One Of The Best Places For Retirement Is A Small Town In Oregon With A Charming Downtown And Nearby Vineyards

Many retirees fall in love with the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. and Oregon, in particular, has won over seniors for decades. This state offers stunning coastlines, beautiful farmlands, ancient forests, the Cascades, and the Columbia River. In the heart of Oregon's wine country section lies a historic and charming town called McMinnville, a perhaps underrated but perfect place to retire.

McMinnville is a wine lover's and outdoors delight with so much to offer retirees. In the historic downtown residents will enjoy the restored, last-century buildings that have been converted to galleries, wine bars, and restaurants. Famous for the excellent wines, McMinnville is also a place to live that is friendly for both families and seniors. The town is the home of festivals including a UFO themed event and the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.

Lying a mere 40 miles from Portland, Oregon, McMinnville is surprisingly affordable for retirees. Though it is a pricey retirement destination relative to much of the country, the town is comparatively inexpensive for the West Coast. AARP ranks it on their list of the "10 most affordable places to live for under $40,000."

Downtown McMinnville is a delightful pedestrianized historic district, rated by Sunset Magazine as among the best main streets in the U.S. Third Street features over 50 unique restaurants and cafes including the famed Nick's Italian Cafe. Retirees are sure to enjoy the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum here as well. It is renowned as the resting place of the Hughes H-4 Hercules "Spruce Goose," the planet's biggest wooden flying boat, the "Blackbird," and the Titan II Missile. Over 200 historic space, aircraft, and other exhibits entertain residents here for hours.

The town of McMinnville has many interesting activities and attractions to offer senior residents, especially in the area's fascinating wine culture. McMinnville's local wine industry holds the International Pinot Noir Celebration every year. Retirees can take in tours of several excellent area vineyards which Wine Spectator considers a favorite location. Youngberg Hill, among the most popular wineries in the Willamette Valley, lies in a 50-acre hill encompassed by incredible views of the vineyards. The location produces award-winning wines and offers wine tasting tours. Eyrie Vineyards is another nearby stop for wine tasting and purchasing. Some vineyards also offer walking and hiking trails.

Festivals in McMinnville provide many days of dependable annual entertainment for retirees. Highlights include the two-day long Turkey Rama, the nation's biggest UFO festival, and a car cruising antique cars festival. The town also features a free summer concert series at the green in Linfield College.

McMinnville offers support for seniors who are trying to make their golden years meaningful. The town features several social hubs for retirees, including its senior center and aquatics center. Linfield College also offers a beautiful picnic spot on its green and allows those 65 and older to audit their college classes for free.

Seniors on fixed incomes will wonder if McMinnville can work as a retirement destination for their budgets. Housing here is pricey but not expensive compared to the rest of the West Coast. The median home price comes in at $290,200, according to AARP. McMinnville offers retirees other savings in their cost of living, averaging $7,230 per family each month or about $4,700 for an individual.The homeowners insurance rates here are less than average for the country at around $500 per year, sometimes less. Utility prices also range on the lower side of the national average, seniors on AARP point out.