If living in a peaceful Oregon beach community is high on
your wish list, a home and guest apartment are awaiting in
Gearhart.
Located in a quiet area of town only a few blocks from the
ocean, the 1,988-square-foot home features a sunny deck and
a garden perfect for summer parties.
A sweep across the lawn, to the other side of the block, is a
597-square-foot apartment perched above a two-car garage.
The property – which contains four lots altogether – is
listed with Realtor Melissa Eddy, of Windermere Realty Trust,
for $789,000.
Owners John and Susan Spring moved to town in 1988 and
built or remodeled five houses before John died in 2017.
Two of those homes are just west of the listed home: A
former Episcopal church was converted by a friend, and
Susan and John lived in the renovated cottage next door.
Although it was built only 17 years ago, the comfortable
three-bedroom, three-bath home where Spring lives feels like
it has been part of Gearhart’s residential community for much
longer. In fact, the land the home sits on has some historic
interest.
For many years – long before the home was built – the
property was the site of an Episcopal Church camp for kids,
Spring said.
“It was a tent camp,” she said. “They had a shower and
a cookhouse.”
The camp closed in the 1970s, but after the Springs bought
it, their children and grandchildren turned the property into
a ball field.
“This was third base,” said Spring, walking out to a spot on
the lawn. “Every Sunday evening we would play ball.”
From the entrance at the Dutch front door, to the
beadboard wainscoting around the walls and built-in shelves,
the home embraces coziness. The double doors to a front
A salt water cure
hallway closet come from the old Portland City Hall. A frosted
living room window is etched with words appropriate for a
beach house: “The cure for anything is salt water: Sweat, Tears
or the Sea.”
Many family members and friends could gather in the large
living room, relaxing by the wood-burning stove. Open to the
living room, the kitchen has a farm-style sink, pantry and
gas stove.
An office next to the living room can also double as a guest
bedroom by pulling out the queen-size Murphy bed from the
wall. A bathroom adjacent to the office includes a walk-in
shower.
Two bedrooms upstairs are bright and inviting with room
for queen- size beds. The full bath contains a tub and a walk-
in shower surrounded by white subway tile. Another toilet and
sink are in the laundry room.
Outdoors, the large deck, wide expanse of lawn and a fire
pit offer plenty of options for entertaining. Separate garden
and tool sheds provide space for garden maintenance.
A guest apartment, reachable across the lawn, includes
room for a king-size bed, a full bathroom, kitchen with
stainless steel appliances, pantry, living room area and office
nook. The apartment is above a double garage which also
has a full bath with a shower. Eight raised beds behind the
apartment enable easy gardening.
The neighborhood is only two blocks from the post office,
a bakery and local restaurants. A public tennis court also is
nearby, and, just a short walk away, the beach invites long
walks and kite flying. Less than a mile down the road is
McMenamins Sand Trap pub and Gearhart Golf Links.
But Spring, who has lived there for many years, enjoys her
neighborhood’s quiet, pastoral quality.
“You can work in your garden all day and see nobody,”
she said.
It’s all here: a home, apartment
and property with personality
By Nancy McCarthy