8 Wallet-Friendly Small Towns To Retire on the Pacific Coast
Retiring to the beach or being near the ocean in your golden years is a dream for many. The reality is that coastal towns and cities can be a bit pricey. However, there are places along the US Pacific Coast where housing is affordable, and the communities are charming and welcoming. The four US states that make up the Pacific Coast, Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaska, vary in climate. Still, each has access to the ocean, with spectacular settings and maritime culture. For retirees looking for a place to settle that is also wallet-friendly, each Pacific state has options right by the water.
Coos Bay, Oregon
Coos Bay is a small city at the mouth of the Coos River, where it flows into Coos Bay on the Pacific Ocean. It is usually mentioned in tandem with its neighbor, North Bend, with the region referred to as Coos Bay-North Bend or the Bay Area. At 15,985, Coos Bay is the largest community on the Oregon Coast. It has an appealing mix of historic charms, outdoor beauty, and urban amenities. The deep-draft port is the largest between San Francisco and Washington’s Puget Sound, and maritime history is a big part of its culture. Situated on the bay, the historic Marshfield District is a mix of 19th-century buildings, cultural attractions, shopping, restaurants, and galleries. Coos Bay is also very affordable, with a median sale price of $298,750, well below the Oregon median of $513,000. For those looking to retire in a community with both urban and outdoor activities, Coos Bay is a great choice for budget-conscious retirees.
The area’s maritime history is on display at the Coos Bay Boardwalk, a short distance from Marshfield District. The boardwalk features interpretive exhibits on the history of Coos Bay and the lumber industry. It features the tugboat Koos #2, retired after years of work on the bay and on permanent display. There is also a fish market with take-out food. Mingus Park is a series of walking trails, an outdoor pool, a playground, and a Japanese garden. For museums, there is Coos Art Museum, housed in an Art Deco former post office building, and Coos History Museum, focusing on regional and maritime heritage. For food, there are many seafood options, using fresh local catches, and for something different, there is Himalayan Restaurant & Bar, which serves Nepalese and North Indian cuisine.
Eureka, California
California can be expensive. There are areas of the state that may be beyond the reach of most retirees. The median sale price in California is $838,000; however, there are spots where sale prices fall below the state median, and in some cases, these are desirable coastal locations. One of these is the seaport town of Eureka. This is a historical area that is the largest urban location between San Francisco and Portland, Oregon. It has the charm of a coastal city, the history found in its Old Town district, and the still-thriving port with its thriving fishing industry. Eureka is also very much a Northern California town, with an artistic community and an environmentally engaged population. In many ways, this is the coastal community many are looking for, and the median sale price in Eureka is $371,000.
Eureka’s big industry starting in the 19th century was lumber, and that wealth is reflected in the Victorian architecture of Old Town. Many classic examples of the elaborate Queen Anne style of architecture, popular in the late 1800s, include the Carson Mansion, complete with asymmetrical facades and decorative gables. Carson Mansion is now the private Ingomar Club. Old Town, at 350 acres, is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places and features more than 154 Victorian-era buildings. The architecture is a mix of styles, including Greek and Classical Revival and Second Empire. In Old Town, you can find the Clarke Museum, housed in the 1911 Classical Revival Bank of Eureka Building, famed for its terra-cotta facade. With its historic vibe and artistic community, Eureka is also rich in food and shopping options. The Brick & Fire Bistro is an attractive Italian and American casual restaurant, while Gill’s By The Bay, on the waterfront, offers fresh, locally sourced seafood.
Port Angeles, Washington
The Olympic Peninsula lies west of Seattle across Puget Sound and is home to an incredibly diverse ecosystem, with mountains, temperate rainforests, and the Pacific Ocean. Port Angeles is at the center of the Olympic Peninsula coastline, and from there, you have access to Olympic National Park. The small city of 19,960 is often a base for those exploring the national park, but the city itself has much to offer. For retirees looking for an active community centered on small-town life, Port Angeles is an affordable option. The median sale price is $400,000, well below the Washington median sale price of $644,200. With Olympic National Park in its backyard, Port Angeles is the gateway to trailheads for popular hiking routes and unbeatable mountain views.
The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center is housed in the former home of Esther and Charles Webster, a Modernist building designed by area architect Paul Hayden Kirk. The center is part of the Port Angeles Uptown Arts District, several cultural organizations located along Lauridsen Boulevard. The Feiro Marine Life Center is a non-profit public aquarium located on the Port Angeles City Pier. Its location on the ocean means seafood, and Port Angeles has many options for sampling locally sourced seafood, including Downriggers on the Water, a waterfront casual restaurant. Kokopelli Grill offers seafood and other Northwest ingredients, with Southwest styles of cuisine.
Seal Beach, California
Seal Beach in Orange County was incorporated in 1917, but before that, the area was already busy as a tourist destination, drawn to the area's beaches. Named for the large seal population that once thrived in the area, Seal Beach had a somewhat wild reputation, with beachfront amusement rides and games, and gambling parlors. After the heyday of the 1920s, Seal Beach maintained its focus as a tourist destination, but increasingly for families, and especially for retirees. Built in 1962, Leisure World was the first gated senior community and planned retirement community of its kind in the United States. Leisure World’s population is around 9,000 out of the city’s 24,352, and much of the city caters to that active demographic. Yet, for retirees looking for something a little more independent, Seal Beach is still an attractive option. The city’s media housing price is $488,500, almost half of the state median. With an infrastructure and amenities geared to seniors, Seal Beach is an ideal location for resettling.
The city itself maintains its small-town charm, and its location on the beach gives it a sunny, maritime feel. The Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge is a 920-acre natural area that encompasses two-thirds of the land inside the city. The refuge serves as a stopover for migratory shorebirds traveling the Pacific Flyway and provides habitats for a variety of fish, amphibians, and plants. With its coastal location, seafood is a mainstay of many restaurants, such as The Beach House @ Seal Beach, while The Hangout Restaurant & Beach Bar is located right at the beach.
Harbor, Oregon
Harbor, a town of 2,551, sits on the Chetco River where it connects to the Pacific Ocean. The area is known for its unexpectedly warm climate, which meteorologists call the Chetco Effect. The temperatures are much higher than in nearby towns, reaching as much as the mid-60s in winter. This year-round warmth has a big effect on local fauna, with azaleas and rhododendrons growing in the area. The area is also known as the Easter Lily Capital of the World, while the northernmost groves of redwoods are located just outside the town. Just north of the Chetco River basin, you will find the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, 12 miles of beaches and hiking trails. Harbor makes for an ideal location for someone seeking outdoor activities. The town is also affordable, with the median sale price at $350,000, below that of the state of Oregon.
For parks along the beach, Harris Beach State Park, Loeb State Park, and Lone Ranch Beach provide plenty of opportunities for water-based activities, plus hiking, beachcombing, and, in some cases, camping. The area is also famed for its whale watching, particularly gray whales, which live in the area's waters. The Chetco River is popular for fishing and boating. The Port of Brookings Harbor provides access to both commercial and recreational fishing and a full-service marina. It has also developed into a commercial hub, including a boardwalk with shops and restaurants. Seafood is in abundance in the area, and right on the harbor, you will find The Lucky Pirate Chop House for steak and seafood.
Westport, Washington
For Pacific Northwest maritime culture, the town of Westport is steeped in that tradition, sitting on the south side of Grays Harbor where it connects with the Pacific Ocean. Clam digging has long been a favorite activity, along with commercial and sport fishing. Surfing has become an increasingly popular activity as well. Westport has one of the largest marinas in the state, with boat charters available for deep-sea fishing. The commercial fishing industry continues, and local restaurants near the docks have access to daily catches. The Grays Harbor Lighthouse, built in 1898, is the tallest in Washington, standing at 107 feet. Westport, with a population of 2,213, has a laid-back beach town atmosphere, and it is an affordable place to retire. The median sale price is $341,000, far below the state median.
In addition to the beaches, Westport’s fishing is famous. To do some angling from the shore, Westport Harbor Marina offers plenty of locations, including crabbing for red rock and Dungeness crabs right off the pier. The Fisherman’s Boardwalk also provides ample fishing spots. For deep water fishing, boat charters are available for rockfish and lingcod fishing. There is also clamming for the Pacific razor clam along the area beaches. The Westport Maritime Museum focuses on local history, while Westport Light State Park offers 212 acres of hiking trails and access to saltwater fishing.
Depoe Bay, Oregon
Depoe Bay is a maritime town of 1,526, where a massive sea wall separates the length of the town from the ocean. This should give you an idea of the power of the Pacific and how it affects life in this community. The town is also known as the Whale Watching Capital of the Oregon Coast, with whale migration taking place offshore from March through December. The whale activity is a big part of Depoe Bay’s tourism industry, and the OPRD Whale Watch Center provides observation decks and charter boats to get up close with the popular cetaceans. Depoe Bay itself makes for a charming and welcoming community for tourists and new residents alike. For retirees wanting to live by the sea, it makes for an affordable new home. The median sale price for homes in Depoe Bay is $393,000, below the Oregon median.
As a small town, Depoe Bay still offers a variety of amenities and activities. The harbor is notable for being the smallest navigable harbor in the world. During storms, the waters around the town are also known for an interesting geological phenomenon called spouting horns, where geyser-like water sprays over the town’s Main Street. The Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint is a perfect location to watch the activities in the water, whether ships, whales, or water spouts. The Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area is a rocky beach area offering trails and featuring a collapsed sea cave filled with churning water. One of the ten oldest wineries in Oregon, Depoe Bay Winery is located near the harbor with tasting rooms and a vista for whale watching. A few steps away is Gracie’s Sea Hag, featuring seafood with ocean views.
Ketchikan, Alaska
For beach life, Alaska may not be the first place to come to mind, but Alaska, as a Pacific coastal state, is steeped in maritime culture. If soaking up the sun is not your inclination, Ketchikan has a great deal to offer. Located at the southern entrance to Alaska’s Inside Passage, Ketchikan allows you to feel the quiet of small-town life and natural wonders without venturing too far into the wilderness. Ketchikan is renowned for its salmon fishing and the rich heritage of the Alaskan Native culture. The town sits on the shoreline of the southwest part of Revillagigedo Island. With a population of 8,192, Ketchikan has all the amenities of any town, and sale prices are reasonable: the town’s median price is $365,000, below the Alaskan median sale price of $386,000.
Centered around Tongass Avenue, the town stretches 31 miles along the coast, nestled between the water and the mountains. Many homes and businesses are built on stilts over the water, making use of available space. The downtown core contains two harbors and docks for cruise ships. Historic Creek Street is a boardwalk built on stilts over Ketchikan Creek. Once the red-light district, Creek Street is now home to galleries, specialized shops, and restaurants. Dolly’s House on Creek Street is named for its famous madam, Dolly Arthur, and is now a museum. The Waterfront Promenade lines the coast and has historical markers and vantage points for whale watching. The local Indigenous groups, the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people, have lived here for over 10,000 years, and their varied arts and culture are a big part of the fabric of Ketchikan.
Retire in Style on the US Pacific Coast
For those seeking a mix of adventure, small town life, outdoor activities, and year-round access to the ocean, the US states along the Pacific Ocean provide plenty of choices. While states such as California tend to have reputations for being expensive, some options are ideal for the budget-conscious retiree in all the Pacific Coast states. The one thing all these locations have in common is maritime and beach culture, all with a reasonable cost of living. If you are hoping to retire to the beach, these states provide access to that lifestyle, with a variety of climates, and all for less than you might imagine.
