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No matter where someone retires on the coast, they'll have a better retirement experience if they would simply accept these coastal communities for what they are. It never fails that Florence newcomers immediately start complaining that they don't have the services they had in whatever part of California, and these small, relatively remote coastal communities just aren't going to have certain services, including dry cleaners, emergency vet clinics, and many types of medical specialists.
Another thing that's in short supply on the coast is blue-collar services. Restaurants and stores are often understaffed, so service sometimes isn't as good as elsewhere. I remember reading about a seasonal restaurant in Cannon Beach that had to close because they couldn't find enough employees. A lot of properties that used to be rentals are now vacation rentals, and there just aren't enough places for the working class to live. Finding electricians and housekeepers is kind of tough in some of these towns.
Those with pets who move here need to establish themselves with a vet when they first get here instead of waiting until Fluffy's at death's door and then crying all over local social media about the "heartless" vets here. I don't have anything but good to say about both of the vet clinics here in Florence, but they're overworked as it is and shouldn't be expected to be at the beck and call of newcomers 24/7. It's your responsibility to make sure your pets have access to care.
Things have gotten ridiculous with the property crime in Florence and I honestly would not live in this town outside of a gated community. Personally, I am tired of living in what is essentially a California retirement community and am looking for property Washington. Like most people who aren't yet retired, there's just nothing here for me. The community itself showed its true colors during the pandemic and the weeks leading up to the election, and those colors aren't pretty.
No matter where someone retires on the coast, they'll have a better retirement experience if they would simply accept these coastal communities for what they are. It never fails that Florence newcomers immediately start complaining that they don't have the services they had in whatever part of California, and these small, relatively remote coastal communities just aren't going to have certain services, including dry cleaners, emergency vet clinics, and many types of medical specialists.
Another thing that's in short supply on the coast is blue-collar services. Restaurants and stores are often understaffed, so service sometimes isn't as good as elsewhere. I remember reading about a seasonal restaurant in Cannon Beach that had to close because they couldn't find enough employees. A lot of properties that used to be rentals are now vacation rentals, and there just aren't enough places for the working class to live. Finding electricians and housekeepers is kind of tough in some of these towns.
Those with pets who move here need to establish themselves with a vet when they first get here instead of waiting until Fluffy's at death's door and then crying all over local social media about the "heartless" vets here. I don't have anything but good to say about both of the vet clinics here in Florence, but they're overworked as it is and shouldn't be expected to be at the beck and call of newcomers 24/7. It's your responsibility to make sure your pets have access to care.
Things have gotten ridiculous with the property crime in Florence and I honestly would not live in this town outside of a gated community. Personally, I am tired of living in what is essentially a California retirement community and am looking for property Washington. Like most people who aren't yet retired, there's just nothing here for me. The community itself showed its true colors during the pandemic and the weeks leading up to the election, and those colors aren't pretty.
OMG, you really need to get out of your gated community once in a while. Only a very small percentage of people on the coast live in gated communities, and most of them are not experiencing any remarkable amounts of property crime. Florence does seem to have a slightly high property crime rate. It's slightly above the Oregon average, but considerably below the national average, and considerably below other coastal communities. The slightly high property crime rate is also offset by an incredibly low violent crime rate. If you worry about property crime in Florence, then you wouldn't stand a chance any major city.
Quote:
MY CHANCES OF BECOMING A VICTIM OF A PROPERTY CRIME
1 IN 32 in Florence
1 IN 35 in Oregon
OMG, you really need to get out of your gated community once in a while. Only a very small percentage of people on the coast live in gated communities, and most of them are not experiencing any remarkable amounts of property crime. Florence does seem to have a slightly high property crime rate. It's slightly above the Oregon average, but considerably below the national average, and considerably below other coastal communities. The slightly high property crime rate is also offset by an incredibly low violent crime rate. If you worry about property crime in Florence, then you wouldn't stand a chance any major city.
Whatever for? I like not having to worry about porch pirates and other petty little criminal types. My comments are based on what people who actually live here are saying rather than Google-gleaned statistics. There are a lot of druggies in this town, and their antics are annoying.
I'll be down your way next week; bought a little chili-pepper red BMW I need a VIN inspection for and the Coos Bay DMV is the closest office I can get an appointment at. Maybe we'll cross paths.
Last edited by Metlakatla; 11-18-2020 at 10:36 PM..
No matter where someone retires on the coast, they'll have a better retirement experience if they would simply accept these coastal communities for what they are. It never fails that Florence newcomers immediately start complaining that they don't have the services they had in whatever part of California, and these small, relatively remote coastal communities just aren't going to have certain services, including dry cleaners, emergency vet clinics, and many types of medical specialists.
Another thing that's in short supply on the coast is blue-collar services. Restaurants and stores are often understaffed, so service sometimes isn't as good as elsewhere. I remember reading about a seasonal restaurant in Cannon Beach that had to close because they couldn't find enough employees. A lot of properties that used to be rentals are now vacation rentals, and there just aren't enough places for the working class to live. Finding electricians and housekeepers is kind of tough in some of these towns.
Those with pets who move here need to establish themselves with a vet when they first get here instead of waiting until Fluffy's at death's door and then crying all over local social media about the "heartless" vets here. I don't have anything but good to say about both of the vet clinics here in Florence, but they're overworked as it is and shouldn't be expected to be at the beck and call of newcomers 24/7. It's your responsibility to make sure your pets have access to care.
Things have gotten ridiculous with the property crime in Florence and I honestly would not live in this town outside of a gated community. Personally, I am tired of living in what is essentially a California retirement community and am looking for property Washington. Like most people who aren't yet retired, there's just nothing here for me. The community itself showed its true colors during the pandemic and the weeks leading up to the election, and those colors aren't pretty.
I think this is an amazing post. I agree with everything you posted. We are in no hurry but want to retire on the coast. Definitely looking at gated communities and condos. The property crime and homeless everywhere are quite disturbing to those of us from places that don't have these problems. The lack of serious violent crime is a huge plus though.
The problem is that the Oregon Coast is not like most other coastlines in the US from Maine to California. Where there are cities nearby, or a level of population and wealth that supports the sorts of infrastructure that most retirees want and desire. It's not a cold weather Sarasota or Santa Barbara. Much of it is remote, rural, and isolated. Worse still, most people visit in the summer when the place is packed with day tourists and the towns, restaurants, and shops seem relatively buzzing. And they assume that is what things are like the other 9 months of the year.
For me the answer to the question of the best place to retire on the coast is a town like Corvallis or McMinnville. Where you have far superior weather and year-round services and culture. And you have actual neighbors not a stream of AirB&B guests on all sides. And as a retiree you can still get to the beach in an hour or so any day that you choose.
Whatever for? I like not having to worry about porch pirates and other petty little criminal types. My comments are based on what people who actually live here are saying rather than Google-gleaned statistics. There are a lot of druggies in this town, and their antics are annoying.
I'll be down your way next week; bought a little chili-pepper red BMW I need a VIN inspection for and the Coos Bay DMV is the closest office I can get an appointment at. Maybe we'll cross paths.
No, don't do it. Coos Bay is too dangerous for you. The property crime rate is 35% higher in Coos Bay, then in Florence. Your BMW will be stolen, stripped and burned before you can even get the VIN inspection done. If you go through with it anyway, hire a team of armed bodyguards to escort you, until you can get back to the safety of your gated community. LOL.
I agree that moving a little ways inland may be a better choice for many than deciding to live right on the coast. Also:
Quote:
And you have actual neighbors not a stream of AirB&B guests on all sides.
This is another reason for looking at gated communities. A lot of AirbnBs are nothing but party houses anymore with revolving casts of characters, and gated communities don't allow short term rentals. It seems like everyone with a dilapidated old moldy beach shack has jumped on the AirbnB gravy train and don't care much about the negative impact they have on the communities involved.
I saw one out-of-state AirbnB owner complaining all over social media because they couldn't find an "affordable housekeeping service" for their rental. Serves them right as far as I'm concerned.
Retirees should also consider that there may come a time when they age out of these coastal communities when/if the time comes when they need more care than what's available here.
Cloudy, I was hoping you and I could race. I heard you like going 90 mph down 101. Pretty sure my little car would leave your Honda in the dust, though.
I saw one out-of-state AirbnB owner complaining all over social media because they couldn't find an "affordable housekeeping service" for their rental. Serves them right as far as I'm concerned.
This is almost a perfect scientific example of a positive feedback loop:
1. People take housing out of the long-term rental market and devote it to more profitable short-term rentals.
2. Demand for housecleaning services increases
3. Low-wage service workers like housekeepers can no longer find housing on the coast so either have to leave or increase their prices.
4. "Affordable' housekeeping services are no longer available on the coast.
^ I think it was you who said in another thread that these small Oregon towns are declining to the point where they can't be brought back...I agree. Florence and a few other places has the added element of a constantly revolving door of out-of-state retirees, many of whom immediately start complaining the moment they arrive because things were different in California.
Here's the latest Florence nonsense: a developer is building a few high-end homes up by the golf course, and the crying about how these aren't going to be affordable for the average resident has already reached fever pitch. In the meantime, another developer has plans for some apartments and single-family homes in another part of town that, while not specifically designated as low-income properties, will help ease the housing crunch and possibly be affordable for some of the blue-collar families, but the crying and screaming from Florence "residents" has been nearly nonstop since this project began because it will increase traffic on the main road where the gated communities are located, and there has been a huge community effort to try to get this project derailed.
Meanwhile, across town in a more low-rent area, someone has built 12 smallish homes for low-income buyers, and they look like a pretty good deal for those with modest incomes, but they're having trouble finding enough applicants for these properties.
Some poor sap is trying to start a Burger King franchise on Highway 101, and true to form, the transplants are crying to beat the band because it's "not what they moved to Florence for." These people will support any cute little Bay Street bistro with precious, overpriced food and nowhere to park, but heaven forbid they should have to drive past a Burger King to get there. I don't eat fast food myself and won't be patronizing the new Burger King, but I'm not interested in trying to deny someone else the opportunity to make a family-wage living — it's my understanding that these franchisees do fairly well. And the local teenagers can always use another employment option. But the hypocrisy reaches new levels because many of those opposing the Burger King are the same people salivating at the very mention of In and Out Burger, another California scourge.
I am moving to Washington and won't miss much about Florence.
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