Retirement in Oregon might not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning how to spend your golden years. After all, it doesn't have the warm, sunny climate or beach side communities associated with notable retirement destinations like Florida or California. However, it offers many other perks, including cities and towns that are popular with retirees from all around the country. If you're considering spending your retirement in Oregon, take a look at the following communities:
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- Bend - According to MarketWatch, this centrally located city is sometimes called the "Palm Springs of the Northwest," owing to its reputation as a retirement hotspot. Offering a mild climate and an abundance of leisure activities such as golf, Bend attracts retirees looking for a high quality of life. The attractive lifestyle comes with a steep price, however. A cost of living close to 20 percent higher than the national average and a median home price approximately $75,000 higher than the overall average in the United States.
- Portland - This city was named by both MarketWatch and The Wall Street Journal as one of the best places to spend your retirement in Oregon. The Wall Street Journal noted its thriving urban environment and access to shopping, dining, arts and culture, as well as other leisure activities. However, the newspaper warned that you pay for the high quality of life, both in housing prices and property taxes. Still, the city seems to be gaining ground as a retirement destination, with the 2013 Action Plan for an Age-Friendly Portland estimating that the population of people 65 and older will increase by 106 percent by 2030. While the city can be pricey, MarketWatch notes that it's a more affordable option than places like Bend.
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- Ashland- The website Best Boomer Towns named Ashland one of the best places to retire in Oregon, and both it and MarketWatch noted that the city has become a popular retirement destination. The cost of living is still above the national average, but Ashland offers perks like a 100-acre park, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and a vibrant downtown area. While the city itself has a small town feel, it's near larger cities, such as Portland.
- Medford - MarketWatch recommends this city as a more affordable alternative to Ashland, citing its plethora of art galleries, and arts and music events. Located just 15 miles from Ashland, Medford offers easy access to that city's arts scene and to other luxury and leisure pursuits like wine tastings that are just a short drive away.
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