At the mouth of the Columbia River near the coastline, Astoria is a quaint seaside city of about 10,000 residents. Sarah Jane Bardy, a local real estate professional with Sotheby’s International Realty, says that one of the biggest draws of the city is its beauty: “Astoria has views of the Columbia River and the mountains in Washington from nearly every part of downtown as well as the residential areas up on the north side of the hill.” She also notes that people are drawn to Astoria’s extensive history: “We are the oldest settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.” Being a coastal settlement, fishing and logging have been primary industries in Astoria for most of its existence; however, in recent years, the city has also seen a surge in the arts and tourism industries. “Astoria has had quite the renaissance. Artists have flourished here, and our downtown now draws a lot of tourism for our museums, art galleries, shops and cafes,” Bardy says. “Our hospital and Coast Guard stations also employ a significant portion of the population, which brings in folks from all around the country who breathe new life into the community.”
Port of Upper Astoria sits on the edge of highway 30 as you drive into Astoria.
Put your boat in on the Columbia River at the East Mooring Basin Boat Ramp.
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Historic properties and newer developments
Most of Astoria's housing options are single-family homes ranging between approximately $300,000 and $900,000. The median home price is $550,000. “Most homes in Astoria proper are from the Victorian era extending into about the 1950s. Some developments occurred during the 60s through the present day, so there are a handful of options for more contemporary properties as well as a few condo buildings,” Bardy says. As a general rule, the north side of the hill has mostly Victorian and Craftsman-style builds, while the south side is home to developments dating back to the World War II era.
A Victorian home with views of the Columbia River in Adairs Port of Upper Astoria.
A large Victorian home in the Downtown neighborhood.
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Students served by Astoria School District
Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are zoned for the Astoria School District, which receives an overall B-minus rating from Niche. The district has four schools: John Jacob Astor Elementary for kindergarten through second grade, Lewis & Clark Elementary for grades three through five, Astoria Middle School and Astoria High School. Astoria is also home to the Clatsop Community College, a two-year public institution offering dozens of career pathways, degrees and professional certificates.
Lewis and Clark Elementary School earns a B on Niche.
Astoria High School offers a strong arts education.
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City parks and surrounding outdoor spaces
The oceanic climate of Astoria brings rainy winters and sunny summers, but the city’s residents are determined to enjoy the surrounding outdoors all year round. “People here aren’t usually slowed down by the weather; they’ll just grab their raincoat and keep on going,” Bardy says. Sixty-three city parks are maintained by Astoria’s Parks and Recreation Department, including the Astoria Aquatic Center and the Astoria Riverwalk. Outside the city, residents can find countless other opportunities for outdoor recreation. “Astoria has hiking trails within city limits, but just a short drive away are a number of other state and national parks,” Bardy says. These places include the coastal Fort Stevens State Park, home to an early 20th-century shipwreck, and the Saddle Mountain State Natural Area.
Residents enjoy cycling, jogging and walking on the paved Astoria Riverwalk.
Learn about the historic landscape along the Netul River Trail.
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Mom-and-pop shops and eateries in downtown Astoria
Astoria’s vibrant downtown area is situated along the waterfront, mostly centering around Marine Drive and Commercial Street. “Downtown Astoria is lively year-round. There are dozens of restaurants, theatres, and shops, all within just a few blocks. It's a very easy place to get around,” Bardy says. “You can go down there and park once, and then you can easily walk wherever you need to go.” She notes that nearly all the stores in downtown Astoria are mom-and-pop shops owned and operated by members of the community. Some of the most popular spots in the downtown area include Astoria Brewing Company, a thriving brewpub and café, and the Silver Salmon Grille, a seafood restaurant. There are several grocery stores throughout the city, including Safeway and the Astoria Co-op. For national retailers and big box stores, residents can travel about 5 miles west into suburban Warrenton, home to stores like Ross Dress for Less, Walmart Supercenter, Costco and Petco.
Custard King is a local favorite for frozen custard on a sunny day.
Bridgewater Bistro sits right on the Columbia River and offers local seafood entrees.
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Museums, theatres and community events
Astoria was founded in 1811, making it not just the oldest settlement in Oregon but also the oldest settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. Nowadays, the city is home to a variety of museums and historic landmarks that tell the town’s story throughout the centuries. Some spots that people can visit include the Oregon Film Museum, the Columbia River Maritime Museum, the Astoria Column landmark, the Heritage Museum and the Liberty Theatre. Despite its small population, Astoria is also known for its bustling community events and artistic liveliness, which can be seen through its year-round celebrations and activities. “We’ve got live music seven nights a week nearly year-round,” Bardy says. Every year, the musical “Shanghaied in Astoria” is performed in the city, drawing in tens of thousands of attendees.
Built in 1925, the Liberty Theatre offers live music, film, and other performances.
The Columbia River Maritime Museum collects and preserves the history of the Columbia River.
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Getting around Astoria
There are two major thoroughfares that run through Astoria. U.S. Route 30 runs east-west and is the third-longest highway in the country. U.S. Highway 101 branches off from the city’s peninsula and connects to the Astoria-Megler Bridge, which crosses the Columbia River and the Washington-Oregon state line. The Astoria Transit Center is fed by several different bus services, including Oregon’s POINT bus service, the Pacific Transit bus service and the Northwest Connector bus service. Three miles away is the Astoria Regional Airport, a civil-military airport that does not operate commercial flights. For domestic and international airline flights, residents can make the 95-trip mile southeast into the city of Portland.
Crime and safety in Astoria
Compared to state-level and national data provided by the FBI Crime Data Explorer, Astoria has higher rates of property-related crime but similar rates of violent crime. In 2016, the Astoria Police Department began offering the Property Watch program, which allowed commercial building owners to request additional security on their properties to protect against criminal activity.
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