Study: Best Cities to Grow Old in Oregon

For native Oregonians who are entering the golden years or newcomers who are considering a post-retirement move, take a look at the 10 best cities to retire that the CreditDonkey experts recommend.

If you weren’t a conformist in your preretirement years, why start now? While the majority of retirees flock to Florida, consider going in the complete opposite direction, to Oregon. It offers stunning environments, whether you prefer its nearly 400 miles of scenic coastline or the craggy mountains of the northeast region. And with a cost of living that's lower than both Washington and California, the Beaver State is as affordable as it is beautiful.

10 Best Cities to Retire in Oregon

Study Methodology

To help narrow down our list, we first limited our search to those Oregon cities with a population of 10,000 or higher. We then used U.S. Census data to come up with our top 10 based on these five factors:

1. Senior population
   
2. Housing
   
3. Income
   
4. Recreation
   
5. Healthcare/social assistance

Staying active in retirement is good for your mental and physical health, but it can be hard to do if you live in area where you don't have many peers. The first thing we considered for our study is the percentage of each city's population that's age 65 or older.

If you're looking to downsize in retirement, moving into an apartment or condo can reduce your overhead costs, and the upkeep is usually minimal. We looked at the percentage of multi-unit housing structures in each city to find those places that offer the most options.

When you leave the 9-to-5 behind permanently, one of the things you have to plan for is how it will affect your earnings. We considered the median household income, which includes various sources of retirement income, for seniors aged 65 and over to get an idea of how well retirees fare economically in each city.

One of the greatest benefits about retiring is that you suddenly have time to do all the things you were too busy for when you were punching a time clock every day. The more things there are to do in your new hometown, the easier it is to maintain an active lifestyle. We looked at those cities that have the best ratio of people to art, entertainment, and recreation establishments to find those places that give you enough ways to stay busy.

Finally, we know that having access to quality healthcare is a priority as you get older. We ranked each city based in part on the number of people per healthcare and social assistance establishments to find those areas where seniors have the widest range of options.

10. Dallas

• Population Over 65: 17.4%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 25.7%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $37,195
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 2,952
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 289.4

One of Oregon's smaller cities, Dallas is less than 15 miles west of Salem. There's a healthy population of seniors already living in the area and a little over a quarter of the city's housing is made up of multi-unit homes. There are seven parks to stroll through, and the Dallas Aquatic Center offers water aerobics classes for those who want a low impact workout. If you're a wine aficionado, you'll enjoy exploring area vineyards like Chateau Bianca.

Did You Know: Dallas is named for Vice President George M. Dallas, who served under President James K. Polk.

9. Wilsonville

• Population Over 65: 13.9%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 49.6%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $41,886
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 3,414.8
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 435.9

If the hustle and bustle of Portland is too much for you, escape to the slower pace of life in nearby Wilsonville. A little more than 20,000 people call the city home, and almost 14% of its residents are 65 or older. The median household income for seniors is one of the best of any city in our study, and Wilsonville also has the highest percentage of multi-unit housing. If you're looking for something to do, the Parks and Recreation department sponsors a variety of activities for the 55+ crowd, including tai chi, knitting classes and bridge clubs.

Did You Know: Alphonso Boone, grandson of Daniel Boone, was one of the first settlers of the Wilsonville area.

8. Milwaukie

• Population Over 65: 12.6%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 28.3%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $38,900
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 2271
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 196.5

Milwaukie is known for its waterfront views of the Willamette River and for being the birthplace of the Bing cherry. We like the city because it rates well overall for housing availability, median income and access to healthcare. Home and rental prices are pretty reasonable compared to some of our other cities, and there are seven distinct neighborhoods to choose from. Although it didn't impact our rankings, Milwaukie also has an excellent violent crime rate.

Did You Know: Milwaukie is nicknamed the "Dogwood City of the West."

7. Coos Bay

• Population Over 65: 20.1%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 22.8%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $33,529
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 2265.3
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 122.9

Retirees who favor ocean breezes and salt air will love Coos Bay, especially since it has the highest concentration of healthcare facilities along the coast. Adults over 65 make up a fifth of the city's 16,000 residents, giving it the largest number of seniors in our study. You won't find as many art galleries or museums as you would in a larger city, but if you want to get out and enjoy the fresh air, Cape Arago State Park is just down the road.

Did You Know: According to local legend, Sir Francis Drake once anchored his ship, The Golden Hinde, at Cape Arago in 1579.

6. Pendleton

• Population Over 65: 12.4%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 27.1%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $39,232
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 1530.7
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 202.9

Pendleton is tucked away in Oregon's northeast corner, about 40 miles from the Washington border. The city celebrates its Wild West heritage through events like the Pendleton Round-Up but there are also plenty of opportunities to support the arts. The Oregon East Symphony Orchestra performs at Vert Auditorium and the Pendleton Arts Center showcases local artists. Housing prices are a steal, and you won't have to worry about a long wait to see your healthcare provider.

Did You Know: The Happy Canyon Pageant, a live show depicting the settlement of the American West, is one of Pendleton's longest running annual events.

5. Newport

• Population Over 65: 18.4%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 30.8%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $31,916
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 1001.7
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 161.6

Newport is another coastal city and with a motto like "The Friendliest," newcomers are sure to receive a warm welcome. At just over 10,000 residents, Newport is the smallest city in our rankings, but it's got a great reputation as being retiree-friendly. There are several apartment complexes to choose from if you're looking to rent, but buyers will find condos available along Nye Beach and the Historic Bay Front. Newport has a dedicated senior center, but you can also explore local attractions like the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse and the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Did You Know: The Deco District highlights some of Newport's historic art deco structures.

4. Medford

• Population Over 65: 16.1%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 20.8%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $39,167
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 2066.5
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 214.8

With over 76,000 residents, Medford is the largest city on our list but surprisingly, it still manages to convey a cozy, small town feel. There are two major hospitals located in the area as well as a significant number of assisted living and senior service facilities. It doesn't get as much rain as other Oregon cities, which is good news for outdoorsy types. If you're feeling adventurous, check out the hiking trails on Roxy Ann Peak, a dormant volcano that's estimated to be over 30 million years old.

Did You Know: Gourmet food maker Harry & David is headquartered in Medford.

3. Roseburg

• Population Over 65: 22%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 25.2%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $34,725
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 1989.5
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 100.4

Roseburg ranks third overall but it's number one in terms of the ratio of people to a healthcare or social assistance establishment. There are several hospitals and healthcare centers in the area, including a VA hospital if you happen to be a veteran. The local senior center hosts different activities each week but if you're looking for a way to spend a Saturday, you can tour one of the 20 or so wineries in the area, camp along Diamond Lake or visit one of Roseburg's numerous art galleries.

Did You Know: Roseburg has had a number of nicknames over the years, including "The Banana Belt" and "The Timber Capital of the World."

2. Lake Oswego

• Population Over 65: 15.8%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 28.6%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $55,665
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 1773.5
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 224.4

Follow the Willamette River as it flows south and you'll soon come to the city of Lake Oswego. As our second place finisher, it's worth noting that seniors who live here earn the highest median income of any city on our list, at nearly $56,000. Home prices tend to be a little more expensive but if you're shopping for something like a townhouse or condo, you'll find they're not nearly as costly. Luscher Farm offers gardening programs if you're trying to green up your thumb and the Farmer's Market is a good place to pick up fresh local foods throughout the summer.

Did You Know: The Festival of the Arts is one of the region's largest annual events of its kind.

1. Ashland

• Population Over 65: 17.9%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 25%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $49,406
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 885.5
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 142.4

Ashland scores the highest for recreation and entertainment but we believe it deserves the number one spot because it's the most well rounded city based on all five study measures. Residents 65 and older actually earn a higher median income compared to the rest of the population and the city's got a low violent crime rate. The annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival takes place here from February through October each year and come winter, residents of all ages hit the slopes at Mt. Ashland.

Did You Know: Ashland's Lithia Park was designed by architect John MacLaren, who is also responsible for designing Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

Portland's relatively low cost of living and vibrant cultural scene certainly make it appealing to the younger crowd, but there's also a solid community of retirees who call the city home. If you're wondering why it didn't make our list, it really comes down to how the numbers add up. Based on the five criteria we selected, the 10 cities we selected rated the best overall for senior living...