Looking for nice retirement town in OR (Portland, Medford: real estate, how much)

[rmurf]

We are soon to be active retirees looking for someplace to retire. We are looking for:

Moderate climate - not too much rain and as much sun as possible; four seasons ok, just not too much snow
Moderate housing - $250-350,000 for something around 1500-1900 sq ft on at least 1/2 acre (need space for RV)
Excellent healtcare/medical facilities
LOTS of outdoor activities: kayaking, hiking, golf, biking
Nice safe, walkable city center/downtown area

Any suggestions, recommendations, etc. welcome

Thanks!

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by rmurf

We are soon to be active retirees looking for someplace to retire. We are looking for:

Moderate climate - not too much rain and as much sun as possible; four seasons ok, just not too much snow

How much is "too much" and how much is "as much as possible?" Give us a maximum number of precipitation days and a minimum number of annual hours of sunshine (use this link if it will help: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/climmaps/hrssun13.gif

Realize that you're looking for what everyone else is looking for and so supply-and-demand economics will be a factor. If a place has a good climate, good civic amenities and high livability, real estate will cost more. In areas where real estate is less expensive there's a reason why.
You're also not going to find the elusive "Poor Man's California" in Oregon. The only way that western Oregon can be as mild as it is this far north is because it's close to the Pacific. And this far north, that means that marine influence in winter will bring clouds and rain. The more land area and mountain ranges you have between you and the ocean, the sunnier winters will be.

Off the top of my head, I'm thinking Bend and Ashland come closest to your requirements. Bend is on the leeward side of the Cascades, so it's really more of a continental high desert climate. Ashland is at the eastern edge of the Rogue River Valley and in a partial rain shadow created by the Siskiyou Mts. It is more of a mid-altitude Mediterranean climate that averages just 19 in. of rain a year (but there is still considerable cloudiness and fog in winter). Summers are sunny, short and hot. Spring and fall are wonderful. Grants Pass on the other end of the valley has a similar climate and is also very popular with retirees and is ever so much more affordable.

[Silverfall]

you also didn't say if size of the city matters, but I would second Bend and Ashland as well. If you don't mind a bit more rain, then Silverton and Corvallis might work as well.

[StealthRabbit]

better add your other interests (need for college / arts community / airport) and political bent

I was gonna say Roseburg, since 'the Willamette Valley' can be kinda foggy and dreary, and you specifically said SUN.

Bend might have the real bargains, but realize if you pay $250k for a house that used to be $600k, it may never get above $300k value in the foreseeable future, if ever. There was a true 'bubble' in Bend. Most of the rest of the state had more of a 'surge' and has not fallen so far. (there are pockets of speculative similarities). The state should remain on the 'wish-list' of immigrants, but the state gov needs to get straightened out, as do most states.

[tytus]

Bend (central Oregon, sunny, tons of golf, etc.)
La Pine (central Oregon)
Ashland (Southern, sunny, small, artsy)
Grants Pass (southern, sunny, small, more hick-like)
McMinnville (Not far from Portland, cute and small, wine country, get's as much sun as Portland)

[backdrifter]

Originally Posted by tytus

Bend (central Oregon, sunny, tons of golf, etc.)
La Pine (central Oregon)
Ashland (Southern, sunny, small, artsy)
Grants Pass (southern, sunny, small, more hick-like)
McMinnville (Not far from Portland, cute and small, wine country, get's as much sun as Portland)

For the last time, Grants Pass isn't hick like.

However, it's not that sunny in the fall/winter/early spring and gets 30 inches of rain per year versus the 40 inches in the Willamette Valley and the 19" of Medford and Ashland.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Medford. It's still grey in the winter, but it's got less rain and is rather sunny in summer and more affordable than Ashland, and close to recreational activities and the cultural activities in Ashland, Jacksonville, and Grants Pass. The main thing is that the downtown has nothing interesting to speak of and you'll have to head to Ashland or Grants Pass for any really good restaurants or "downtown" style shopping. On the flip side, Ashland and Grants Pass folk must head to Medford for any of their big box style shopping, and there are plenty of chains and big box stores in Medford.

I'd also recommend Bend, though the winters last longer there and are much colder than Western Oregon's winters and somewhat snowy, though nothing like the winter snow back east. It is also sunnier in the winter though.

[Hawk J]

we ain't hicks bro. we iz country folk........................................ .................

[mddd]

I'd say Bend. Used to be too pricey but prices have come way down. East side of town should be no problem finding everything to meet your wish list.

Good health care, activities and people for retirement.