What a difference a week away can make

Although like many people, I sometimes plan for and thoroughly enjoy a vacation of several weeks, even four or five days away from the normal routine can put a spring in your step and a smile on your face. I just returned from such a brief respite in Portland, Oregon where I met my San Francisco daughter, Marianne, and we spent a particularly delightful and productive week together.

For some time now, at my daughter’s persistent reminders, I have been following the help and advice I give clients and looking into retirement communities for myself.

Although I have a son in New York, I have wanted to move closer to my daughter but have found communities near her either not suitable or too expensive.

Through a series of unusual circumstances, we heard of a community in Portland, which while not really close by, is only a onehour plane hop away from San Francisco. After spending the week there and investigating the city itself, I know I have finally found the right place for me although they do have a one- to twoyear wait list.

As to Portland itself, it is a small- to medium-size city with an off-beat kind of funky charm, hilly and very green with a spectacular view of Mt. Saint Helens and Mt. Hood. The retirement community sits on a hill just above the city, a five-minute drive away. At the community itself, we had lunch and dinner with a variety of couples, all with such interesting and diverse backgrounds, and were impressed to learn how active the resident council is in setting policy.

I also was very pleased with their unusual meal plan, which permits you to eat as often or infrequently as you wish in their lovely dining room.

Marianne and I took a half-day “Pink Bus” tour and in addition to the many parks and quaint older homes, we passed neighborhoods reminiscent of Greenwich Village filed with boutique clothing shops, specialty food and ice cream hang-outs and outdoor coffee cafes.

I was also made to feel right at home when I learned there was an Ikea, Nordstrom, T.J. Maxx and Macy’s downtown and a large outlet center 25 miles away as well as a large, local Saturday market.

The city is also home to Powell’s, America’s largest independent bookstore, which covers several city blocks. Portland is a city of avid readers, due no doubt to the rather dreary, rainy winters.

Portlanders seem to embrace their beautiful outdoors whatever the weather and bikers are everywhere. In fact, there are city bike racks where you can borrow an orange bike, enjoy riding it and then return it to another rack in a different part of the city.

Portland transportation is very senior-friendly; a senior pass will take you on their excellent bus, trolley or rail system and of course, Uber is everywhere. Did I remember to mention that there is no sales tax?

Our pink tour bus also took us by the Portland Art Museum, the Oregon Zoo, an authentic Ming Dynastystyle Chinese Garden and the Oregon History Museum.

I am pleased that it will be quite some time before I will, in all probability, make the move and I am also pleased that Portland offers so much because I know when I leave this area of Connecticut, I leave a place that also offers a wonderful lifestyle where I have made some very special friendships.

Contact Jean Cherni, senior adviser for Premier Transitions, a full-service program for seniors contemplating a move, at jeancherni@sbcglobal. net or 49 Rose St., Apt. 510, Branford, 06405.