St. Helens is a charming, walkable riverside town on the Columbia River with a preserved historic downtown, cozy cafes and breweries, riverfront parks and nearby trails—comfortable and characterful for multi‑week stays so you feel like living in a friendly, vibrant small community rather than being stuck somewhere with nothing to do.
When you want bigger-city options, Portland and Vancouver, WA are a short drive away, offering major hospitals, expanded dining and cultural scenes plus easy access to the Columbia River Gorge for hiking and weekend adventures.