Oregon's 9 Best Retirement Towns Ranked

Ah, Oregon. The beaver state. With more than 110,000 miles of meandering rivers, 1,400 named lakes, and 361 state parks, the lush greenery of Oregon is the perfect place for nature lovers to spend their golden years. Whether you’re looking for something like Klamath Falls, far removed from the big cities in the Klamath Mountains in the State south, or you want something a little closer to the city, like Lake Oswego, there’s an option here for you. If you’re looking to retire, take the time to visit some of the towns on this list and see everything they have to offer.

Lake Oswego

Lake Oswego is a little more on the pricey side of the spectrum, being 35 percent costlier than the national average, but it comes with higher-than-average healthcare services as well. Providence Milwaukie Hospital is about a 15-minute drive from the suburban village’s downtown core, and there’s a Zoomcare clinic downtown on A Avenue, which offers a variety of services, including primary care. Just south of Portland, caught between the shores of Lake Oswego and the banks of Willamette River, the suburban town is already a popular spot for Portland day-trippers. However, the quiet reprieve of Tyron State Natural Area’s many hiking trails entices many people to stay for their golden years. Many residents choose to get their produce at the local farmers’ market, which runs on Saturdays at Millennium Plaza Park from Spring to Fall. Though beautiful, this entry on our list of Oregon’s top cities is a little exclusive, with high average property values of about $888,000.

Florence

Sitting between the shores of the Siuslaw River and the Pacific Ocean, idyllic Florence is a bustling vacation town with lots to do for more playful retirees. Heceta Beach is just a short 10-minute drive from downtown and is a good choice for those looking for an afternoon swim or sunset-lit walk. About 11 miles north of town, you’ll find Sea Lion Caves, America’s largest sea cave. It is also a sanctuary for sea lions and a stomping ground for wildlife photographers.

The town’s historic Old Town, which runs the banks of the Siuslaw River, is another good place to find scenic walks. The Oregon Coast Military Museum is an inviting spot for those who want to keep their history knowledge alive well into retirement. Despite having a small population of about 9,500 people, Florence has access to medical services in the form of the PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Centre, south of downtown. The hospital offers emergency care, diagnostic services, and respiratory care, to name a few of its services.

Jacksonville

With barely 3,000 people to call it home, Jacksonville, Oregon, is the perfect spot to age quietly and peacefully. The small town is about a 15-minute drive from nearby Providence Medford Medical Center, which offers 120 beds, emergency care, treatment for cardiovascular diseases, and much more. Jacksonville is a bit of a pricier option for retirees, with an average real estate listing of about $600,000 and an estimated $4,000 monthly cost of living.

However, its peaceful streets and storied past attract many history buffs. Jacksonville was established during the gold rush of the 1850s, and much of its original architecture has survived to tell the tale. The Beekman House Museum and the Beekman Bank Museum, named for town founder Cornelius Beekman, were first built in 1873 and 1863, respectively. The town cemetery is among the oldest in Oregon and is the final resting place for 5,615 souls. For those who prefer the peace of a woodland walk, Jacksonville is also home to Forest Park, which has more than 30 miles of shaded trails for nature lovers.

Newport

Newly retired residents of Newport will feel right at home, with almost 30 percent of Newport’s 10,250 residents over the age of 65. Newport straddles the Yaquina Bay on the state’s Pacific Coast. Its thriving culinary scene and scenic sunsets are a big draw for tourists and retirees alike. For those who may need a little more assistance as they age, Newport has Oceanview Senior Living, just a 20-minute walk from the Oregon Coast Beach.

For those who prefer to age in place, Family Resource Home Care provides seniors in Newport with at-home care services. As one of World Atlas’s picks for the most delightful towns in the state, it is chock full of things to do. There are dozens of flavors to try, but seafood is undoubtedly king in Newport, as showcased by the enduring success of town staples like Georgie’s Beachside Grill. You may decide to pick up photography if you retire in Newport, as the trail to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse offers spectacular views of the Quarry Cove and Pacific Coast. And what better way to spend your evenings than by walking the sandy shores of Agate Beach?

Silverton

Small Silverton, nicknamed Oregon’s Garden City for its world-class botanical gardens, is an excellent place for nature lovers to settle down. Retirees will have access to the Legacy Silverton Medical Center, a short walk from Silverton’s charming downtown center. The hospital serves the town’s 10,300 residents. The town’s 50+ Senior Activity Centre runs weekly activities and classes, including knitting and line dancing, for people looking to make some new friends in the community.

The Oregon Garden, which earned the town its reputation, covers about 80 acres of land and makes for a morning walk. If the town garden isn’t enough, Silver Falls State Park is a 20-minute drive out of town and boasts ten of the state’s most gorgeous waterfalls. Silverton also has a big culture for a town of its size, running a poetry festival every April and a jazz festival in May. The local Brush Creek Theater and Missoula Children's Theater help to keep the arts alive and thriving in this gem of a community.

Roseburg

Roseburg is nestled into the Hundred Valleys of the Umpqua River in Southwest Oregon as the political seat of Douglas County. The town is home to Mercy Medical Center, which serves 107,000 people across Douglas County and is regularly ranked among the top medical facilities in the state. For those who anticipate higher needs as they age, there are also various retirement communities near the hospital, including Linus Oakes Village and The Landing.

Roseburg is also an excellent option for foodies and explorers. Residents and visitors alike can find more than 40 shops and food establishments along the Great Umpqua Food Trail, which meanders through the Hundred Valleys with the Umpqua River. And the Umpqua National Forest, east of town, has more than 500 miles of hiking trails for active agers. For a scenic drive with many places to stop for hikes, residents can follow Highway 138 along the river to catch sight of its more than a dozen natural waterfalls like Deadline Falls. Swiftwater Park, one of many parks along the river, is about 22 miles away and has awesome trails for hikers and peaceful spots for fishers.

Klamath Falls

With just over 20,000 residents to fill its streets and parks, the tight-knit community of Klamath Falls offers lots to do without compromising any of its small-town charm. Sitting south of Upper Klamath Lake and straddling the Klamath River, this little town looks as pretty as a painting. The cost of housing in Klamath Falls is about 8 percent lower than the national average, and grocery costs are about 3 percent lower, making it a budget option for retirees and travelers.

Residents don’t have to go far for medical services either, with Sky Lakes Medical Center in the town’s north end, just south of the local college, The Oregon Institute of Technology. Locals have quick access to cute, scenic parks and trails, with Eulalona Trail providing a natural walkway to Moore Park. Advanced hikers might stay for more than a picnic, as the nearby Moore Mountain has an amazing view of the town and surrounding area. About 60 miles from town, Crater Lake is a once-in-a-lifetime destination for some and a day trip for locals. The lake has the deepest waters in the country and was formed by the eruption of Mount Mazama about 7,700 years ago. Its waters are as clear as glass, being composed of mostly melted snowfall. Truly an enviable feature to have in your town’s backyard.

Coos Bay

Coos Bay is on the smaller side, with only about 15,500 people to call it home. With an average home value of $305,000, it is also a strong contender for people who want an affordable place to retire. And being on the Pacific Coast, there’s lots to see and do in your spare time. Though it is a little overlooked when compared to other Oregon beach towns, Coos Bay has a lot to offer as the largest active deep port between San Francisco and Seattle.

The historic Marshfield District has preserved much of the town’s architecture, including the only art museum on the coast, the Coos Art Museum, and the Coos History Museum, run by one of the longest-operating historical societies in the state. Coos Bay is also home to the annual Oregon Shores Music Festival, which draws in 5000 spectators every year. Finally, Shore Acres State Park and Sunset Bay State Park are both a short drive out of town and are the perfect places for sunset chasers to end their days.

Ashland

Tucked into the Rogue Valley in the shadow of Siskiyou Mountain, Ashland is a decent pick for retirees looking for a slower pace in a beautiful place. Ashland is also one of our picks for the most breathtaking little towns in Oregon. Residents of Ashland don’t have to travel far for health care either. The Asante Ashland Community Hospital provides essential healthcare services to the local community, including emergency, cardiopulmonary, and diagnostic imaging services.

There are several options for people looking for senior living communities in Ashland, including Maple Ridge, centrally located in the town’s walkable downtown. Nature lovers might enjoy a walk through North Mountain Park or along the creek in Ashland Creek Park, both of which are nearby. Finally, the town is a cultural cornerstone thanks to a thriving arts and theatre scene. Ashland’s world-renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival, first established by Angus L. Bowmer in 1935, has been a major contributor to the arts for almost a century.

Embracing Retirement in Oregon's Finest Towns

With its lush forests, sandy shores, and a veritable horde of treasured little towns, there are lots of good options for retirees in Oregon. Whether you want to spend the last of your days taking in hundreds of years of history in the downtown cores of towns like Jacksonville and Florence, or you want to end every day with a view of the Pacific sunset in towns like Coos Bay or Newport, you can do it in Oregon.