where to look at Vancouver (Seattle, Orchards: for sale, apartment, rent)

[londonman]

hi guys
guy from london, maybe gonna work in and around vancover area
want to live in a neighborhood that has decent size living acomm for young family kids age 1 and 3 , close to safe places for my partner to hang out and be with kids , cofee shops , clothes shops etc etc, restaurants

be absolutley no where near any kind of ghetto type gang banger area


300,000 dollars to spend

any sugestions

[earls]

you need to be more specific on your preference.
Do you want acreage? or do you just want a apartment? what part of Vancouver are you working at? Here across the pond we don't normally live in the city we drive to the city. We drive to the shops. We drive everywhere!

[Pavlinka1]

Hi, we have just relocated here and I can recommend the area of Maplecrest (and around it) in Eastern Vancouver. Many affordable houses and houses for rent - next to us there are several houses for sale in the $300-350k range and they are new and giant! about 3500 square feet. The neighborhood is full of kids and the schools are considered good, and our kids take the school bus.

The BEST coffee shop is only 5minutes away, on Mill Plain and 164th - Peet's. Of course, there are tons of Starbucks.

Many new stores there, unlike in the rest of Vancouver. A big bookstore (Border's) and Whole Foods is nearby.

If you would like to be in a super-residential area, then try Camas, but I think houses there are much more expensive and people extremely conservative (or so we have heard), and there is almost no retail.

Please, send me a message or post a reply here for more info - I will be happy to help since we have just recently relocated and I spent many hours on research and hundreds of miles of driving around trying to find a decent place.

[hml1976]

If you would like to be in a super-residential area, then try Camas, but I think houses there are much more expensive and people extremely conservative (or so we have heard), and there is almost no retail.

Bahhaaahaaahaa! I live in Camas and while it may be more moderate than say...downtown Portland, it is in NO way shape or form, conservative. And coming from Tennessee, "extremely conservative" is a laughable term to give to this area.

Camas is a wonderful place to live and not "much more expensive" either. We bought our house for under 400K and there are several large homes in Camas for sale between 275-350K, the prices are comparable to Fishers Landing.

As for "no retail" we have a lovely commercial main street downtown and a nice area with upscale restaurants like Roots and a QFC. Right on the border of Fishers Landing and Camas is a Best Buy, Lowes, Wal Mart, JC Penneys, Payless, and a World Market. Hardly the sticks...

[Pavlinka1]

I am sorry, I thought most of those stores were still in Vancouver - they certainly seem to be close to the residential areas in Vancouver. We are new, so have not explored as much yet.

What is special in downtown Portland? We cannot seem to find a good GAP (the one in the LLoyd center is not too great, we thought) or Dillards, or non-chain Mexican restaurants, or, for example Grand Luxe Cafe (but maybe there is one in Seattle). Or even Ted's Montana Grill, chain as it is...

Any suggestions for good and affordable restaurants (not burgers :-)) would be appreciated.

I said extremely conservative b/c that is what the kids said about their classmates :-), well, we have never lived in TN, so you are right - I guess compared to POrtland they might be more conservative, but what do I know - I do not know anyone here; I work from home.

So, I apologize if I hurt anyone's feelings. I will try to edit my post to correct :-).

Originally Posted by hml1976

If you would like to be in a super-residential area, then try Camas, but I think houses there are much more expensive and people extremely conservative (or so we have heard), and there is almost no retail.

Bahhaaahaaahaa! I live in Camas and while it may be more moderate than say...downtown Portland, it is in NO way shape or form, conservative. And coming from Tennessee, "extremely conservative" is a laughable term to give to this area.

Camas is a wonderful place to live and not "much more expensive" either. We bought our house for under 400K and there are several large homes in Camas for sale between 275-350K, the prices are comparable to Fishers Landing.

As for "no retail" we have a lovely commercial main street downtown and a nice area with upscale restaurants like Roots and a QFC. Right on the border of Fishers Landing and Camas is a Best Buy, Lowes, Wal Mart, JC Penneys, Payless, and a World Market. Hardly the sticks...

[hml1976]

Oh don't worry about it, you didn't offend me at all. I was genuinely amused by the idea of my bleeding heart liberal neighbors being conservative. Truthfully we're very moderate politically and I've found myself feeling like a conservative next to most people here. We even thought about moving up to the Hockinson area because its a little more right-leaning.

Welcome! We've only been here since February so we're still learning our way around too. For chain store shopping the Washington Square Mall is very nice. Washington Square | Home but it isn't right downtown.

We don't get out enough into Portland (we have little kids) but have had some great Thai Food in Nob Hill, can't remember the name of the restaurant, and my husband loves Peemkaew Thai in the Pearl. We've also been out to Paragon in the Pearl which was OK, and had appetizers at Andina, which was great.

In Camas/Vancouver try Roots at happy hour and we like Rose's (although its a small chain) for brunch on Sundays. If you find a Ted's Montana Grill let me know! We miss it so!

Mexican food is the only thing that I really have found to be that great compared to TN here.

My husband worked from home when we lived in TN and it was tough to meet people so I sympathize. Its about to be very rainy and gray so try to get out and join some stuff if you can, the people here are wonderful.

best of luck!

[Holly]

I live near the camas / vancouver area near the Walmart and such on 192nd. I really like it here. Also, as far as restaurants...

Mexican restaurant downtown in Camas is really good. I also heard Twilight downtown camas is good but I haven't eaten there.

Gustauv's is good its a german restaurant and kind of a chain I guess, but not on the east coast anyway.

McMinnamim's (spelling) bar/restaurant has burgers and stuff but they were really good burgers.

Mars Chinese restaurant is also really good food and great service.

I also wanted to mention that as an outlet for meeting people if you have kids is teh stay at home mom's group. they have a club in vancouver and camas. I just joined it and its really great way to meet other people. Also, I don't know if your religious or not but I just started going to the Good Shepherd in vancouver and its really nice and welcoming church. Just some suggestions.

[Pavlinka1]

Thanks for the suggestions and the welcome - what do you all think the best Mexican restaurants are? After TX, AZ, and CO we are still searching for a truly good one.

We tried Catedral Tapatia with mixed results, then Azteca (tasted like Sysco supplied it - very institutional), and El Valle next to Safeway (very slow service even though there were no other customers, food OK, but not exceptional). Most restaurants here seem very expensive, compared to other states, at least to us. Hardly an entree under $10 and the portions are not too big, either - we love leftovers!

Our kids are in HS, so not eligible for moms groups and playdates :-), and not organized enough to find a church yet. We used to go to a non-denominational one back in AZ. We were kind of afraid to go here before the elections. We tend to be a mix of liberal and moderate, I guess. Not sure if we are bleeding-heart liberals or not:-).

[StealthRabbit]

OP: try the east / SE Vancouver areas around 164th Ave and 192nd Ave, Possibly on west to Parker Ave (Camas)
If you need to be near I-5, look to Lakeshore (NW Hazel Dell), Felida, or Salmon Creek (or Near WSU)
Ridgefield is preferred by some who need to be north. If you need to be in Portland frequently, it is usually easier to use the I-205 Bridge, and thus be in SE Vancouver. When they start to replace the I-5 (several yrs down the road) that will be a worse bottleneck.

I would avoid Orchards, Sifton, Fruit Valley

OT...the 'hijack' comments
for Mex food...folks seem to like;

Los Dos Compadres
701 E St
Washougal, WA 98671

or

Los Dos Compadres II (parents branched out to add a bar, as the first location was always crowded)
1713 E St
Washougal, WA 98671

Not my favorite, but then I've relegated myself to cooking my own Mex. for the last several years. (got spoiled living in CO and NM)

here are some decent church choices nearby.
Welcome | Summit View Church
Grace Foursquare Church, Camas, WA
Glenwood Community Church home page
(I'm not affiliated with them, but know them each as good from friends, and I know the pastors / staff)

[Holly]

Its hard when your kids are older to meet people and I know a lot of people are not church goers. I know that camas and vancouver also has a lot of adult education type classes, sports, music lessons.

Vancouver-Clark Washington Parks & Recreation: Recreation Programs

Thats always a good way to meet people.