Move to Oregon Coast [Lincoln City, Oregon vs. Newport, Oregon]

[@robh9343]

I love these guys! Great info as usual, very honest. I actually JUST returned from Lincoln city today and spoke with several locals. I also drove to Newport as well, and traveled on the back road (229) and into neighborhoods of each city. I spoke to a Lincoln City worker, gas pump attendant, 2 waitresses, a local guy at a restaurant, 4 guys at a building supply store, an Oregon State Park Ranger and 3 KOA employees. I asked them all what they loved about the Oregon coast and what they didn't love. First, before I get to that, let me say that I'm a native Oregonian (48yr old), lived in SE Portland my whole life (Seattle, WA for 4 college yrs) and have visited Oregon and Washington beaches on vacations throughout my life. I'm very well aware of what they looked like in the past. This past weekend I looked at the coast from the perspective of becoming a resident and living there for the rest of my days rather than just being on vacation. Things that I never paid any attention to in the past became much more apparent to me now. Before, I was only concerned with the beach, nic-nac shops, eating and sleeping. Now I'm looking at commuting logistics, job opportunities, cell phone service, safety concerns, stores with everyday needs, local fire/police/hospital, etc. Newport seemed to have the nicest and cleanest coastal front of the two in my opinion. Definitely more to do and more seafood restaurants. They have the Lincoln County fairgrounds that looks pretty fun. The schools were really nice. The middle school has a great looking football/track field. The "CUBS" have a school theatre and a sense of community support. Copeland lumber, Ace Hardware, Walmart. Only saw one shopping cart on the side of the road. Very clean looking area. Depoe Bay is in between the two cities and its worth mentioning. The houses and neighborhoods I drove through however, have a lot to be desired. Unmaintained homes and yards. In my opinion, they had a run down look. The only pristine area all three cities was a housing community in Depoe Bay called Stonebridge. Must be an HOA or 55+. Kind of looked out of place compared to the rest of the Oregon coast. It was either that good or the rest was that bad. Not a lot in the way of beach front property. Saw one abandoned car in residential area with a tow sticker on the window, and one van with a tarp over it. Very small town, kind of run down in areas, neighborhood watch signs everywhere. Lincoln city has awesome looking schools and nice looking neighborhoods and well kept homes. Plenty of beach front property, but there's a catch. Almost 90% of the beach front homes I saw were vacation rentals. They have huge signs on the house or in the yard with advertisements on how to rent them. I was told if I did find a place, I'll most likely be surrounded buy rental homes. Could be a non-issue, but the all-night parties are definitely a reality from what people told me. And it's a new group each weekend in the summer. I remember the Oregon coast had always had an old, poor, run-down look to it ever since I can remember. Its never been a place with a lot of jobs or money along the coast, but it was also kind of the charm. Kind of a beach bum feel. But now I'm looking at buildings and homes that are falling apart or rusting away, vacant businesses, abandoned shops, neighborhood watch signs everywhere and 'help wanted' adverts on several large billboards. Hwy 101 between Newport and Lincoln City is rough! Cracking, separating and bumpy with many patches and repairs. Ambulances, fire trucks and police were seen with sirens blasting several times in one day. I felt like I was in Portland! I don't recall ever hearing a siren at the coast in the past. Now for the people's replies: Every one had different things they loved; rainy weather, the beach and ocean, chill vibe, food, crabbing, cool temps in summer, etc. Unfortunately, they all agreed on what they didn't like...crime, drugs and homelessness. In both cities, they said it has progressively became worse. The state park employee said that all the state parks along the Oregon coast have seen a huge increase and its a BIG problem. Lots of day time vehicle break-ins, drug use and tents. He mentioned the police make them move from an area, but they come right back in a few days. They have had to partner with local police to handle the issues. He said the homeless folks come out at night when the towns all go to sleep. As we were talking, a person informed the ranger of a woman laying in the public bathroom that apparently was on drugs. He escorted her off the property, we talked a bit more and as we were parting ways, the lady was on her way back. One person at KOA I spoke with said she use to live in Brookings. She recently visited again and couldn't believe how many tents and garbage there was. She said it was a night and day difference. One of the waitresses said traffic can be a problem with Hwy 101, and in her opinion it has steadily become worse to where it will not move in either direction. All the folks I talked with said its really hard when you're trying to get to work on time. They said there has been road wash-outs, rock/mud slides and road repairs. The detours and delays can get insane. This was the info I gathered in one day. I didn't bother looking around today, I just left in the morning, kind of sad and deflated really. Its not the Oregon coast I fondly remember, and I may have to look else where for a future location. The high home prices and the other things I mentioned above are just some things to think about when considering moving to the Oregon coast.

[@LivingOnTheOregonCoast]

Thanks for providing so much context here!

[@desiv1170]

When we moved to LC, we were a bit worried about the possible party issue living in a vacation neighborhood. But in the last 14 years, we've had virtually no problems. One time, the rental next door the people there were playing some loud music really early in the morning. It was good music, but just too early. And one time people at the houses on the other side parked so badly that when I was heading to work, I couldn't get my car out. Luckily one of the people saw me trying to get thru and came out and moved a car so I could get thru. That and the fireworks around the holidays (which can be a plus or minus) are the only issues we've had. Our neighborhood is probably split three ways. There are a few of us locals who live here year round. Maybe 15% of our neighborhood. The rest are houses split between vacation homes and rentals. The end result is that usually it is a very quiet area. I'm sure there are areas that have more issues with a higher percentage of rentals, but where we are, it has been great. I do agree Newport has better food options in general. But as it is only 30 minutes away, we consider those local restaurants. ;-) Tho we (LC) did recently get a food cart pod area. And we have the Otis Cafe (no, it's not in Otis anymore). ;-) Traffic can be a problem, but there are back ways and you quickly learn when the traffic is. Crime hasn't been an issue for us. There was one day where someone broke into one of the rentals below us, and the police came out and used a police dog to get him out. It was an interesting event. And (knocking on wood) that has been it. That said, there are definitely areas that have more crime issues, especially on the east side of the highway.

[@Purcellproductionsllc]

@@desiv1170 Looking to live in LC full time, work out of my home. great info.

[@bobsibert1968]

Price reductions on the Oregon coast are huge and its only going to get worse with rising interest rates

[@shym9933]

I love your information.

[@LivingOnTheOregonCoast]

Thanks for watching!

[@Purcellproductionsllc]

Just the video I needed, Newport it is, Let's start looking! :)

[@LivingOnTheOregonCoast]

We're on it!

[@carmengabriel592]

I'm curious about housing for seniors, does Newport have senior housing?

[@kennethcollard3123]

I would like information on house VA. loan on the Coast of Oregon

[@LivingOnTheOregonCoast]

Shoot us an email let’s chat - [e-mail]

[@EpicFlippers]

Curious, do you invest yourself in these areas? If so, what do you invest in? -Condos, Single households etc..

[@LivingOnTheOregonCoast]

Shoot us an email to [e-mail] - happy to chat further!

[@zabsar3615]

How safe are these cities ? Considering seeing the last 5 years of political changes, how safe is it for visitors ?

[@LivingOnTheOregonCoast]

They’re safe places to live

[@jethrobodine4638]

any VA clinics or Hospitals on the coast?

[@LivingOnTheOregonCoast]

Yes I believe in Astoria, Lincoln City, Newport, North Bend, and Brookings

[@arthurrubiera8029]

What are the zoning requirements for both towns? What are the taxes like, especially property taxes?

[@robh9343]

I was told anything west of Hwy 101 can have crazy taxes due to the view. Every area will have different numbers.

[@arthurrubiera8029]

@@robh9343 yes l understand that but a was referring to a tax comparison between the two cities?

[@LivingOnTheOregonCoast]

Both towns are in Lincoln County which has a tax rate right at about 1%. This is the rate on the assessed value and cannot increase more than 3% year over year. You will get variation from property to property, though - where it sits and proximity to public developments, amenities, projects, etc can affect that is there is additional assessments in place. As far as zoning requirements, what are you looking for specifically?

[@ralphreyes6360]

does your agency handle rentals? i f so i have many questions

[@LivingOnTheOregonCoast]

Unfortunately this is not something we can’t assist with. I’d you’d like, send an email to us at [e-mail] and we can try to answer some of your questions.

[@bobsibert1968]

Funny, and today these areas are crashing in real estate values! What went up fast comes down fast lol

[@joshuarayborn]

Newport is a far superior town but finding a house is hard

[@LivingOnTheOregonCoast]

We can help with that!

[@kristofthibaud8491]

is there a homeless problem and drugs?

[@bobsibert1968]

Oregon home prices are starting to crash, what goes up fast will drop like a rock lol

[@bobbifoth5492]

Coast never crashes - as in drop like a rock Suburbia yes I’ve been a real estate broker for many many years - try buying a house on a beach in San Francisco

[@starzjeepcrew]

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