2023 Best Places to Retire in Oregon

• Town in Oregon

• grade C minus

• grade C minus

• grade A+

• Population 1,957

• Town in Oregon

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  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

• grade B+

• grade B minus

• grade A+

• Population 1,955

• Town in Oregon

• grade C+

• grade C

• grade A

• Population 2,561

• Town in Oregon

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  Rating 3.18 out of 5  40 reviews

Current Resident: Brookings is one of the most beautiful places to live in the United States. The next would be Carmel California. Population consists of upper middle class retired people. Harbor and Brookings have a combined population of approximately 14,000. The great redwood national forest, awesome wildlife and long walkable coastal beaches make this place unique. It has plenty of stores and shopping and is centrally located, and close to Crescent city California and Gold beach Or. Grants Pass Oregon, Medford Oregon and Eureka Ca ( larger metropolitan areas) are approximately 1.5 hour away.... Read 40 reviews

• grade C

• grade C minus

• grade A

• Population 6,706

• Suburb of Portland, OR

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  Rating 4.1 out of 5  20 reviews

Current Resident: I have really enjoyed living in Raleigh Hills. There is a great variety of options for supermarkets, restaurants, etc. that are not far away and most general commute times are very reasonable! It is very calm with a great family-friendly feel.... Read 20 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Population 6,726

• Suburb of Portland, OR

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  Rating 4.43 out of 5  14 reviews

Current Resident: I was born and raised in Cedar Hills. My parents were one of the first to move to Cedar Hills in the 40’s. Some refer to Cedar Hills as similar to the Leave It To Beaver neighborhood. Cedar Hills had one of the first shopping centers dedicated for a subdivision; Cedar Hills Shopping Center, and we had our own airport, Bernard’s Airport. Back then everybody knew everybody. I remember mom belonged to the Cedar Hills Garden Club. And Foothill St was featured in the Oregonian during Christmas as every house had a white Christmas Tree in the front yard. Many of the streets had block parties, and many homeowners got together to plant flowering trees in the parking strips. There was never any crime. Walking to Ernie’s Store and towing your red wagon was super fund. You give the grocery list to a checker and they would fill the wagon; including s carton of Kool’s cigarettes. No money was needed because they would put it on mom’s account. Life was simple then.... Read 14 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 9,511

• Town in Oregon

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  Rating 3.67 out of 5  27 reviews

Current Resident: North Bend has beautiful outdoor opportunities. It's a great place for outdoor sports such as hiking, water sports, and ATV activities. The city itself, lacks variety in entertainment. The summer has a multitude of summer festivals but the winter is a quiet season.... Read 27 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B minus

• grade A

• Population 10,224

• Town in Oregon

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  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: Island City has the same zip code as La Grande, Oregon. A small city of its own, provides lower property taxes than La Grande, a 9 hole semi-private beautiful and active golf course, and just a 10 minute drive into La Grande for employment or schools. Island City has grown over the past several years with businesses, homes being built as well as a low income development which had concerns in the beginning about being a blight area and has surpassed. Nice local government officials that provide the best guidance for our small town with the monies available and seeking grants whenever possible. The elementary school here is a sought after school for children in the area as well as in the county and even from La Grande. We have a variety of shopping within the City of Island City. We have several annual events such as the Ag-Timber parade, Hog Wild Days including breakfast by the volunteer fire department.... Read 1 review

• grade B minus

• grade B

• grade A

• Population 1,094

• Town in Oregon

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  Rating 3.18 out of 5  11 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived here for 8 years , I love it..people are friendly and I feel it's safe for my kids although the school district is the worst I've ever seen. No nightlife but outdoor adventures are endless.... Read 11 reviews

• grade C+

• grade D+

• grade A

• Population 4,289

• Town in Oregon

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  Rating 3 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: I like outdoors and boating so gold beach is a great place to live. Houses are in good shape vs further north up the coast. It's a small town so not alot of things to do but people are friendly, has the necessities. I came here on vacation and while on vacation started looking at homes and bought here. Also gold beach has some good rv parks that ain't run down and pleasant to stay at. I plan to retire here at age of 45. Major towns are a good drive away which I like. The airport is small but can handle smaller jet planes. Many residents are famous or wealthy people but rarely hang out in town. Gold beach used to get its mail delivery by boat which is cool history to know about.... Read 2 reviews

• grade C+

• grade B minus

• grade A

• Population 2,615

• Suburb of Portland, OR

• grade A

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 6,970

• Suburb of Portland, OR

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  95 reviews

Current Resident: I love my neighborhood! We have such kind, thoughtful neighbors. Everything we need is within 10 minute drive... resturants, grocery, movies. The Lake Theater is the best!... Read 95 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• Population 40,390

• Town in Oregon

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  23 reviews

Current Resident: Newport is a beautiful town on the coast of Oregon. It houses many attractions such as the Oregon Coast Aquarium, lighthouses, state parks, and the Hatfield Marine Science Center. The historic bay-front has shops and eateries you can enjoy while watching passing boats and loud sea lions in the Yaquina Bay. Driving along Highway 101, Newport has stunning ocean views. For active persons, Newport is the perfect place for you with multiple areas for hiking, surfing, biking, kayaking, and more. The only thing better than the landscapes are the warmhearted coastal citizens of Newport who make you feel at home.... Read 23 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• grade A minus

• Population 10,305

• Suburb of Portland, OR

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  Rating 4.11 out of 5  9 reviews

Current Resident: King City is predominantly populated by senior citizens 60+ (next being new couples/families). Which is good, because it keeps things pretty quiet. This suburb lacks easily accesible stores/shops which is a blessing and a curse. You'll find that the nearest retail is a lower-tier gas station connected to a fast-food restaurant, located on the edge of the area. Though, the distance makes traffic non-existent, other than the result of reoccurring minor construction/roadwork. Construction and roadwork is common here due to the suburbs high maintenance and constant growing real estate headway. There is also an elementary school here, so expect school zones, buses, and many young pedestrians.... Read 9 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 4,992

• Town in Oregon

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  Rating 3 out of 5  11 reviews

Current Resident: Florence is a place to retire. It's beautiful and has amazing scenery, but that's where it stops. There are a couple bars, and a lot of nice restaurants, but there's not much else to do unless you're a tourist passing through. We have sandboarding, dune buggy rides, amazing beaches, etc. Amazing place to visit, but not enough here to live with any excitement.... Read 11 reviews

• grade C

• grade C+

• grade A minus

• Population 9,353

• Town in Oregon

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  Rating 3.5 out of 5  6 reviews

Current Resident: Waldport is a small town on the Oregon Coast. It has super nice people and some pretty unique stores. Sunsets are gorgeous here!... Read 6 reviews

• grade C

• grade C+

• grade A minus

• Population 1,875

• Suburb in Oregon

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  Rating 4.21 out of 5  70 reviews

Current Resident: Ashland has been a wonderful town to move to start my nursing program. It has a wonderful, small town feel and folks are genuinely friendly and welcoming. Nestled in the Rogue Valley and just 30 minutes to the California border, there are endless opportunities for camping, backpacking, hiking, biking, snow sports, and water sports. Beautiful town with beautiful people!... Read 70 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 21,348

• Suburb of Portland, OR

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• Population 1,999

• Suburb in Oregon

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  Rating 3.76 out of 5  37 reviews

Current Resident: Jacksonville is such a cute and historic town! It's kinda like those towns you see in the movies when they have fun little events every weekend and everyone knows everyone! The people who own the stores live there and talk to everyone in town! You can't drive down the street without seeing someone you know. I go to Jacksonville Presbyterian every Wednesday night for Youth group and I everyone there I know from elementary school! It's beautiful during the holidays as well! Always something fun to do and see.... Read 37 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Population 2,984

• Town in Oregon

• grade B minus

• grade C

• grade A minus

• Population 1,685

• Suburb of Portland, OR

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  Rating 4.05 out of 5  86 reviews

Current Resident: West Linn is a great place to live, lots of trees and natural areas. There is an overall diverse selection of housing, with tidy upscale residential in Hidden Springs, Rosemont, and BHT built in the 90s/early 2000s. Marylhurst has a bit more of a range with many houses being built as far back as the 60s/70s, and the Robinwood, Bolton, and Sunset areas have a lot more affordable homes in the sub-$600k area. The charming Old Willamette area has many different shops and bars/places to eat and two(!) large hardware stores. Oh, and you can't forget the beautiful estates in the Stafford and Pete's Mountain area. Overall the city is safe and tidy, having everything you would need. Multiple grocery stores, hardware stores, and fast food places. One downfall is the lack of gas stations up on the hill, you need to go all the way to basically Oregon City to fill up, which is a pity as most of the nicer homes are on the hill. There is a nice Chevron with a touchless carwash in Willamette though.... Read 86 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• Population 27,173

• Suburb of Portland, OR

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  Rating 3.12 out of 5  17 reviews

Current Resident: We have lived in Oatfield for six months and we love it here. Very quiet, beautiful houses, convenient to restaurants and grocery stores.... Read 17 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• grade A minus

• Population 12,993

• Town in Oregon

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  Rating 3.43 out of 5  14 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Seaside for around 10 years now and I absolutely love it! I moved to this small coastal town from a big city and have never looked back. I enjoy the small-town feel and enjoy that the beach is nearby. The locals are friendly and it's easy to find some good family-oriented events in the area that everyone can enjoy!... Read 14 reviews

• grade C+

• grade C+

• grade B+

• Population 7,058

• Town in Oregon

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  Rating 3.84 out of 5  25 reviews

Current Resident: Sutherlin is a small country town just outside Roseburg, Oregon. The community is very friendly and welcoming every day. People love to come together to help each other out when they are in a need. We support each other and the schools.... Read 25 reviews

• grade C+

• grade B

• grade B+

• Population 8,429

• Suburb in Oregon

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  Rating 3.25 out of 5  4 reviews

Current Resident: Merlin is a beautiful rural area with rivers, trees, mountains and was used as part of the backdrop for the movie "The River Wild." It's breathtaking and the people are friendly. The only thing I would change is there is a lack of law enforcement and it is often hard to make a report when needed.... Read 4 reviews

• grade C

• grade C

• grade B+

• Population 1,767