Immelman said:
Wow that many people on this board know about K-falls?? I went to OIT and learned to fly while I was there too.
It is a very depressed ex-logging town. True statement about a lot of tweakers. Klamath has far more than its fair share of weirdos. Google search the phrase "Pardon me officer while I finish my beer" -- that photo pretty much sums up the experience. Overall it is a safe area, though.
What else..
- Cost of housing is very low. I would imaging he'd have no trouble finding accomodations quickly. Heck you can buy a decent house for under 100 grand!
- People drive very slow -- tell your bro not to speed, the cops are speed-trap-happy
- Unlike what most people picture when they think Oregon, its not too wet. Maybe 20-25 inches precip a year, as they're east of the cascades. It is cold, though. There was one year when I was there where it snowed at least once every month of the year. Summers generally pleasant and not hot, though.
- During the summer the bugs will drive you nuts. I haven't been to Alaska so I probably shouldn't talk, but....
- Excellent outdoor recreation in the mountains, high desert, etc. Good hunting too.
If your bro decides flying isn't crazy and wants some flight instruction, check out Pelican Aviation. Reasonable rates & great/safe outfit. I worked part-time for the owner for a few years and he runs a great operation.
Klamath Falls was a very "unique" place to live. Immelman hit the high points, but I will elaborate a bit...
It is a very depressed ex-logging town. True statement about a lot of tweakers. Klamath has far more than its fair share of weirdos. Google search the phrase "Pardon me officer while I finish my beer" -- that photo pretty much sums up the experience. Overall it is a safe area, though.
That's a true statement; however, there are parts of town (cheaper neighborhoods) where you don't want to be. One of my daughter's friends is a cop there - of LOT of interesting and freightening stories.
- Cost of housing is very low. I would imaging he'd have no trouble finding accomodations quickly. Heck you can buy a decent house for under 100 grand!
That used to be the case, but homes in neigherhoods where you'd actually want to raise a family will run $150K+. Still a bargain compared to places like SOCAL, but expensive when compared to places in the mid-West. There are plenty of newer apartment complexes in good parts of town, so housing won't be a problem.
- During the summer the bugs will drive you nuts.
I don't think Immelman placed enough emphasis on the midges. They are absolutely incredable. (Immelman, did I get the green color right?)
The hunting and fishing are great. However, Klamath lake is a real dissappoinment - it's very shallow and later in summer fills up with a thick green algea. They harvest the stuff and sell it in health food stores. There are some real monster trout in the lake, but unless you enjoy the flavor of seaweed, you can't eat them after the algea sets up. There are plenty of other places to fish and hunt and the entire area is pretty much a mecca if you're into that type of thing.
As far as restraurants, etc...
Up until they built the new Applebees, the best restraurant in Klamath Falls was in Medford. (That alone ought to tell you something about the place.) If your bother is single and looking he won't be happy. If he has school aged kids he won't be happy. If he is looking to fight fires, make a lot of money then move on, he's found the right place.
Uwe at Pelican Aviation does a nice job. I spent a lot of time on the road with him and know him very well.
My opinion of Klamath Falls? (Many of the locals call it Calamity Falls.) Oregon is a nice place to live, but if you ever had to give Oregon an enima you would insert it in Klamath Falls.
'Sled
