Couple of Coos Bay questions (Eugene, Bend: rent, house, college)

[massdane]

We just returned from a great trip to Oregon, and are still considering relocating there for retirement. I used to live in northern CA and
also Eugene, OR. I LOVE the Pacific Northwest, especially because I enjoy being outdoors pretty much year round We currently live in Arkansas, and I don't spend too much time outdoors in the winter or summer, because it's either too cold or too hot and humid, and the stupid bugs eat me alive!

My husband had never been to the West Coast before, but did like the lack of hot, humid weather, plus the beauty of the area. But, he didn't believe me when I told him about the lack of bugs. He liked the Coos Bay area, but has the following questions:

1) "My wife is 'chomping at the bit' to move to the OR coast area. She swears that there are no mosquitos or ticks...can that be true?
2) I'm a 'biker guy,' and wonder what the chances are for riding "in the sunshine" in the morning in Coos Bay or surrounding areas.

And, I have some questions as well. My idea of a perfect retirement is to live where I can be outside and active, year round (we're not your typical retired couple). I'm younger so will be working for a while, and am licensed as a massage therapist; I'm hoping that I can find work easily. I also am interested in relocating to an area that has the following: a good library, diversity of restaurants, good coffee shop, decent gym, bike paths, good live music, etc. Again, my husband is interested in the same, but also where he can grow a decent garden and ride his motorcycle.

And, how dog friendly is Coos Bay? I enjoy taking my dogs hiking and walking.

Thanks for any input!

[mirjanaf]

Follow your wife and believe her West Coast is something that you need to see to believe. She is perfectly right.
WELCOME TO WEST COST

[turnerfamily]

While your interests to be active outside all year round and riding in the morning sunshine,you might want to reconsider the coast.I lived there;by Coos Bay for 7 years and had enough.You see it rains alot,can be very windy with storms coming through and in the summer you'll have to deal with the fog that may or may not burn off.When the Willamette Valley gets hot it pulls the coastal air inland(which is great if you don't like the sun)which keeps things cooler.I would seriously consider going inland more if you like more sunshine.You don't have to go very far in some areas and if you like the coast it's a quick trip.How was your expierences in Eugene-it's a big bike town.

[Waterlily]

Yes we have mosquitos but you don't see them in winter. We do have bugs but maybe not as many as you have in Arkansas.Riding a motorcycle in winter would probably get you some rain in the face. People do ride them here.

You'll have a library in Coos Bay and one in North Bend. Both are pretty good. Being outdoors in winter and spring you'll get wet. The temperatures are not extreme here on the coast. You can do some gardening.

[pw72]

If you like cool weather year-round, then the Oregon Coast is for you. When I lived in Newport, (briefly), I noticed that even during NW heatwaves, it still was nice and cool along the coast. Bugs? Didn't notice any. But if you need 80 degree days and persistent sunshine, this isn't the place for you. For that, just go about an hour east into the Willamette Valley. Some days, you can start to feel the heat about 5-6 miles east of the coast!

[turnerfamily]

Well according to the weather people,Coos Bay gets a little over 64" of rain annually,with Dec.being the wettest (10+ inches).The warmest month is August with a avg.max.temp of 67 degrees.The coldest month is January,avg.min.temp 39 degrees.The good news-global warming.

[massdane]

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts so far! I'm used to coastal weather since I lived for many years in Arcata, CA...but my husband isn't, so guess we'll just have to check it out during the winter! I don't mind the winter weather...rain just makes everything more lush.

I can tell you that as I get older, I really like more moderate temperatures. Arkansas is very pretty, but the heat and humidity get to me, as do the extremes in temperatures. And, believe me, as many times as I've hiked in the woods and forests in OR, I've never gotten bug bites, and I used to live on 12 acres of Douglas Fir outside Eugene! The only time I experienced mosquitoes in OR was when I spent a few days at Brientenbush Hot Springs, and then only in the evening. Here in AR, I can't even sit out on our deck without getting eaten alive. I truly believe that OR is where I'm supposed to be...has always felt like home to me...just am unsure exactly where our retirement spot is...

Thanks again...and any more thoughts are appreciated!

[aaammmyyy]

there aren't that many bugs, but there are a few in the summer, not bad at all. Yes there are plenty of great places to bike in Coos Bay. the coos bay weather is great, the summers are mainly65-75, sunny, ocasionly cloudy, or misty, the winters are usualy50-65overcast, drizils, and sometimes sunny. the ocean air is clean, and there is no fog. Alot of retired people come to Coos Bay Oregon to retire, and I am sure you would fit right in.

[tiffela74]

coos bay.....
I live here and I love it! One of my co-workers doesnt own a car. He owns a bicycle and a moterbike. Thats how he gets around all the time. I worry about him in the winter, the rain makes visability a bit less and I worry someone in a car might get him, but its not happened before and I guess thats what bike lanes are for.
There are some wonderful places to ride around here...
pretty good athletic clubs....
libraries are good.....
resturants, theres a couple great ones. I like Los Dos Amigos, Mama Mia's, Benetties, Portside, the buffet at the casino.
uhh....live music...well, I dont know about that one.
Lots of dogs around here. We have a couple, and they seem quite happy. Theres lots of places for them to go run out here. Just remember your pooper scooper. lol
Oh, and unless youre right by a bog, or keep buckets of standing water all around you, your shouldnt worry much about skeeters and such bugs. The only bugs we've seen in excess are 1) tater bugs and 2) the last house we lived at had TONS of daddy long legs. ugh. - but if you keep your bushes trimmed too, not so many spiders.
We sure love living here, come visit and id say, rent before you buy! just in case.
oh, i do have to say, if you live right on the beach (as in you can toss rocks in the water from your yard) you will have fog. We lived right on the coast, and woke to fog pretty much daily. one mile inland, no fog. lol and it did burn off. Just wanted to let you be aware of that though.
Best of luck to you!
Tiffany

[massdane]

Thanks again for further updates! We've had such a miserable summer here in Arkansas...sigh...LOTS of heat and bugs...ugh! My husband is counting the days until his retirement now...he's decided he's really ready now to head to OR. We've got it narrowed down to Coos Bay and Corvallis...two really different spots, but lots of pros and cons about each. I guess it'll come down to which place we can find work for me and a house that we like!

We both really like the liberal atmosphere of Corvallis, since it's a college town. At the same time, we really like being near the ocean, and Coos Bay has motorcycle shops, which is an important thing for my husband. Both seem to be affordable, and offer the amenities that we desire.

Does anyone living in Coos Bay know anything about massage therapy or spas there? I've been licensed here since 1994 as a massage therapist, and should be able (according to their webpage) to get licensed in OR fairly easily. I don't want to work full-time, but rather 3-4 days a week. Am unsure how touristy that area is...but I would imagine I'd probably have an easier time finding work there than in Corvallis. I'll just have to check it out.

Also, my hubby is concerned about tsunamis. I know that along the OR coast, there are lots of "designated tsunami danger zone" signs...but I figured if we lived higher up, it wouldn't matter. Any comments about that?

Thanks again for any feedback!
Linda