Anyone On This Site Actually Live In These Towns? (Portland: condos, motel)

[Topher]

Hello again. Just a thought. Anyone viewing these messages actually live or have lived in any of the following places: Cannon Beach, Newport or Seaside? Would love to hear from somebody with actual roots there. It would be much appreciated...

[Waterlily]

Those places are popular tourist spots but the all year populations are small.

I'm posting on this with the hope that someone who lives there will see this. Many of us have been to some of these towns on vacation. If you live inland lots of people go to the coast when it gets hot in the inland valleys.

[Topher]

Originally Posted by Waterlily

Those places are popular tourist spots but the all year populations are small.

I'm posting on this with the hope that someone who lives there will see this. Many of us have been to some of these towns on vacation. If you live inland lots of people go to the coast when it gets hot in the inland valleys.

Thanks again, Waterlilly. The lack of responses obviously validates what you have said. Do these area's tend to turn into ghost towns in the off-season making them deserted places to be at? Kinda like being the camper who stays on site after everyone else leaves. I'm sure it's not that bad but was wondering what it's like during the slow times....

[Waterlily]

I know Newport is not a ghost town. I have been there in the off season. It would have a lot less traffic in the off season but that would be okay. The other places I have not been to except during summer.

Has someone been to these places during off season?

[janb]

I go only in off season (I don't do traffic...).

They probably are busy mowing their lawns (2x per week) as the weather is decent at the moment (rare)...

Also they are not the 'internet' type, and maybe they have very slow dialups and have to pay by the minute like me!

Newport is mostly a 'full-time' small city. Tho there are some areas of condos, and plenty of motels. It has lots of services. Can be foggy and cold in the summer. (rainy and cold in the winter). But actually has often been very nice on most of the 20-50 times I've been there. I like it much better than Lincoln City (too touristy / expensive, traffic nightmare when there is an accident (frequently), there are very limited 'short-cuts'); if I were to live on the coast. (actually I would live at Arch Cape, or Manzanita, just because I prefer the north coast, and ez access to an international airport). Newport has better 'shortcuts' to avoid the high traffic of 101. (both on the ocean and the mainland side of 101) it is a 'wider' city, and not restricted with a lake in the middle of town like Lincoln City. Also the commute to 'the city' is not as dangerous from Newport. The Casino's and plenty of bars are a deterrent to safety on the 2 lane roads. Lots of head-on collisions. Buy a Kenworth for a fighting chance on Highway 18.

[Topher]

It hopefully, wont be too much of a shock as I am used to driving in heavy traffic,although dont enjoy it either. Teaches you to drive very defensively. As this has been a much talked about topic...As a young teen I lived in West Virginia for a year. Came upon a very serious accident which had life threatening injuries. Took medical "FOREVER" to arrive.Surprised no died on scene. Is this somewhat of a problem along the coast (I've read Newport has a good sized medical facility) due to sparse population?

[FeatheryFern]

We live just down the coast from Newport.

It's nice during tourist season -- they seem to bring vitality, sunshine and shirt sleeve weather. Of course, some of them bring their "big city attitudes" and that's always sad. One should relax when on the coast - because nothing moves fast here.

It's nice here after tourist season too. All of us "locals" take a deep breath and reclaim our very quiet life. We also say good-bye to the warmer weather, and our "summer friends".

Yes, the population explodes all over the coast in the summer. Not just tourists, but the "snow birds" who summer here and winter elsewhere.

Also they are not the 'internet' type, and maybe they have very slow dialups and have to pay by the minute like me!

Nah. We'd curl up and die without books and the internet. Most everyone here has high-speed internet - in fact I don't know anyone who has dialup around here. Newport might have cable internet, not sure.

Lots of head-on collisions. Buy a Kenworth for a fighting chance on Highway 18.

Hwy 18 is bad all year round. Hwy. 20 is still tricky and we see more accidents in the summer, mainly because of all the traffic. Winter accidents are usually in the bad weather and folks driving too fast.

Yes, Topher, it can take time for emergency personnel to arrive at an accident. It's important to remember that there are lots of areas on the "main roads" over from the valley where cell phones don't work, so sometimes it requires someone to be able to drive out of the area to call for help.

We don't drive inland at night. The roads just are too narrow, twisty, and dark to make the drive fun. Actually, you won't find a lot of traffic on Hwy. 101 at night either. Same reasons: narrow, twisty, and dark -- and sometimes fog.

The hospital in Newport is okay, but I wouldn't call it "good sized". Depends on what you are comparing it to.

Are you thinking of moving here, or just coming to visit?

[Topher]

Featheryfern... In all probability I would settle along the coast for at least a good portion of the year if I find an area to my liking. Cost of coastal housing is a concern but hope I will be able to find something that is perhaps a stretch now but will pan out to be a good investment years down the road. Not ancient yet so medical should be more or less a mere adjustment to what i've been used to pretty much all my life. I am a stormy ocean lover and rain really isnt too big of a deal..thats what fireplaces, good books and progressive jazz music are made for . Plus, I love to cook and can get lost in the preparation, sometimes more so than the actual eating experience. Sometimes ya just gotta leap with both feet and let things play out. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be!

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by Waterlily

I know Newport is not a ghost town. I have been there in the off season. It would have a lot less traffic in the off season but that would be okay. The other places I have not been to except during summer.

Has someone been to these places during off season?

I go to Newport, and the previous cities mentioned in the opening post, so often, I may as well live there.

And we would too, if I didn't need a big metro area like Portland to do business.

Thats why we are moving back to Washington County. We wanted Cannon Beach, but there is not enough population for my niche.

If I was retired, I'd take a city on the coast in a heart-beat.

Newport is big enough to be self-sustaining without going inland much. Cannon Beach is close enough to Portland, that the occassional 70 minute drive for "Big" shopping, takes less time than watching a movie.

Those towns do mellow-out in winter, but not enough to discourage me from driving there every 2 weeks. Newport that you mentioned, probably seems to keep a "business as usual" pace all year.

[FeatheryFern]

Topher, sounds like you will be a good "fit" for the Oregon coast.

Jazz ... most any kind is good (big jazz festival in Newport every year). Ever listen to Mike Strickland? He's possibly a bit tame for your taste, but I find his music soothing to my soul.

Originally Posted by Topher

Sometimes ya just gotta leap with both feet and let things play out. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be!

Very true! That's what we did when we retired. Our families thought we were crazy, but we're happy as clams here.

Good luck as you search for a house.