moving to vancouver this summer (Orchards, Salmon Creek: new home, movie theater, public school)

[leavingcali4evr]

Hi. I am in need of some advice. The family is moving from California to the Portland/Vancouver area this summer. My husband will be working by the airport in Portland but will be traveling a lot. We would like to live on the Washington side. I have been looking at different cities and am not sure where the best place to live is. We would like land and a small community that will NOT grow over the next few years. I home school my kids currently and would like to continue so schools are not the biggest factor. We are interested in peace and beauty but a short drive to the city would be nice. Can anyone give me their input on these following cities: Camas, Battle Ground, Evergreen, Orchards, Brush Prairie, Salmon Creek, Washougal, La Center, Woodland, Walnut Grove, Cascade Park, Felida and Fishers Landing.

We are currently in SOuthern California where there was once peace and quiet but now is infested with crime/drugs as more people are moving from the LA area because housing is cheaper where we are.

Thank you so much!!!!!!!

[Suzer]

There is no way to assure that a community will not grow. There is a large home schooling community in Battle Ground, but the community is actively pursuing growth, and it is a more affordable area, so it is seeing active growth.

If you like rural, take a look at Fern Prairie, outside of Camas.

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by leavingcali4evr

Can anyone give me their input on these following cities: Camas, Battle Ground, Evergreen, Orchards, Brush Prairie, Salmon Creek, Washougal, La Center, Woodland, Walnut Grove, Cascade Park, Felida and Fishers Landing.

You're not going to find a community that absolutely won't grow. That just isn't possible in the area. But look at how the cities grown, the effectiveness of their city councils/government, schools, and infrastructure. How they deal with the issue should be the biggest concern, not whether they have to deal with it or not. Growth can happen to any community at any time. If they have experienced, effective personnel and a plan in place before it occurs, the troubles associated with expansion are significantly diminished.

I also second the idea of Camas. Or even Washougal, which is right next door. Both have highly effective city governments, great mayors, very active police forces, excellent parks/rec programs, and some of the nicest residents around. They're both small enough towns that it seems like everyone knows everyone else, but large enough that your family will still encounter a good mix of different demographic and socio-economic groups. Very cool combination.

[WAmomof4]

You might even look farther east than Washougal, into Skamania county. Alot of that land is in the Columbia river gorge area, it may have stricter growth regulations. I believe it to be a more peaceful, "country like" place than many of the other mentioned places, but still closer to the I-205 bridge that will take you to the airport. I can't remember how far Stevenson in up the gorge, but it is a nice little town, and a fairly straight shot if you take the OR side there, crossing over the toll bridge of the Gods.

[Jamesww]

Originally Posted by leavingcali4evr

Hi. I am in need of some advice. The family is moving from California to the Portland/Vancouver area this summer. My husband will be working by the airport in Portland but will be traveling a lot. We would like to live on the Washington side. I have been looking at different cities and am not sure where the best place to live is. We would like land and a small community that will NOT grow over the next few years. I home school my kids currently and would like to continue so schools are not the biggest factor. We are interested in peace and beauty but a short drive to the city would be nice. Can anyone give me their input on these following cities: Camas, Battle Ground, Evergreen, Orchards, Brush Prairie, Salmon Creek, Washougal, La Center, Woodland, Walnut Grove, Cascade Park, Felida and Fishers Landing.

We are currently in SOuthern California where there was once peace and quiet but now is infested with crime/drugs as more people are moving from the LA area because housing is cheaper where we are.

Thank you so much!!!!!!!

Undeveloped land in Salmon Creek has a 10 year building moritorium. If you want close in short commute times to the city and can find affordable acerage in that area it would be your best bet.

[leavingcali4evr]

Thank you to everyone that replied to my email. I am excited about all the towns that there are up there as they all seem to have something to offer. I think we need to get up there to get a feel for all the cities and towns. I am not afraid of growth but if the city does not have a plan like the one we are in right now, it can be a nightmare trying to move all the people around on the roads that can't handle them. The housing market (home prices) here alone has dropped almost 35% in less than 4 years. Yet, they are building new homes like crazy as well as anew shopping center. I like the small town, country feel that battleground and Ridgefield seem to have. I like that Camas has good schools. I also like that every town seems a close enough drive to PDX. My husband now drives 1 1/2-2 1/2 hours each way!

What is the home schooling network up there? Is it homelink? Thanks again for any information anyone can give us to help our transition/move much easier. Mara

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by leavingcali4evr

What is the home schooling network up there? Is it homelink? Thanks again for any information anyone can give us to help our transition/move much easier. Mara

Very strong home schooling presence. And yep, HomeLink is what many home schoolers utilize. I've heard wonderful things about it from both families and public school teachers/administrators in the area, but have no experience with it myself.

[Jamesww]

Originally Posted by diggitydot

Very strong home schooling presence. And yep, HomeLink is what many home schoolers utilize. I've heard wonderful things about it from both families and public school teachers/administrators in the area, but have no experience with it myself.

HomeLink is a great program thanks to people like me that come in and give lectures on different science topics with demostrations to show the kids not just tell them how the natural world works. Sorry couldnt help but take the opportunity to toot my own horn. The colleges in the area frequently put together groups to give presentation at the HomeLink facility. On top of this the collaboration amongst the parents gives a good social network for support in suppling a great education to each of the children because they assist each other in areas of one anothers weaknesses in subject matter.

[Puddy4LyF]

I wouldn't tell any parents how to raise their child, but I must admit, when I read the homeschooling bit, I immediately hit myself in the forehead. (I was homeschooled as a youngster) and if you want me to explain why it exists and why it shouldn't exist, you can PM me, but I'd probably re-think the entire idea! LOL

[scottsostuff]

There are some great home deals right now in Battle Ground, Washougal and Ridgefield due to builders overbuilding.

As far as home/land at a good price Battle Ground is your best bet. It has everything that a family would need there. It is about 40-45 minutes to the Portland Airport where you husband would be working. They are working on a access from I-5 to Battle Ground right now.

Washougal has some more rural areas with land but they are generally closer to Skamania. Good community, good home prices. Shopping, dining and close to Camas for everything that you would need. It is off highway 14 roughly 25-30 minutes to the airport.

Ridgefield has some great home prices but the drawback from our clients has been where they grocery shop. There is not a major grocery store there. There is a cute downtown that has a small hometown grocery store. They also have nice rural areas and it is off I-5 is roughly 30 minutes to the airport.

Regarding Camas my husband Scott has lived in the area for 5 generations and was raised in Camas. It is a great area and is highly desireable due to the schools, Boys & Girls Club and its Norman Rockwell style town with an old fashioned movie theater. Fern Prairie and Livingston Mountain are areas with land in Camas. It is off Higway 14 and is roughly 20 minutes to Portland Airport.

We hope this helps. We love it here! My family has lived in Vancouver for 4 generations.