Dalles Living Questions

thurmondmb · Since 10 Jul 2018 66 Posts

Seems like living in the Dalles is more attainable than Hood River. Any folks out there live in the Dalles? How do you like it? Is it growing in a positive way?

I'm mid 30's, married, kite, mountain bike, ski, used to ww kayak a ton.

I figure with living in the Dalles, you're just driving an extra 20 mins to Hood area for Post canyon and skiing. I know the kiting out of the Dalles is real good. (Rufus, Dougs, etc)

What else should I know?

Thanks.

**Edit:

Adding more questions below.

Is it possible to get health care in the Dalles?

What is the best way to find a rental?

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 608 Posts Addicted

Small, sleepier, growing so pricing are increasing, conservative farm and ranch community. Lots of store fronts downtown are now empty, not sure if/when that will turn around. There are quite a few folks like you who can’t afford/won’t pay Hood River prices moving in so hopefully that will help. Some good restaurants and music. The weather also seems sunnier than HR, lots of days where it will be sunny at our place and get cloudy/rainy as I drive into HR.
And as you said, HR is a short and an easy, beautiful drive. And way less traffic if that matters. You can actually go into town on the weekend!

cpc219 · Since 12 Jun 2014 296 Posts The Dalles Obsessed

I live in The Dalles and it's awesome.

thurmondmb · Since 10 Jul 2018 66 Posts

Thanks for the responses. I added a couple more questions under the Edit **

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 663 Posts Addicted

Obviously this post is going to generate a lot of biased responses. That being said, there is no place I would rather live.

I guess it's all in what you value.

Currently I get frustrated in The Dalles when any of the following occurs:

1) If I have to wait for more than 5 minutes to be seated at a restaurant
2) If I have to walk over a block from a free parking spot
3) When it rains multiple days in a row (has been occurring lately, but I guess it beats the snow)
4) When I'm working too hard to notice the incredible view out my window (at rates far below what it would have cost in HR)
5) When I get so caught up in life that I forget to go check out waterfront wednesdays at Bargeway Pub.
6) When work conflicts with big wind days out east - This should probably take the top spot.

Regarding your edited questions.
MCMC has an emergency room in their hospital (19th street), and immediate care at Waters Edge (which has a fantastic view of the dam). I don't have any insight towards renting.

shred_da_gorge · Fri Jan 13, 23 10:40 am

I'm in HR but shop at Grocery Outlet and Fred Meyer in TD as a first pass before bending over at Rosaur's or Safeway. Bonus for driving out there is a great selection of brews at Clock Tower, catching Tony Smiley at Rivertap, etc. Road biking out there I find drivers are more attentive, mellow, friendlier. Fast food selections are better in TD than HR. Gas is (slightly) cheaper. The pathway along the water front is well-connected and stretches for miles, typically less crowded, and if you drive there you can park for free (and actually find parking).

Where TD doesn't stack up to HR is level of entitlement...

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 663 Posts Addicted

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2093 Posts PNW Bigfoot

Not sure about this, but I believe more cherries are grown east of HR and The Dalles are some of the "head waters" for freshly grown and picked cherries.

I love the view looking west at Mt. Hood. The mountain looks totally different than what I'm accustomed to.

For some great pizza and local knowledge try and contact "Sella" on this forum.

Here is some info from a different post you might like to read:

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-47770.html

Re: Shameless Marketing!

Yo Inflictor, your post was a bit scant on details and so I took the liberty to jazz it up some with some additional detail and links. . . ROCK ON!

Inflictor wrote:
OK, I gotta chime in, Please read Sella's post reply in" vote for the Dalles" above, he nails it! The Dalles is way cool and really trying to show it. All the businesses there are down home, happy, with no attitude (Attitude IS Everything). The social scene there is thriving, with music, great eateries, inexpensive shopping and good weather. Really close to Doug's
So, Bart's the guy, we're working hard to get Doug's and other beaches(next Bingen) in shape for all river sport access. The link to join CGW2 is on top.
Also, come and DANCE to my new band T-BLUE and THE RHYTHM INFLICTORS at RT 30 Bar on main street, THIS SATURDAY Feb 8th 8-11pm. We do all homegrown Groove Blues as Tom Reinerth's songs are locally motivated. We just want you guys to come and see how much fun we have playing them! And ya, I'll be playing my self designed, 200% recycled cardboard box drum kit you saw me banging on at Rufus this summer!
We'll be donating part of the band's proceeds from this gig to the CGW2 Doug's KITEBEACH improvement project, so c'mon kiter friends, please show up and have some fun!! Thanks, Inflictor Out

Sella wrote:
The Dalles came in 2nd place to Fredonia NY. Over a million total votes cast so it was nice to see the community rally in a classic small town Americana style.

The Dalles has definitely been in a transitional phase the past few years when Gorge real estate pricing started to trend back up. It reminds me of HR property values when windsurfing took over in the 80's / 90's as growth has outpaced all other gorge towns since 2016-17'ish because younger growing families find it difficult to make HR financially pencil. Not having STR regulations doesn't hurt either for investors needing to store their quiver, bikes, skis etc. With free downtown parking, no traffic, great music, craft beer and food options and 300 days of sunshine it's becoming a nice little town to chill any day of the week alongside a very diverse and eclectic mix of Liberal, Conservative, MAGA, People of Wal-Mart, Retired and outdoor enthusiasts.

The best part however, in my very biased kite opinion, is access to Rufus, Rowena, Mosier and Event Site are all about 15-20 minute drive time contingent upon if the forecast tells you to turn left or right onto I-84. Oh yeah, crossing into WA is free so Doug's is 11 minutes away. If you haven't experienced the Doug's scene yet....the layout potential is off the charts so looking forward for many of you to drive east this coming season to help shape and tame that beast. Cheers.

Help out Doug's new kite launch and Moiser's is soon to come:

https://cgw2.org/product/cgwa-membership/

RT 30 aka Route 30

https://route30.beer/

317 East 2nd Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058, United States
(541) 993-3155

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-47770.html

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 663 Posts Addicted

thurmondmb · Since 10 Jul 2018 66 Posts

Great, seems like a lot of like minded folks I would get along well with Smile

Singlemalt · Since 21 Jun 2015 474 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

The Dalles is just one choice in the mid Columbia. If you want a larger small town, the Dalles, and Hood River are it. Smaller small towns are White Salmon, Stevenson, Cascade locks. Tiny towns in rural settings like Lyle.

Here’s a few things to ponder. Oregon has an income tax. Washington does not. Washington has a sales tax, Oregon does not.

The further east you go, the less rain you get. It gets very dry and brown from the Dalles on east. The Dalles gets hot in the summer. You are at the edge of the eastern deserts.

Stevenson, 40 miles west, is green year round. Lots more rain.

The entire Columbia Gorge, from just east of Portland, at the Sandy river, to Celilo falls, 80 miles east, is a scenic area. Excepting the incorporated towns within that scenic area, you have a whole ‘nuther layer of rules and regulations. That’s why there’s lots of land with no development. It was a huge deal when the scenic act passed in ‘89 or so.

There are four counties in the area. HR, Wasco, Klickitat, and Skamania.

Affordable housing and good paying jobs, are in short supply.

Good luck!

Arb2me · Since 14 May 2019 28 Posts

Can speak to the healthcare. They have Mid Columbia Medical Center. Would be a decent place but it’s overwhelmed and understaffed at the moment. Forget about getting timely specialty care anywhere in the gorge. Plan on staying healthy, get a PCP, and needing to occasionally go in to PDX.

cpc219 · Since 12 Jun 2014 296 Posts The Dalles Obsessed

Yes there are healthcare options in The Dalles.

The best way to find a rental is to connect with a property manager, fill out an app, and just get in line. That way when something comes up they can call you and you aren't fighting people on the classifieds

cpc219 · Since 12 Jun 2014 296 Posts The Dalles Obsessed

Sorry I forgot to mention I will have a smaller 3bed/1 bath rental coming up in The Dalles February 1. Clean and has an attached garage for your gear.

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 608 Posts Addicted

Sella · Thu Jan 19, 23 1:31 pm **Sasquatch...this is for you buddy.**

I love "living in The Dalles" questions. The little town that used to be referenced as "The Dirty" is now "The Darling" of the Gorge. Hahahahaha finally boys our patience has paid off!!

Twenty years later and now approaching 2000 sessions from the Event Site here is my 2023 take on TD living;

COVID has taught the world remote work is here to stay so local incomes will never beat the global competition for Gorge living and there will never be "affordable gorge housing" built for the masses. Too much land is locked and inaccessible to build. If you own anywhere from Goldendale/Rufus to Cascade Locks/Stevie area.....well played and hold on to it. HR is now an elite town for living and 7 figures is the entry fee for a non POS that doesn't require a ton of work to make it livable. While HR home prices are eye opening they're still a bargain for many. I've heard something like 80% of HR home sales come from outside money and the top reason for HR listings is divorce. Seems keeping up with the Joneses can be rough in Da Hood.

Most importantly though, where you live in the Gorge depends on how long you plan on staying, your partners happiness and your tax strategy. Short term look towards HR/WS. Long term, TD/Lyle/Stevie. If you recreate together The Dalles works well because it's easy living and you're rolling I-84 with your gear having an adventure together. 15 minutes total time to some of the best of the best. If you go kite, ski and paddle solo your partner will most likely enjoy the HR vibe more because it shows well for visiting friends. The funny thing is too many visitors think they have to live in HR if you want to be cool. Undoubtedly, HR is a beautiful and very politically correct place to live. My kids attend school in HR. I also think it's safe to say HR is an extreme sports town that attracts extreme posers with absolutely no self-confidence. Every season they rent an apartment and instantly become "locals" complaining about the line at Mike's ice cream, traffic on Oak Street or Chic-Fil-A selling racist sandwiches so if you're not buying local, you're an asshole. Tourists bring tourism problems and that is HR's cross to bear. They'll also snub their nose at you for being from "Dallas". I just laugh knowing they're pissing away $3k a month for the luxury of being bothered about first world problems in a complex world. Fyi, the short drive from HR to TD has the most beautiful gorge scenery as you pass Mosier, Lyle, Doug's and Discovery honking at your brother's getting their time on the water. (Big John, CPC, Knot, Malt...etc...etc....etc.)

On the flip side, all my HR property owning friends who I've ridden with for the last 20 years are very well educated salt-of-the earth amigos just trying to raise their kids right and find their solace on the water too. Everything gorge is about life balance and eventually your tribe will appear. I've learned if they're not pumping something to go ride or asking about conditions........they're not worth the time and don't bother as they're probably a real estate agent wearing knee pads under those board shorts looking for their next victim.

Also, it's not fair to hammer on HR with looking in the mirror. Dallesians do not recreate much on the water. Lots of churches and fixed income. Muffin top stuffed sweatpants is how you shop for groceries. MAGA flags still fly proudly. They like to fish and hunt and prefer to kill shit, while I prefer to go out and slay it but return it as I found it. If you want a "taste" go eat at Spooky's. Great food. Simple folk. Lot's of dead animals hanging from walls while you enjoy a slice. It's near the porn shop and a homeless camp. All my new neighbors are from HR fyi.

Keep your partner happy. See you on the water.

mcsailor0303 · Since 18 Mar 2009 184 Posts The Dalles Stoked

"The Dalles, it's not that bad" is what we've been saying since we bought in TD in 2018!

I live in TD, and work in HR and can agree with what others say - best views during that commute! The only downfall is when you forget your harness, or your crew wants to go mtn bike instead or something.

Love the people, and love being able to get away from the crowds in the summer!