Oregon Wine Country offers very different lifestyles depending on which community you choose to live in. Do you want to walk to coffee shops and restaurants, live on a quiet country road, raise a family near schools and parks, or own land with room for a garden? Pride of place is what connects all of the towns in Oregon Wine Country, but your day-to-day life can look very different depending on which community you settle in. I can help you plan your exploration based on your preferences.

Buyers should always investigate Property taxes, insurance and utility costs. Well water, septic systems, private roads and outbuildings — these are always good questions to ask in the process. Acreage will add maintenance costs, and older homes might need some fresh eyes. Commuting to other areas will add gas or electric charge expenses. Zoning, land-use restrictions and whether future additions or uses are permitted will also factor in. Your situation is unique and you will need a custom solution. That’s where I come in.

Based on my own family’s experience, absolutely. We have raised two boys here and have been very happy with that choice. I’d be delighted to answer any questions about raising kids in a rural small town — what to expect, the benefits, the drawbacks, and the things you can get here that you can’t get anywhere else.

If you like seasonal living, this place is for you — though it may look a lot different than other places you’re familiar with. Oregon Summers are predictably sunny and hot — upwards of the mid-90s at its hottest. Falls are sprinkled with rain and sunshine, and it can be unpredictable. The rainy season usually starts by the beginning of November, and can last through March. Snow is rare but it does happen in the Willamette Valley. Oregonians don’t let rain get in the way of their outdoor lifestyle, and nobody uses an umbrella. Spring is glorious, alternately rainy and sunny, and full of flowers and Spring energy. Some movers who have the freedom to do so move here for a few months to see if they like it.

Retirees choose this are for its rolling vineyards, farm-to-table restaurants, cozy downtowns, and accessible social life. Additionally, Oregon has no statewide sales tax and Social Security benefits are 100% exempt from state income tax with no income limits. Proximity to the beach and the mountains, as well as being one hour from Portland, make it possible to have a rich, full life. Nevertheless, housing can have higher costs than other areas, and Oregon does tax traditional pensions, IRA withdrawals, and 401(k) distributions.