Does it make sense for us to consider SW Oregon for our retirement?

[Summertime]

Medford Precipitation Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual
Precipitation (inches) 2.7 1.9 1.8 1.2 1.0 0.6 0.3 0.5 0.9 1.5 3.2 3.3 18.9
Days with Precipitation 0.01 inch or More 14.0 11.0 12.0 10.0 8.0 5.0 2.0 2.0 4.0 7.0 13.0 14.0 102
Monthly Snowfall (inches) 3.2 1.2 0.7 0.2 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 < 0.05 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.5 7.3

Other Medford Weather Indicators Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual
Average Wind Speed 4.1 4.5 5.2 5.6 5.7 5.9 5.8 5.3 4.5 3.7 3.6 3.7 4.8
Clear Days 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 9.0 13.0 23.0 22.0 18.0 10.0 3.0 2.0 117
Partly Cloudy Days 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 8.0 5.0 6.0 6.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 79.0
Cloudy Days 24.0 19.0 19.0 16.0 13.0 9.0 3.0 4.0 6.0 12.0 21.0 25.0 169
Avg. Relative Humidity 63.5 79.5 71.5 67.0 64.0 58.5 53.5 50.0 52.0 57.5 67.0 79.5 80.0

[kadylady]

@jkgourmet, I don't live in Medford, but about 40 miles NW of there. If you travel during a winter storm, you will probably need chains while traveling on I-5 over the summits in No Cal and in Oregon. But, in town it's not a problem. Lots of rivers. The Rogue River runs thru Grants Pass and near a number of other towns. It's beautiful here in Oregon and the drive to any favorite fishing spot would be lovely. I hope you find your perfect home!

[Nell Plotts]

If I-5 around Medford is closed because of snow I doubt that it is because of snow in Medford but because of conditions in the Siskiyou Pass. There aren't many places for a truck to overnight south of Medford. The states of Oregon and California don't want to deal with jack-knifed trucks as they clear the pass.

When we drove to SF over Thanksgiving last year traffic on I-5 north was closed at Yreka because of weather related accident in the Pass.

[Hawk J]

@Jkgourmet, i've had loads of FUns fishin Lake Selmac, not far from Grants Pass.
Lake Selmac Resort

Maybe you could talk to the owner of the rental boats, work out a deal to keep your boat in the water.

[WyoNewk]

I've never lived in Medford but my wife was born there, lived there for 40+ years, and we try to get back now and then. I think it's a lovely small city. The summers can get very hot and dry, and there's not much breeze either, but it's certainly survivable. Winters aren't too cold (thermometer-wise), but there's a few months when it's very damp and dreary -- foggy and very little sun.

I think you should look into it further to see what you think. I know the fishing in the area is excellent, both via rivers and lakes, whether fishing with fly or spinning gear. Cost of living is pretty reasonable. The countryside is beautiful. I'd consider the coast, but my wife insists the foggy, cloudy weather would drive me nuts. It would be a short drive.

[esziegler]

Woahink Lake near Dunes City / Florence
We are looking to move here and wonder if anybody knows about the lake. Does it get particularly windy here? Is it a nice lake in general? Does it get smelly with algae?

Are there restrictions on having a houseboat that you do not actually live on? That is - if you have a house on the lake, can you have a small houseboat?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by OreNative78

According to the OP, snow is a no-go.

I doubt you'd love K-Falls, JK!

I think it said "minimal".

Medford area gets very minimal snow. It seemed rather inconsequential most of the winter.

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by Jkgourmet

Thanks everyone. If I am reading this properly, the Medford/Ashland area should remain on our list - when it snows, it has little accumulation, and is likely to occur only a couple of times each winter, correct?

and we should also consider Florence on the coast, but be aware that it rains quite a bit, yes? If that is accurate, are there other reasonably temperate areas on the coast we should look at?

thank you all again!

Medford is a fine area.

I like Grants Pass even better. Greener looking too.

Snowfall is minimal. Plus, if a climate data table says like 1 inch or 3 inches in a month, that's just what falls, especially at night, not the same as what remains after melting in the day time.