Retire in Portland?

Travel Info
My husband and I, in our early 60's, live in New Jersey, near New York. We wish to move for our retirement, and are thinking of Portland,Or, or Seattle,Wa. We find that, even at 15min from the city, we rarely take advantage of the activities in NY. We enjoy our area because it is safe, and we can walk to the supermarket and local libraray. However, the things we enjoy most are the Learning in Retirement classes at our community college, covering science, history, literature, etc. We enjoy monthly discussions of our local 'friends of Socrates' group. We would enjoy life more if there were more art and spirituality, perhaps Buddhism.
I am wondering if there are activities of a mentally stimulating as well as artistic nature in these cities, and where would our 'best fit' be? Some cities offer senior classes, but they end up to be innocuous blather rather than challenging learing experiences. Any suggestions?

Travel Tips

I would like to recommend Eugene, OR, to you.
It is about two hours south of Portland, and sounds like your kind of city.

Take a looksee!
http://www.eugene-or.gov/portal/server.p...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/eugene,_ore...
http://www.planeteugene.com/
http://www.wunderground.com/us/or/eugene...
http://www.registerguard.com/news/2006/0...
http://www.eugeneweekly.com/

Others
I live in Portland Oregon

It is VERY FUN!!!!

Alot of shopping malls and nice places to have a picnic

Homeless people depending on the district you live in.

I don't reccomend China Town

But the Pearl District is nice but it's your choice
My sister lives there and I LOVE to shop there
I would say Portland would be perfect. My parents are in their 70's and retired here and are so busy. Symphony, opera, plays, poetry groups, writing groups, hikes in forest park (huge park, right in the city....one trail goes for over 20 miles!). There is soooo much to do here for the active retired person. Good luck!