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Living in Brookings Oregon - EVERYTHING You Need to Know
What is Living in Brookings Oregon Like?
Located on the breathtaking Southern Oregon Coast, Brookings sits just six miles north of the California border on U.S. Highway 101. It is surrounded by the Chetco River and Port of Brookings Harbor on the south and by Harris Beach State Park to the north. Brookings initially thrived on the lumber and commercial sports fishing industries. Although dwindling, lumber and fishing are still decisive factors in the City's economy. Lily bulb farming was introduced in the 1920s. The lily bulb farms in a 12-mile area between Brookings and Smith River, California, produce 100% of the lily bulbs grown in North America. Because of these stable industries, Brookings is less dependent on the tourist trade than many Oregon coast cities.
There's a lot to do living in Brookings, Oregon. Azalea Park, with its picnic areas, a bandshell, snack shack, playground, disc golf course, softball and soccer fields, and gazebo, is Brookings's premier outdoor gathering place for everything from quiet strolls, picnics, birthday parties, ball games, small and large weddings, reunions, summer concerts, and more. The park hosts Nature's Coastal Holiday Light Show in December; with the lights, sculptures, and music, the park is packed nightly from the day after Thanksgiving to Christmas Day. Certainly a must for anyone living in Brookings, Oregon. Harris Beach State Park, another popular spot, is located on Highway 101 at the north end of Brookings. With its 173 acres of breathtaking coastal access, RV and tent camping facilities, and rest area, you'll surely want to check it out if visiting or living in Brookings, Oregon.
Living in Brookings, Oregon, you'll find there a number of annual events, including the Slippery Banana Softball Tournament, the free summer Sunday American Music Festival - Concerts held at the bandshell from June to September; the Wild Rivers Music Festival - a one-day music extravaganza, and Oktoberfest.
With all that info, moving to and living in Brookings, Oregon, probably seems like a good idea. Take a look at some of the living in Brookings, Oregon, FAQs to learn more about what it's like to live in Brookings, Oregon.
The Moving to Brookings Oregon Team
Would you like to buy a home in Brookings, Oregon? Let our team of trusted professionals help you buy or/and sell a home in the Brookings area. To connect with a local expert/real estate professional in Brookings, Oregon, to help you navigate your home buying journey, CLICK HERE. To start receiving emails with homes that match your criteria, CLICK HERE and sign up for Listing Alert. With a little info on what, where, and how much, you'll get newly listed homes matching your criteria sent to your inbox as they hit the market. This can give you a big leg up in your home search.
The first step in the home-buying process is getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Todd Davidson is an experienced mortgage broker and can help you get the best financing option for your home purchase. Not quite ready yet? Todd can help you put together a plan to get you there. Whether you're thinking a few months or a year or more if you want to buy a home, reach out to Todd and he can help. CLICK HERE to email Todd and set up a call to get the process started or just call at 971-275-2465.
Todd Davidson
Mortgage Broker
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FAQs About Moving to and Living in Brookings Oregon
What is Brookings, Oregon, known for?
Brookings, Oregon, is known for a number of things, but the thing that stands out most is the weather. Known as "Oregon's Banana Belt," Brookings has a milder climate than other cities on the Oregon Coast. Warm air flows inland California pushing the cooler coastal air away from the town, making it much warmer than other cities on the Oregon Coast. There are times in the summer living in Brookings, Oregon, you'll find the weather is going to be hotter than in the Willamette Valley or Portland Metro Area.
What cities are nearby Brookings, Oregon?
If visiting or living in Brookings, Oregon, some of the closest cities are Crescent City CA - 26 Miles, Gold Beach - 28 miles, Port Orford - 56 Miles, Grants Pass - 96 miles, Medford - 125 Miles, Eugene - 222 Miles, Portland - 329 Miles.
What is the weather like in Brookings, Oregon?
Living in Brookings, Oregon, you can expect temperatures during the summer to range from 52°F to 67°F and winter from 42°F to 55°F. It's the Banana Belt of Oregon, so temperatures are typically warmer than in other coastal cities. Do you like rain? Living in Brookings, you'll get your fair share. It rains close to 80 inches a year there.
What is the cost of living in Brookings, Oregon, like?
I've calculated the REAL cost of living in Brookings, Oregon. I've taken today's rent, utilities, food costs, transportation, healthcare, and the other necessities to live, and figured out you need to make $54,000 a year to live in Brookings, Oregon and rent. To move to Brookings, Oregon, and buy a home, you'll need to make $66,000 a year to afford the house payment, maintenance and other living expenses. For more info on the cost of living on the Oregon Coast and its various cities, including how we calculated, check out my blog post, "The REAL Cost of Living on the Oregon Coast."
What are home prices like if I'm thinking of moving to Brookings, Oregon?
There's a good amount of homes for sale in Brookings, Oregon, at the time of writing. The sweet spot is around $600,000. There's a little inventory below and a little inventory above. If looking to move to Brookings, Oregon, and want to buy, I'd expect to pay somewhere close to that.
Does Brookings have good public schools?
Students in Brookings, Oregon, attend public school in the Brookings-Harbor School District, which serves the city of Brookings and some surrounding areas. For school year 2022-23, Niche.com ranks the Brookings-Harbor School District #149 among all school districts in Oregon, giving the district an overall C- rating. If you're considering a move to Brookings, Oregon, and have school aged kids, do your research and make sure Brookings schools will work for you, the rankings aren't the best but perhaps there are other factors that would make the district a good fit.
Is Brookings Oregon safe?
Living in Brookings, Oregon, you'll find it a pretty safe place. Property crime rates in Brookings are lower than the national average, and violent crime rates are significantly lower than the national average. NeighborhoodScout.com states Brookings has a crime rate lower than 68% of all US cities. Brookings, Oregon, residents should feel very safe.
What is there to do living in Brookings Oregon?
Living in Brookings, Oregon, you will always have things to do. The city is surrounded by natural beauty, including the Chetco River and the Siskiyou Mountains, offering ample opportunities for hiking, biking, and fishing. Brookings boasts several parks, including Azalea Park and Harris Beach State Park, which feature playgrounds, picnic areas, and scenic walking trails. The city hosts several annual events, including the Azalea Festival, which attracts visitors from around the region, and the Curry County Fair, offering carnival rides, live music, and 4-H exhibits. If you're looking for a day trip, Brookings is located near the Redwood National and State Parks. Whether you enjoy outdoor activities or cultural experiences, there is always something to do in Brookings, Oregon.
Who are the large employers in Brookings Oregon?
If living in Brookings, Oregon, some of the top employers include the Curry Health Network, which employs over 400 workers, the Brookings-Harbor School District, which employs over 200 people, and the Chetco Federal Credit Union, which employs over 50 people. Other notable employers in Brookings include the Port of Brookings Harbor, Fred Meyer, and various small businesses. With a diverse range of employers, residents of Brookings can find opportunities in healthcare, education, retail, and more.
How is the healthcare in Brookings Oregon?
Living in Brookings, Oregon, puts you near the Curry Health Network, which includes Curry General Hospital, a level IV trauma center with 25 beds. This hospital would likely be able to provide you with most of your medical needs. If looking for a specialist and can't find them in the Brookings area, the Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, Oregon is approximately 130 miles away, this 378 bed hospital is a Level II Trauma Center. The hospital offers a comprehensive range of medical services, including emergency care, surgical procedures, maternity services, cardiovascular care, orthopedics, cancer treatment, neurology, pediatrics, and more.
I'm thinking of retiring in Brookings, Oregon. Is it a good idea?
Are you thinking of retiring in Brookings, Oregon? There's a lot to do and beautiful scenery with the beaches, rivers, parks, trails, and mountains. Retiring in Brookings, Oregon, might not be so bad. The community has a high percentage of retirees. If you're younger and thinking of living in Brookings, Oregon, the schools aren't as good as you'll find in other areas of Oregon, and there are fewer opportunities for younger people than you'd find in other areas of the state.
I want to move to Brookings, Oregon. How do I make that happen?
If you're considering a move to Brookings, Oregon, we're here to help! The information on this website, including the helpful links below, should give you some good information to aid your research. If you want to ask questions, try our Facebook Group > Moving to Oregon, where we have a broad group of locals and Oregon transplants to answer any question you might have about moving to and living in Brookings, Oregon. If you're looking to buy a home in Brookings or another community on the Oregon Coast, getting pre-approved for a mortgage should be your first step. For Mortgage Info, reach out to me. I specialize in working with people moving to Oregon and the Brookings area and would love to help you buy a home and move to Brookings, Oregon.
For FAQs about moving to Oregon or living in Oregon, check out my blog, 31 FAQs About Living in Oregon. For more information about living in Oregon, check out the homepage of LIVING IN OREGON.