Finding the Best Places to Retire Since 2006!
Gold Beach, Oregon
Perched on Oregon's Rugged Southern Coast, Gold Beach is Popular with Outdoor Lovers and Boasts a Long, Clean, Wild Beach
With forested mountains to the east, the Pacific to the west and the mighty Rogue River to the north, Gold Beach is in a gorgeous setting on Oregon's rugged southern coast. It started out as a placer gold mining encampment but today is popular with fishermen, outdoor lovers and retirees.
Not a lot happens in this coastal hamlet, and that seems to be fine with locals. The beach is seven miles long and runs the entire length of town. It is wild and clean, with crabbing, steelhead fishing and clamming popular pastimes. The city hides glass floats along the sand each February through April, and beach combing for them fills many a day. The downtown has artists, studios and galleries, and restaurants serve locally caught salmon, halibut and crab. The Ellensburg Theater Company offers a handful of productions per year, and museums such as the Curry County Museum and the Cape Blanco Lighthouse detail area history. Motorboats run tours up the Rogue River, and easy to difficult hiking trails are dotted along the mountains and river.
The Gold Beach Brew and Art Fest includes a classic car show, and the annual Festival of Quilts attracts craft lovers. Most stores are locally owned.
Homes come in all shapes and sizes and are located in town, along the river and in the hills. Turtle Rock is a cute little cottage community on the beach.
About 2,300 people live in Gold Beach, and it has a notably older demographic, with 60% of residents age 45 or better. Twenty-five percent of all locals hold a four-year college degree. The population has remained steady during the last decade. Many people live here part-time.
The cost of living runs about 7% higher than the national average, and the median home price is $475,000. Real estate prices have declined 2% during the last year.
The climate is marked by heavy rainfall—averaging 80 inches per year, mostly in the fall, winter, and spring—while snow is rare. Summers are cool, with temperatures in the 50s and 60s, and winters are mild, staying in the 40s and 50s, though the skies are often overcast and the wind is a constant presence.
Curry General is the local hospital. Public transportation exists in the form of a dial-a-ride service within town and a regional service to nearby coastal communities. The public library is nestled among the pines. Politically, the area leans conservative. The crime rate is about average. Shopping and services are limited.
A drawback to living here is the remoteness—Brookings, the closest town of any size, is 30 miles away.
Oregon, located in the Pacific Northwest, is known for its dramatic natural beauty, ranging from rugged Pacific coastlines and dense evergreen forests to snow-capped mountains, fertile valleys, and high desert plains. Its diverse landscapes make it a haven for outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, skiing, and exploring scenic byways.
The state has a mild, wet climate west of the Cascades, while the eastern half is drier with a more arid, high-desert environment.
Oregon is recognized for its strong environmental values, tradition of independence and progressive values (although pockets of conservatism exist). Its cities, such as Portland and Eugene, are known for their vibrant arts, food, and cultural scenes, while smaller towns often reflect a quieter, more rural lifestyle.
Although Oregon has no state sales tax, its income taxes are relatively high, and it is not generally considered tax-friendly for retirees. Still, its natural charm, slower pace of life, and abundance of recreational opportunities make it an appealing place for many to call home.
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