Welches Oregon Real Estate & Information

Have you ever been to an amazing community and came away feeling it was a great find? Welches, Oregon for many is a place like this, rich with the beauty of nearby Mt. Hood in the Cascade Mountains, and situated between the Sandy and Salmon rivers.

Welches is an unincorporated community which boasts an ideal location, only minutes away from numerous local activities and attractions that will fill up your weekend calendar no matter what the weather conditions are outside.

Shopping and Dining
Welches has a thriving business community which caters to locals and to tourists visiting Mt. Hood’s outdoor resorts. A local favorite for sportsmen is the Fly Fishing Shop, while Mountain Sports offers merchandise for fun year-round in the Mt. Hood area. Readers and art lovers head to the Wy’east Bookshoppe and Art Gallery, while quilters enjoy For the Love of Quilts; Cast One On draws knitters to this charming knit and yarn shop. For many who become primary or second homeowners in Welches, they first stayed in Welches at the Resort at the Mountain or Whispering Woods Resort, two of the area’s best.

The Homeland Shopping Center offers a variety of stores that help with those last-minute shopping needs. Some residents will make the short drive over to neighboring towns, Sandy and Government Camp, for bigger ticket items.

For your dining pleasure, Welches has a variety of eateries. The Rendezvous serves seasonal, artisan food that is highly regarded; Altitude serves exciting fusion fare drawing on everything from classical to “molecular gastronomy” techniques. El Buro Loco serves authentic Mexican dishes with barbecue meat cooked to perfection, and don’t forget to try their specialty margaritas. The great service and overall atmosphere will provide an enjoyable evening for all. Barlow Trail Roadhouse resides in a historic building built in 1926. The menu offers a wide selection, and some locals swear their spaghetti is better than authentic Italian restaurants offer. People come from quite a distance for their Prime Rib platter; the portions are enough for two people to share.

Parks and Recreation
The Welches area’s natural beauty attracts people from all walks of life. The community is located between the Sandy and Salmon Rivers and is a recreational paradise for outdoor lovers who ski, snowboard, snowshoe, mountain bike, kayak, fish and golf.

One of the popular bicycle routes is the Old Salmon River Trail, a beautiful and scenic course for all to enjoy. For hikers, this trail is a moderate-use trail for a fairly easy workout. The summer months bring throngs of people trying to gain some relief from the heat with a swim in the river. For those who enjoy the links, the golf courses at the Resort at the Mountain offer breath-taking scenery. These are actually three nine-hole courses: Pine Cone, Foxglove and Thistle. The courses offer a challenging afternoon for any level of golfer.

Living
Welches is one of the five communities that provide the landscape for Mt. Hood's golf and mountain resorts. Real estate owners here include both full-time residents and second-home owners. Many of the area’s homes hug the banks of the Sandy River which enhances the natural beauty of the area.

Schools, Health, Transportation
Local schools are part of the area’s Oregon Trail School District, and include Welches Elementary School and Welches Middle School. High school students from the community attend Sandy High School. Parent involvement in their children’s education here is strong, as everyone gets involved with festivals, carnivals and other activities all throughout the school year.

The roads coming in and out of Welches are well-maintained and due to the high elevation, winter driving precautions are often enforced. For acute healthcare concerns, several hospitals are located approximately 28-30 miles from downtown Welches.