Every year on the 4th of July, the Molalla Buckeroo Rodeo is held in Molalla. This extravaganza, which attracts crowds of up to 15,000 people, first began in 1913 when the railroad was constructed. In the earlier days, the event was sponsored by the local fire brigade as a way of raising funds to finance a new battalion of horses to pull the fire engine (which, incidentally, had no engine).
The city of Molalla, even though the name may seem to have Hawaiian connotations, is located in Clackamas County, Oregon. It's situated within the foothills of the Cascade Range, which is near Mount Hood National Forest, some 15 miles to the south of Oregon City. Due to its proximity to Oregon City and the world-class city of Portland, it's an attractive, easygoing town where many commuters choose to take up residence. Molalla is surrounded by farmlands and rural residential development. The economy is driven by the thousands of acres of timberlands surrounding the city. Many of the tree farms are maintained with a philosophy of sustainable forestry. There are plenty of trails in the area for those who enjoy hiking, walking or cycling, so there's absolutely no reason for a couch potato mentality.
Moving to Molalla
There's no shortage of one bedroom apartments and 3 bedroom apartments in Molalla-even choosy renters will find a good choice of apartments! Your best strategy is to show up early to ensure the best choice of rental properties. Most people find that allocating two or three weeks to the hunt is more than enough.
Molalla's proximity to Oregon City and Portland makes it a valid choice for folks who wish to commute for work. Although Molalla's cost of living in general is slightly higher than the national average, it's still a lot less expensive to reside here than in Oregon City and Portland.
When to Look?
There's no particular time of year that stands out as being better than any other in terms of searching for an apartment to rent. Because of the sheer amount of rental availability, you'll only need some patience and perseverance to find your dream home. Of course, if weather plays a role in your house-hunting strategy, you might choose to look for a place during the late spring or fall. During these times, the weather is more temperate than during the dead of winter or the height of summer.
Neighborhoods in Molalla
Molalla is a good city to come to when you're intent on renting. It's cheaper to live here than many of the surrounding areas, and yet there's plenty to do and see in and around the city. Likewise, whether you're intent on finding an all utilities paid apartment, or you'd prefer to check out 3 bedroom houses for rent, you'll find exactly what you're looking for in Molalla.
North Cole Avenue: Offering four schools within a one-mile radius (including one elementary and three high schools), North Cole Avenue has everyone's educational needs covered!
South Macksburg Road: South Macksburg Road is located in a beautifully quiet part of the city where you'll find many old townhouses that were built in the early- to mid-nineteenth century.
East Francis Street: Situated close to various local restaurants, including Muchas Gracias Mexican and Figaro's Pizza, East Francis Street is favored by longtime locals and new residents alike.
Pegasus Court: If you're looking for some peace and quiet but don't want to be totally cut off from amenities, take a good long look at Pegasus Court. You'll have most everything you need right at your doorstep, but you won't need to sacrifice your privacy to access shops and restaurants.
Living in Molalla
The principal roads in Molalla are Oregon routes 211 and 213. Route 211 connects the city to Sandy, Colton, and Estacada in the east, and Woodburn and Canby to the west. Route 213 links Molalla to Oregon City and Portland in the north, and Salem and Silverton in the south. Buses within the city that connect to the suburbs are provided by South Clackamas Transportation District. The closest train station to Molalla is in Oregon City, 15 miles to the north.
The Molalla Buckeroo Rodeo, which takes place on the 4th of July every year, is definitely worth a visit, even if you don't own a lariat and chaps. Kids get free admission, provided they're small enough to sit on someone's lap.
If you fancy activities a tad more tranquil in nature, get yourself over to Table Rock Wilderness, located just off Table Rock Road. The designated 6,000-plus acres is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, and it makes a great place to backpack or take the mountain bikes and pedal to your heart's content. Needless to say, the scenery is breathtaking.
Molalla Train Park on South Shady Dell Rd can also provide hours of fun and entertainment, provided you want to hop on one of the miniature trains that runs around the park and choo-choo to your heart's content.
Does all this sound too exciting? Maybe you'd just like to get a bite to eat instead. El Charrito serves up Mexican food and is among the favorites in Molalla. You'll find this restaurant on East Main St. The food is great, the service excellent, and the place is spotlessly clean. Bon appetit! Fancy some Chinese? Head over to Lam's Chinese Kitchen on East 2nd St, where you'll be treated to a lovely spicy dish of your choosing. Prices are low and the quality is high -- it can't get much better than that!
