Life in Astoria is quiet and low key, reminiscent of a less complicated time.  A few nationally-recognized artists make their home here, and several cruise lines offload passengers who briefly come to enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty and stroll the waterfront.    The cost of living meets the national average, but the median home price is roughly $215,000, above the national median.    Astoria's heyday came in the 19th-century and early-20th century, when the town was "fish rich" from a never ending flow of salmon, and its citizens showed their wealth by building large, stately homes on the wooded hillsides above the river.   Nearly 300 Victorian structures still stand today, many now beautiful B&Bs that cater to out-of-towners.   Cape Cod bungalows, Craftsman, bi-levels, ranch-style, cottages and traditional home styles dot the community as well, and many have large yards and overflowing foliage.   Manufactured homes on private land are available, too, and can be found for less than $100,000.  Generally, town homes and apartments are not in great supply.

The property tax rate in Astoria is approximately $19 per $1,000 of the maximum assessed value or fair market value, which ever is lower (maximum assessed value is the 1995 value reduced by 10%, plus any changes that were made to the property, increased by 3% each year after 1997).  The annual tax on a $215,000 home would be roughly $2,500.   Oregon does not have a homestead exemption, but homeowners 62 or better may delay paying property taxes if their annual total household income is less than $36,500.  Social Security is not taxed, but other retirement income is taxed.  A 9% credit is available for private pension retirement income.  Oregon has no sales tax, personal income tax rates range from 5% to 11%.

 This is an interactive map.  Click on the arrows in the upper left hand corner to move the map to the East, West, North or South, and click on the +/- signs (more than once if necessary) to zoom in and out.

Uncommercialized and usually un crowded, Astoria is an authentic town and depends primarily on tourism, although it is still an active commercial seaport (5,000 boats and ships pass by town along the Columbia each year).  The riverfront boasts restaurants, markets, the wonderful Columbia River Maritime Museum, the restored 1913 Riverfront Trolley and the Astoria Riverwalk.   The revitalized downtown is compact, bordered by steep hills and the river, and has a good selection of eateries and boutiques.   Cultural amenities are not overwhelming, but the Astor Street Opry Company provides a variety of workshops and productions, including the annual Shanghaied in Astoria, every year.  The Astoria Visual Art Association hosts art exhibits, and the Clatsop County Historical Society manages three local museums.  The Astoria Festival of Music features operatic, symphonic and chamber music performances each summer.

The Liberty Theater is a 1925 vaudeville house that is being restored and will house a state-of-the-art performing arts complex.    The Astoria Public Library dates from 1892 but is very modern and has public computers with landline and wifi Internet access.  When it comes to festivals, Finns, Icelanders, Danes, Norwegians and Swedes gather to celebrate their heritage during the the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival each June.   A farmers' market, called the Astoria Sunday Market, takes place every weekend from May through October and covers three blocks.   SETD provides local bus service ($.75 to ride).

Columbia Memorial Hospital is small, with just 25 beds, but it is a full service, critical access, not-for-profit, Level III trauma center and recently opened a 38,000 square foot facility that houses a new urgent care department, a women's health center, a new MRI unit, a new cardiac rehabilitation unit and a new emergency medicine center.    The hospital meets expectations in most areas (but falls short in pulmonary care).   Three more hospitals are within 25 miles. 

There are, of course, drawbacks to retirement in Astoria.  It is rather remote (Portland, Oregon, the nearest large city, is 75 miles away) and is the kind of community that rolls up the sidewalks at 10 p.m. (which not everyone considers a drawback).   Golf is limited to one course in town (but four more are within 20 miles).   The unemployment rate is above the national average, partly because much of the economy is tourism-based.   The earthquake risk is 17% above the national average.   And the weather is certainly not for everyone.

The retirees that live here, though, seem to cherish their seaside town and the spectacular natural beauty that surrounds it.  While Astoria is not perfect, for many people it is indeed a great retirement spot.

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