About six percent of people 65 and older have moved to Portland from somewhere else to retire. Why is that? The weather is mild, the quality of life is higher, there’s an abundance of senior activities, and retirees have access to some of the best healthcare in the country.

Portland Has Mild Weather Year Around

The weather in Portland is mild —  with no extreme highs or lows — making it an ideal place for senior living. You will get to experience all four seasons but without the frigid cold winters or uncomfortably hot summers. The average high for summer is 80 degrees Fahrenheit where the average low for winter is 37 degrees Fahrenheit.

While Portland does get a fair amount of rain, the summers are beautiful and there is almost no snow in the winter.

Portland Seniors Tend to Enjoy Better Health

What do you think of when someone says Portland? Sustainable living? Green city? Both would be correct. How about living an average of 19.3 healthy more years after the age of 65? That is true when you move to Portland.

The Center for Disease Control did a study and found that Oregon is tied with four other states for ninth place when it comes to living more healthy years when compared to the rest of the United States.

Along with fresh food and easy access to popup farmers markets, plentiful, high-quality healthcare is among the many reasons people are living longer in Portland.

Portland Has a Wide Variety of Activities to Offer the Young at Heart

Portland is dedicated to senior living with a variety of recreation, educational, and wellness programs available at local senior centers. Some of these programs include:

• Reading
• Writing
• Genealogy
• Fine Arts
• Arts and Crafts
• Floral Design
• Music
• Dance
• Lawn Bowling
• Fly Fishing
• Tennis
• Walking
• Hiking
• Van Excursions

Love wine tasting? Want to spend time taking in the scenery while finding your new favorite wine? Portland has 200 vineyards along with fine dining and craft beer for you to experience. In fact, tours for seniors regularly visit local wineries in Portland and transportation is included.

Whatever your interests, Portland is likely to have plenty of opportunities to enjoy spending time on your hobbies, both indoors and outdoors.

Portland Offers Superior Healthcare

Portland is home to Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU), which is a university hospital with medical and dental programs. In 2017, Vizient Quality and Accountability Study awarded OHSU Hospital the Bernard A. Birnbaum M.D. Quality Leadership Award, and OHSU ranks 12th in the nation for providing high-quality care. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report ranked OHSU number one in Oregon.

Oregon has the Health Care Regulation and Quality Improvement (HCRQI) program that was put in place to ensure Oregon and Portland residents have access to high-quality health care. This program includes regular reviews of acute and long-term healthcare facility construction projects, and it helps to implement Oregon’s hospital nurse staffing laws.

If you or your loved one needs medical care around the clock, there are 64 nursing homes within 25 miles of the center of Portland. For those that do need help with daily activities but don’t require 24-hour skilled nursing, assisted and senior living communities is a much cheaper alternative, and it includes numerous social and recreational opportunities.

Portland Is Budget Friendly for Seniors

Social security is exempt from state income tax and there is no sales tax in Portland. Overall, healthcare is cheaper, utilities are cheaper, and groceries are about average when compared to the rest of the US. Not only does Portland have abundant wineries, senior activities, and access to great healthcare, but it also keeps your social security in your pocket.