Who commutes between Hood River and Troutdale? (Portland: home, living)

[malachai23]

Hi all, does anyone commute between Hood River and the Portland area? What have been your experiences? I realize that there can be some sketchiness but realistically, how many days out of the winter is the commute not do-able? One? Two? Ten? How many days of the days that are do-able would you say it is white-knuckle driving, and how long does it take on days like that? I'm concerned about the ice moreso than the snow. I have been up and over the pass on 26 so many times in the snow, but I've never taken 84 through the Gorge in the winter. I will be moving to Oregon soon and commuting to Troutdale... still trying to decide which community to call home base. Thanks all!

[malachai23]

Anyone? Anyone?

[sayulita]

Don't you hate it when you get no responses??? I'll take pity on you and tell you what I think. Key word is "think" rather than "know". First thought is that commuting to Troutdale vs. Portland is a very different thing. Troutdale is much closer to Hood River than central Portland is. As I recall from news stories, Troutdale is usually the place where all the traffic is stopped when severe weather shuts down the gorge. My guess is that 6 maybe 7 days tops in an entire winter would be a troublesome, if not impossible commute. Not so bad in the grand scheme of things. I hope others with more firsthand knowledge will chime in. All in all, I don't think it's a factor that needs to weigh heavily in your decision on where to move. Personally, I'd live in Troutdale if I were working there. Shorter commute and closer to big city amenities.

[Wicked Felina]

I just saw the OP's post. Sayulita hit all the major points.

You don't need to worry about snow; there's no such thing as 'soft' snow in the gorge - it always turns to ice.

A commute is certainly doable, plenty of people do it. If the freeways get shut down, you don't get to work. It's also impossible for amateurs to predict the weather - but you can count on I-84 being closed down for two to three days every winter. IMO and experience.

Hood River is gorgeous. For me, it would be worth living there to chance four to five days per winter of icy/semi-icy roads. Keep in mind, if it's icy on I-84, it's icy in Troutdale.

"All in all, I don't think it's a factor that needs to weigh heavily in your decision on where to move."I absolutely agree with Sayulita here.

But I would live in Hood River rather than Troutdale if I had the option. That's just personal preference; the threat of ice wouldn't stop me from living where I wanted to.

[puerco]

Many years ago when I was going to PCC in downtown Portland I had a language teacher who commuted there from Hood River. I don't remember his ever having missed a class so I would guess that for the most part you'd have little trouble getting thru the Gorge. Like SeeBee says, if the gorge is closed you just don't go to work that day.

[malachai23]

Wow, I totally expected this idea to be shot down immediately! But I was pleasantly surprised with the nice comments I have received here. Thanks everyone! Slowly but surely I'm narrowing my search.