checkin' out vancouver (Salmon Creek, Camas, Washougal: insurance, condos, houses)

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by lookinnorth

Thanks for the good info Diggitydot. Sounds kinda like where I live - a patchwork of good and bad areas.Its also reassuring to read a favorable review of the traffic situation up there.The taxes don't sound too bad either, because here in the Dallas area we have an 8.25% sales tax and several toll road propositios (on roads already in the process of being paid for by means other than tolls!).

Oh yeah,I'm going to try that Mexican restaurant.

After living in Phoenix for a few years the traffic in SW WA and into Portland doesn't seem like much of a hassle. (Phoenix traffic is horrible.) I guess it's all based on perspective.

That's one nice thing about WA and OR, tolls are pretty rare. Mainly only over privately owned bridges like the ones connecting WA and OR at Cascade Locks or in Astoria so it comes as a surprise to most people not familiar with them.

And you should love that restaurant. I have friends who live in Portland and Salmon Creek, (far NW edge of Vancouver), who always want to meet up there when we're in town. I sometimes think they use us coming into town as an excuse to eat there!

[klpeake]

Originally Posted by diggitydot

One of the best Mexican restaurants in the county is located in Washougal. Los Dos Compadres

Oh my gosh, you are not kiddin'! We were up there this past weekend looking at property and found this place and were stunned at how good it was. I live in San Jose, CA and we have some GOOOOOD mexican food to compare to.

But I would say that if you go there, only order one plate of food for two people cause they are HUGE!! You will make youself sick even trying to finish half of your plate!

Karol

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by klpeake

Oh my gosh, you are not kiddin'! We were up there this past weekend looking at property and found this place and were stunned at how good it was. I live in San Jose, CA and we have some GOOOOOD mexican food to compare to.

But I would say that if you go there, only order one plate of food for two people cause they are HUGE!! You will make youself sick even trying to finish half of your plate!

Karol

Oh, definitely! Their portions are INSANELY huge. (So are their margaritas, too!)

[danco]

Definitely checking out that Mexican restaurant
when we come up for a looksee after the holidays.
Would love to know if ther are any of those old large
Catholic church's (my wife loves to visit the missions).

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by dancocal

Definitely checking out that Mexican restaurant
when we come up for a looksee after the holidays.
Would love to know if ther are any of those old large
Catholic church's (my wife loves to visit the missions).

You won't see "missions" like you do in the southwest. There are lots of older churches, but very few that are similar to the old missions in the desert. Probably one of the oldest Catholic buildings in Clark County would be the old Academy building in downtown Vancouver. It was built by Mother Joseph during the late 1800's as a girls' boarding school.

Most of the historic stuff in Vancouver is found near Ft. Vancouver National Historic site. Most, but certainly not all. Here's a link with some good info on it: [url]http://www.nps.gov/fova/[url]

[danco]

Thanks Diggity Dot,
Being museum rats/history lovers, that looks really cool.

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by dancocal

Thanks Diggity Dot,
Being museum rats/history lovers, that looks really cool.

Same here. I used to volunteer at Ft. Vancouver when I was a teenager and I loved every minute of it! Okay, well...almost every minute of it. When we dressed up in period costumes I had to dance with old men in kilts. Not the most fun "dance" for a 16 y/o girl.

[danco]

eeewww (I had to do the polka in the 70's)

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by dancocal

eeewww (I had to do the polka in the 70's)

Okay, you win...

[cdelena]

My wife and I are spending time looking at various areas we may want to settle down in retirement in the next year or so (we are in our 50’s so no need for an old folks home). I am sure I want to move out of Dallas so we have considered a number of places looking at climate, taxes, housing, local infrastructure, and just the general quality of life.

Currently have a trip scheduled to look at the Vancouver area. Best fit for us would be a townhouse (200 – 400K) with a full two car garage within 30 miles or so of Portland… staying in Washington for the tax structure. We have been to Portland a couple of times in the past but never looking with an eye to settle so this will be a different perspective.

Open to any comments or suggestions.