We originally thought we’d take a year travel sabbatical, see some of the country and maybe look for other places besides northern California to retire. When we started the journey (now nearly 4 years ago!) I thought someplace we visited would just feel exactly right. Boy was I wrong. One thing we’ve learned in travelling the country is that every state has something beautiful to see and at least one city or town worth consideration. Most have even more than one so rather than narrowing things down, our journey has actually created some confusion and Salem is one of many confusing places.
Salem, Oregon was founded in 1842, making it one of the oldest cities in the state. It is currently the 3rd largest city in Oregon after Portland and Eugene. It is the capital city of Oregon and located in the Willamette Valley, which is now known for its vineyards and wineries. I was really looking forward to visiting this Capitol building as it’s touted as an Art Deco masterpiece designed by Francis Keally, but it is currently under construction so we really only got a glimpse of its repeating patterns on the outside and the gilded “Golden Pioneer” atop its dome that represents the spirit of Oregon’s early settlers.
Additionally, on paper Salem checked a lot of our “places to retire” boxes – home to Willamette University, one of the oldest universities in the western United States; they have a theater for comedy, plays, ballet and the symphony as well as some local festivals; with the Willamette River running right through town, there appear to be lots of outdoor opportunities; Salem has a major airport and they don’t get a lot of snow.
However, we did see a lot of homeless downtown and while there, we had a low energy / bit rundown vibe. I’m not completely ruling it out, but I’d really need to spend more time here to make a decision.
Have you been to Salem? Any advice on this one? How much do you rely on first impressions?
The good news is that we’re committed to settling next in the states west of about Colorado due to family and friends and we’re committed to a spending more time in cities and towns that look good…even if it’s currently just on paper.
