The buck stops here. Back in the day, The Dalles was the end of the great Oregon Trail from Missouri, 2,200 miles away.
The wall known as the Cascade Mountains stopped settlers in their tracks and forced them to either abandon their wagons and set off on foot, or to take them apart and float them down the dangerous Columbia River. Either way, The Dalles was a stop for everyone moving west on the Oregon Trail. The pioneer spirit and the ruggedness of those days can still be felt in The Dalles today.
Moving to The Dalles
The town is located right on Interstate 84 that follows the lines of the mighty Columbia River. It may seem remote, but The Dalles is less than an hour and a half from the happening hipster city of Portland.
Weather in The Dalles is fairly moderate, even given its location in the foothills of the Cascades. The hottest summer days rarely see 90 degrees and winters hover around 30 degrees. Winter is mostly the rainy season, with perhaps a couple of snow showers. However, The Dalles has also been known to be hit with a major blizzard, so you just never know. The rainy is season is nothing like Portland experiences, thanks to the mountain barrier. Try to work around the hot summer days and rain to make your move as pleasant as possible.
Some of the higher-end apartment rentals in The Dalles will likely require proof of employment or will run a credit check. You will usually need to have the cash on hand for the first month of rent and a smaller security deposit. A lease is usually required, but you may be able to find a month-to-month situation in a private home apartment rental.
Neighborhoods of The Dalles
The boundaries of The Dalles run in a crescent shape along the bend in the Columbia River. Apartments for rent can be found all along the corridor created by Interstate 84. There are plenty of options when it comes to apartment living including townhouses for rent in The Dalles and duplexes for rent. There is a mix of older and newer stock when it comes to apartment complexes.
Downtown: The city center offers some great options for rental houses in The Dalles. Many of the older homes are nestled on pretty, tree-lined streets and have unique architecture and features not found in modern sub-divisions. Satisfy your hunger at Romul's Restaurant.
North The Dalles: If you prefer to have a little more space, finding a home for rent may be just what you are looking for. Heading out of the city center and north along the river, the housing options spread out a bit and homes come with a bit of land.
Living in The Dalles
The Dalles revolves around its prime location near the Columbia River Gorge. For an overview of the gorge, its history and its significance visit the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. Here you can learn some pretty amazing facts about the area including the fact that The Dalles was a major Indian trading center for 10,000 years!
Another popular outdoor area near The Dalles is Horsethief State Park. Here is where you will find the classic views of the gorge seen in photos. Visitors can go to Horsethief Lake for fishing, swimming or picnicking. The gorge is also a world famous site for windsurfers and for those learning to windsurf.
There are plentiful options for dining out in The Dalles. A couple of notable places are Wind Seeker Restaurant with its panoramic views of the Columbia River Gorge and the Baldwin Saloon, located in town, for an upscale Old West feel.
Downtown The Dalles is an historic area that is welcoming and interesting for both visitors and residents. The town lists several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and takes full advantage of that feeling of old west history. There are plenty of stores and restaurants for the town to feel vibrant and there is also a nine-mile waterfront trail along the river that's great for cycling, running or walking.
The Oregon Trail ended in The Dalles and perhaps your apartment search will too!