Whats your opinion on Hood River and other Gorge communities? (Portland: relocate, vacation)

[dtmoss14]

All opinions are welcomed. Thanks!

[Waterlily]

Much of the area is rural. Hood River is the best city in the gorge to me. Others may like some other city. Hood River is close to Mt.Hood for skiing and the rivers for other sports. There's fishing boating and windsurfing. It has forest around it and gets snow in winter.

The main draw backs are the expense and the wind.

[jujubean]

I am going to be working in Stevenson Wa at a resort. I am a 58 year old single woman. Which town would I be most comfortable in or should I bit the bullet and move to Portland and Drive the 45 miles.

[janb]

If you can handle wind... I'd try North Bonneville for a nice walkable (very small) community with great bike paths (a relocated city, so nothing too old)

then Stevenson, (real rainy) I really like the people and the swimming pool and Library here. And its the COUNTY SEAT !!!

Home Valley, nice little spot, but still rainy

then White Salmon, drier and nice community.

You don't want to work in WA and live in OR, as you will be dealing with OR income taxes and a "not-so-fun" commute. (Bridge tolls, ice and wind)

Portland is ez to access (40 min) if you feel you need to (you will tend to pick days when you don't have freezing rain...)

Skamania County runs a very cheap and frequent shuttle bus from Stevenson to Vancouver, and it links with the transit center to get you to Portland. I see it taking folks to Winco for shopping too!. The Gorge is a great place to live, a tad inclimate weather at times, but it keeps some of the riff-raff out.

As a local, I frequent the resorts, but not as often as when you could buy a $5 day pass for swim and spa. I still like to hang out in their libraries and enjoy the often hosted music programs, and when I save long enough... a swim pass. The public pool in Stevenson is tough to beat for $2.30

I know some folks who work at the resorts and commute to Hood River, but most eventually end up on the WA side for taxes and commute reasons. I know 2 who commute to Portland, but only because their spouse works in Portland, so they live there.

[janb]

Originally Posted by dtmoss14

All opinions are welcomed. Thanks!

ugh ... the newly publicized list that puts HR up with Jackson Hole and Aspen for very desirable locations to live and play, will be fuel to the fire.

It IS VERY nice, but the escalating property values are too much for locals, so... the social terrain is changing fast. It won't be bad, just different, and definitely not cheap. I have friends in HR, The Dalles, Mosier, Lyle, Goldendale, White Salmon, Stevenson and they all like it in the gorge. Since I was weaned in Wyo, I don't mind a good 50-70 mph blow, but the freezing rain is a treat.

There is a variety of social microcosms in the gorge, you can pick your pleasure.
OR side is not as diverse, as little heavy industry remains, but more farming (orchards). It also has better access to Mt Hood (downhill skiing) so attracts a wealthier clientèle. WA is more "cross-country" / kayak, and blue collar, but not affordable anymore either.

You don't say if you want a job, recreation, investment, schools... all these things will help you pinpoint a preferred location. If you are not aware... everything between Washougal / Corbett and the Deschutes River is in the "Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. That can be good or bad... the cities are not restricted as much as private land, but.... it's tough to find rural properties that are available or buildable, and there are significant restrictions, and a group on a witch-hunt to 'protect' it. (good and bad) ...

[cvanripe10]

How windy can it be. I checked out city-data.coms webpage on hood river and the wind speed was well below average. I'm guessing that is a mistake, as they also claim the towns population is 5,000 when i read here it's more like 20,000.

One thing I don't understand about place like Jackson Hole, Aspen, and Hood River is the economy. If it is so expensive to live there and in a remote location, then how does it survive???
How do people who work live in the town(Tradesmen, Shop Owners, Mechanics, Police, Teachers)??? These people don't have millions in the bank like the rich people who buy vacation homes there, and the town needs these people to survive.

[janb]

Wind is not terrible, but it is often.. probably averages 10 mph 8 months / yr, but some months 15-18. There are some wind maps on the web, usually related to airports. The HR airport should be good, but it is not as windy there as in town (lower and in the Gorge) The Dallesport, WA Airport info should give you a pretty good idea, but again, the terrain is different (Gorge is wider at Dallesport) but it is usually windier. There should also be some 'windsurfer wind watch' data that would keep you current (try Gorge.net Weather Page) but the airport stuff from NOAA / FAA will be better (do a search for "wind maps" + "airport" + "dallesport")

regarding the folks who can afford to live there... folks who had a place BEFORE the huge hike in prices tend to stay put as long as they can afford taxes, but lots of workerbees have to commute from less desirable places. There is enough 'play' money for creative folks to afford it... I'm just not sure how ?? Staying near HR just got very hard with Google in The Dalles. (folks used to be able to afford area above Mosier). There is a lot of National Forest in HR county, limiting homesites. Even Dufur is too expensive, where you could get a nice home for $80k a couple yrs ago. It is a long ways from HR on an icy day. Parkdale and Odell have the downside of dealing with lots of sprays / frost control for orchards. The WA side has tolls + high Prop values and taxes, and the whole surrounding area is in the National Scenic Area... makes for expensive housing.

[cvanripe10]

Ive seen some rentals on craigslist. A house for $1,000 a month. Would it be absurd to live there for a year or 2 and work in residential construction?

[janb]

no... lots of folks doing that. It would help to have a job lined up, but you could probably 'do-your-own-thing' if you could establish a reputation or get some referrals. It depends what segment of that market you are in. For framing, roofing, concrete, flooring, and sheetrock subcontracting, I wouldn't try it due to migrant population. For custom finish, stone masonry, tile setting, plumbing or electrical there should be a job.

[cvanripe10]

is there a big illegal immigrant population in hood river?