Retiring in the Pacific Northwest

[thomas89]

I can think of no place more stressful and expensive to retire than the PNW.

Congratulations and best of luck.

 

[David58]

Just retired, here, and am in Idaho. After 26 years in Oregon (then ten more in NM), there is no way I could in good conscience recommend any of the three west coast states for a place to live, working or retired.

David
ID

 

[Bonasababy]

Both OR and WA rank as two of the worst states to retire in. They'll gladly tax the sh*t out of you while alive and dead. If you can get past that, there are beautiful places in both states. I love Eastern Oregon, and you would still be within driving distance of your son. Southern Oregon also has some very nice small towns. Personally, I would rent for a year before pulling the trigger. Good luck!

This gets tricky to evaluate. Does a high sales tax matter as much as income tax when you are retired? Property taxes csn be VERY different between states and differ within states as well. And what is your tax rate on income in retirement versus when working? For us while it didnt drop to a lower bracket income tax is lower due to reduction in taxing of social security benefits. The portion of our income subject to taxes by the state is a bit lower now than when working.

I need to go back and visit to see whats changed but my summer working for BLM in Oregon in my early 20s was a lot of fun. Places just east of the coast range SE of Portland had me thinking I could see moving there...like around Sisters. Suspect its changed over the 40 + years though.

 

[Salmonchaser]

Sisters has changed more than any other town in the state. The growth around there has been enourmous. It can take 1/2 hour to get through town on a nice weekend.

 

[Irrelevant]

Yeah I would stay away from bend/sisters.

 

[Fire_9]

Yeah I would stay away from bend/sisters.

A mountain goat tag kept me from moving there in 2015. Would have been fun for a while but I'm happy I'm not there now

 

[Irrelevant]

A mountain goat tag kept me from moving there in 2015. Would have been fun for a while but I'm happy I'm not there now

It was amazing in the 90s, though I'm sure people were still calling it ruined back then in comparison to the 70s.

 

[belshawelk]

Since Idaho is full Eastern Oregon is great option. Lots of hunting, fishing, skiing, hiking etc. Housing prices are a 1/3 of the west side, and weather is much better overall. I spend about 80% of time living in E Oregon. Spent the last 40 years in Portland. I would not recommend it.

Exact same scenario in Washington

 

[SAJ-99]

Regardless of where he goes, people there will be complaining about something.

 

[Exhausted]

Regardless of where he goes, people there will be complaining about something.

Probably about him showing up from out of state lol

 

[Doublegunner]

I've lived in western Washington for over 40 years. In the past I have lived in various cities in King county and lived in Seattle when I was in college. I moved out of King County years ago and I'm glad I did. There are a lot of things I like about this area but the state is run by the democrats, and they are running it into the ground. Spending and taxation are out of control. Crime is high, Seattle is a dumpster fire. The fish and game commission doesn't follow the law because they don't like hunting and fishing. We have a stiff estate tax, capital gains tax and we will shortly have an income tax (and it won't be just for millionaire's.) The drafter of the bill, a state senator out of Seattle, colluded with the Attorney General's office in drafting the bill to attempt to get around the Washington State Constitution. Honestly, I'm waiting for them to start taxing unrealized capital gains and retirement accounts. They've talked about it. They recently passed a law to raid the LEOFF 1 pension fund which is a retired law enforcement and firefighter fund. Our gas prices are out of this world. Our gas was higher than Hawaii when my wife and I visited last year. Our politicians will blame it on the oil companies and price gouging but that is a bunch of bull. If oil companies were price gouging then all states would be high, not just Washington. It's because Washington taxes the crap out of gas and we also have a cap-and-trade law that adds about 50 cents per gallon. Recently, Washington passed a law that allows a school or state social worker, etc. to take a child and hide them from their parents if the child asserts that they may be transgender and the parents aren't supportive of it. The State can conceal the child from the parents and it's perfectly legal under state law. I think the US Supreme court is hearing a case on this next term. My point is, that Washington is heading in the wrong direction because it's controlled mostly by King County and Seattle. OK, my rant is over. Personally, when I'm done working, I'm moving out of state. I want to leave my kids something when I die. Good luck wherever you choose to go and enjoy your retirement.