Moving to Vancouver (Orchards, Salmon Creek, Camas: sales, rentals, houses) - City-Data Forum

wpteach · 07-01-2011, 04:04 AM

My husand and I are relocating to the area. He will be working in the Portland area. What areas should we stay away from if we are looking to buy? We have 3 kids and one is in high school. I have to admit that this move is making me anxious after reading about the gang activity in Vancouver. We are moving from a small farm town in Mo. We would perfer to buy close to the I-205 or I-5. Thank you in advance.

friggsdottir · 07-01-2011, 08:27 AM

Honestly gang activity in Vancouver is exaggerated. There are some rougher areas, usually along the southern part of I-5, but even then, I feel completely safe in Vancouver, much safer than in downtown Portland. The nicer areas would probably be Salmon Creek, Fisher's Landing, and Camas. I would focus your area of move towards where your work is. My job is in Hillsboro, so I moved along northern I-5 near Salmon Creek so I would just have to take I-5 to work rather than coming from Camas, which would be a nightmare.

Vancouver is a suburb of Portland, and should be viewed as such rather than standing on its own. There isn't a whole lot to do there besides go to the mall, though there is a nice Farmer's Market every weekend downtown. But it has better schools than the ones in Oregon, and it's relatively close to Portland, so it's a good choice

Keep in mind that since you work in OR you will need to pay OR taxes, which stinks, but it's just the nature of the beast. WA has no income tax, and OR has no sales tax so buy all your stuff there, and it balances out a bit.

StealthRabbit · 07-01-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by friggsdottir

Honestly gang activity in Vancouver is exaggerated. There are some rougher areas, usually along the southern part of I-5, ...

I would add an area to avoid would be north of 4th Plain and south of SR500 from I-5 to Andreson. I also recommend avoiding much of Orchards (locally referred to "dogpatch") ('rental central').

Not sure of the 'gang central' area. I no longer live near metro Vancouver. Some of the better (lower cost) areas for a family can be nestled in Minnehaha, Hazel Dell (Lakeside / ridge), Lincoln and Carter Park, as well as Salmon Creek, Pleasant Valley, SE Fisher's Landing, and Camas (excluding Oaks Park area (far SE, near Napa and Senior Center)).

wpteach · 07-01-2011, 10:13 AM

Thank you Stealth Rabbit. We were looking towards the Evergreen School District to be honest. Camas the houses we were interested are a little pricey for us right now. We are thinking private school for our 2 youngest. Oh wow we were told the Orchards, Salmon Creek and Camas were the best areas to live. My husband is out there now, and we will be joining him sometime in August. Any kind of help would be appreciated.

wpteach · 07-01-2011, 03:07 PM

Thank you too.

friggsdottir · 07-01-2011, 09:12 PM

Evergreen school district is very good and homes there are quite affordable (decent ones in the 150k range). I was planning on moving there specifically for the schools, but then I got a teaching job at a private school in Portland, so I'll just send my kids there.

StealthRabbit · 07-01-2011, 11:13 PM

I can't specifically recommend a place in evergreen district, as it is fairly spotty about good areas, Pretty ez to tell by driving through the specific neighborhoods. Some blocks are nice, and some full of rentals and barking dogs. Cascade Park (south of McGillvery) is generally pretty decent, but their are nice places in north evergreen area too (some off NE 18th, some off NE 28th. Some in random enclaves within evergreen district.) .

North West Orchards might be closer to private schools (If you are considering Crossroads or Kingsway). I would find a nice place in Minnehaha / Walnut Grove area (but is Vancouver district, AFAIK)

wpteach · 07-02-2011, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by friggsdottir

Evergreen school district is very good and homes there are quite affordable (decent ones in the 150k range). I was planning on moving there specifically for the schools, but then I got a teaching job at a private school in Portland, so I'll just send my kids there.

That is the area where we are looking as it's one of the affordable places we noticed with nice housing as well from what we have seen on the mls listings. Good luck with your new new job.

wpteach · 07-02-2011, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

I can't specifically recommend a place in evergreen district, as it is fairly spotty about good areas, Pretty ez to tell by driving through the specific neighborhoods. Some blocks are nice, and some full of rentals and barking dogs. Cascade Park (south of McGillvery) is generally pretty decent, but their are nice places in north evergreen area too (some off NE 18th, some off NE 28th. Some in random enclaves within evergreen district.) .

North West Orchards might be closer to private schools (If you are considering Crossroads or Kingsway). I would find a nice place in Minnehaha / Walnut Grove area (but is Vancouver district, AFAIK)

I would fit right in with the barking dog community lol. My dog does bark but that is when we bring Him in. Rentals don't bother me for the most part unless the neighborhood is run down and noone takes care of the outside. Thank you for the recommendations.

StealthRabbit · 07-02-2011, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpteach

... We have 3 kids and one is in high school. ... We are moving from a small farm town in Mo. We would perfer to buy close to the I-205 or I-5. ...

Get the HS kid into Running Start (2 yrs free college while in HS)
Academics - Running Start

There will be some affordable joints near 205 & 5. I would seek pleasant valley or south Meadow Glade / Glenwood for rural but close. The area on north 50th Ave by Philbrook Berry farm is decent. Also near Glenwood Community Church.