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100% Human, No A.I. Since 2006
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100% Human, No A.I. Since 2006
Lincoln City, Oregon
The Rambling Coastal Resort Town of Lincoln City Beckons to People Seeking an Outdoor-Oriented Retirement Amid Stunning Natural Beauty
Just two hours southwest of Portland on the northern Oregon coast, Lincoln City (population 10,000) started out in 1965 when several small towns banded together to create one elongated community along Highway 101. Pretty 680-acre Devils Lake is to the east. The Salmon River is to the north. and Siletz Bay is to the south. To the west of town are seven miles of beautiful beaches.
Retirees have known about this scenic spot for years, with 45% of the population age 45 and better. Lincoln City is also popular with vacationers who come to enjoy the clean beaches, outlet shopping and Chinook Winds Casino and Golf Resort. The town has grown 16% during last decade, and 26% of locals hold at least a four year degree. Politics lean to the left, and the crime rate meets the national average. The cost of living is 18% above the national average.
The median home price is $525,000, reflecting a 2% increase from last year. Housing ranges from ranch ramblers, condominiums and Cape Cods to luxury homes with stunning ocean views. Neighborhoods are distinct.
Fifteen public beach access points make wave watching, whale watching and storm watching easy to do. Large rocks jut out of the water to create perfect pockets for tide pooling, beach hiking, surfing, windsurfing and fishing. The beach is a treasure trove of driftwood, agates, shells and floats.
The Cascade Head Scenic Research Area provides challenging backpacking and hiking trails, and the Salmon and Siletz Rivers offer fishing adventures. Devils Lake is also perfect for fishing (and windsurfing). Regatta Grounds and Sandcastle Park have bumper boats, motorboats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboats and more available to rent. Seven golf courses are nearby.
Residents can also fly a kite or watch the spectacular aerial displays of color and shape at the D River Wayside (Lincoln City has been voted the "Kite Capital of the World"). Devils Lake State Recreation Area, Roads End State Recreation Site, Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site and Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint are all close at hand.
Art galleries, bookstores, antiques shops and boutiques dot the area. Theatre West is the performing arts center where local talent presents a number of programs and shows. The Oregon Coast Council for the Arts provides the community with special events, from art shows to theatrical performances. The North Lincoln County Historical Museum hosts exhibits and presents lectures.
Chinook Winds Casino Resort at the north end of town provides entertainment 24 hours a day and has a luxury hotel, an 18 hole golf course and a restaurant overlooking the ocean. It is the biggest casino on the coast and attracts A-list and B-list performers. One of Lincoln City's best kept secrets is the wonderfully pristine stretch of beach running in front of this entertainment complex.
Shopping, particularly outlet-style, is plentiful. Lincoln City Outlets has brand-name stores, including Coach, Eddie Bauer and Pendleton, and draws people from all over the northwest.
Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital is a critical care facility and is accredited by the Joint Commission. It has 25 beds and is a Level IV adult trauma center. Both Medicare and Medicaid patients are accepted.
The Lincoln City Senior Center is open to people age 50 or better and offers social programs, congregate meals, potlucks, a quilters group, driving classes, Meals on Wheels and more. Through its Continuing and Community Education program, Oregon Coast Community College (OCCC) offers a selection of non-credit courses for Lincoln City residents, and seniors receive reduced tuition fees.
Lincoln County Transit operates between Lincoln City and nearby towns, making stops at the post office, Safeway (grocery), Wal-Mart, North Lincoln Hospital, the Casino and more. It also operates Dial a Ride, a "curb-to-curb" transportation service.
This area has a mild maritime climate. The average winter temperature is 50 degrees, dropping to the mid 30s at night. Average summer temperatures range from a windy 60 to 70 degrees on the beach to 80 to 90 degrees inland. An average of 95 inches of rain falls each year.
As with most possible retirement spots, this one has a few drawbacks. The city's population swells to 40,000 in the summer as visitors come from around the country (this area has more lodging than anywhere else between Seattle and San Francisco). Traffic congestion is a problem along Highway 101. Winters are gray and damp, and the wind seems to be ever-present.
And yet, with its mellow way of life, outstanding outdoor recreation, inspiring scenery and community spirit, Lincoln City has a hold on a lot of people, including retirees. Indeed, many say they would not want to live anywhere else.
Recommended as a Retirement Spot? Yes | Is Oregon Tax-Friendly for Retirement? No
Lots of tourists are a drawback, but Lincoln City boasts seaside charm in a beautiful setting and offers abundant of outdoor recreation. It is worth a look at retirement time.
Oregon:
Oregon became a territory in 1846, but its request to become a state was bogged down by Congress and the free versus slave state debate. Southern politicians finally allowed Oregon to enter the Union as a free state on February 14, 1859.
Although the 42nd parallel marks its southern border, water delineates most of the Beaver State's boundaries. The Columbia River separates Washington from Oregon on the north. The Snake River helps form the state's eastern border with Idaho. The Pacific Ocean is on its western edge.
Oregon is one of the country's most geographically diverse states and is characterized by volcanoes, dense forests, high deserts, and abundant bodies of water. For its latitude, its climate is mild. Mount Hood, at 11,249 feet, is the state's highest point. Crater Lake, the center of the state's only national park, is the deepest lake in the United States.
Timber, fishing, and hydroelectric power have pushed the state's economy in the past. Technology, however, is finding a firm footing. Tektronix and Intel helped establish the state's Silicon Forest. Notable companies who are or have been part of the forest include Google, eBay, Airbnb, and WebMD. Sportswear companies like Columbia and Nike also bring in billions to the state.
Portland, the state's most populous city, has more breweries in its boundaries than any other in the world. As of 2016, there were more than 60. The city boasts the world's smallest park. Mill Ends Park, dedicated in 1948, is a total of 452 square feet.
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