laid back, inexpensive, rural life-style sought

[tablemtn]

Land will be your biggest cost, but it might still be doable. For example, there are some rural properties in some of the roads around Highway 20 near the towns of Toledo and Newport, or up on Highway 299 toward the smaller town of Siletz. Check out roads such as Pioneer Mt. Loop, Yasek Loop, and others in the area. Settling here would put you within a few miles of Newport - a town of about 11,000 - and within an hour's drive of the Corvallis area, and 90 minutes or so from Salem. Portland International Airport is slightly less than 3 hours away by road when you factor in Portland-area traffic.

[ArtMom]

Another Idahoan with my very complaint! You just happen to be north of me, but I agree!!! Boise (area) is ialso nsane with growth!!! So sad...

Good luck to you.

Originally Posted by dougf

We are retired form the military and sickened by our present out of control growth in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. Our once laid-back lifestyle has been robbed from us. We NEVER want to settle in an area that has the potential to "take off" like this area has. We are not seeking escalating property values, but a quiet, stable small town lifestyle. We prefer to be out of town, yet still be able to participate in church and other civic events in a nice community.

Seeking a warm, not too hot and humid area. Cold within reason is fine in the winter.

We love the mountain beauty of Idaho, but do just as well with beautiful farm land. In fact, an agricultural life-style would probably suit us ideally.

The main thing we seek is - don't laugh! A decent, well maintained house with maybe a few acres for 100K or less. Our goal is to pay cash and live off of my 1800/mo military retirement check if we have to, although I'm willing to work if there is any locally.

One further question would be taxes. I had heard that a military person would find Oregon "tax-friendly." Can anyone help us understand the state's tax situation.

Oregon is definitely on our short-list, so any info provided will be greatly appreciated.

[CedarView]

Originally Posted by dougf

We really want to live outside of town. We would consider in-town, only if there were an acre or more of property and it was on the outer edge of the town. We've seen places where you are on the town's perimeter and back up to pasture land or not-likely to be developed land and think that would be OK.

Town size - some shopping, groceries, gas station, maybe a feed store and a restaurant or two. If we are a few miles away from a town of 15K that would be OK. We would like to be able to get to a decent sized shopping area within a 1.0 - 1.5 hour drive.

Thank you all for taking time to reply to us!

What about Klamath Falls--Bonanza Area? There is still buildable land for sale there.

[DavePautsch]

dougf,
As far as as "tax friendly" goes for military (being retired Navy myself)

The state changed the tax laws in the 90's with regard to how it dealt with government (state/federal) retirement. Prior to the law changing, it was NOT taxed, and they eliminated the exemption with a grandfather clause. Therefore, you are NOT taxed on the percentage of your retirement earned PRIOR to the change going into effect. For example, I joined the Navy in 1982 and retired in 2005. When you do your taxes, you calculate the time spent in the military AFTER the law changed as a percentage of your total retirement (60 percent in my case if I remember) and you are only taxed on that same percent of your retirement pay.
I hope that made sense in some way...

I live in Albany (mid-Willamette Valley). If you are willing to look at a manufactured home you MIGHT be able to find something.

Good luck.

Dave

[smokey63]

Powers, Myrtle Point area is great for rural living. Check them out

[StealthRabbit]

I don't think you will find OR tax friendly. There is a VA medical facility in Roseburg, which would be a place to be near (but will have to be away for lower land values). $100k or less is gonna mean 'east-side' like possibly Condon, so you can be close to The Dalles for services

I would look to Sandpoint area and north and east, but $100k probably won't buy your spot. WA near Colville / Kettle Falls is nice (and closer) just be careful with WA property taxes (buy a junker or live in an RV or something with wheels that they can't tax as REAL property)

[Smiled]

Washington has no income tax; Oregon has no sales tax. Not sure which is better.

I rode through Cave Junction about three weeks ago... saw development stuff just sitting there. This RE cycle is over.

[Silverfall]

Along the santiam canyon if you were willing to live in Lyons or Idanha you might find something for that price. It won't be great though. Either a small stick built or a manufactured home. Maybe Mill City as well. Those areas are about 45 minutes from Salem.