As the capital of Oregon, Salem offers it's residents a dynamic and exciting lifestyle. Filled with the best of every culture and personal taste, the city's shopping and business communities will provide you with world class goods and services. Here are some examples of resources that you should consider browsing if you are new to Salem and would like to get more familiar with what it's businesses have to offer.

The first websites that you should begin browsing are the various local classified listings. Get the inside scoop early on where to find a great deal on that hot Sophia Tolli dress or stylish, new Ford Mustang. By browsing the city's craigslist, newspaper and smaller classified sites, you will also be able to get an overview of events in the city and cultural happenings.

Before you start researching restaurants and night clubs, be sure to cover the basics by using the various websites that offer local maps and directories of businesses in your own area. Know where to find the essentials, your day to day amenities, and what is and isn't convenient to your routes to work. These resources are a must if you are in need of an essential service such as on-site or home health care. Thunder Bay to to Tasmania, people come to Oregon from all over the world and bring with them medical needs that can be met by Salem's large community of healthcare practitioners.

One great local business even is the Salem Saturday Market. It showcases local products such as baked goods, crafts, meats and produce. There is also a Farmers' Market held downtown on Wednesdays in Courthouse Square during the summer months. Flea Markets throughout the city each weekend offer anything from old, industrial sheet metal fabricating equipment to folk art and vintage jewelry. Be sure sure to also visit the Holiday Gift Market in the winter months. There is also a historic, indoor Public Market that is open on Saturdays throughout the year.

The city's Art Association holds an Art Fair and Festival at Bush's Pasture Park each summer. Alongside it's performances, food and interactive exhibits are a number of displays and booths offering handcrafted, alternative and environmental products. Visitors can spend the day browsing and purchasing anything from organic diapers to imported African art. Similarly, be sure to try the Bite of Salem festival in Riverfront Park. These events will introduce you to local store owners and where to find some of your favorite, unique things.

When the time comes to explore the downtown core a bit more, you will find that it's businesses are healthy and busy. Shops and restaurants are filled with today's young professionals, High Tech gurus working in Internet project management, graphic design or computer programming. They frequent spots like the historic and famous Reed Opera House area, home to many boutiques, galleries and fine dining.

With some research of local guides and directories and after reading reviews and recommendations, you will have a great starting point to life in Salem. Once you have explored a bit and familiarized yourself with all that the city's local businesses have to offer, you will have even more of an appreciation of why people love to live in Salem.