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| Bay in Florence, Oregon |
Carol Forsloff---Looking for a cool place to retire and don't mind a bit of chill in the air here and there in order to get the fresh air, ocean smells and captivating views? Try Florence, Oregon for that and more.
Drive down the coast from its higher tips of the familiar, like Seaside, Astoria and Cannon Beach, those family beach haunts that are a little over an hour's drive, more or less, from the outer edges of Portland. Going South, past Lincoln City, and the town of Florence arrives with its special look and feel that draws in visitors and coaxes many to stay.
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| downtown Florence |
It's true, waitresses will tell you, there are many seniors in this town. In fact they literally dominate the population much of the time, with their activities and interests. Still the downtown area is flavored with folk from every age and stage and race and style. Because the town has a style that says welcome.
This coastal town of several thousand people is surrounded by beauty, with the ocean inlets, surrounding streams that derive much of the watery inspiration from the rival sea that is ever part of the town's lure. Boats belly up to the bar in a harbor off the edge of town. Here one views the bridge that links the town with more neighborhoods that stretch for miles in country neighborhoods. The town center may be small, but tucked back beyond those trees, bushes and hillsides are myriad homes of various types that shelter people from California to the East Coast and even those who wander along, see the beauty and decide to stay.
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| The Bay and the View, in Florence, Oregon |
The usual tourist type shops are dressed somewhat better and more inviting than the bold, almost neon-like shops that dot the landscape of the coast. Here each shop seems to maintain its own identity and offerings. And bargains there are and plenty, whether that's a seafood meal at one of the many restaurants or a leather purse - backpack, attractive, well-made and likely long-lasting for the grand total of twenty dollars.
A visual treat is here for the lovers of beauty or those who are curious about what makes Florence, Oregon one of the more welcome spots for retirement or just musing on an afternoon in summer.
[caption id="attachment_19755" align="alignright" width="300"]
Seniors share a walk in the park in Florence, Oregon[/caption]
