Why People Move to Hood River

Population: 7,167

Elevation: 500

 When you think of towns in the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River comes up as one of its shining jewels.  Situated in the heart of the luscious gorge and just miles away from Mt. Hood, Hood River has become a treasure for thrill-seeking tourists and a home for active and adventurous families.  This is at the heart of why people move to Hood River, but there’s more than one reason families flock to this gorgeous community.

Experience the Adventure Lifestyle

Because of ideal weather and geography, you can’t talk about Hood River without mentioning all of the recreation available there.  People are attracted to the area for windsurfing, kite surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, wakeboarding, hiking, rock climbing, and fishing during the warm seasons and to snowboarding, skiing, and snowmobiling in the cold season.  This makes for quite an adventurous crowd who enjoys the outdoors and all that the Columbia River Gorge has to offer.

Enjoy the Diverse Entertainment

Because Hood River takes advantage of its tourist destination status, there is actually quite a lot to do for such a small town.  Every day you can find great restaurants, trendy bars, microbreweries, local music, and some amazing artists.  During certain seasons, there are also a variety of cultural, art, music, and film festivals to experience.  For those looking to get out of town, there’s always the Columbia River, Mt. Hood, waterfalls, and of course, acres of wineries where you can enjoy tasting tours.  It’s easy to find something fun to do no matter your interests or age.

Participate in the Community Culture

Although Hood River itself is small, just over 7000 people, the neighborhoods are united and so make a big impact on their community.  You can see this in the Hood River School District, where class sizes are small and teachers are involved.  You can also see this in the way neighbors lend a hand volunteering and participate in city planning to keep their town beautiful and safe. 

Sell or Buy a Home in Hood River

If you’re interested to moving to Hood River or if you’re simply ready to upgrade your current Hood River home, the key is to act fast.  Inventory is low, so buyers have few options to choose from.  However, demand is high, which creates a fast-paced sellers market.  At this time, the average sale price is between $400,000 and $600,000, depending where the home is located.  It you’re from a real estate hot spot like San Francisco, Seattle, or New York, these prices might seem surprisingly low.  Buyers looking for something under $400,000 often look for more affordable options in surrounding areas like Cascade Locks, The Dalles, Parkdale, or White Salmon.  The key is to have a great real estate agent who is familiar with all the options and the market. 

If you’re ready to sell your Hood River home, or if you’re looking to buy a home in Hood River or the surrounding areas, contact Jenelle McCleary and get started.