Battle Ground vs. Ridgefield (Vancouver, Salmon Creek: crime, house, established neighborhood)

[TomWhite]

A friend of mine recommended looking at Ridgefield but warned me to stay away from Battle Ground. Since I'm moving to Vancouver area I was considering neighborhoods north of the town (which he also did not recommend).
Is anyone else willing to share their views on the WA towns within 30 minutes of drivetime from PDX?
Is Battle Ground really that bad? Is Ridgefield that nice? How about St. Helens or La Center? Or Brush Praire?

We are looking for a house in a good condition on a decent piece of land (0.3-1.0 acre) for a price that is not a surefire way to get a heart attack.
Safe, well established neighborhoods where summertime after-sunset walks are normal is a plus. Meth havens, depressed local economy, crime are not...
Thanks!!

[LRay]

I too am looking for that dream. I haven't heard anything about battleground.
Ridgefield is really nice, but they are building like crazy, and I fear that small town feeling will be gone soon. They are building a new school..so there definately is money there. Woodland is growing crazy too, but they are building a community center, which will be nice for the kids. They also have a private school. Well good luck. LRay

[klpeake]

We started out search a year ago and started off looking at Ridgefield. But after talking with a lot of people and driving through the county several times. My impression is:

Ridgefield: Lots of CA McMasion types, maybe a little snooty (association, CC&R land). People think that just because their house is located in Ridgefield, they can sell it for a LOT more than anywhere else in the county (even if it's a run-down piece of cr*p). Also "downtown" Ridgefield is a total "don't blink or you'll miss it" place. Yes, they have good schools, but not the best in the county. It is very spread out and depending on what area of Ridgefield you are in, you may have a long trip to the grocery store or other conveniences.

Battleground is a little older more settled town. They have a large downtown area with a huge Fred Meyer, True Value Hardware, Safeway, starbucks, an extension office of the Legacy hospital (medical clinic), a few restaurants, etc. The area seems a little more religious and the schools are o.k. They are deseperatly in need of a new high school. Which, I believe, they will be holding a special election for very soon. They expect it to pass (this is the 3rd time around). As for land, they are a bit more forested than Ridgefield because they bump up to the mountain range. Hence the fog seems to hang a little bit more in that area.

You would be best served to go and drive around and see what area you like.

[SaraBeth]

Did your friend say why you should avoid Battleground? The only reason I can think is that they often have difficulty passing their school bonds and levies, which can lead to lay-offs and not enough supplies. They also call "snow day" more than other districts.

La Center is beautiful, lots of greenery, and prob. a bit more pricey. Very small downtown, great schools or so I hear.

Ridgefield schools DO NOT have money. There is land set aside for a high school but voters have rejected last 2 bond issues for it. It can't be voted on again for another 2 years. The present schools (except for South Ridge) are old and run down and operating on a small budget. Some of the teachers are good, some are very stuck in their ways. The wheels of change move VERY slowly there. Their reading program is a little outdated and math is a little too progressive, not enough of the basics.

The northern Vancouver neighborhoods are how I would go if I could afford it--Felida, Salmon Creek. They are lovely with good schools.

The eastern side of the city has a more suburb feel--there are some good schools there too--York, Harmony, Fisher's Landing, Columbia Valley, Riverview.

Hope this helps.

[washinton native]

take a serious look at hood river, oregon.

[coltoncity]

Hood River OR is the best. Battleground is a very small town ... how anyone can call the downtown large is bizarre to me. It is very very rural no matter how many Starbucks they add. It also has some real racism going on there, but people will admit to it, its not a hidden thing. If that does bother you then I wouldnt move there. If it was not for that I would not mind Battle Ground myself. Nice distance to things and beautiful nature around it. Thereh is one main drag that got a couple extra shopping places but is by far not big. It is a very small town with a small town, rural feel.

[hamerabi]

Take a look at Kalama, WA.

[Six-S-Properties]

I have not heard anything negative about Battleground, and I own property there. I have friends in Ridgefield who like it also. I would suggest you look to the Eastside as well, up Hwy 14. Camas has a great school district and is very well funded. Washougal is also doing very well, with lots of money moving into the area. Still small community, but close enough for a quick drive to Vancouver and Portland with out the city issues.

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by Six-S-Properties

I would suggest you look to the Eastside as well, up Hwy 14. Camas has a great school district and is very well funded. Washougal is also doing very well, with lots of money moving into the area. Still small community, but close enough for a quick drive to Vancouver and Portland with out the city issues.

Excellent recommendations. I wholeheartedly second this!

[deathwind1]

I was born in ridgefield in 1936 and intend to stay there till I Die--That should tell you something--Family came there in 1867--I would pefer Ridgefield over Battleground but both are great although land has raised everywhere in clark county--I own 4 acres and bought it in 1968 for $5000 now its worth around $275,000 TO $300,000 --