Where to retire on the Oregon Coast (Coos Bay, Newport: appliances, how much)

[Ergo61]

Planning a 7-9 day trip down the Oregon Coast next week. The purpose is to pick out our retirement area to move to this summer. Will be looking from Tillamook down to about Reedsport. What we are looking for:
- Not more than 30 minutes from the coast max.
- Not more than 30 minutes from shopping, hospital etc.
- Good places to razor clam (easy access)
- Fishing for sea bass and lings from shore and crabbing ( I do not have a boat)
- Areas with the least amount of wind ( I know it is mostly always windy everywhere along the coast, but have heard some parts are worse than others)
Kind of been eyeing the Depot Bay area, and maybe Toledo. Depot Bay is the farthest south down the cost line that we have been.
We live in Eastern Washington (Wenatchee Valley area).
Anyone have any suggested areas we should check out??

[NW Crow]

Some fishing information here:

Salt Water Fishing in Oregon (http://www.oregonfishingforum.com/salt-water-fishing-oregon/ - broken link)

In terms of average housing prices it appears to be from highest to lower: Depoe Bay, Newport, Florence, Toledo, Walport, Coos Bay, Reedsport, Tillamook, Lakeside.

The right balance of quiet, city services or driving to them and fishing is a personal call. Being between Florence and Coos Bay might appeal to me. Reedsport or Lakeside depending on how much you want the city and how much driving you will tolerate. Between those two choices, there would be the question whether one would be happy enough with Coos Bay as your nearer regional city or not or whether you'd want about equal but fairly long access to both. Lots of fishing options available in that stretch.

[Ergo61]

Thanks NW. We do not need major shopping malls. Walmarts, Fred Meyers, Sears or home depots and such are fine. We are both pretty laid-back and do not need the fast pace mega shopping or night life entertainment -n- stuff like that. Quiet is nice. The link you added is great!

[NW Crow]

Glad you found the fishing link useful.

On shopping:

WalMart in Newport and Coos Bay.
Fred Meyers in Coos Bay, Florence, Newport and Tillamook.
Sears in Coos Bay.
Home Depot- looks like you'd have to drive to a bigger city on the I-5 corridor to find one.

For these name brand stores, Coos Bay has the edge followed by Newport.
There may be other national brands stores of these types in the towns.

[Brenda-by-the-sea]

Originally Posted by Ergo61

We do not need major shopping malls. Walmarts, Fred Meyers, Sears or home depots and such are fine.

I got a good chuckle out of that. All of those places would be considered "big-city shopping" by coastal standards. If you need much more than a Ray's Food Place and a Do It Best hardware store, you'll be limited to a choice of just the 3 or 4 most populous cities on the coast. Corporate chain stores need a substantial population base before they'll invest in the infrastructure to set up shop. Most towns on the Oregon coast have fewer than 5,000 residents.

[rebalol]

Originally Posted by Ergo61

Thanks NW. We do not need major shopping malls. Walmarts, Fred Meyers, Sears or home depots and such are fine. We are both pretty laid-back and do not need the fast pace mega shopping or night life entertainment -n- stuff like that. Quiet is nice. The link you added is great!

If you considered as far south as Brookings, we have a Fred Meyer along with an Ace store that has a good selection. There is also a locally owned Sears store that sells lawn equipment and appliances. However, if you need more, 25 miles south in Crescent City, there is both a Wal Mart and a Home Depot.

Reba