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Old 08-24-2018, 12:20 PM
 
388 posts, read 469,396 times
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My friend will retire next year and move to OR - the state where her daughter lives. She can't afford to live in the HCOL city her daughter lives in.

She is looking for a Low Cost of Living town with rent for a modest 1 bedroom apartment for $500 or so

Hopefully, the town will be located between the coastal range and the mountains (somewhere with roads with access to I-5).

Do you know of such a town with medical resources within a 30 minute drive?

Thanks for your help!
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Old 08-24-2018, 12:24 PM
 
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Where does her daughter live?
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Old 08-24-2018, 01:23 PM
 
Location: The beautiful Rogue Valley, Oregon
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The Coast Range (or, further south, the Siskiyou/Klamaths) is pretty much right on top of the coast, so that you either live on or very near the coast or the other side of the Coast Range - there isn't much between.

There are some smaller, less expensive towns in the Willamette Valley, but that is relative to Oregon housing prices in general. The problem is that small towns don't generally have much in the way of apartments. There are a couple 55+ apartments (not assisted living) in the Salem area she might check in to.


Cost of living is very similar in most Oregon cities (over, say 20,000 people). The real difference is in housing cost, highest in Portland, Ashland and areas of Bend.
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Old 08-24-2018, 01:34 PM
 
Location: North Idaho
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There are several tiny towns between Newport and Corvallis. Burnt woods, Blodgett, Wren, Eddyville, and a few others. They might not be big enough to have any rentals.

Try Toledo. Closer to the ocean but a lot lower coast than being right on the coast. There are rentals, restaurants, a few businesses there. Less fog, slightly warmer than right on the ocean.
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Old 08-24-2018, 01:41 PM
 
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Your region is the entire North South strip of Oregon,
so... narrow it down a bit...
Generally... stay out of commute distance to a bigger city, but within access to services

i.e. you will find lower costs within 30 min of Roseburg or Grants Pass (nice climate and area BTW) than you will find 30 min from Eugene or Corvallis (popular places with students and jobs). I would expect minimal livable spaces to be $800+ anywhere in Rural OR. Usually that will be an older Mobile home.

Options:
1) Apartment / bunkhouse / cabin on a farm / ranch or in the home of elderly
2) Shared space
3) house / pet / plant sitting gigs (winters will be Easy to find gigs)
4) Care taker / caregiver barter for free housing.
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Old 08-24-2018, 02:09 PM
 
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I wouldn't waste my time south of Eugene. The fires are only going to get worse every year. I also wouldn't count on $500 apartments in Toledo. You might try Oakridge; I see apartments listed fairly often, but it's farther than a 30 minute drive. $500 for one bedroom is going to be really tough to find, though. She might be able to get a studio in some places, but rentals have increasingly competitive.

Quote:
Hopefully, the town will be located between the coastal range and the mountains (somewhere with roads with access to I-5).
You're talking about between the Coast Range and the Cascades, right?

Last edited by Metlakatla; 08-24-2018 at 02:20 PM..
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Old 08-24-2018, 02:49 PM
 
Location: WA
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$500 is going to be really tough in western Oregon.

I would probably look at some Willamette Valley towns like Albany that are not college towns and outside commuting range of the larger cities. I doubt you'll find anythng for $500. But for a couple hundred more there are options in Albany. No idea of the neighborhood or quality though https://www.apartments.com/timberlin...ny-or/yq4nz7r/
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Old 08-24-2018, 03:24 PM
 
Location: Myrtle Creek, Oregon
15,293 posts, read 17,569,721 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke View Post
There are several tiny towns between Newport and Corvallis. Burnt woods, Blodgett, Wren, Eddyville, and a few others. They might not be big enough to have any rentals.

Try Toledo. Closer to the ocean but a lot lower coast than being right on the coast. There are rentals, restaurants, a few businesses there. Less fog, slightly warmer than right on the ocean.
There may be something in that price range around Noti or Mapleton. For $500, the best she could expect is a drafty shack that is expensive to heat.
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Old 08-24-2018, 03:36 PM
 
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Wow! Thanks for the quick and helpful replies.


"Where does her daughter live?"
She lives in Corvallis. I've been thinking if her mum could find a small apt where she could drive to visit daughter within a few hours, that would be great.

"You're talking about between the Coast Range and the Cascades, right?"
Yes.

I'll check out the towns you have recommended. Thanks for the tips!

My friend is currently 76 so she can't mow lawns and such to lower rent. And she might develop walking problems needing a walker.

Her age is why she needs to be within 30 minutes of a town with doctors and at least a lab and a clinic. I've seen so many elderly people buy a beautiful home out in the boonies 1+ hours from medical resources. It takes all day to go to 1 or 2 appointments because of the drive times, which they need to do sometimes twice a week. Exhausting.

Perhaps she needs to find a less expensive apt in Eastern Oregon. I was just hoping for something with access to I-5 so she and the daughter could visit more easily.

My friend is typical of many women her age who were military or earned poor wages. She was in the army in her 20s. Then was a school teacher (before pensions came along in her state) and is now a librarian. She loves the library work but it pays badly. She's tired and just wants a safe, affordable home.

This is a huge problem for our "working poor" elderly nationwide. No one wants to build affordable homes for them or low-earning families.

Thanks for your tips to solve this gal's problem!
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Old 08-24-2018, 03:47 PM
 
Location: Baker City, Oregon
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Sweet Home. A reasonable driving distance to Corvallis.
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