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Florence, Oregon

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What It Is Like to Retire in Florence

Florence, Oregon, is located on the Oregon coast at the mouth of the Siuslaw River, and is midway between Coos Bay and Newport.  The population in 2012 was 8,484 with about one-third of that number retirees.  The average age of the community is 57 years-old, which is 10 years older than the state's average age of 47 years.  Florence was originally inhabited by the Siuslaw tribe of Native Americans. The former mainstay of the economy was logging, fishing and agriculture, but today tourism plays an important role along with commercial fishing and shipping promted by The Port of Siuslaw.  The Three Rivers Casino is run by the Confederated Tribe of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians.  

Where to Retire in Florence and Home Prices

Zillow reported the median home value to be $278,681 in early 2020.  Homes close to the water will be priced higher.

What Is Special about Florence

Florence is a small community on the Oregon coast with a boardwalk, marina, and Old Town Florence;  the town also has a small airport that is manned seven days a week by a dedicated  Airport Volunteer Group;  there are many parks and sites which are managed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department;  Lane County Community College has a center in Florence. Here is what one of our visitors who lives there says about Florence: "It has a fantastic endowed library, great senior center, a nice fitness center with pool, and great thrift stores and antique stores, garage sales everywhere, very senior friendly with lots of stores and businesses giving senior discounts,  and there's a hospice and alzheimers center and assisted living for those who might need it. Plus a whole page in paper of volunteer opportuniities and clubs".

What Is Not Special about Florence

Weather-wise Florence is not an ideal spot as it can average over 60 inches of rain in a given year, with many overcast days.

Who Will Like Retirement in Florence

Retirees who want to live in a coastal town that has a community college, a historical Old Town, lots of festivals, and is very walkable, would enjoy living here.

Local Economy Is Driven by

Tourism is important to the economy; the Peace Harbor Hospital is a main employer.

Climate and Physical Environment

The average January temperature in Florence is 43 degrees.  The average July temperature is about 60 degrees. Although Florence can get its share of rain, it gets very little snow.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Old Town Florence offers art galleries and restaurants along the water;  Cultural events occur often in the Florence Events Center which hosts concerts, musicals, art exhibits and ballets; festivals include Wings and Wheels Aircraft Fly-In and Car Show, the Winter Folk Festival, and the Rhododendron Festival which has been celebrated for over 100 years.

Crime

The crime rate in Florence is low compared to the national average.

Medical facilities

Peace Harbor Hospital is located in Florence.

Transportation

Getting around Florence is easy with transportation through the Florence Bus system-Rhody Express. Medical transportation, along with senior and veteran transportation,  is offered through various organizations.  Florence also has a small, active airport with a 3,000 foot, lighted and paved runway.  A regional airport is 48 miles away in North Bend, and the largest international airport is in Portland 185 miles away.

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