Retirement
Portland is a particularly agreeable place for retirement whether you are moving here specifically for that purpose or you have lived here your whole life. And that’s because civic life is still celebrated here. We have a sophisticated, affordable, and reliable mass-transit system that is sympathetic to the needs of seniors, an outstanding public library, world-class health care, a fine public parks system, and most of the other amenities that make life worth living. The temperate climate ensures that there usually won’t be too many very hot or very cold days. In the interest of full disclosure, however, we should let you know that many seniors in the area spend part of the year in warmer climates such as Palm Springs and save their Portland time for the months from June through Oct, when the weather is especially good. However, we have noticed more and more seniors retiring to Portland permanently and choosing to live downtown, with its convenient access to the streetcar and other transportation, as well as outstanding restaurants, shopping, and the arts.
Portland seniors will find many different housing options in many different parts of the city. (Currently Washington County has the fastest-growing senior population.) You will find communities devoted solely to seniors, as well as neighborhoods that have a balance of all ages, whichever you prefer. If you live independently but are ready to give up such tasks as mowing the lawn and maintaining a house, you’ll have a wide variety of choices available. And this is also true if you need more help than just having the lawn mowed. One word of caution: Portland is comparatively expensive when it comes to real estate, especially in the heart of the city, which has the most accessible services. However, if you look hard you can usually find something well priced, especially if you’re looking for a row house or condominium. Many charming, well-planned, affordable housing communities are being built all across the region; some of these are close to the MAX line.
City: Portland, OR
Category: Retirement
Address: 15800 Northwest Country Club Dr.
City: Portland, OR
Category: Retirement
Address: 2020 Northeast 150th Ave.
3. Shared Housing
City: Portland, OR
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (503) 225-9924
Address: 1819 Northwest Everett St.
Description: An Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon program, Shared Housing has proven to be invaluable to many seniors, enabling them to stay in their homes despite financial or physical limitations. This referral and matching service brings together those who need affordable housing with those who can provide it and has arranged more than 2,000 home-sharing agreements since 1982. Through the program, housing is provided in exchange for vital services such as cooking, cleaning, and yard work. Agreements can include rent only, services and reduced rent, room and board, and room and board plus salary. Shared Housing staff checks references, arranges initial meetings, and provides periodic follow-ups. There is an application fee of $10 to $30, depending on the homeowner’s income.
4. Community Energy Project
City: Portland, OR
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (503) 284-6827
Address: 422 Northeast Alberta St.
Description: The Community Energy Project (CEP) helps seniors on a fixed income enjoy a warmer home and lower utility bills during the winter months. They install vinyl storm windows that roll up and down easily, weather-strip doors, caulk and eliminate drafts throughout the home, and save money and energy by insulating water heaters and pipes. The CEP also helps seniors with minor repairs and adjustments such as installing safety bars, repairing stairs, installing carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, and other services that will improve quality of life and safety. Home owners as well as renters are welcome to call, and all services and materials are provided free of cost.
5. Human Solutions Energy Assistance Programs
City: Portland, OR
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (503) 548-0200
Address: 12350 Southeast Powell Blvd.
Description: This program, similar to the project listed above, helps low-income families and seniors stay cozy while reducing their utility bills during winter months.
6. Rebuilding Together
City: Portland, OR
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (503) 943-7515
Address: 5000 North Willamette Blvd.
Description: This nonprofit agency donates material and labor to do extensive remodeling on homes owned by low-income seniors. They accept referrals in the fall and winter and do the work in the spring, investing more than $1 million in the repair of 50 to 60 homes each year.
City: Portland, OR
Category: Retirement
Address: 7710 Southwest 31st Ave.
8. Senior Citizens Council Of Clackamas County
City: Portland, OR
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (503) 657-1366
Description: The Senior Citizens Council offers a variety of services, including grocery delivery, home care, help with medical equipment and oxygen tanks, and information and referral assistance. They also provide guardian and conservatorship services for elderly citizens who may be vulnerable.
9. Store To Door Of Oregon
City: Portland, OR
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (503) 200-3333
Address: 2145 Northwest Overton St.
Description: This volunteer agency shops for and delivers groceries to the disabled and senior citizens throughout most of Multnomah and Washington Counties.
10. Portland Parks And Recreation Community Centers
City: Portland, OR
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (503) 823-7529
Address: 1120 Southwest 5th Ave.
Description: Portland Park Bureau’s community centers offer a variety of programs and a good number of them are designed specifically for senior citizens. Many of the centers have swimming pools; most have fitness centers and basketball and volleyball courts. It would be impossible to list all the courses that Portland Parks offers—even classifying them takes several pages in the seasonal Portland Parks and Recreation catalog. However, to give you an idea, recent offerings included line dancing, drawing and watercolor painting classes, guitar and piano lessons, birdhouse building, stained glass, sculpting, origami, and flower arranging. Community centers provide more than instruction and classes—they are hubs of social activity. Contact the Parks office to have a complete catalog sent to you.
City: Portland, OR
Category: Retirement
Address: 426 Northeast 12th Ave.
12. American Red Cross
City: Portland, OR
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (503) 284-1234
Address: 3131 North Vancouver Ave.
Description: Providing nonemergency transportation to seniors throughout Multnomah and Washington Counties, the American Red Cross will gladly help with almost any request in return for a modest $1.50 donation. This helpful service is available on weekdays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., but they stay very busy and it is best to schedule your ride up to two weeks in advance.
13. Neighborhood House Aging Services
City: Portland, OR
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (503) 246-1663
Address: 7780 Southwest Capitol Hwy.
Description: Neighborhood House offers many programs for seniors, but among the most important are the services that help coordinate transportation to medical and dental appointments in southwestern Multnomah County.
14. Project Linkage
City: Portland, OR
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (503) 249-0471
Address: 2200 Northeast 24th Ave.
Description: Through its 175 volunteers, this agency assists elderly people living in Northeast and Southeast Portland with a wide range of transportation needs, as well as yard work, housekeeping, minor bookkeeping and bill paying, shopping, and home maintenance.
15. Ride Connection
City: Portland, OR
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (503) 226-0700 (transportation
Address: 3030 Southwest Moody Ave.
Description: The mission of the nonprofit Ride Connection is to keep seniors mobile for as long as possible. They coordinate a network of more than 30 transportation providers so the elderly and disabled can get where they need to go. This innovative program has won many accolades for its approach to service.