Where is a good place for a family to settle North or NE of White Salmon? (Vancouver: real estate)

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My family and I are going to be moving back to Washington (we used to live in Vancouver, WA but due to a job transfer we have been stuck in Arkansas for nearly two years !!!!) and now (thank heaven !) a job is going to be taking us to Oregon, near The Dalles area.

We are a good family (mid 40's with a 10 yr. old child) who is wanting to find a small town with a safe school that is within driving distance of the Dalles (no more than 1 hour away).

We love the fur trees and climate of Washington so we don't want to be in the desert....so, we are figuring that we need to aim our search west or northwest of The Dalles.

If anyone knows of a house/MH with some land we would love to know about it! WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO RE-SALE....WE ARE LOOKING FOR A HOME WHERE WE CAN SETTLED DOWN FOR GOOD AND PLANT OUR ROOTS.

We would also like to find a trustworthy real estate agent in the area.

Any help or advice or info will be welcomed by us !!!!

Thanks so much,
Susan