Looking For An Affordable Small Town, Near The Coast, Good For Seniors (Portland: extended stay, real estate)

[freepelican]

Given all your criteria and your Mom's reaction to Cannon Beach and other places, I would vote for Yachats. It's beautiful and has very easy access to the water. Almost the whole length, you can drive to the water and park and watch or get out and walk. It's got a small population (less than 1000) but there is a very strong sense of community with a very active community center with all sorts of interesting things going on all the time. There are lots of free thinkers, artists, musicians, retired scientists, writers, historians, nature lovers, etc in the area. Go into a coffee shop there and you'll surely hear an interesting conversation going on. There's no chains but there is one grocery store where she could get everyday supplies and she'd be about 30 minutes to Florence where there's a big Fred Meyer. Traffic wise it isn't bad at all. About 3-4 times a year, the population does swell because of festivals but even then it isn't that bad. The Celtic music festival is wonderful. It feels much less crowded than Newport and other places on the coast in part because the population is so much smaller but also because it is just more laid back... but also very civic minded. The main drag through town is highway 101 but it does not have the same feel as going through Newport, Lincoln City (yuck!!), etc. I would recommend renting one of those awesome cute cabins on the south end of town for a week so she can shop in the stores, walk around, etc and really get a feel for every day life there. Be sure to check out the coffee shop on the south end across from the grocery store (note the wind power, solar panels, dual flush toilet, reading material, etc)... and wonderful organic faire and hand poured organic coffees.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Originally Posted by mamiecole

..........(Small town, quaint main street, lots of affordable rental homes walking distance to downtown, conveniences such as banks/fast food/grocery stores/restaurants, low crime, easy access to hiking and outdoor activities) IN her price range of $1000 per month or less in rent. .........

That's Sisters, Oregon, if she is willing to give up the beach part of it. The highway runs through town, but it is posted at 20 mph and if you live on the south side of the highway, there is never any reason to cross to the other side of the highway.

I'm not so sure about the $1000 a month. There are cute small houses walking distance to town. There are art fairs and the quilt show and music festivals.

Both Bend and Redmond are close for excellent hospitals and good shopping. Sisters has grocery stores and day to day shopping, but most of the shops are art gallery and local crafts sort of things,

[plainbrowntabby]

Junction City. Everything but the beach. West of Hwy 99 lots of cute old houses and a few nice senior manufactured home parks. Do check it out. My Mom (76) loves it.

[Steve Pickering]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

That's Sisters, Oregon, ... ...
I'm not so sure about the $1000 a month. There are cute small houses walking distance to town. ... ...,

Sister's is nice, ......... for those who are well retired. The locals have trouble staffing the businesses because a rank and file worker can't afford to live there.

I don't think Sister's is the answer.

[freepelican]

Originally Posted by Steve Pickering

Sister's is nice, ......... for those who are well retired. The locals have trouble staffing the businesses because a rank and file worker can't afford to live there.

I don't think Sister's is the answer.

and it's nowhere near the coast as it sounds like she wants.

I'm hoping the OP will visit Yachats with her Mom and write back and tell us her opinion.

[Steve Pickering]

Start in Brookings and drive north to Astoria until something feels right.

[freepelican]

Originally Posted by Steve Pickering

Start in Brookings and drive north to Astoria until something feels right.

The only problem is how long it would take to get from the southern Oregon coast to the Portland Metro area... that will probably eliminate anything further south than about Florence.

[bler144]

Originally Posted by freepelican

The only problem is how long it would take to get from the southern Oregon coast to the Portland Metro area... that will probably eliminate anything further south than about Florence.

True, and even Florence is nigh on 3 hours in typical 2014 traffic.

[Steve Pickering]

Originally Posted by freepelican

The only problem is how long it would take to get from the southern Oregon coast to the Portland Metro area... that will probably eliminate anything further south than about Florence.

It's a beautiful all day drive, did you have something else to do? I have done it many times. Do it on a weekend and stop at the Redwoods and Oregon Caves on the way back.

[Hawk J]

"Life is Short"...Take your time, & smell the wild lilac's...(smell so good).........the beautiful Redwoods.