Where is the best place in Oregon for a young retired couple with older teenagers?

Question

My husband is almost 53 and I am 45. After 35 years on the same job he is about to receive a "buyout" to retire early. We are selling our 2 Tri-plex rental properties that we have taken care of as our future nest egg for the past 22 years as well as our home that we custom design/built in 1992. California is too hot, dry, and the stress level of the "life in the fast lane" of the SF Bay Area has really gotten to us. We want cash out, sell everything, and move to Oregon and be retired. But where? We love trees, lakes, fishing and have just started to take up golf and tennis. We have 1 Jr. College age son and 1 High School Freshman daughter. (Our older daughter is already living on her own and in her senior year of college in California). Oregon seems to be much more affordable and more low key with less stress. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I moved to Oregon eight years ago after living in Tokyo and Yokohama. My wife and I got out of "life in the fast lane," too. We have two children.

We chose southern Oregon along Interstate 5 so that we could enjoy the lower stress but stay close to the amenities (colleges, arts, major shopping areas, airports).

I don't recommend the Portland area. You're coming from the SF Bay Area. If you want trees, lakes and fishing (and golf and tennis), you don't want to hang around another major metropolitan city. Southern Oregon offers you four distinct seasons and far less rain than Portland.

Over the past year, I've helped several other people who are retiring in Oregon. The links below are previous answers.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArY2vaIDq_qH9uGs9ZBDRkgjzKIX?qid=20070610131525AAL8OLT

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjS8tGtL5NhzkXDpKdfFqEYjzKIX?qid=20070620182923AAquVYS

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkXPzLoMazt6XfTp9XMVmU8jzKIX?qid=20070413021947AA6cRAj

Please don't hesitate to send me a direct message if you have additional questions.

BTW:

The best golf in Oregon is here: http://www.bandondunesgolf.com/

The best lake: http://www.traveloregon.com/Explore-Oregon/Southern-Oregon/Attractions/Outdoors-and-Nature/Crater-Lake-National-Park.aspx

One of the best recreation areas: http://www.traveloregon.com/Explore-Oregon/Southern-Oregon.aspx

And a little art for good measure:
http://www.traveloregon.com/Explore-Oregon/Southern-Oregon/Arts-And-Culture/Search.aspx

Answer 2

Well congrats. on the retiring. I have just done that about a year ago. I have been looking for the same things to. Living in Sandy is quite low key and slow living for most anyone. It(Sandy) has started it growing like most towns in Oregon. It still has the small town charm, though. Medical facilities are not to far, and Portland is close by. The high school here is pretty good, due to a small crime rate, the kids seem pretty darn good. Home prices are beginning to rise, as all towns, but that just gives one a chance to invest for the five year investing. Located only 45 mins. from Mt. Hood lodge and even closer to many lakes and rivers, it offers a lot of outdoor fun. Eastern Oregon is at your finger-tips also. You can check out the home scene on realtor.com and see if it tickles your fancy. However, you best be able to enjoy a lot more rain than being in southern Cal. The rain does give us the green land, rivers, and snow pack for Mt. Hood. People have many diff. incomes and needs, so this is but one idea. This is a much calmer and relaxed area than So. Cal. or even Beaverton Oregon. This low key town that offers peace and relaxing is only one of many places to live. Good luck finding that special place.

Answer 3

Portland area is a good place to go. You have the smaller towns sirounding areas for good schools, there are lots of golf courses and your close to the mt and the ocean. Portland is Large so you have everything you will need or want and there are areas here that would be great for low key. Portland is a wonderful place to live there is public transportation for those who don't want to drive. We have great hospitals. I lived in small towns all my life and living in portland isn't as bad as i thought it has great parks. I don't know what else to say about Oregon or Portland its self I love it here. Portland is also close to Mt hood which has the best snow boarding, skiing and all the great llife for snow well thats what i was told

Answer 4

I misplaced a job at fifty 3 and yet another at fifty 4 so i understand how frustrating it somewhat is while human beings look at age like a handicap not a benefit. i chanced on a impressive corporation the place the traditional age is over 50 my boss is sixty 5 now so became 60 while i became fifty 4 and the ladies human beings I replaced became seventy one so i became regarded at as youthful. I had huge accounting and laptop skills and until eventually i became fifty 3 had labored eleven in application and became a CPA with my license lapsed and no present day adventure. application jobs have been down in the 2000-2002 and that they in particular needed little ones. The seventy twelve months previous that had my job eleven years became fearful of pcs and my boss became the sole one in the corporation that knew a lot approximately them. He enjoyed having somebody who wasn't afraid to do backups or deploy application advancements. i'm working in a shipyard and adventure is seen an asset. they're attempting to not enable human beings retire however the union human beings get to retire with pensions so we are dropping them of their 50s. some non union each physique is over sixty 5 with 40 years adventure so they fee it greater beneficial than a clean out of faculty supervisor ought to. seek for older companies that employ older workers, attempt to look alive and energetic. shed pounds, die your hair or despite to look such as you're as youthful as you could look. do not flow overboard looking youthful yet sturdy posture and different signs and indicators you're alert. Then keep in mind the reward of adulthood like understanding to not make own telephone calls at paintings. you will detect a chairman who values adulthood. in case you do not flow forward and commence a corporation might commence a CPA corporation because of the fact I have already got all i prefer different than 40-eighty hours persevering with coaching.

Answer 5

I would look at Bend Oregon. It is nestled in the mountains near Mt. Bachelor and surrounded by lots of great hiking and fishing and of course gold.

I don't think you would be disappointed.

Answer 6

Corvallis is allright. Not too big, not to small. It's a college town so that should be cool for your kids. Newport is really quiet, but there's nothing there for your kids. It's about 40 mins. from Corvallis.

Answer 7

Crater Lake is nice

Answer 8

eugene its a nice place

Answer 9

portland