• About
• Latest Posts

Jodie Chiffey

Senior Citizen Advocate at WizerList

Jodie is passionate about helping senior citizens, and aging adults connect with their loved ones, find the best retirement communities, understand more about pension-related schemes as well as help make informed purchases for aged care-related products, and a lot more.

Latest posts by Jodie Chiffey (see all)

• Belmint Electric Foot and Calf Massager Review - October 31, 2021
• The Best Bathroom Grab Bars for Elderly on the Market! - March 12, 2020
• Bay Alarm vs. Life Alert: Which Medical Alert System to Choose? - July 25, 2019

When it comes to choosing where you want to retire, you may want to consider Oregon. With its temperate climate, vibrant arts scene and beautiful coastal views, you won’t be stuck for things to do, especially if you love to be outdoors and want to stay fit and healthy. There’s a lot to consider when deciding where to live: so, where are the best places to retire in Oregon?

We’ll take a look at some of the towns and suburbs favored by retirees in Oregon. What do they like about living there? Why are these towns particularly good for retired citizens? We’ll be looking at the cost of living, crime rates, population, and the political leanings of each location. We’ll also have a look at the attractions in each town, helping you to make the right decision based on what you enjoy doing. After all, this is your time in life to relax and pursue what you love to do!

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Deciding

Before you decide on a place to settle down, there are a few questions you may want to ask yourself:

Who Will I Be Living Near?

Community is important, especially in retirement. As you age, you may want to know there is a secure support network in place for you. For many retirees, that support network is comprised of family or friends, with many people deciding to retire near their children or grandchildren. Or, you may want to settle somewhere entirely new, in which case, you will want to be in a safe, friendly community where you can find friends. You may want to live in an area with similar political leanings to you. Also, if you are a military retiree, settling in a place with likeminded people may be even more important to you.

What Climate Suits Me?

Do you prefer colder winters? Or do you prefer warm weather all year round? Do you want to be able to see the changing of the seasons? The climate will impact your enjoyment of day-to-day life. There’s no point in living somewhere with very hot summers if the heat makes you sick. Similarly, if you find it difficult to get around in the snow (especially if you are less mobile), then very cold winters may not suit you.

What Costs Do I Have to Consider?

As well as the standard costs that come with moving home, there are also a few other things to consider. What is the cost of living in your chosen town or city? Can you cope with an increase in bills and expenses? Or are you looking to retire somewhere with a lower cost of living? Will you have to pay Home Owner’s Association fees? Will you have enough money left after bills to enjoy all the activities your new location has to offer? This is usually one of the main deciding factors for people trying to find somewhere new to live, for obvious reasons.

What Will My New House Be Like?

If you’re planning on having relatives to stay, then a bigger house may be what you’re after. Or, like many retirees, you may be choosing to downsize at this stage in your life. It’s worth looking around if you can to see what your budget will be able to get you. Plus, you may have to consider any extra costs if you have a disability, for example, making sure your home is accessible by wheelchair.

Will I Be Safe?

Another thing to consider is your safety. What are the crime rates like in your chosen area? This may be a deciding factor for you. Also, you may need to consider the proximity of healthcare facilities, especially if you have extra health needs, or if you need quick, easy access to a hospital. You could also check the hospitals nearby – are they highly rated? Do they offer the services that you require?

Which Activities Are Important to Me?

If you’re an outdoors person, consider what the local area has to offer you in terms of scenery and activities. You may be more into arts and culture, in which case, you could think about living in a small town or suburb closely connected with a nearby city. Do you like to fish? Or go hiking? Are you a mountain or a beach person? Do you love to eat out, trying different restaurants? Is it important that you’re near a mall? All these questions could help you to decide.

Will I Need Good Transport?

This may be even more important to you if your loved ones are scattered all over the country – proximity to a city with an airport may be helpful if you plan on having people come to stay with you, or if you need to fly often to visit your family. If you don’t drive, public transport is obviously going to be essential for you to explore your new location. However, if you drive and you enjoy living further out, you might enjoy living in a more secluded area.

Should I Move to a Retirement Community?

There are many benefits to living in a retirement community – the built-in support network being one of the biggest bonus points. Retirement communities may give you the security and safety that you want, whilst providing you with the opportunity to build a support network. Plus, if you have additional healthcare needs, you may want the added reassurance of health care professionals. There are extra costs associated with a retirement community, but you may decide it is worth it.

Why Retire in Oregon?

What makes Oregon a great place to retire?

• No sales tax. In Oregon, you won’t have to pay sales tax – which will help with your day to day costs.
• Beautiful outdoor scenery. You’ll be living on the Pacific coast, with miles of beautiful coastline to explore. If you love fishing, you’ll find lots of opportunities in Oregon.
• Low crime rates. Some areas in Oregon are very safe – we have considered crime rates for each location in this article. Obviously, the bigger cities may be a bit less secure, but the small towns and suburbs are a little safer.
• Healthy living. With plenty of farmers markets and stores selling freshly grown produce and many bike trails, there is an emphasis on healthy living in Oregon.
• Climate. The climate stays steady all year round, meaning you’ll know what to expect in every season. If you’d prefer to stay away from extreme temperatures, Oregon could be a good choice.
• Places to eat. There are many good restaurants specializing in cuisine from all over the world. You should be able to find great dining experiences wherever you end up – so if you love food, it could be a great place for you.
• Arts and culture. There is a thriving arts scene in Oregon, particularly in Portland, including the Portland Opera, the Oregon Symphony, the Portland Art Museum, and the Portland Youth Philharmonic. If you love the arts, there will be plenty to do and see in Oregon.

Best Places to Retire in Oregon – an Overview

Here are a few facts about some of the best places to retire in Oregon:

Harbor, Curry County

A small beach town, Harbor is close to Brookings, and there are plenty of things to do here. You could go to Loeb or Oregon State Parks, or the Siskiyou National Forest. There are golf courses, shops, and restaurants. The population is small, and the people are friendly. Also, the decent cost of living will help you to enjoy your retirement to the fullest.

Milwaukie, Portland

Milwaukie is described by residents as beautiful. With great bike and walking trails, you will be able to enjoy the outdoors. There is a friendly community there, where lots of people know each other. Plus, it’s great for boating and fishing – so if you love to be by the water, Milwaukie could be a great choice for you.

Raleigh, Portland

Raleigh is a quiet, peaceful place, with beautiful parks and greenery. There are many trails, meaning you can stay active whilst saying hello to friendly faces. The crime rate is very low – 61% lower than the US average – so you can feel safe in Raleigh. The cost of living is pretty high, though – but you may decide it’s worth it for the extra security.

Canby, Clackamas County

Canby has many options for eating out, so if you’re a foodie, you might enjoy living here. It has a small-town feel, with events running all year round, and the locals are friendly. It has a great library, and is close to Portland, meaning you can enjoy a day trip to the city without having to travel too far. It also has a four-mile pedestrian path that runs through the town, which is great if you want to stay fit and healthy.

Lake Oswego, Portland

Lake Oswego has a high population of retirees. It has a quiet atmosphere and is a safe place to live, with crime levels at 57% lower than the US average. It has nice clothing stores and restaurants, and a beautiful lake to stroll around.

King City

King City is another place with a high percentage of seniors, which may be important to you if you like to get to know people of a similar age. The locals are friendly and cheerful. There are hiking trails and nice places to walk, with beautiful flowers and greenery. Again, this is another very safe option with a fairly low population, which could help you to feel secure.

Newport, Lincoln County

Newport is a lovely seaside town, with beautiful coastal views and plenty of natural beauty. You could enjoy a spot of fishing or perhaps visit the local aquarium. The community is nice and friendly, too. However, the crime rate here is higher than the others on our list, at 27% higher than the US average – so you may want to bear that in mind.

Hood River, Hood River County

Hood River is a great place if you enjoy outdoor activities. It’s also got a great selection of places to eat, and plenty of plays, concerts, and events. It is a safe and friendly community and is also very pedestrian friendly, which is great if you want to cut down on your car use.

Terrebonne, Deschutes County

Terrebonne is a very quiet, safe town in Deschutes County. With a population of 1,517, you’ll soon get to know lots of friendly faces. It has a pretty reasonable cost of living, too, and it’s very safe. With beautiful scenery and plenty of opportunities to go fishing, Terrebonne may be the right choice for you if you love being outdoors.

Conclusion

We hope that this article has helped you to find your new home. There are many factors to consider when trying to choose where to live, especially if the area is entirely new to you.

Retirement is a great time to explore new places, meet new people, and to really concentrate on the things that you love to do – so hopefully, your new home will reflect that. If you love being on the coast with friendly people and plenty to do, Oregon could just be the best place to call home.

At Wizerlist, we want to give you the information you need to know to make the best decisions for you and your loved ones. If you have enjoyed our article and found it helpful, why not check out our article on the best medical alert systems.