Living in Oregon
Oregonians have a unique independence to enjoy and maintain life’s finest environmental offerings. This autonomous spirit is displayed in Oregon being the first state to create container deposit legislation in the United States. This legislation led to return rates of around 90%, benefiting in waste reduction and resource conservation. Likewise, Oregon is one of two states (New Jersey the other) to not allow self-service gasoline stations and one of five states without a sales tax. No matter how you feel about such issues, Oregonians show that they are autonomous and unique, standing out from the rest of the nation’s trends.
This sovereign approach to life is synonymous with Oregon’s unique environmental offerings. Oregon has one of the nation’s most diverse geographic topographies with a beautiful coastline, fertile valleys, majestic mountain ranges, and open plains. In all of these geographic regions is found various forms of Oregon’s recreational opportunities including fishing, hiking, and rafting accompanied by peaceful relaxed residential living. Regardless of where you live in the state, Oregon’s spectacular environmental offerings are nearby.
Oregon’s geography includes the Cascade Mountains in the center of the state – a long line of mostly dormant volcanoes with many close-by ski resorts built on their slopes. The Oregon Cascades also conceal numerous lakes and rivers offering special locations for families to camp and then hike around and view crests like Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, The Three Sisters, Broken Top, Mt. Washington, and Mt. Bachelor. If you find the lakes a little cool, you can also try one of Oregon’s nearby geothermal pleasures like Bagby Hot Springs.
On the west side of the Oregon Cascades is the Willamette Valley, the destination point for early settlers on the Oregon Trail during the nineteenth century. This fertile valley is a prime location for many Oregon-based farming efforts including the growth of grapes, strawberries and cucumbers. Ironically, the Oregon grape references the name of the state’s official flower, but in most people’s minds refers to the Willamette Valley grape used to produce some of the world’s finest wines. Most of Oregon’s population lives in this valley, with the benefits of big city life in Portland nearby.
On the west side of the Willamette Valley and on the other side of the coastal range is the Oregon coastline with some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. The Oregon coast is one of the state’s highest tourist draws and has been used in many films (for example, Goonies). Local fishermen go out daily seeking a new catch of salmon to feed Oregon’s residential and tourist’s appetites.
The Columbia River divides Oregon from its neighboring state and splits the Cascade Range into a scenic gorge whose beauty is difficult to describe in words. This protected area is a showcase of Oregon’s uniquely beautiful identity. It is a special place in Oregon where early explorers Lewis and Clark journeyed through on their way to fulfilling the mandate from President Jefferson to explore the West.
Central Oregon is known as the sunny side of the Cascade Range as the storms usually dump most of their moisture on the mountains. Central Oregon communities with views of the various mountains including Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, The Three Sisters, Broken Top, Mt. Washington, and Mt. Bachelor. This part of Oregon is considered a recreation paradise with nearby skiing, hiking, fishing, rafting, lakes, and peaceful residential living. Central Oregon allows its citizens to live relaxed lives free of the traffic of the Willamette Valley, but remain close enough to make visits as desired to Portland’s big city attractions.
A place where Oregon’s sovereign approach to life is combined with Oregon’s unique environmental offerings is the residential community at IronHorse in Prineville, Oregon. IronHorse is a mix of community and custom homes located on the site of a former working ranch tucked against Barnes Butte. This wonderful community provides all of the neat amenities that Central Oregon has to offer. If you have interest in learning more about IronHorse and what Oregon has to offer, let the IronHorse residential specialists explain.
