transplants to Camas? (Vancouver, Pacific, Stevenson: coop, how much, houses)

[karelise]

For all of those posters who have since transplanted to Camas, I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the area now that you are there. It would be so helpful to hear both pros and cons and your general experiences since moving to Camas.

We're stongly considering relocating because we like the school ratings and the access to nature. I have read a little about the sense of community and about it not feeling like a generic suburb - can anyone elaborate on that? We do like the arts and wish there was a little more diversity there (at least according to the City data statistics) and not sure if it is the right fit for us (we are nice, have young kids, responsible, progressive, like access to culture in Portland) or not. I am a little concerned about the rain, what can I say?

thanks to any Camas residents, old or new, for answering!

[jessicaandchucky]

My family and I are relocating to Camas as well. After reading the previous posts I was wondering the same thing. Any replies will be appreciated!

[Topaz]

Camas is a very nice place to live, especially the side closest to Vancouver. It is pretty, pleasant, has a small town community feel, and is very close to Portland so you can enjoy everything that Portland has to offer but live in a safe suburb with good schools.

I didn't consider either Camas or Portland to be very culturally diverse, but we moved from there to an extremely culturally diverse city in Texas so the comparison made the Pacific Northwest look even more Caucasian. Rain was a definite drag for my family but that would be true anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. The job market can also be a concern if you don't already have employment lined up.

[karelise]

thanks Topaz - I appreciate your input. I know this is subjective, but would you say that you would recommend Camas to someone or do you have any regrets about moving there?

I've not been to Texas but always see Sugar Land on the best places to live lists. Definitely the rain and the lack of cultural diversity in Camas are the two factors that we are of concern to us - we're having a hard time making up our minds and getting a feel for the place.

[Balco9]

Also keep in mind Camas is a upper middle class town with a lot snobs.
Everyone is trying to keep with with their neighbors. It's all about
hoiw you match up. Parents are strict to whom thier kids play with...

[karelise]

we are definitely on the low, low side of the budget spectrum but I think that 'snob' thing can be true anywhere so I'm not too worried about it. There are nice people and not so nice people everywhere you go. I do want to be in a place that is a good fit for us though. We are progressive in our thinking and probably would feel a little outnumbered in a highly conservative area. So while I'd prefer to be somewhere where people are open-minded and friendly, I'm not worried about what economic stratosphere they are in.

Here's another question for anybody out there. What do you do with pre-school age kids when it rains all winter? I know that sounds naive but I seriously am trying to figure out how long I could keep my young toddlers inside before they go stir-crazy.

[thirtysomething]

I don't know about the snobs comment, but then again, I've done my time in So.Cal, so comparatively....

The group of friends that my 10yo hangs out with include those that live in, well, run-down, "old town Camas" houses, as well as McMansions. As for us? We *gasp* live in a rental. But it is on Prune Hill, so maybe we get extra points for that?

[Balco9]

What Camas needs is a YMCA...the kids would love that especially during the rainy season.
Or even one in East Vancouver!

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Balco9

What Camas needs is a YMCA...the kids would love that especially during the rainy season.
Or even one in East Vancouver!

currently there is something similar for grade 1-12 kids only (Camas)
Teaching and Learning: Jack, Will and Rob Center

This one in Vancouver is quite close to west Vancouver, and there will soon be a Library adjacent. Vancouver-Clark Washington Parks & Recreation: Facilities & Locations

I won't get into my rant about how ridiculous it is that community centers make beautiful lobbies and waste huge pool space with wading / fountains, when they could actually have a 'real pool... (it may actually be a good thing to teach kids to actually swim )... Thus these 'frivolous spectacles' get voted down for many years, until some philanthropist comes along to fund it. Meanwhile those of us who swim laps can drive 40 miles 3x/week to Beaverton or Stevenson....

Can't tell you how much energy many of us have wasted trying to get a community center w/ indoor pool... (since the early 80's...) . Now it is being set back yet again, and there is great pressure from private clubs that are afraid of loosing clientele.

The snob factor in Camas can be pretty well avoided if you let the snobs stay full of themselves (they don't notice or bother with lower life forms anyway, that's preferred ). Don't worry about conservatives, you will find very few left in Camas, the old timers have been taxed out, or are reclusive. It is moderate to minor liberal, and transitioning fast to the left.

Camas still has some identity which is interesting, but must have to do with the pride of having decent schools + actually having a 'real' town and city government. I don't see it falling into generic suburb, as it will keep identity, and plenty of 'generic' suburbs are adjacent to west Camas.

Arts and culture are dramatically and quickly improving, I expect it will continue.

Stuff to do with prechoolers is not really an issue, there are groups that get together for community play / classes / recreation / music...

It would help to have a house with a daylight basement, but at least make them a 'playroom', even if it has to be the living room!. (ours was populated with preschool toys like a village of cardboard refrigerator boxes!). One of our friends in Camas built an indoor racquetball court, that is pretty popular in their neighborhood. Kids will either learn to play outside (wash&wear), or find something indoors. It seems too bad and not like childhood I remember (farm kid from prairie), but then the kids might be better adjusted and healthier not having to suck on a smokestack of a tractor 12 hrs / day (and today they worry about diesel school bus exhaust for a few minutes / day...).

When in Vancouver with our preschoolers we spent a lot of time at the mall (Portland and Vancouver) usually at least one day / week + preschool activities at Clark College, Marshall Center, local churches, play groups... We also had a 'u-pick' fruit farm and the preschoolers had a great time there with on outdoor 'fort' we made them, they also took care of the Chickens and sold eggs (this works great with the right chicken coop design... trap doors accessible from outside of pen that allows you to feed, water and collect eggs)

[karelise]

thanks everybody. Jan - great ideas and input as always.

I thought Camas had a pool? Did I misread that? I thought it was on the rec center web page but maybe somewhere else on the city's website. I'll have to go back and look because I remember seeing photos of the pool as well. I hate to think that was totally misleading!