Iowans considering relocating (Portland, Eugene, Salem: spring break, for sale, condos)

[sueanddave]

Hello everyone!

My wife and I are facing retirement in a few years time and are actively researching possible communities. We've visited Oregon several times over the years and find it to be very appealing. Yes, I know it rains frequently, but in Iowa we've put up with winters of 20 degrees below zero and summers 100 degrees +, so a little (or even a lot) of rain seems minor in comparison. We are particularly interested in the coastal communties (it's a long way to the beach from Iowa), and would be interested in any input you might be willing to provide for us. Our children are grown and gone on to their own lives, so school systems really don't matter to us. Jobs aren't really a concern either...maybe something part-time to relieve the boredom, but no career concerns.

What experiences do you have to share with us, either life-long locals or recent emigrants? I'll look forward to hearing from you.


Dave

[PNW-type-gal]

Most of the town on the coast are very small - what are you looking for in retirement, other than to be near the beach? The economy currently tends toward tourists and not much more (Astoria, Tillamook, Coos Bay being pretty much the exceptions).

[sueanddave]

Hmmm...you don't seem all that cranky. Actually, our needs are pretty minimal. We currently live in a small town of about 2500 people (although there is a major university community ten miles away). A community with a decent grocery, a restaurant or two, and a friendly neighborhood tavern or bar and grill would meet our needs nicely. I know that doesn't give you a lot of helpful input, but what we're looking for is someplace where we can relax, enjoy the ocean, find peace and quiet, and never see a major snowstorm again.

Thanks for responding!


Dave

[mamh]

We are newbies to Salem , only 5 years from the other state down the road to the south...
Have you ever lived by the ocean??? Its wonderfull ...We live about 100 miles inland find it most comfortable..
The biggest issue we as retirees have seen and heard from people living on the coast is good medical care...Ask you HMO how your coverage would work..
come out for a visit and stay in some the downs up and down the coast and see where they are in proportion to Portland Medford Eugene and Salem all with excellent Hospitals...
Start watching weather patterns on coastal towns ect.
We love all the fresh furit and veggies that are in the local veggie stands now..So look forward to this time of year for summer candy as we call it..
Good luck.

[PNW-type-gal]

Waterlilly (a forum mod) can give you better advice, but take a look at the City-Data listings for Newport/Agate Beach, Seaside, Depoe Bay, Florence and then maybe the far south - Gold Beach, Brookings. Coming from the midwest, some of the beach communities will have a bit of sticker shock in housing prices (look at Cannon Beach, for instance).

[bobmulk]

Pretty much any place on the Coast is going to work for you. Because you're going to be retired, you apparently don't have to worry about income or employment. Here are a few places to check out.

Brookings: Southern Oregon Coast, right at the California border. It's called the "banana belt" of the Coast because, while the coast is generally rainy or wet, Brookings oftentimes has warm, sunny weather. This is due to the unique geographical layout of the area. Brookings is a huge retirement area and a gorgeous little community. You would find enough places to shop and dine. Population: 6500.

Coos Bay/North Bend: Also on the south coast, it's much larger community with even more shopping and dining opportunities. This area is much more blue collar. The downturn in logging severely affected this area. But, an influx of retirees, artists and self-employed people has helped somewhat. There's a casino with a brand new 7 story hotel. You'll find this area to be more blue collar. There can be good weather here, although it will be rainy, sometimes windy. Population: 26000

Florence: Another retiree hotspot. A few years ago it was highlighted as one of the top retirement spots in the country. It's right along the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Florence has a fantastic historical downtown right along the Siuslaw River with some good restaurants. All along Highway 101 you'll find great eateries, too. There's also a new casino/hotel here. This area has a demographic mixture but will be less blue collar. Weather is still good here although more rain because you're heading north. Population: 7500

Newport: Fantastic waterfront with a functional fishing economy. There's shops, restaurants and you can watch the sea lions along the jetty. Nye Beach is a glorious little neighborhood. Yaquina Bay Bridge is majestic. Huge tourist economy which means lots of places to shop and eat. More rain as you go north and Newport gets a lot. If there's a wind storm, it can get strong on the Coast. Newport also has the Hatfield Marine Science Center (free) which is excellent and the Oregon Coast Aquarium--also excellent. Population: 10500

Lincoln City: More kitschy and touristy. Taft area is very nice and refurbished with bay lodging and eateries. Lots of places to shop and eat--Black Fish is one of my faves. Another Indian casino with a hotel--they get top acts like Kenny Rogers, Tower of Power, Three Dog Night. Population: 7500

Tillamook: Tillamook has always been nice when I've been there. It's a little inland; it's on Tillamook Bay so it's not right on the Coast. Tillamook Cheese Factory is there which is interesting and fun. The downtown is one of those old fashioned downtowns out of the fifties with a furniture store, a hardware store, etc. Population: 4800

Seaside: Seaside is one of the biggest tourist draws in Oregon. It has Broadway with its turnaround which is a big attraction due to the tourist shops and restaurants. There are actual high rises lining the seafront which I think is kinda cool. Plenty of shopping, although spring break can get crazy from all the kids in town. Hotels everywhere. Population: 6500

Astoria: Very historical. "Kindergarten Cop" was filmed here. The Astoria Bridge is glorious and majestic. The downtown is undergoing rejuvenation with trendy shops and restaurants. Many refurbished Victorian homes in the historical area. The waterfront now sprouts condos, restaurants and a very good maritime museum. Very rainy much of the year. Population: 10000

Of course, there are numerous tiny communities all along the coast. There are several truisms on the Oregon Coast--art galleries are everywhere. There is a substantial artist population all along the coast. They are attracted by the unparalleled beauty and the clash of cultures--sophisticates building mult-million dollar mansions, campers, unemployed loggers, urban expats seeking a better way of life, etc.

You will also find a mindset that doesn't like change and a mindset that hates growth. This, along with a mindset that is pushing for economic advancement. But then, that's Oregon--a state of dichotomy!

Since you've been here, you know what it's like. I'd like to retire on the Coast. It's so beautiful and there's lighthouses, parks, museums, shops, bistros, coffee houses, wine bars, kite shops, etc. There' SO MUCH to discover. I envy you! Good luck.

[sueanddave]

Thank you all for the quick and informative responses -- a very helpful, friendly forum here!

Regarding sticker shock, I've already had that experience by doing a little browsing around on line. Fortunately, by the time I retire our current home will be fully-paid for, so we hope to have a good portion of the payment price for our retirement home in pocket. Anything right on the beach is probably out of the question, but there seem to be relative affordable properties within a mile or so of the ocean.

Bob -- thanks for all of the information! I'll do a little more research here over the weekend and see if I can narrow things down a bit and come back with more specific questions.

Thanks again to you all!


Dave

[mikemorrow]

Hey guys, I just made the move from Iowa, got here 3 weeks ago. The temp is great, and so are the people, view, and everything else! There are many coastal towns that would work for you. Part time jobs everywhere. I would stay off the coast by around 5-6 miles. The beach has wind and the temp drops 5-10 degrees. Another words you can travel 5 miles and everything will change. I just love it here. Miss my friends, but I would not go back (happly move them out here with me) I don't think that you will find a better place on earth. Cost of living is a little higher but without the heating and cooling bills. Many houses for sale, and the prices are droping.

[Waterlily]

Hi Sueanddave! Plenty of people have decided to retire along the coast of Oregon. If you are looking for a city about the same size as the one you live in now then take a look at Bandon. There's some good golf courses there, and the town sits along the beach.

Myself I moved here to the Coos Bay/North Bend area about 4 years back. I am liking it a lot. We don't get much snow but we had one day last winter when we had some flakes falling for a little while. It was quite a sight to see as they were big flakes. They did melt the same day. That's about all the snow you are likely to see here. Summers like now are just great. We had a high temperature of 73 degrees today. Winters will be wet with storms that come in regularly. There are times in between storms where it is not raining.

The ages of people here is mixed. Some are retired,and some are yourng families. There's middle class,poor, and rich here.