Up coming relo to Vancouver (Camas, Minnehaha: buying a home, buying, middle school)

[Garden Green]

After nearly 9 years of living in the Tennessee Valley, my husband and I have made the decision to move back to the Pacific NW.

I'm interested in knowing about the schools in Vancouver along with a string of other things.

I'm a gardener so free city mulch programs are helpful, does Vancouver have such a program?

I don't expect that I'll have a lot of yard space if I'm buying a home in town (correct me if I'm wrong), are there community gardening plots?

We want to purchase a home and get the incentive with solar panels, does anyone have any experience with this in Vancouver?

Thanks!

[ang08]

As for schools....I don't know what areas you're looking at but in East Vancouver Fisher's Landing Elementary, Ilahee Elementary, Shahala Middle School are good. There is a brand new High School. Camas schools are also very good - just east of Vancouver.

There are community gardens where you can get plots - one near the Marshall Center downtown, one by Ellsworth Road - maybe others too. If you buy an "older" home (more than 5 years maybe) you should have enough room for a decent garden. The newer developments they are building all seem to have no yard to speak of. I don't know about free mulch - that would be great though.

[StealthRabbit]

gardening is better in Felida, Minnehaha, Pleasant Valley, Brush Prairie areas, as soils are sandy loam and weather is not as cold (East wind from Gorge in Fisher's Landing). There are some nice soils in North Camas, but... the majority of the "evergreen, orchards, cascade Park, Fisher's landing basin" is gravel and rock. Basically east of I-205 expect rock soil. Do some searching on this site, lots of gardening discussions.
WSU Extension Master Gardener Program
WSU Clark County Extension

Schools vary, depends on the age of your kids. Skyview HS is pretty good for Vancouver district, but we did "Running Start" (College instead of HS for Jr and SR yr... Free, except books) Academics - Running Start

There are some really great WA solar incentives, especially as manufacturing is brought to WA.
Washington Solar Bills Signed by Governor! (search for Mike Nelson, he is in the know)
Solar Energy: Renewable Energy - WSU Energy Program
State offers incentive for home solar-power units

[Garden Green]

Thank you all very much for responding to my question. I appreciate all the help!