Lucky you! You’re realizing what may ever only be a dream for others. Coastal living can be such an awesome experience, especially in a town like Astoria, Oregon.
There’s no wonder why Astoria is on or topping just about every Best Towns of the Oregon Coast you see. Astoria features stunning panoramas, loads of good ways to occupy your time and attention, and all the charms of a small town. Getting to know your new environs will just make your life there even richer.
Welcome To Astoria, OR
Getting a lay of the land, so to speak, is a smart starting place. Here are some key factoids about your new home town:
- Size: 10.1 square miles
- Population: 10,100 (city); 2,511,470 (metro area)
- Days of rain/year: 191
- Average annual temperature range: 36.6℉ to 68.7℉
However, some qualitative details about the people, places, and way of life in Astoria are really helpful, too.
Astorians
A major aspect of small-town life is community. So, what are the people of Astoria like? Not to paint a picture with too broad of strokes, but here’s a glimpse into Astoria’s demographics.
- Median age: 44.7
- Female-to-male ratio: 100:93.1
- Median household annual income: $49K
- Education: 73% have at least some college, about 33% have a Bachelor’s or graduate degree
Based on the available data, many families (both with and without children) and retirement-aged folks call Astoria home. There are also plenty of non-family households and singles. So, a bit of a mix in terms of life stage and household composition.
You’ll also find a significant number of veterans living in Astoria. This may stem from Astoria having a major Coast Guard installment.
In addition to the USCG, many Astorians work in fishing, timber, healthcare, education, and government and retail services.
Best Neighborhoods
Whether you’re looking to raise a family in Astoria or staking out where to retire, this coastal gem likely has a neighborhood (or two!) that’s just right.
Before jumping into neighborhoods, here are a couple of interesting housing stats:
- Median housing cost: $908 (monthly rent); $259,600 (house cost)
- Homeownership: 50%
According to one source, the City Center, Tongue Point Village/Navy Heights, and Alameda Ave./West Lexington Ave. neighborhoods are popular. They also happen to have among the most expensive real estate in the area.
Pros & Cons Of Living In Astoria, Oregon
In general, coastal living has its positives and negatives. It stands to reason, then, that life in Astoria can be truly sweet. But, as with any place, you have to take the bad with the good. Going in with your eyes open is the key to making it work for you.
Love It!
Here are a few perks of putting down stakes in Astoria, specifically:
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Surrounded by beauty.
Astoria’s uniquely situated on the Pacific coast as well as at the mouth of the Columbia River. Each body of water presents distinct terrain and wildlife — all of which is a feast for the eyes.
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Tons of recreational opportunities.
Sailing, fishing, swimming, hiking, cycling, camping, shopping, exploring forts and shipwrecks, pub crawling, museum-going…. There’s no chance of running out of things to do!
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Charming downtown district.
Astoria’s town center is full of shops and boutiques, restaurants and pubs, restored historic buildings, and more. On Sundays from the end of May to mid-October, there’s also a wonderful and lively arts, crafts, and farmer’s market. If you’re looking for a more serene scene, the waterfront edge of town is just the ticket.
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Close to other cool places.
Astoria’s close to other neat coastal towns in Oregon and Washington. It’s a great jumping-off point for day-trippers and explorers!
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Don’t Love It….
Living in Astoria can be a bowl of cherries, but these things might be the pits:
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Seasonal climate/weather.
Summers tend to be cooler than other coastal towns. Autumn and winter can be quite blustery, which may impact your ability to get to Portland and Longview.
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Early closing.
Most stores and services aren’t open late. You can be hard-pressed to find gas, groceries, etc. in the wee hours.
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Socioeconomic factors.
Cost of housing has been going up in recent years. Astoria’s poverty rate is a little above the national average. Locals have commented on the sizeable drug problem.
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Lack of diversity.
Astoria’s citizenry is overwhelmingly white, Christian, and US-born. If you prefer living amongst a broader variety of cultural influences — you probably won’t find that here.
Things To Do In Astoria, OR
Astoria is primely positioned to offer up a lifetime of recreational possibilities. Even if you live to 120, you won’t run out of fun activities, diverse entertainment, and beautiful and fascinating natural wonders to enjoy.
- Climb the Astoria Column
- Ride the riverfront trolley (and learn some local lore!)
- Go wine or beer tasting
- Poke around the downtown core
- Stroll along the riverwalk
- Tour the Lightship Columbia, a decommissioned lighthouse boat
- Take in cultural and historic attractions like museums, galleries, and performing arts
- Day trip to nearby coastal towns, hiking trails, and nature parks
- Attend annual events
Learn more about life in and around Oregon’s amazing coastal towns.
Make Your Move To The Coast A Breeze
Astoria’s a wonderful place to call home. When you’re ready to move, West Coast Moving & Storage can make your coastal relocation simple and as hassle-free as possible. We take care of all the details so you can focus on living your dream. Reach out today for your free consultation.
Data Sources
https://www.weather-us.com/en/oregon-usa/astoria-climate#temperature
https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/astoria-or-population
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astoria,_Oregon
https://population.us/or/astoria/
https://suburbanstats.org/population/oregon/how-many-people-live-in-astoria
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/astoriacityoregon
https://www.bestplaces.net/religion/city/oregon/astoria
https://local.townsquarepublications.com/oregon/astoria/
https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/or/astoria