Tucked along Oregon’s Southern Coast, Brookings is a place where the scenery does half the work, from its dramatic sea stacks, dark-sand beaches, and weather so mild locals call it “Oregon’s Banana Belt.”
But there’s more to this town than postcard views. Brookings offers year-round livability, a genuine sense of community, and a real estate market that’s proven its staying power. If you’re thinking about making a move, here’s why now is a great time to buy a home in Brookings, Oregon.
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Reason #1: Coastal beauty and relaxed lifestyle
Life in Brookings revolves around the coastline. This southernmost Oregon beach town sits where forest, mountains, and the Pacific Ocean meet. The views that come with owning a home in Brookings, Oregon—the rugged cliffs, lush evergreens, sunsets that stop you in your tracks—are the kind most people only see on vacation.
For all its striking beauty, Brookings moves at a quiet, small-town pace. Locals know their neighbors, look out for each other, and embrace a rhythm that values peace over hustle. But that slower pace doesn’t mean sitting still.
Outdoor adventure is woven into everyday life, from coastal drives along the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, hikes through the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, kayaking and fishing on the Chetco River, and easy access to the beaches and tide pools at Harris Beach State Park.
Reason #2: Affordability compared to other coastal towns
While the Oregon Coast is famous for its beauty, it’s not always known for its affordability. Brookings is an exception. The average price of a home in Brooking, Oregon ranges from about $350,000 to $500,000, with an average of $344 per square foot—noticeably lower than northern coastal markets like Cannon Beach or Newport. Even properties in Brookings, Oregon with forest, river, or partial ocean views often come at a better value than similar homes farther up the coast.
There’s a wide range of options, too. Vacation cabins can start under $100,000, while condos and ranch-style homes typically fall between $300,000 and $580,000. Larger single-family houses in Brookings, Oregon usually range from $600,000 to $1.2 million, and even waterfront estates—often priced around $2 million—tend to be more attainable than in busier coastal areas.
Reason #3: Strong sense of community
From local festivals to everyday kindness, community runs deep in Brookings.
Brookings has local festivals, longtime traditions, and community spaces that keep everyone connected. Some of the events you can look forward to each year are:
- Azalea Festival
The Azalea Festival is one of Brookings’ longest-running and most beloved traditions. Since 1939, it has celebrated the area’s natural beauty and tight-knit community, earning recognition as an official Oregon Heritage Tradition. The festival fills Memorial Day weekend with a parade, street market, concerts, kids’ activities, car shows, plant sales, and plenty of food.
- Art at the Port
Art at the Port turns the Brookings Harbor boardwalk into a seasonal outdoor gallery. Modeled after Bandon’s well-known boardwalk show, the event is sponsored by the Port of Brookings Harbor and curated by the Pelican Bay Arts Association. Visitors can walk along the waterfront, view colorful artwork, meet local artists, and enjoy the relaxed marina setting.
- Festival of Lights
Every winter, Azalea Park becomes a glowing wonderland for the Festival of Lights, known as the best holiday light show on the Oregon Coast. What started with 20,000 lights in 1997 has grown into more than three million lights and hundreds of glowing sculptures. Guests stroll through themed displays, sip cocoa or cider, and enjoy holiday music as they explore.
- Brookings-Harbor Farmers Market
The Brookings-Harbor Farmers Market is a go-to spot for fresh food and handmade goods. Open every Wednesday and Saturday, it brings together farmers, crafters, and food vendors in one bustling place. Shoppers can find produce, honey, baked goods, canned fish, meats, crafts, plants, clothing, and more.
Who would love living here? Retirees, remote workers, and families who want both beauty and connection will feel right at home in Brookings, Oregon. Retirees are drawn to the sense of connection that comes from a town where people look out for one another. Remote workers tend to stay because they appreciate the peaceful environment and welcoming communities. Families find the same comfort in that closeness, along with the convenience of all three public schools on one shared campus.
Reason #4: Year-round mild climate
Brookings’ weather is so distinctive, it has its own nickname: Oregon’s “Banana Belt.” Thanks to the Chetco Effect—the warm inland air that settles along the crescent-shaped coastline— Brookings stays much milder than most Oregon Coast communities. Winters sit in the low 40s, summers in the low 70s, and the area gets more sunshine with rain that comes in bursts instead of constant drizzle.
This mild climate makes outdoor living easy year-round, from gardening to hiking, fishing, and enjoying the beaches. It also means fewer seasonal maintenance issues for homeowners.
Reason #5: Investment and growth potential
Apart from the scenery and the slower pace of life, one of the reasons to buy a home in Brookings is to set up a long-term real estate investment here. The town consistently attracts retirees looking for mild weather, second-home buyers wanting a peaceful coastal getaway, and newcomers seeking a better quality of life. Vacation cabins are especially popular, and steady demand is fueled by the area’s scenery, outdoor recreation, and reputation.
More Than a Vacation Town
Unlike many coastal spots that empty out after summer, Brookings functions as a real regional hub for the Southern Oregon Coast. It’s the commercial and service center for the Wild Rivers Coast, with jobs in healthcare, education, and retail, plus longstanding industries like logging, fishing, and lily bulb farming.
This mix of tourism, established businesses, and everyday services creates a stable local economy that supports steady real estate demand. Major employers like Curry Health Network, the Brookings-Harbor School District, and the Port of Brookings Harbor give buyers confidence they’re investing in more than just a seasonal vacation town.
Geography also plays a big role here. With the ocean on one side, forested mountains and protected river corridors on the other, and parks all around, buildable coastal land is limited. As more retirees, remote workers, and vacation-home buyers look to Brookings, that natural scarcity helps protect long-term property values.
DISCOVER WHAT AWAITS YOU IN BROOKINGS, OREGON
Whether you’re drawn to the dramatic coastline, the close-knit community, or the promise of a slower, more intentional way of life, Brookings might just be the place you’re looking for.
If you’re ready to explore the homes in Brookings, Oregon—or just want to learn more about what it’s really like to live here—Katie Hensley knows Brookings inside and out. She has nearly 30 years of real estate experience and is passionate about helping buyers find the right home along the Southern Oregon Coast.
Get in touch with Katie today at 541.698.7136 or send her a message to learn more about the homes in Brookings, Oregon.