Imagine a place where nature is your closest neighbor, where the pace of life is calm and peaceful. A destination that combines the beauty of the natural landscape with the comfort of a relaxed life and affordable services at short distances. This state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States has a reputation for offering a wide variety of outdoor activities, from mountain hiking to relaxing walks by the water, or quiet and cozy small urban centers in close-knit communities where people take care of each other and human connections are valued.
Where are we talking about? It is a place with a vibrant culture and a rich history that has been named as one of the best destinations to retire with a good quality of life and a reasonable cost of living. We are talking about Oregon, a treasure in the Pacific Northwest of the United States that could be the perfect place to start a new life in your post-work stage.
Five Places in Oregon That Offer an Enviable Retirement
We started our list of the best places in this region with the city of Roseburg, located in Douglas County. This city in the south of the region, nestled in the idyllic and refreshing Umpqua River Valley, has a population of only about 23,850 residents according to the last census of the United States.
According to a recent review by the Insider Monkey site, Roseburg has a solid score of about 90 points, which means that it is a very pleasant place to live. Its cost of living, with a rating of 89.8, is 10.2% lower than the national average. This makes it an attractive financial option for couples who wish to retire on their social security income alone.
Another plus point is the average two-bedroom rent, which is around $1,200 per month, offering affordable housing options for those who wish to retire there and enjoy the tranquility and beauty of this Oregonian region, and rely on Social Security payments for all their expenses.
Pendleton, A Retirement Retreat
In the fourth place on this list that we have found for you is the city of Pendleton, located in Umatilla County. It has a fantastic score of 92 points on this scale of Insider Monkey, that defines the most pleasant places to live. In addition, its cost of living has a rating of 88.8 on the cost of living index, which makes it quite affordable.
One of the advantages of Pendleton is its low rental cost, with an average of just $995 per month for a two-bedroom apartment. With these costs, retirees in the city can manage their social security income more flexibly and have a quieter and more comfortable life with all their expenses and senior needs covered.
Pendleton offers a charming mix of history, culture and outdoor activities all year round. No matter the season, it has a rich historical heritage that offers its residents and visitors the opportunity to visit iconic places such as the Heritage Station Museum or the historic Pendleton Roundup Grandstand Stadium.
Its beautiful landscapes provide the opportunity to go hiking and enjoy all kinds of outdoor places in a vast nature that has been taken care of with one of the most successful environmental legislations in the United States.
Eugene, Oregon: Retire in the Nature
The next fantastic destination for retirees is Eugene, with a livability score of 93 and an IM cost of living of 75.5%. This city offers the best of both worlds: an affordable cost of living and a great quality of life adaptable to seniors.
With a cost of living 24.5% below the U.S. national average and a two-bedroom rent of $1538 per month, Eugene could be a retirees’ paradise for years to come and it could be your next forever home. Enjoy your golden years by maxing out your social security check in this idyllic small town.
A relaxed atmosphere and stunning natural surroundings surround Eugene, a perfect city for those looking for a quiet and affordable retirement. Regarding the population, it is a little larger than the previous ones mentioned, with about 177,000 residents, which anyway is a moderate-sized city with a cozy and communal atmosphere where everyone knows each other and is very close.
Klamath Falls Is Like Being Dreaming Awake
Klamath Falls is ranked second on our list, with a livability score of 77% and a IM cost of living index of 93.1%. Klamath Falls, popularly known as Linkville, offers a perfect setting for retirees who love being outdoors and enjoying nature in all its glory.
In Klamath Falls, residents can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, from golf to fishing, hunting, canoeing, and skiing. In addition, the city is known as a birdwatching paradise, being home to the largest concentration of bald eagles in the Pacific Northwest.
Imagine enjoying your days in the fresh air with the natural beauty that surrounds you while immersing yourself in a beautiful city that has almost the air of a village. The average rent for a two-bedroom house is about $1200 per month, which leaves you some wiggle room if you rely entirely on your social security check to live per month.
La Grande, Oregon, the Top Spot for Retirees in the Northwestern
Let me tell you about La Grande, Oregon with a livability score of 77% and an IM cost of living rating of 87.5%. The city of La Grande is the new number one on this list of the best places in Oregon to live as a couple or on Social Security alone. This means that retirees who choose to live here will be able to enjoy a comfortable and affordable life combining the best of both worlds: a city with an air of modernism but with a rich tradition and history that the inhabitants know how to maintain and take care of like a treasure.
Do you remember when you used to go to the drive-in cinema? Well, La Grande has its own cinema of this style to relive those moments when you went with your girlfriend to see Humphrey Bogart movies, such as Casablanca or The African Queen, back in the 50s, or episodes IV and V of Star Wars, back in the 70s.
You can immerse yourself in American history at the Eastern Oregon Fire Museum or enjoy fresh produce at the La Grande Farmers Market. The average rent is about $1200 per month for a house with two bedrooms. So you can enjoy your social security check comfortably with a quiet retirement and all expenses covered.
