Best place to retire: Pearl District
Pros: Book readings, cooking classes and art galleries
Cons: Construction noise from new high-rise buildings
Real estate: A 1,000-square-foot loft condo costs $400,000 to $500,000. A one-bedroom rents for $1,500 a month.
When Joyce Edwards visited friends in Portland a couple of years ago, she wasn't in the market for a new hometown. But she immediately realized that this Northwest city was the place for her."I subscribe to two magazines: the New Yorker and Sierra," says Edwards, 60. There aren't many places, she says, that appeal to her interests in both culture and the great outdoors.
Wanting to be in the heart of the city, Edwards bought a 1,400-squarefoot loft in what's known as the Pearl District - named for the galleries and other "hidden gems" tucked into the old warehouse buildings that once were the sole occupants of this area north of downtown.Today those chunks of history stand alongside sleek new condos with 24-hour concierge service and tree-topped terraces.
Any destination that isn't an easy walk is an easy ride on the Portland Streetcar or MAX light rail. As for health care, Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital regularly wins patient-care awards and is just minutes from the Pearl.
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