This Small Town in Oregon Is One of the Best Retirement Destinations in the U.S. for Its Affordable Housing and Top-notch Health Care — and It’s Right Outside of Portland

Choosing the best retirement destination involves many factors, like affordability, access to good health care, recreation, and safety. And while Florida is still the most popular state with retirees, senior Americans are also moving to other regions for a lower cost of living that doesn’t compromise access to top-notch amenities. And they find them all over the country.

In a recent report by Realtor.com that ranked the best retirement communities in the U.S., the small Oregon town of King City came in third, after the winner, Sun City Center, Florida, and runner-up Green Valley, Arizona. (Realtor.com analyzed real estate data for all U.S. cities and searched listings for keywords that indicated retirement-friendly amenities.)

Realtor.com points out that the town’s focus on sustainable living and easy access to top doctors are just some of the reasons it ranked so high this year. (It climbed three spots since 2023.) In fact, it ranked higher than the Villages in Florida, which came in fourth and traditionally has been the go-to retirement destination for many seniors.

So, what else is in store for retirees who decide to spend their golden years in this Pacific Northwest suburb?

King City was founded in the 1960s as a retirement community, but thanks to its proximity to Portland — it’s just 12 miles southwest — it grew popular with families and young professionals, too. At present, the town has 5,000 full-time residents, with a median age of 63. Realtor.com estimates that 81 percent of home listings come with retiree-friendly amenities, and the median list price in town is $375,000, which is lower than the national average.

“As a bonus, King City has a zero percent sales tax rate, which helps contribute to the low cost of living that makes this such a desirable retirement location,” the website points out.

Being so close to Oregon’s most vibrant city means King City residents are a short drive away from world-class dining, dozens of breweries, and many outdoor recreational facilities like the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge and Summerlake Park. The town is known for its strong sense of community, fostered by many year-round events, festivals, farmers markets, and parades. It also has a nine-hole golf course, hiking trails, walking paths, and picnic areas.

You can read the full report on realtor.com.