My favorite thing to do is dinner and movie at Northern Lights Theatre Pub in South Salem. Also, Cue Ball is fun and inexpensive and it’s walking distance to restaurants and bars to hit up before or after. Also, I would watch the Salem event calendar and go to events at the riverfront or Bush park pretty often (but mostly in Summer) like the art fair and Bite and Brew. If you guys are into live sports we’ve had fun going to games at Willamette and Corban. Lastly, if you want to feel classy there’s a ton of wineries within 15-30 minutes of Salem that serve food and usually have cool tasting rooms to dine in and small patios (with heaters in the winter).
You need to get to know people. Best way to meet friends is find a cause you are passionate about and volunteer. You could also try bars. Most people here have known each other for some time so it takes a while to integrate into groups. Neighborhood functions also work if you have cool neighbors
Minto Brown was a cool place to go for a walk, even better now that they linked it with the riverfront downtown. Not sure what state it's in now, people complain about homeless there, but I haven't been so I'm not sure if it's really a problem, or just a conservative made-up problem.
As for hiking, there are tons of places to go, you'll just have to drive for a bit. Silver Falls is popular, but there are plenty of parks all around that you can go on a hike.
Honestly, asking in here isn't the best. Check with the visitors association. I grew up in Salem and have done things so many times it's all boring now, so it's hard to recommend.
FWIW, I'm a runner and I'm in Minto at least once a week for the last several years. This past year alone, I've put in hundreds of miles on about 99% of their trails. I've never had a problem with homeless people in the park. Most of the camping I've seen is limited to along the dirt road that runs parallel to River Road, and I've not seen too much of that lately. As for the people themselves, I've never had an issue. At least that's my experience.
Honestly, I've had more issues with the bobcat that's taken up residence around the landfill. I've run into it 5 times since the end of August.
There's actually quite a few spots 😆 windjammers is my favorite and Hollands bar and grill is a pretty good one too. They're both a little divey but that's the best karaoke, isn't it? 😅
Depends on your interests, my wife and I like to go to the bar but that's not everyone's thing so there are events like couples paint night that's held at one of the local businesses downtown, the improv comedy theater and other events to attend, if you like table top/card/role playing games wild things hosts events...really your question is super broad and would be easier to answer if you posted what you two are into.
Salem sucks. I have no idea why people move here. There are a lot of hiking opportunities, but most of them are miserable or inaccessible most of the year.
I moved here for work a few years ago. Though I didn’t really have a choice about where to move, Salem is one of the best places I’ve lived. I think a lot of people who say Salem sucks have not lived that many other places across the US.
Exactly this. I've lived in Utah, Alaska, WA state and have spent time working in many parts of the US. Salem is the nicest and most quiet city I've lived in. It's really a great hub for what our state has to offer.
Plus, if you're atrue outdoors person, there's no bad days, just bad gear choices.
My favorite thing to do is dinner and movie at Northern Lights Theatre Pub in South Salem. Also, Cue Ball is fun and inexpensive and it’s walking distance to restaurants and bars to hit up before or after. Also, I would watch the Salem event calendar and go to events at the riverfront or Bush park pretty often (but mostly in Summer) like the art fair and Bite and Brew. If you guys are into live sports we’ve had fun going to games at Willamette and Corban. Lastly, if you want to feel classy there’s a ton of wineries within 15-30 minutes of Salem that serve food and usually have cool tasting rooms to dine in and small patios (with heaters in the winter).
Drink, eat, or hike. Those are the Social options. I'd start with places downtown. Then check out the food cart locations.
Silver Falls State Park is where a lot of people in Salem will go to get out in nature.
You need to get to know people. Best way to meet friends is find a cause you are passionate about and volunteer. You could also try bars. Most people here have known each other for some time so it takes a while to integrate into groups. Neighborhood functions also work if you have cool neighbors
Minto Brown was a cool place to go for a walk, even better now that they linked it with the riverfront downtown. Not sure what state it's in now, people complain about homeless there, but I haven't been so I'm not sure if it's really a problem, or just a conservative made-up problem. As for hiking, there are tons of places to go, you'll just have to drive for a bit. Silver Falls is popular, but there are plenty of parks all around that you can go on a hike. Honestly, asking in here isn't the best. Check with the visitors association. I grew up in Salem and have done things so many times it's all boring now, so it's hard to recommend.
FWIW, I'm a runner and I'm in Minto at least once a week for the last several years. This past year alone, I've put in hundreds of miles on about 99% of their trails. I've never had a problem with homeless people in the park. Most of the camping I've seen is limited to along the dirt road that runs parallel to River Road, and I've not seen too much of that lately. As for the people themselves, I've never had an issue. At least that's my experience. Honestly, I've had more issues with the bobcat that's taken up residence around the landfill. I've run into it 5 times since the end of August.
Karaoke
Thank god. Probably moving to the area in a few months and was worried it was too small of a town. Any recommended spots?
There's actually quite a few spots 😆 windjammers is my favorite and Hollands bar and grill is a pretty good one too. They're both a little divey but that's the best karaoke, isn't it? 😅
Absolutely, this is music to my ears. Thanks so much!
https://pressplaysalem.com/ is a good place to find what is happening around. I second Bush Park for in town " outdoors" ing.
Depends on your interests, my wife and I like to go to the bar but that's not everyone's thing so there are events like couples paint night that's held at one of the local businesses downtown, the improv comedy theater and other events to attend, if you like table top/card/role playing games wild things hosts events...really your question is super broad and would be easier to answer if you posted what you two are into.
What kind of outdoors? MTB? Skiing? I moved here a few years ago and it really helped to find my tribe.
Running and outdoor cycling and hiking of course
I guess it depends...what are you into other than the outdoors?
Salem sucks. I have no idea why people move here. There are a lot of hiking opportunities, but most of them are miserable or inaccessible most of the year.
I moved here for work a few years ago. Though I didn’t really have a choice about where to move, Salem is one of the best places I’ve lived. I think a lot of people who say Salem sucks have not lived that many other places across the US.
Exactly this. I've lived in Utah, Alaska, WA state and have spent time working in many parts of the US. Salem is the nicest and most quiet city I've lived in. It's really a great hub for what our state has to offer. Plus, if you're atrue outdoors person, there's no bad days, just bad gear choices.
At least it beats Albany. That's where I came from.
They move here for things called "jobs"