Living in Depoe Bay? (Portland, Salem: co-op, house, to buy)

[RockyMtnr]

Have a new opportunity to move down to Depoe Bay to run a place that looks straight at the Ocean - which was wild today. I know what the traffic is like there most of the time and I know there's really nothing there for day-to-day shopping (is there?) but that calls for a trip to Lincoln City or Newport once a week or so ... I wonder what it's really like to live there.
Best Pacific Ocean view in the lower 48 just about.
Not too many places more beautiful.
Tsunami is only a word.
It's not Yachats (Yah-Hahts) - but it does have a harbor - that should be worth something.
Traffic is only gonna get worse.
I wonder if anybody has some facts or feelings I can use?
I'm already in Lincoln City. Sure, there're a few things "not quite right" but I'm by the beach and by the highway and by the forest and by the lake.
Would it be wrong of me to give all that up for Depoe Bay?
Is there anything "wrong" with the people or the place?

[tiffela74]

Ive never lived there...but if I had the opportunity to, Id leap on moving there!!! I love Depoe Bay. And you know, that little harbor/cove there? I hear each year the mamma whales bring their babies in. And stay for days sometimes. Now that would be about a terrific reason to move there! Not to mention that lovely little candy store..oh wait, which one!?? lol
not much of a drive to Lincoln City if you need something from a bigger store..or fast food. Why dontcha take a day and walk about, talk to those who work/live there and be nosy? Might learn a few things that help you decide one way or the other.
Im so very very envious of your opportunity!!
Tiffany

[tablemtn]

It's a very scenic place, but expect to be driving all the time up to Lincoln City to buy things. That's where the nearest full-sized grocery stores and general goods stores are located.

[RockyMtnr]

Thank you folks for your input so far. It helps.
I was actually looking forward, "TABLEMTN", to being able to drive to Newport a little more often. Lincoln City is so expensive and relatively limited "grocery-wise" and many other ways. As must as I despise WalMart, it beats Bi-Mart which is all Lincoln City has - except for the most expensive Safeway in the state ... and 7 miles of WALKABLE beach - I'm not sure if there's any sand-beach right there in Depoe Bay.
We will probably turn this down ... but my word, can you imagine anybody turning down Depoe Bay?
And whether we move down there or stay here in Lincoln City, the traffic is still horrendous - although it's calmed down nicely now that the folks from Washington are starting to stay home and the Californians find it too wet and cold.

[tablemtn]

Well, if your intention is to get to Newport more often, it's certainly easier to do that from Depoe Bay than Lincoln City. LC is closer to Depoe Bay than Newport by about three miles, but since the Newport Wal-Mart, Safeway, and Fred Meyer stores are all at the north end of town, the effective distance is probably a bit less.

But realistically, it's probably easier to do light shopping locally, and leave the big resupplies for the occasional journey to Salem or Portland. There is no Costco on the central Oregon coast...

[RockyMtnr]

Also no Winco.
Doesn't much matter to me - I'm Vegan (doc's orders) - which leaves me to Organic markets - of which there seems to be one in almost every town of size (no, not Depoe Bay) - and I can use the Fred Meyer in Newport to round out the shopping as they have quite the vegetarian section in their store.
Now, we turned the job down so, won't be moving to Depoe Bay after all - at least, probably not this year but to add a few things, Tablemtn:
The drive between Lincoln City and Depoe Bay is a bit shorter than heading to Newport - and a little bit of an easier drive as well. One small problem is, you have to drive all the way thru Lincoln City (7 miles approx) to get to Safeway! The scenery is a bit more spectacular heading to Newport.
It's also closer to "civilization" from Newport as the road to Corvallis and Salem and "The 5" is shorter and less congested. From Lincoln City, it's quite the drive even before the split that will carry you on to either Portland or Salem. Plus, the stretch of road coming into Lincoln City (US 18) is the second busiest highway in the state - and usually almost no fun at all.
I won't pretend to know a lot about Newport. I've made some efforts to find good food there but haven't. In Lincoln City - "Richens at the Beach" and the "Wildflower Grill" make the best plates of home-made style restaurant food that I've had in years. Vegans will prefer the Wildflower for their Lentil&Rice burger. Richens hasn't quite figured the concept yet but everything else is a treat!

[seashelly]

As for Tsunamis and Depoe Bay, ever notice how the older homes are built high up the side of the hill behind the shops? They know.
Depoe Bay is a fun place to visit but in off-season winter months several of the shop owners close and head off for Hawaii and the warmer climates.

[prairierose]

The most difficult part of the journey from Depoe Bay to Newport is Hwy. 101 between Otter Rock and Agate Beach. We live south of Newport near Seal Rock and occasionally drive to our son's house in Depoe Bay. During each trip we are amazed at the new breaks in the highway paving, or the new patches. We have lived on the coast for 30 years and have watched the progressive erosion of the edge. Hope ODOT can figure out what to do about it before it all washes out to sea!

[tablemtn]

The main organic market in Newport is Oceana Natural Foods, a co-op located a couple of blocks behind the intersection of Highways 20 and 101. It's not all that large, but it has a fair selection of products.

Oceana website

There is also a specialty Asian market called Mai's located in the same area, in a small strip mall along Highway 20 near the 101 intersection. It's not an organic or vegan market per se, but it has products of that sort.

In terms of restaurants, I'd agree that Lincoln City seems to have more options than Newport, probably because of the tourist trade coming in from Portland. I'd go through the menu guide in the local phonebook to see if there is anything interesting.