Damascus is a sprawling city covering 16.14 square miles in the state of Oregon. It is part of Clackamas County, standing on what was then the Foster-Barlow Road, an extension of the historic Oregon Trail. Its cityhood is relatively young, incorporated in 2004 but as a community it dates back to the mid-1800s. The installation of a post office stirred the sleepy town and this spot later became the community center. Damascus is the only proclaimed new city in Oregon after 22 years, and this cityhood annexed the community of Carver to it. From old farming and fishery, the main industries today include tourism, arts, manufacturing and services.
A trip to Damascus can be long if one is not coming anywhere near the southern states, and it's important to check out the weather to ensure good road conditions and minimum of inconvenience.
The heat peaks between July and August, although this is also the period for summer visitors. If you welcome fellow travelers on the way rather than consider them as road competition, then this is a great time to move in. Small rainfalls are scattered throughout the year, which peak in December and January. Humid days are also sparsely scattered between January and May, and then September and November. Snowfall is high in December and January.
With 10,539 residents, Damascus still has ample moving spaces to accommodate more public structures, home development and of course, new residents. The majority prefer to drive their own cars and carpooling is not popular. Average travel time takes 25 to 30 minutes one way.
Damascus may be a city now, but it still echoes the atmosphere of its rich rural foundation. Don't expect the stereotypical bright lights or big city ambiance although it has modern amenities too. One great thing about living in Damascus is enjoying picturesque mornings. You'll find lush surroundings and impressive colonial revival architecture and ranch-style houses as backdrops for your DIY postcards.
Most places to rent in Damascus are mid-size to big homes. It may not be easy to find an apartment in Damascus, especially if you have one particular location in mind. As such, some extra effort may be in order to secure apartment rentals, and this is also true for rental housing. Ask friends of friends in Oregon to alert you with housing vacancy tips in Damascus. Better yet, get the service of a local Damascus real estate broker to serve as your eyes and ears to find an apartment in Damascus.
Organize your proof of income using recent pay stubs, your individual tax returns or Form 1020 and receipts of other sources of income, attesting your capacity to pay the rent. As for on-time payments, present a good credit history with an auto loan or credit card statement and a record of your rental payments from a previously leased property, if applicable. Strengthen your bid to rent that dream Damascus house or apartment with a credible endorsement letter from a person of authority.
With vast lands and ample forestry resources, homes and buildings in Damascus were built to last. Older homes were constructed in classical or colonial revival style while farmhouses were in vernacular architecture or ranch-style, echoing the pride of the owners of their European roots. Some of these structures still stand today and a few have been declared as places of historical value.
Carver: If you're looking for newer subdivisions or hankering for custom homes, the Carver neighborhood is a development hub for these modern housing developments. Homes here are described as suburban eclectic, as they retain some form of historic features of traditional Damascus homes but are highly personalized, without a hint of the western farmhouses. They have been built from the 1980s onward. Probably the most famous dive bar to date in Damascus is located here: the Carver Hangar Cafe or simply the Carver Cafe on 16471 Southeast Highway 224, famous for its big all-American breakfast fares.
Highway 212: A few residential subdivisions were built here in the late 1960s to 1970s, consisting mostly of one-acre properties while smaller subdivision lots also rose on the highway's southern portion beginning in the 1990s up to the present. It is near the commercial-historical district, and the growing residential areas are supported by high local business potentials around it. Residents here enjoy easy access to favorite dining destinations that include Sparky's Pizza Restaurant serving excellent New York pizza and hot buffalo wings, Arrow Coffee House known for its delicious paninis and pastries and Pub 212 Restaurant for the best combination of refreshing beer and big burgers.
Named in 1866 in reference to the biblical Road of Damascus, the city lived up to the expectation of its pioneers as a place of new beginning. Today, living in Damascus means embracing an authentic southern spirit like dining on buffalo wings and barbeques, partying on lager called bocks and beef and of course, the mock gunfights.
Cars are a must for going in and around Damascus. The Portland International Airport services those who will fly in from farther states.
The Damascus Fresh and Local Market event is held every growing season and has a town square feel to it, featuring prepared food, entertainment, arts and crafts, and loads of vegetables, dairy, meat and other fresh produce for purchase.
Aside from naturally formed green spaces, park development remains a priority in Damascus city planning. The new Trillium Creek Park is located on Southeast Anderegg Parkway, providing a calm and fresh ambiance away from roaring motorists.
The Damascus Centennial Park on Highway 212 has long been the pride of the city council and now features various improvements including new playground equipment, better picnic grounds, basketball court, gazebo and a sheltered stage. This park was the site of the Oregon Centennial celebration in 1959 and the Little World's Fair celebrating man in space in 1962, two popular events that became the pride of the city host up to this day. A steel replica of the Centennial Peace Candle can be seen on Main Street.
Highway 212 is also the location of the restored colonial revival homes of pioneering settlers (John Elliot House, Henry Bock House, Albert Wofhagen House and Forbes-Bond Residence). The John Byers Farm on Highway 224 preserves the Queen Anne-style architecture and is among the most charming historical stops. The Damascus Post Office is on the side of Foster Road and serviced the city and nearby towns from 1845 to 1904.