1/2 hour from coast anywhere in oregon (Salem, Coos Bay: houses, to buy, to live)

[garymerenstein]

Just visited canon beach, oregon. thought it was awesome and am looking to maybe some day eventually move to oregon somewhere close to coast but not too close to coast as it costs too much to buy a place right on coast. Is there any cities besides portland, salem, eugene, that are closer to coast then those cities, but where there is still a decent amount of people that one can try to buy a meduim sized house that is less expensive then ones right on the coast and that are still close enough to coast that one can make a weekly trip to the coast without spending so much time driving? I realize, I am trying to have my cake and eat it too, but still thought it would not hurt to ask. thanks for any thoughts. gary

[Silverfall]

The coastal range is kinda in the way.

From my area there is Dallas Oregon which puts you closer, but then its Sheridan, Willamina and Grande Rhonde along the way. Very small towns. Dallas is a cute smaller town and its close to Salem so everything is right here. That might work.

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by garymerenstein

Just visited canon beach, oregon. thought it was awesome and am looking to maybe some day eventually move to oregon somewhere close to coast but not too close to coast as it costs too much to buy a place right on coast. Is there any cities besides portland, salem, eugene, that are closer to coast then those cities, but where there is still a decent amount of people that one can try to buy a meduim sized house that is less expensive then ones right on the coast and that are still close enough to coast that one can make a weekly trip to the coast without spending so much time driving? I realize, I am trying to have my cake and eat it too, but still thought it would not hurt to ask. thanks for any thoughts. gary

What do you consider a "decent amount" of people?

Is Cave Junction big enough? That's like 50 minutes from the coast. Fairly small town.

Maybe an hour drive will fit your population needs.

[backdrifter]

Coos Bay isn't too expensive is it? You can live in an inland area of the city and be REALLY close to the coast.

[davefr]

Tillamook is what you're looking for. Prices are reasonable and it's only 15 minutes to the coast.

[garymerenstein]

Thanks to everyone for thier responses. Am taking all this under consideration and will try to visit all of the places you mentioned over the next few years with goal of moving to oregon in future. Thanks again. gary

[garymerenstein]

Do you have any thoughts on price of real esate for a house about 1500-2000 square feet in coos bay (out skirts of town) or tilamook? Seems like it is way to expensive to live right on shore and houses I saw there all looked kind of weather beaten, anyway. thanks for any thoughts. gary

Originally Posted by Silverfall

The coastal range is kinda in the way.

From my area there is Dallas Oregon which puts you closer, but then its Sheridan, Willamina and Grande Rhonde along the way. Very small towns. Dallas is a cute smaller town and its close to Salem so everything is right here. That might work.

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by garymerenstein

Do you have any thoughts on price of real esate for a house about 1500-2000 square feet in coos bay (out skirts of town) or tilamook? Seems like it is way to expensive to live right on shore and houses I saw there all looked kind of weather beaten, anyway. thanks for any thoughts. gary

I don't have access to the coastal MLS, so I'd just have to look up info on Realtor.com, or Trulia.

Most of the homes on the coast will be weather beaten. They get some storms out there (which are cool to watch from the inside of a house with some warm cocoa...) but we don't have warm beaches here. The beautiful rugged coastline here wasn't created by mild waves. You can always paint more often, but most folks around here seem to prefer a more natural look. Maybe it's an Oregon thing, but the weather beaten homes are kind of part of the charm of these small coastal cities, I think.

[seashelly]

Originally Posted by Silverfall

....

Most of the homes on the coast will be weather beaten. .....You can always paint more often, but most folks around here seem to prefer a more natural look. Maybe it's an Oregon thing, but the weather beaten homes are kind of part of the charm of these small coastal cities, I think.

Oh, LOL, and all along I thought it was because we still don't have a Big Box Hardware Store.

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by seashelly

Oh, LOL, and all along I thought it was because we still don't have a Big Box Hardware Store.

I'll send you some paint from the valley...