Most affordable parts of Oregon ? (Portland, Salem: housing, retirement, Walmart)

[Jim Mac]

I checked into Lagrande and Baker City, and they're both too cold. I want average highs in Jan. of at least 40-45.

[John Shaft]

Originally Posted by Jim Mac

I checked into Lagrande and Baker City, and they're both too cold. I want average highs in Jan. of at least 40-45.

Then you'll have to be on the rainy west side of the state.

[GypsyLaura]

West is rainy, East has snow.
West near the coast is pricy. East is affordable.
Medford Area is very hot and crime is high.
Small towns outside of Corvallis are still nice, Monroe, Alpine, etc.
I currently reside in between La Grande and Baker City. I lived in Yachats and Alsea. Family live in Portland and Medford.
We are putting our home up for sale because of construction jobs are not available any longer. Couldn't get a job as a paralegal here. My daughter did work at St. Elizabeth Hospital (always hiring) and my son at Fleetwood (just closed) and they both relocated.
I think what ever you decide you will be happy.

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by Jim Mac

Where would you recommend we look to retire to for the following?
Mild summers and winters, not too much rain, as little snow as possible, not too humid.
Small town(with basic grocery shopping, Walmart,etc).
Affordable housing
Low crime
Plenty of lakes nearby to fish
Mountain views
Catholic church
Reasonablby close to coast would be a bonus.
THANKS.

There isn't any place in the U.S. where you're going to find that set of self-contradictory wants. You say that you want "plenty of lakes" but "not too much rain, as little snow as possible." So where do you think the water that makes all these lakes is going to come from? Seems to me that you're trying to hang on to some of the things you like about Wisconsin while shedding the things you dislike about it. That's not going to happen. If you move somewhere else, life will be very different...every aspect of it.

[Nell Plotts]

Southern Oregon from Medford north to Salem would fit the winter temp target. There are lots of small towns with inexpensive housing. Pull out a map to find roads to the coast. Most towns have a Catholic Church, congregation size is another matter.

The issue is "not much rain". We have micro-climates. The rain falls when air currents rise traveling east off the Pacific. As a result the west side of the Coast and Cascade Ranges are very wet while the lee side away from the crest is comparatively dry. You need to take a look at the geography, even within a particular community.

Recently a book was published about weather in the Pacific NW. I hear it is well worth reading.

[pw72]

I'm going to suggest Roseburg, about halfway down the westside of the State. Small town, but big enough to support decent retail. Mild climate (with a rainy season during winter), scenic, close to the Cascades and the Coast. If too small, I agree Medford is another good candidate.

[StealthRabbit]

Sequim, WA should fit the bill and meet your requirements. I think you'll prefer the tax situation.
Sequim folks drive to Portland once / year for tax free shopping (should anyone be a consumer anymore..._)

Port Angeles is very close for college and other stuff (hospital...) + EZ day trip to Victoria BC.
Olympic Mountains are spectacular ~ 10 minute away. LOTS of snow in Mtns, but none in town. Water is about 1 minute away
Port Townsend is very nice and a good way to get to Whidbey Island (Nice too).

The rain shadow makes it one of the most moderate climate places in the PNW. But 'Less rain', doesn't mean 'More Sun', it can still be gray...
What Is The Olympic Rain Shadow? | KOMO News - Seattle, Washington | F.A.Q.
The rainshadow effect in Sequim Washington

OP may have moved by now...
If stuck on OR, It would almost have to be Grants Pass to Sutherlin, or on the coast.

[mikemorrow]

On the coast Coos Bay To Florance. Look it up

[beenhereandthere]

I would say, like some others have, either Grants Pass or Roseburg. Both are national average at worst, for a cost of living, maybe slightly less. Roseburg is farther away from other cities, but a little closer to the coast. Grants Pass is nice, but I've seen a few summer highs there 105 to 110 during the summer since I've lived in the Portland area.

[Jim Mac]

Thanks everyone.