's stormy and wildish. Here in Josephine county - SW corner - it's dry as a bone all summer, rains like heck in the winter, but with dry spells between the rain (and occasional snow). Actually good climate and CHEAP land still. And rather conservative, interesting mix of people.