Retire in Portland, Oregon: What to Know About Your Lifestyle Options
There's something special about Portland. The "City of Roses" has much to offer people of all ages, especially retirees. Here, retirees can enjoy a best-of-both-worlds lifestyle by living in a supportive living environment amid one of the country’s most interesting cities. Learn all about your lifestyle options when you retire in Portland, Oregon, and discover how you can pursue an exceptional life in Rose City.
The Portland Lifestyle
The most important factor in a retirement location is the lifestyle it offers. When it comes time to retire, the best Portland retirement communities offer a laid-back experience that still offers plenty of adventure. Portland is made for such balance. While nearby Seattle can be a bit hectic, Portland is notably relaxed. People in Portland strive to live their best life, and that means a life that isn't dominated by work.
Portland isn't the only city that has a laid-back lifestyle, but it does have a distinctive personality of its own. Portland is packed full of local, independent businesses, rather than dominated by the big chains you may be used to seeing elsewhere. Most of the big chain stores are pushed to the side as smaller, locally owned businesses take the forefront, offering value and quality with a more personal, community touch. Plus, the diversity of offerings makes it easier to explore new items and shops you may not have visited otherwise. It's especially easy to find exotic food in Portland if you're feeling a bit adventurous.
Food is one of the specialties of Portland. Not only will you find a wide variety of grocery stores and restaurants, but you’ll find that almost all of them are committed to using fresh, quality ingredients. Locally grown produce is popular here. If you're looking to grab a drink, Portland can certainly help with that as well. Portland has more breweries than most cities in the country, so you can enjoy craft excellence straight from the tap.
Overall, the Portland lifestyle seems especially designed to allow residents to take it easy. You don't have to worry about the hustle and bustle that you find in cities like San Francisco and Seattle. Instead, you can relax and enjoy fresh food and fine company, no matter where in town you find yourself. The variety of options can make every outing unique. With fun new shops and activities popping up all the time, you can find a lifetime of fun to explore in this city.
Getting Around
Traveling throughout Portland is easier than you might think. Traffic is a common problem in places like Los Angeles, but Portland is fairly easy to navigate, even if you don't have a car. In fact, biking is one of the most popular ways to get around town. There are even designated lanes to keep cyclists safely speeding along.
If you're not interested in biking, a car isn’t your only alternative. Portland's public transportation is state-of-the-art with plenty of options available, including trains, buses, and streetcars. Alternatively, ride-share services are quite popular in town, so you'll never have to wait too long to get a ride that will take you anywhere in town.
Exploring Nature
When you imagine a big city, large green spaces and trees probably don't come to mind. In Portland, however, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find green spaces throughout town with towering trees and vibrant landscapes. Several parks dot the city, and they alone can offer a fun day's adventure. Taking a peaceful stroll through a park will surround you with stunning greenery, brilliant sights, and even the relaxing sounds of music, as local musicians frequent the parks to add some signature Portland ambiance to the area.
Settling down in Portland will also put you close to some of the best natural features in Oregon. You'll find mountains nearby along with beaches to the west. Oregon's coast is protected land that's publicly accessible to everyone, an ideal attraction for who enjoy spending time at the beach. The beauty of the surrounding nature offers wonderful opportunities for strolls or car rides. Don't worry about the changing seasons either. One of the best parts of Oregon is that it experiences all four seasons distinctly without having to deal with their extremes.
Sustainability
Sustainability is one of the most important factors when it comes to Portland's infrastructure. Public transportation options reduce gas emissions significantly, and biking around town trades nothing but foot power for fuel. In fact, cycling is so prominent here that Portland was the first American city to be named a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Community.
The local produce is notably sustainable as well. Many food items are sourced from local farms and producers who use eco-friendly practices. Even some of the breweries are sustainability oriented, such as Hopworks, which utilizes wind energy.
Ease of Retiring in Portland, Oregon
When you settle down in Portland, it's easy to take advantage of supportive living environments and enrichment programs. This is largely thanks to the state of Oregon's treatment of retirees. Social Security benefits are not taxed here, though there is still a mild tax on withdrawing from retirement accounts. Pension income is also only moderately taxed, and Oregon has no state sales tax.
Finding senior living in Portland, OR, is easy, especially with options like Terwilliger Plaza available. We're a non-profit, self-governed community that has helped seniors enjoy the comfortable lifestyle Portland is known for since 1960. Contact us today to learn more about what it means to be a member at Terwilliger Plaza or download our free Senior Living Resource Guidebook.