Considering Vancouver - what am I worth and other important questions? (Seattle: renting, daycares)

[Numbercruncher28]

Okay, here's the 411. I've lived in Spokane for 19 years (I'm 28) and I'm just completing my degree in Accounting in a few weeks. After not really being able to find a suitable position here, My husband and I have decided to look into relocating. Either Vancouver and work in Portland (yes I know about the income tax crap) or Tacoma and work in Seattle. I need to make enough to support the four of us without my husband working if at all possible (My husband wants to start school and go into computer information systems).

I was amazed at the response I got from both Portland and Seattle. I just got back today from four days of interviewing in Portland and I go to Seattle in 2 weeks. My first choice for location is Vancouver since I have some friends there. While I was there I had A LOT of people tell me I was very marketable and wouldn't have any problem finding a job. I really want to move to a place where my disposable income will go UP. So I was curious, what exactly I'm worth, if anyone knows? Here are some of the basics:
1) bachelors from Eastern Washington university (which I've been told requires a significantly larger breadth of classes to graduate then U of Portland)
2) About 3 years of office manager/Full charge bookkeeping experience including a year of tax with a small CPA firm in Spokane
3) have all the "soft skills" (customer service skills, writing, communicate well, I can spell and punctuate correctly, etc)
4) extensive software knowledge (very good with computers)
5) Life experience & stability (family - husband, two children)
6) not a troll (not scary to look at)

Other important questions:

I'm reading the evergreen school systems are great, what neighborhood is that in cause I'm not finding an "Evergreen" neighborhood. I have two little boys 10 (almost 11) and 6 and my oldest is an Aspergers Child with some social issues. (For those who don't know Aspergers is high-functional autism) He is not however considered special ed or special needs due to the 120 IQ and excellent academic record, he just doesn't play well with others . Depending on what I'm offered will depend on what we can afford, but we've been renting a house for the past four years in Spokane and really don't want to downsize (3BR/2BA + 2C GRG). Also what are daycare prices like over there, as I will need before and after school care for both of them and are daycares good about offering transportation? are there any really stellar child care centers that wont put me out half my paycheck?

Any input would be great, as I'd really like to chose Portland/Vancouver over the Seattle/Tacoma area - at least I THINK I do, need more information which is why I'm posting here

[st33lcas3]

You shouldn't have a problem at all. You seem to have a great education and plenty of experience.

Th Evergreen district encompasses the east side of Vancouver from Interstate 205 to the city limits with Camas with a couple of elementary schools on the west side of the freeway. It has many excellent schools, it is also the largest employer in Vancouver (hint hint).

Housing is more expensive than in Spokane, you can thank the I5 effect for that. However, they have started to go down in price lately so finding something you can afford shouldn't be a problem.

My kids have been out of daycare for six years now so I'll let someone else answer the questions about those. I do recommend private daycares over the big corporate ones.

[Dignan]

How do you feel about long commutes? If you're going to work in Portland, you may want to consider living on that side of the river as well.

And living in Tacoma and commuting to Seattle? Well that's just miserable.

[StealthRabbit]

I would seriously try to find a good job in Vancouver, of which I think will be possible. (Maybe Fisher Investments will have a position, since they seem to be growing and moving headqtrs here). You will have a better chance of growing your income without having to commute, pay OR income tax, or compete in the Portland job market (tough job market, as it is a desirable location, pay seems less than Seattle area and competition for jobs more intense). The quality of life in Vancouver / Portland + educational opportunities and convenience should meet your needs (as long as you are ready for the "we t side")

In any case I would avoid a commute, as if is not fun and wastes a lot of family time and is increasingly expensive. (think... walk / bicycle to work, school, store...park the car permanently ! )