What can you tell me about Hood River? (Portland, Troutdale: houses, employment)

[Earniefan]

It appears to be very expensive but I would like some insider opinions. We are builders so an area with growth is important, but we also would like to live in a smaller town with a lot of beauty around it.

[dachmom]

Yes, Hood River is expensive. This is driven mostly from the Windsurfers that come up from California. Houses there start at no less than $150,000. It's a beautiful area, although most of the town is up on top of a hill. I don't think there's a lot of growth there because of it's location (80 miles east of Portland). It's a small town, so there are not a lot of jobs available and the ones that are available do not pay well. Hood River used to be a farm town years ago, but ever since windsurfing became popular it has become a little more trendy with more small shops on the main street. There is a Wal-Mart, but that is the only "big box" store. There is a Safeway, and of course fast food places. Seems to me most of the growth in Oregon is taking place in and around the Portland Area.

[Waterlily]

Well Hood River does have a lot of beautiful scenery. There are hills surrounding the Columbia Gorge.
Lots of younger people go there to be near skiing on Mt. Hood and wind surfing on the river.

[Earniefan]

So would you compare the winds there to the winds we get in Wyoming? What about affordability?

[PNW-type-gal]

Compared to Wyoming (excluding, say, Jackson Hole), Hood River is not going to be affordable. Behind the city, stretching back in a valley, are some of the most productive apple and pear orchards in the NW and land prices are high because the land is valuable ranch land. In town prices are fairly high because Hood River is viewed as a desirable recreation site, between the windsurfing in the river, and the skiing just up the road at Mt. Hood. Given the size of the town, though there IS a lot to do.

The winds in the Gorge can get fierce - beyond Wyoming fierce (well, given the winter I spent in Rawlins once, maybe AS fierce). The Columbia River Gorge is one of the few low passes in the Cascade range, and there is usually a weather high to the east of the Cascades and a low to the west, creating a funnel or venturi for the wind. It's why the windsurfers like it.

[StealthRabbit]

as compared to WY, winds are less frequent, and potentially more intense at times. (consider similar to areas close to mountain frontage / Snowy Range > Laramie) Hood River wind is not as intense as areas between Cascade Locks and Troutdale (narrower)

as far as construction... The Dalles and HR, + White Salmon host a lot of 'craftsman' builders. It would be best if you have specialty skills, there is a clientele to support that. Framers and tract / ranch home construction will be tough to compete. Wages are not great as an employee, as area is desirable, thus folks will take less wages for the benefit to stay. There is adequate migrant population, tho not sure how long they can afford to stay.

I was in HR / Parkdale looking for places this weekend. There are some decent rural places for $400k, but market is tight. It is a pretty time to be out looking.

You might consider White Salmon > Goldendale to retain your 'no-tax' background. HR is more trendy, but there is a lot of 'cross-border' employment for contractors. The Dalles is cheaper and growing (Google office). Dufur is a good alternative for being 20 min away, but much cheaper. (it is a dinky, but friendly, town)