St. Helens is a charming, walkable riverside town on the Columbia River with a relaxed, small‑town vibe, historic downtown storefronts, and lots of nearby outdoor recreation—hiking, boating and scenic drives—making it an easy, pleasant base for multi‑week travel‑therapy assignments.
For bigger‑city nights and amenities, Portland (about 30 miles) and Vancouver, WA (about 35 miles) are easy day‑trips for dining, entertainment and airport connections, so you get quiet local living without feeling isolated.