Which beach town should we move to? (Florence: live, summer)

[slowlanes]

Know the Oregon coast well, have surfed and fished it for decades, recently moved off of it (aging out to be a year around surfer in winter).
There really isn't a prevalent younger demographic aside from the surfers clustered around the surf.
Rain - as in 85" year average, and I have experienced a winter with 110" of measured rain. That rai of course why the salmon fishing is excellent.
IPersonally like the mid-towns of Newport,Lincoln City and Pacific City.
Newport has lotta restaraunts, bars, cool harbor area, golf course, hour drive east to Corvallis which is a college town with a downtown and vg medical, also has an airport
Lincoln City is a smaller Newport, half the population is visitor based for the beaches and casino, has a golf course. McMinnville is an hour east with good shopping, foodie scene, and golf course...Salem is also an hour east, not as hip as McMinnville, major hospital and shops. Two hours to the Portland airport.
Pacific City, 20 mins north of Lincoln City, used to be a under the radar fishing/surfing town that has blown up, very popular destinaton ffor the valley, lotta younger surfers have moved in, most remote workers. Brewery restaraunt, few shops and a half dozen routine restaraunts.
Want better weather, more golf, check out the south Coast around Gold Beach and Bandon. Hald the rain, ,ot more sun, lotta golf, two hour drive to good healthcare.

[NCTS]

Savannah GA...

[texasdiver]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

I wonder why Tillamook's average age is lower than the national. It smells and everything there, and it isn't even next to the ocean.

Because it doesn't attract retirees as there are no beaches in Tillamook proper.

[Sand&Salt]

Originally Posted by Silverfall

Beach Towns are in California and the east coast.

I agree that you should visit Bend and forget about the coast in Oregon as a place to live. They are all smaller tourist towns or working towns. They don't have a "scene" for going out at night.

Agree. We are visiting North San Diego and wow, is it lively. Tons of young people strolling the beach sidewalk, with kids in tow. Tons of surfers. Perfect weather. All kinds of activities, crowded cafes, live music. Don't even need a car. Just a million+ bucks, lol.

I don't recall any beaches in Oregon when we were looking there, that are what you describe. They are gorgeous, remote, windy and cold, as others described.

[CCS414]

I would take a trip to the Oregon coast in the winter to check it out first before you move there. It will be windy, dark, chilly, overcast, and drizzly. This should paint a picture of what the Oregon coast is like (still very beautiful though IMO).

[Ruth4Truth]

Take a look at Astoria. It's not a beach town exactly, though it's on the Columbia River, but it's near some popular beach towns. And it's got a young demographic, as well as some of the retiree crowd. It has an annual calendar of art fairs, music festivals, and the like, and a good organic co-op. It's growing in popularity.

However, I must caution you, that the OR Coast and the lower Columbia River get wind and rain in fall and winter. This tends to faze older people more than younger, but still, you should be aware of that. It keeps things green, for sure. Just be sure to consult flood maps in the coastal towns, if you're considering any locations there.

If you want towns where there's stuff to do, and people to hang out with, you should probably also consider places like Corvallis and Eugene: both college towns. There's more happening there than on the coast.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by scarab24

Hello,

My Gf and I have the opportunity to move to Oregon in the next year or two.

I would like to do my research now so that we can visit a couple places and see what we like best before we move.

My girlfriend loves the beach and my job requires us to live anywhere in the western US, so this is a necessity.

We are are in our mid-twenties and enjoy going out at night and meeting people our age.

We love the outdoors, and I am an avid golfer.

Outside of these metrics, we are really just looking for a fun beach town with a lot of young people.

Let me know where you guys think the best place to reside would be

scarab24, what you have just described is the California coast where I grew up. There are lots of young people, colleges/universities, job opportunities, sporting events with lively nightlife. There's nice beaches with lots of outdoor activities year round including golfing, volleyball, surfing, swimming, cycling for miles along the beach front, restaurants, live music, etc...

Oregon and Washington beaches are not like that. Don't get me wrong. They are not bad. But I enjoy visiting them for other reasons. Its a completely different experience compared to what you've described which sounds more like San Diego, Huntington Beach, Hermosa Beach, Monterey, Santa Cruz, etc... Once you get above San Francisco, there really aren't beach towns with lively night life, lots of young people, etc... And even SF is pushing it.

Personally, after growing up in that culture and experiencing it for decades, I was ready for a change. The Oregon coast is more rugged and beautiful, far less developed and more removed from larger city type amenities, activities, events, noise, etc... That is more noticeable for the things you've described. It's that difference which attracts a lot of retirees or 'some' young people who want to live a more raw, nature focused experience without a lot of other activities. My kids are almost all grown now and they would not move to the Oregon coast. There is nothing for them there beyond the rugged beaches which they can visit and then return to civilization.

Your other option is to explore the southern beach towns of Florida, the Carolinas, etc...

Derek

[Metlakatla]

Someone who's never been to Oregon and is seeking a "fun beach town" probably isn't looking for Astoria, which is about half an hour from the ocean on a good day. It's attracted a few aging hipsters from Portland in recent years, but it's still got a greater than average number of those in the 65-plus crowd. And tourists. Housing seems to be nonexistent as well.

[texasdiver]

Originally Posted by CCS414

I would take a trip to the Oregon coast in the winter to check it out first before you move there. It will be windy, dark, chilly, overcast, and drizzly. This should paint a picture of what the Oregon coast is like (still very beautiful though IMO).

This 1980s era Henry Weinhard's beer commercial does the best job of capturing the Oregon coast in winter that I've ever seen.

https://youtu.be/JU-_Sn2cDwI?si=5qkGl29YwN22DRQ1

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Originally Posted by texasdiver

This 1980s era Henry Weinhard's beer commercial does the best job of capturing the Oregon coast in winter that I've ever seen.

https://youtu.be/JU-_Sn2cDwI?si=5qkGl29YwN22DRQ1

Hey,, I've been on that beach. That catches what it is like pretty accurately.