Confused as to where to retire in Eastern Oregon (Portland: condo, homes)

[Bigdog745]

I have been reading a lot about different towns in Eastern Oregon about where to retire. I am especially interested in places where housing is very reasonable and is close to good medical facilities as my wife and I both need medical. We will be living on retirement pay so a conservative town would be really ideal, low living expenses. We would like an area that has a good garden growing season as we both enjoy gardening. If anyone can give some good advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Larry Caldwell]

How did you settle on Eastern Oregon? Most of the things you mention are mutually exclusive, or just not available in Eastern Oregon. The winters are harsh, with a very short growing season. Gardening is a challenge. A large community with good medical facilities will be expensive and liberal. There is still cheap land in Eastern Oregon, but it is remote and undeveloped.

There are lots of cheaper states to live in.

[Bigdog745]

We want to get away from the wet climate of the Seattle area and eastern Oregon or SW Washington seemed like a dry area. I had always heard that the NE part of OR and the SE part of WA had longer summers then up here and was much cheaper to live.

[karlsch]

I recently retired to Baker City after living in rural Western Alaska for 13 years. Before Alaska I lived in Lebanon, Oregon, and before that, Northern Illinois.

Baker City was once a very wealthy town because of the gold mining in the area. During the gold mining era, many expensive, beautiful buildings were built, a lot of them downtown. Most of them have been restored to their original grandeur and are on the National Historic Register. Baker City is a very nice looking town, and very well maintained.

Property is still very reasonable in Baker City and the surrounding area. Check realtor dot com.

There is a small but modern hospital. Whether it has what you need, I don't know.

It gets cold in the winter. Maybe very cold by Western Oregon standards, but nowhere near as cold as Alaska. Actually, it's about that same as Northern Illinois in the Midwest.

If you are willing to water you should be able to have a garden. There are a lot of warm months.

Google Baker City, OR for more information.

[xboxmas]

You should try Ontario too.

[bobmulk]

I would look at Pendleton and Hermiston, also. There's a lot of agriculture in Umatilla County where both cities are located so that means one can grow a garden. No idea about medical facilities, although I'm sure Pendleton has a hospital.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by Bigdog745

We want to get away from the wet climate of the Seattle area and eastern Oregon or SW Washington seemed like a dry area. I had always heard that the NE part of OR and the SE part of WA had longer summers then up here and was much cheaper to live.

The Hermiston area along the river has about a 160 day median from frost to frost.

hermiston, oregon

As you move up from the river, things get frostier. Watch out for microclimates. In areas like Baker City, you are lucky to get 110 days frost to frost.

[we'reontheroadagain]

Baker was a nice little town to live in and raise a family in but now it has been flooded with retirees from California and Portland and they bring there big city attitudes with then. The housing market has soared in the last year. Watch out the Realtors are making a killing. Retirees don't stop to think about being stuck in-between two canyons in the winter, which makes going to Boise or Portland to see doctors/specialist, shopping or airports very tough at times. The Baker City post (in red) sounds like a Realtor!

[ReginaJamie]

Can anyone advise us on the taxes in Or. compared with Vancouver, Wa. My husband is a Machinest, I am disabled. So he would be looking for work. We also are trying to find homes or condo, that is in a nice town, safe and not to expensive. We have a choice where to live, but I am not to skilled in computer use. I found you all by mistake! A good one, Thanks for all your help. From hot, humid,watching and hidding form hurricanes, Florida! Regina

[iammarby]

You did not state what part of Eastern Oregon you are interested in... so it makes a reply a little more difficult.

We are living in Eastern Oregon... Nyssa, Ontario, Vale area...... & are about an hours drive from Boise Idaho... where there are very good medical facilities.
It may be a good idea to check out a few web sites & look at the statistics for the area you might be considering... that is what we did...before deciding to move away from our home of 20+ Years...We've now lived here for 2+ years & as with any change, there are adjustments to be made & things one has to get used to.

The area where we live is a big Farming area. So the ground is basically adept to gardening...

Housing is affordable... incredibly so...While the rest of the country is in a slump, Oregon seems to be holding it's own for the moment.

Wishing you all the best!

Originally Posted by Bigdog745

I have been reading a lot about different towns in Eastern Oregon about where to retire. I am especially interested in places where housing is very reasonable and is close to good medical facilities as my wife and I both need medical. We will be living on retirement pay so a conservative town would be really ideal, low living expenses. We would like an area that has a good garden growing season as we both enjoy gardening. If anyone can give some good advice, it would be greatly appreciated.