Replying to Like Lewis and Clark, We be Moving

So long story short, my girlfriend and I are planning on moving come May. We're looking for a relatively small town, no larger than say 15,000 people given that we currently live in a sleepy lil maine town.

That being said, we've looked pretty hard into Sisters Oregon, as well as Hood River. We know we want to end up in either Washington or Oregon, but I figured where better to ask than the cesspool of NS.

Any thoughts, leads, advice, things to stay away from etc on smaller towns in Oregon or Washington, preferably somewhat close to some mountains is greatly appreciated.

Hit me.