Finding the Best Places to Retire Since 2006!
Salem, Oregon
Just an Hour from the Pacific Ocean, Quiet Salem is Tucked in the Lush Willamette Valley in Northwestern Oregon and Surrounded by Natural Beauty
Salem, Oregon's capital, is a quiet mid-sized city along the Williamette River in northwestern Oregon's lush Willamette Valley. Surrounded by natural beauty, it is just one hour away from the coast, an hour away from the Cascade Mountains and an hour from Portland.
Speckled with parks, gardens and green lawns, Salem is a visually appealing place and is award-winning for being environmentally friendly. For many years, the city was an agricultural community, with cherry groves all around, and it still has a slight country ambiance. At least two farmers' markets, including the decades-old Salem Saturday Market, pay homage to the city's agricultural past. Eateries come in all shapes and sizes, from cozy cafes and locally-owned diners to national chain restaurants. Residents also enjoy a handful of wineries and microbreweries. Several community theaters, a handful of museums, the Salem Chamber Orchestra and the Oregon Symphony bring a bit of culture. Downtown is mostly comprised of mid-century, mid-rise buildings.
City events include Cherryfest, the Salem Art Fair and Festival, First Taste Oregon and the World Beat Fair. Salem is also home to the Oregon State Fair, Willamette University (2,800 students), Coburn University (1,000 students), the Oregon State Penitentiary and the Oregon State Hospital, which is the state's largest psychiatric hospital.
Neighborhoods are leafy, compact and well tended with a variety of architectural styles, including Cape Code, Arts and Crafts, Craftsman, bungalow and more.
Population: 180,000 (city proper)
Age 45 or Better: 34%
Cost of Living: 2% above the national average
Median Home Price: $420,000
Climate: Salem has a marine west coast climate. Summers are warm and dry with temperatures in the 60s, 70s and low-80s. Winters stay cool, with temperatures in the 30s, 40s and 50s, and wet with five to seven inches of rain each month. Snow falls occasionally. The sun shines just 154 days of the year.
At Least One Hospital Accepts Medicare Patients? Yes
At Least One Hospital Accredited by Joint Commission? Yes
Public Transit: Yes
Crime Rate: Meets the national average
Public Library: Yes
Political Leanings: Leans liberal
College Educated: 27%
Is Oregon Considered Tax Friendly for Retirement? No
Cons: The earthquake risk is nearly 200% above the national average.
Notes: Salem has an eclectic population, a mix of farmers, retirees, students, professionals, outdoor types, hippies and others. It is often considered a poor stepsister of Eugene and Portland and sometimes gets a bad rap for being the site of the state prison and the state mental hospital. The movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was filmed at the hospital. The city has grown 12% within the last decade. Home prices have increased 1% since a year ago.
Recommended as a Retirement Spot? Yes
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.
Webwerxx, Inc. Copyright (c) 2006-2024. All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced in any way without the express written consent of Webwerxx, Inc. Reproducing any original part of this publication without written permission from Webwerxx, Inc. is plagiarism. Numerous attempts were made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this website, but some information may have changed since each article and/or report went online, and Webwerxx, Inc. is not liable for inaccurate information contained in its articles and/or reports.