Retirement Choices in Oregon (Coos Bay, Brookings: living, gardening, beaches)

[ctullyca]

Hello All,

We are looking at various West Coast location options for retirement.
Things are are looking for:

Near the coast
Relative balance in weather. Of course perfection is not a reality, but we want some sunshine, especially in the spring/summer months. Living most of our lives in the North East, we get it. Winters can be tough, summers humid. So we are looking for calmer winters, and enjoyable summer months where there is a balance of sunshine. A sense of community, gardening, outdoor activities, wine country, by or very near the seaside.

We have been told that Oregon is a good choice, specifically Coos Bay and Brookings.
My husband has spent a considerable time in Oregon and loves. I have traveled to Oregon a few times, and do not feel I have any true understanding of this State.

I wonder if anyone here can give me some feedback based on real-time experience

We are thinking of a trip sometime in mid to late November to get a better feel for the Southern Coastal areas. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated....

Many thanks to you for sharing anything you wish to share.

[Nell Plotts]

I suggest you look at Brookings. There are threads on this forum that discuss the mild weather there, by all accounts it attracts an older crowd. It is 26 miles north of Crescent City, CA (which is usually colder).

Weather Brookings effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I agree. Check out Brookings.

[Steve Pickering]

Brookings is your only coastal choice with consistent sunshine. Summer fog is common and the other three seasons have the drizzles. The Oregon coast is not for sun lovers.

Having said that the Oregon coast has more solar days (Solar Cells) than western Oregon. That is usable days for solar energy.

[Beenhere4ever]

Originally Posted by Steve Pickering

Brookings is your only coastal choice with consistent sunshine. Summer fog is common and the other three seasons have the drizzles. The Oregon coast is not for sun lovers.

Having said that the Oregon coast has more solar days (Solar Cells) than western Oregon. That is usable days for solar energy.

You just named one of my favorite things about the Oregon coast. Uh, not the solar days.

[Social Democrat]

My impression is that Brookings isn't all that "sunshiney" and has a lot of rainfall in the fall/spring/winter along with heavy fog in the summer - no? A beautiful place otherwise!

[Hawk J]

You might wish to live in the mountains with southern exposure, a bit inland, where summer is warmer & Sunny, not much wind. We're protected by the mountains, at about 2000'. Usually pretty mild winters, nice beautiful spring & fall...

Visit the coast & beaches when you want. It's not very far.

Best of luck to you.

[Steve Pickering]

Brookings is called "The Bannana Belt of Oregon" by the locals who know.

Don't expect much vegatable gardening in the coastal area.

[Nell Plotts]

Agree with Steve.

[ClassicCarFamily]

The coast is beautiful! But not what you would think of as another poster said for "sun lovers" We lived inland about 50 miles from the coast. We would like to come back to the PNW to retire sometime soon too!