Western Real Estate News

Welches, Oregon is a popular vacation spot for Portland city dwellers because of the natural beauty of the Mt. Hood area and its proximity to Portland. Welches, Oregon is only one hour outside of Portland, making it a great location for a second home. In fact, “Welches real estate” is a top search term for families looking for Mt. Hood properties, with Rhododendron cabins following closely behind.

Background of Welches

According to Oregon Geographic Names the community was named after Samuel Welch, a homesteader who settled near Welches Creek in 1882. A post office was established in Welches in 1905, and the first golf course was established in 1928. Welches is the location of the largest hotel and golf resort in the Mount Hood corridor, and comes complete with croquet courts.

Things to do in Welches

There is a multitude of things to do in Welches and the surrounding Mt. Hood region, including being awed by the abundant and beautiful natural scenery and wildlife. The environment in Welches is treasured and appreciated by all residents, including seasonal and year round residents. It is what makes Welches real estate such a good investment for families looking to find summer horse property or a winter cabin to rest up after an exiliarating day of skiing in the winter.

Local government of The Villages at Mount Hood

The Villages at Mount Hood is a quasi-governmental entity with oversight over the independent villages that make up the beautiful Mt. Hood area. The Villages are made up of Brightwood, Wemme, Welches, Rhododendron, and Zigzag.

A vote was taken in 1996 to form the local government. Since the Mt. Hood villages are technically unincorporated, The Villages at Mount Hood government is officially an agency within the Clackamas County government.

Living in Mt. Hood

You will find the people in Mt. Hood friendly and committed to preserving the natural beauty surrounding them. Whether you are looking for hiking, fly fishing, horseback riding, bird watching, or other nature watching, Welches in Mt. Hood provides everything you need at your fingertips.

If you thought that the term “rhododendron” referred only to the flower, you are wrong – Rhododendron is also one of several very desirable Mt. Hood Villages in the Mount Hood corridor in Oregon. Rhododendron is a quiet, very easily accessible mountain village right off of I-26, also called Mt. Hood Highway.

Rhododendron is a gorgeous, flower-filled area, as one might imagine, filled with plenty of its namesake, the rhododendron flower. The rhododendron flowering shrub and its relative, the azalea, both bloom in early Spring, bringing the Mt. Hood community alive with color.

One of the reasons for the popularity of the Mt. Hood area is its closeness to Portland, Oregon. Portland, Oregon is only one hour away from Rhododendron, which makes it an ideal location for Portland retirees and residents to escape to the quiet natural beauty of Mt. Hood. After a long week of work, a short hop to a Rhododendron vacation home is a welcome relief from busy city life for many residents. There are numerous things to do in Rhododendron, Oregon, like enjoying outdoor sports such as fishing, hiking or mountain biking, or enjoying the abundant wildlife such as birds, deer, and elk in a natural environment.

The Mt. Hood area is photo-ready. The region is known for its beautiful mountain property, and Rhododendron does not disappoint. If you are looking for a quiet vacation property to build a custom home, a secluded cabin in the woods, or a nice piece of horse property, Rhododendron real estate offers anything you could ever want.

Other Mt. Hood Villages

Rhododendron is one of several other communities that make up what is known as the Mt. Hood Villages or Villages at Mt. Hood. These other towns and villages include Brightwood and Welches (to the west), and Government Camp (to the east). All of these areas can be searched for vacation property for sale.

Here’s little tip for potential new residents of Rhododendron – locals will sometimes refer to the Oregon mountain community by its shorthand name of “Rhodo.”