8 Wallet-Friendly Small Towns To Retire In Oregon
It is no secret that the state of Oregon, while beautiful, is also more expensive than other states. With median home sales prices of $519,000, it can be difficult to find a place to call home if you are looking to retire. However, with its abundant natural beauty, Oregon is also a highly appealing place to live. If you want to make your retirement home in this lovely state while also keeping a close eye on your budget, then the following towns may be destinations to consider.
Coos Bay
The city of Coos Bay boasts great home prices, with a median sale price of just $316,168, without sacrificing incredible coastal living. Nearby, the Coos River enters Coos Bay, which then joins the Pacific Ocean, so there are plenty of places to hit the water. The Coos Bay Boardwalk stretches up toward the bay, often making for a peaceful afternoon as residents walk along the water. Bastendorff Beach, located nearby, makes for a great day trip. It is the perfect destination for jumping in the ocean or simply sitting along the shore.
Those who truly want to make a day of their time along the beach can reserve spaces at Bastendorff Beach Park, where RVs can park or cabins can be rented for a night. Residents often use their time here to go fishing, clam-digging, or even whale watching. However, a part of enjoying retirement also means taking care of your health. Despite its smaller size, Coos Bay benefits from services provided by organizations such as the Three Rivers Health Center, which emphasizes not only medication but also holistic healing and mental well-being.
Baker City
Anyone prioritizing home prices will want to consider Baker City, where the median home price is a relatively affordable $278,000. Yet history lovers may also want to consider a move to Baker City. One of the biggest draws in the area is the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, located just 15 minutes outside of town. Open throughout the year, the Center features an outdoor site as well as an interactive museum where visitors can learn more about the Oregon Trail and the migration to the West.
True history lovers will want to visit markers along the way, such as the Oregon Trail Centennial Obelisk or The Lone Tree of the Oregon Trail. These markers stand as tributes to notable points that travelers once used as they journeyed in the West and provide incredible vistas for photos of the vast countryside. Residents staying in town can enjoy a day at the Baker Heritage Museum. Exhibits feature the industries that shaped the region, such as logging and mining, but also showcase the diverse people who settled in the area.
Dallas
Touting homes with a median sale price of typically $455,000, the city of Dallas is among the top in terms of home costs. However, retirees to the area will find themselves amid multiple examples of nature’s great beauty. To the north, the Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge serves as a habitat for birds, coyotes, butterflies, and the diverse agricultural life of Oregon.
Residents may want to walk the nearby Rich Guadagno Memorial Trail, where they can see examples of the upland prairie habitat while learning about the area from the many exhibit panels along the path. Residents who would prefer to spend the day in town may want to visit the Dallas City Park. The park hosts the Delbert Hunter Arboretum and Botanical Garden as well as the Dallas Japanese Garden. Anyone who wants to spend their retirement enjoying all that nature has to offer may want to pay the city of Dallas some serious consideration.
Woodburn
Woodburn is a mid-sized town that boasts well-priced homes with a median sales price of $431,900. Sandwiched between Salem to the south and Portland to the north, the city of Woodburn manages to balance its small size with numerous conveniences and activities to enjoy. Residents do not have to look far for premium shopping.
The Woodburn Premium Outlets are a destination for shoppers seeking great prices on clothing, jewelry, and accessories. For anyone more interested in academics and history, the Woodburn Historical Museum invites guests to view photos and artifacts from the city’s history. Just next door is the truly remarkable Bungalow Theatre. Standing since 1911, the Theatre showcases memorabilia from the past, and rotating art galleries highlight the talents of local artists. Finally, despite its small size, retirees to the area may want to know that healthcare is available at locations such as Salem Health Medical Clinic, which provides primary care and lab work for those keeping a watch on their health.
Klamath Falls
Enjoying median home sale prices of just $295,000, Klamath Falls makes a perfect destination for anyone who loves the outdoors. Positioned along the banks of Upper Klamath Lake, residents can look forward to beautiful views of the waters while walking the lanes of Moore Park. Those who love to spend time on the water may want to look to nearby Pelican Marina, which not only offers boats for sale but a range of services such as dockside fueling and boat storage.
Retirees to Klamath Falls may want to become more familiar with the area’s history. For this, the Klamath County Museum is open throughout the year and serves as the primary history museum not only for the city but also for the entire county.
Lebanon
The city of Lebanon is the epitome of the kind of town people retire to get away from hectic big city life, and with median home prices at $375,000, it is well within many people’s budgets. Despite its small size, basic health services are provided at locations such as East Linn Health Center. For anyone who wants to escape the city but needs assurance that their health will be taken care of, this might be an important consideration. In town, there are plenty of places to stay active.
A walk along Cheadle Lake, along the River Parkway Walkway, keeps retirees active and in the fresh air. A refreshing walk along the South Santiam River is available from River Park, a dog-friendly spot where residents can enjoy trails that lead right by the water. Residents who prefer to relax indoors, however, might appreciate the historic Kuhn Cinema. A single-screen theater that has been open since 1935, the theater brings blockbuster hits to small-town Lebanon while retaining the Art Deco charm it was designed with.
La Grande
Anyone hoping to retire somewhere that is wallet-friendly without sacrificing things to do may want to consider La Grande, where the median sale price is $371,425. Home of the GRH Regional Medical Clinic, anyone seeking peace of mind about their health can rest easy knowing care is minutes away.
Staying healthy in retirement means staying active, and Historic Birnie Park invites residents to take a stroll around ceramic columns illustrating the pioneers who settled the region. Annually, residents can also enjoy time in the sun while visiting the Union County Fair, hosted on the Union County Fairgrounds. Residents of Ashland can look forward to a parade leading up the streets of town before seeing the livestock showcase or agricultural exhibits. Of course, a more casual day outdoors is available along the river at Riverside Park, where dog lovers can take a stroll while enjoying the waters.
Ashland
Ashland leans toward the state’s median price of a home, with the median sales price sitting at $507,500. However, this comes with the benefit of living in one of the loveliest areas in the state, and one that appeals to retirees of all interests. Nearby Emigrant Lake is situated just minutes outside of town and is a popular destination for those relocating to the area. Retirees hoping to stay fit can take walks on the trailhead or take a dip in the swimming cove.
Those who hope for a less active retirement may want to visit Irvine and Roberts Vineyards, where they can enjoy a drink in the tasting room while taking in the lovely vistas of the surrounding fields. Ultimately, Ashland is an ideal destination for retirees who appreciate the arts. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival maintains a regular schedule of shows that are performed throughout the year, including Julius Caesar and Don Quixote.
For some, the appeal of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival may make for the perfect place to retire. For others, the outdoor appeal of a place like the Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge may make for the perfect place to call home. Whatever you are looking for, Oregon offers multiple destinations where you can retire without breaking the bank, while discovering plenty to see and do. Any of these destinations would make for a perfect place to call home, so check them out as you consider Oregon for your retirement.
