Vancouver: not just strip malls and chain restaurants? (Camas: crime, homes)

[blanketfort]

I am looking at a job in Vancouver, WA, and have been looking -- on this site and elsewhere -- into people's experiences of living there. I have always loved the idea of living in Portland, but based on people's accounts of the commute (and the whole property taxes thing) it looks like it would make more sense to live and work in Vancouver.

So here is my question -- is Vancouver, as it is sometimes made out to be, a soul-less suburb with nothing but sprawl and chain restaurants, or does it have pockets that feel a little more vibrant and fun? I really like the idea of walkable neighbourhoods, a downtown with a library and maybe independent bookstores/cafes/restaurants, and really don't want to spend my life in the car. Is any of this an option for people living in Vancouver? Also, how close are the nearest hike/bike trails & areas of natural beauty? Is evening socialising in Portland an option? What are the transit options - train, bus, or cab?

Thanks in advance for any info. I'd be especially interested to hear from people with kids -- how does Vancouver compare to other places you have lived in terms of kid-friendliness?

[Inkpoe]

Originally Posted by blanketfort

I am looking at a job in Vancouver, WA, and have been looking -- on this site and elsewhere -- into people's experiences of living there. I have always loved the idea of living in Portland, but based on people's accounts of the commute (and the whole property taxes thing You mean income tax?) it looks like it would make more sense to live and work in Vancouver.

So here is my question -- is Vancouver, as it is sometimes made out to be, a soul-less suburb with nothing but sprawl and chain restaurants, or does it have pockets that feel a little more vibrant and fun? I really like the idea of walkable neighbourhoods, a downtown with a library and maybe independent bookstores/cafes/restaurants, and really don't want to spend my life in the car. Is any of this an option for people living in Vancouver? Also, how close are the nearest hike/bike trails & areas of natural beauty? Is evening socialising in Portland an option? What are the transit options - train, bus, or cab?

Thanks in advance for any info. I'd be especially interested to hear from people with kids -- how does Vancouver compare to other places you have lived in terms of kid-friendliness?

Pretty much, there's a lot of sprawl.

For what you're looking for, living in several blocks around DT Vancouver could work-- but I wouldn't call it lively and it's definitely not as vibrant/fun as it should be. A lot of the young people in Vancouver tend to go hang, party, socialize in Portland as it's the "big city".

Bike paths, recreation trails, et. c: Bicycle Maps - Bicycling in Vancouver - All About Vancouver - City of Vancouver, Washington, USA

You definitely have cab and bus options. Light rail is in Portland. A lot of my friends in Vancouver simply get themselves onto Jantzen beach, take the #6 bus to get to Light rail station. Public transit is much better in Portland than in Vancouver. There is a proposed line to hook Vancouver up on the light rail, but that'll be... forever.

[blanketfort]

Thanks for the info!

I am looking at this thread title and wishing I had chosen something a little less negative. Ah well, looks like I can't change it now....

[StealthRabbit]

Live, work, shop, school, do sports in Vancouver. Entertainment in PDX area. (10 minutes by car or bus) 1 hr by DANGEROUS Light Rail
(crime and accidents due to STREET level mass transit...

There are many NICE friendly, safe neighborhoods in both metro areas.

Neighborhood Associations - Neighborhoods - Our Community - City of Vancouver, Washington, USA
Neighborhoods - Our Community - City of Vancouver, Washington, USA

I don't do 'suburbia', and have been spared that experience for the last 30 yrs in Vancouver area. There are many nice, fun, semi rural areas WITHIN and beyond metro. I had a very nice 5 acre fruit farm next to a community park, 2 minutes to I-5, 12 min to DT Portland, and 20 Min to Airport.

I found a nice and well paying WA job and supported a family via single income.
Homeschooled my kids (by choice), tho there were plenty of adequate options.
Kids did well in sports and extra activities, and each utilized Running Start (free college instead of HS).

Vancouver is not perfect, but really delivered a good quality of life (and many choices).

Currently I Live in the West Gorge, due to MANY yrs fighting the Clark County and Vancouver City Planning GODS. I got tired (burned out). Every place has it's challenges. Few places have as many perks.

(but a NICE AFFORDABLE 50 meter community lap pool would have saved me 10 zillion trips to Beaverton over last 30 yrs).

PDX (Airport) is my life saver. I NEED sun, so I travel A LOT. (as homeschool family we did 12 wk 'field trips' during the 'rainy season'.)
You can be to sun in one hour by driving east, or jumping on a plane to Sacramento or Reno ($39), Bye...

[zerp]

Vancouver will suit everything you're looking for.

I-5 Southbound/Northbound for the Vancouver<->Portland connection can be frustrating at times, but at the normal times ... rush hour.

There's plenty of walkable neighborhoods, trails and little places to hang out. Make no mistake, Portland is the more happening place and Vancouver is quieter, but you have the benefit of no state income tax in Washington.

The best part of Vancouver (for me) is easy access to the Columbia River Gorge and the National Forests. You're about an hour away from wonderful outdoor opportunities!

[silibran]

Originally Posted by blanketfort

So here is my question -- is Vancouver, as it is sometimes made out to be, a soul-less suburb with nothing but sprawl and chain restaurants, or does it have pockets that feel a little more vibrant and fun? I really like the idea of walkable neighbourhoods, a downtown with a library and maybe independent bookstores/cafes/restaurants, and really don't want to spend my life in the car. Is any of this an option for people living in Vancouver? Also, how close are the nearest hike/bike trails & areas of natural beauty? Is evening socialising in Portland an option? What are the transit options - train, bus, or cab?

We moved here from the midwest in July. As I stated in another post, I don't consider Vancouver walkable in the way Portland is. Portland has many neighborhoods, aging homes, a vibe that I really like. Vancouver is more suburban in tone. The downtown is small and not vibrant. It has a very good library system. I don't know of a bookstore in town, frankly, but perhaps there is one. (I was just thinking about that recently. I hadn't seen a bookstore around.) We are used to driving everywhere, and we find that getting around isn't bad. The area is small enough that it isn't time consuming to drive most places.

The natural setting of Vancouver is wonderful. Trails are plentiful. There is bus transit. (You can research that online.)

The conventional wisdom about schools seems to be that Portland's schools are not great; Vancouver's schools are better; Camas' schools are better still. I see the physical plants of Vancouver's Evergreen School District, and they look nicely built and commodious.

One of the really nice things about life here is the general pleasantness of everyone you deal with. People are helpful and friendly. I don't come from an unfriendly place at all, but the consistently helpful and open attitudes have been quite refreshing.

But frankly, there is much here that is strip malls, chains and sad subdivisions. Nevertheless, we do like living here.