Where is a good place for a couple to retire and live out their older years??

Question

My husband and I live in Cali but we don't want tor retire here. We'd like some small rural town with population under 20000. A laid back setting, a bit country you might say. We would prefer Oregon or Washington. A place where our grandkids can come and escape the city and get back to simpler times for a while when they visit. A little small town life type place. A Main Street and and court house, a market and some other things but not too much. Grassy fields, places for a bit of nature and the peace to enjoy it. We're not familiar with all the smaller areas in these states and would appreciate input from people who are. What cities are small, rural, laid back and relaxed. For those of us who are trying to escape the rat race. Any serious suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Help us find our Mayberry so we can go settle down.

Answer 1

Quite a large number of people have done just that in Roseburg, Oregon. It is growing and not as rural as it once was (population around 21,000, give or take), but it has all the features you mentioned. If this is too large, still read over this, but pay closer attention to the last little bit as it might still be relevant.

1. Escape the City- It is most definately a town, not a city. It has all the necessities, and it has conveniences of Wal-Mart, etc, but it does not have a city feel by any means.

2. Main Street and Courthouse- It has both downtown. As the county seat to Douglas County, it has a very nice Courthouse.

3. Market- there is a farmers market at the parking lot to its small mall. I am not sure how often it is there, whether it is monthy, bi-monthly, seasonally, etc... but I know it is sometimes there. Also, in the Melrose district there are lots of fruit-stand type markets. (If you are looking for the very rural to really escape the city, the Melrose District would be perfect)

4. Nature- Stewart Park is an excellent, grassy park, perfect for a picnic and some frisbee. It overlooks the river, and a bike trail starts in one end of the park. The park is also near the golf course, which while it is only a 9-hole course, has been gradually improving over the years. There are other parks too, such as River Forks Park, which easily fit your needs described, and would be great to take grandkids, or your pets. Also at River Forks there is a large wooden fort that is very ideal for kids with even a small imagination.


Also, Winchester (it has it's own post office and zip code, but in all reality it is part of Roseburg, and is part of the Roseburg School District) is about 5 minutes out of town, but is where much of the current housing development is currently at, so if you are wanting the rural feel, but are not willing to sacrifice the modern comforts and a nice neighborhood, Winchester is the way to go (especially if you are wanting to build.)

But there are plenty of areas in Roseburg that are ideal.


LOCATION: Roseburg is located about an hour south of Eugene at exits 224-227 ish. (I may be 1 or 2 off on that, it has been a few years since I last lived there). Roseburg is what I refer to as the "Northern tip of Southern Oregon." It ias 1 1/2 - 2 hours north of the Medford area.

Also, the smaller town of Winston, as well as the Green District of Roseburg, are 10-15 and 5 minutes south of Roseburg on I-5, respectively.

Citizens of Winston enjoy both the rural area and the close proximity to the larger town of Roseburg, though from a Roseburgian point of view, Winston also tends to be more run-down.

I also noticed another suggestion of Corvallis... while that is an awesome town, it is also a college town, so if you look into that, bear that in mind.

Answer 2

Arkadelphia, AR

this is a great little town(dry)! I attended college there and actually there were two universities in the small town of about 10,000 who had the friendliest rivalry Ive ever seen! Its near historic hot springs, AR and is only an hour away from Little Rock, Arkansas (the capitol city)

I remember complaining constantly how dated it was and how in world did a town not sell alcohol (my dad owned a liquor store-so I was amazed)

But it was nice, friendly, small, but had the amenities you guys are looking for. The fact that it is only about 25 miles from Hot Springs will keep yourselves and the grandkids truly entertained as that is a touristy-town full of things to doI(lots of nature stuff), but not anywhere on the level of a vegas or anything.

Answer 3

Portland section is a powerful place to circulate. you have the smaller cities sirounding factors for solid faculties, there are various golfing courses and your on the element of the mt and the sea. Portland is super so which you have each and every thing you will need or want and there are factors here that should be super for low key. Portland is a superb place to stay there is public transportation for people who do no longer want tocontinual. we've super hospitals. I lived in small cities all my existence and residing in portland isn't as undesirable as i presumed it has super parks. i do no longer understand what else to declare approximately Oregon or Portland its self i like it here. Portland is likewise on the element of Mt hood which has the superb snow boarding, snowboarding and all the super llife for snow properly thats what i develop into informed

Answer 4

First place that came to mind is Corvallis, Oregon.
It's a University town, but quaint, pleasant, has a river running through it, sounds like just what you are looking for! It's a little larger than you mention ... but it really doesn't feel like it at all.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvallis,_Oregon
http://www.visitcorvallis.com/explore/about_corvallis.html

Some other suggestions:
McMinnville, OR
Roseburg, OR
Lynden, WA

Answer 5

Check out Lincoln City, Or. I visited there once and fell in love with. It's on the coast, north of Vancouver, Also Klanmuth Falls, it's inland, near Medford. My brother lives there and loves it.

Answer 6

Check out college towns.