Would I go crazy living in Vancouver, WA? (sales, how much)

[blanketfort]

I am looking at a job in Vancouver, WA, and have been looking -- on this site and elsewhere -- into people's experiences of living there. I have always loved the idea of living in Portland, but based on people's accounts of the commute (and the whole property taxes thing) it looks like it would make more sense to live and work in Vancouver.

So here is my question -- is Vancouver, as it is sometimes made out to be, a soul-less suburb with nothing but sprawl and chain restaurants, or does it have pockets that feel a little more vibrant and fun? I really like the idea of walkable neighbourhoods, a downtown with a library and maybe independent bookstores/cafes/restaurants, and really don't want to spend my life in the car. Is any of this an option for people living in Vancouver? Also, how close are the nearest hike/bike trails & areas of natural beauty?

Also, considering another option, is there any sense in which a person living in Portland and commuting to Vancouver would be going 'against the flow' and thereby not having such a long gridlocked nightmare vs. the people going the other way? What might be a reasonable commute time from a neighbourhood in N/NE Portland to downtown Vancouver?

Thanks in advance for any info. I'd be especially interested to hear from people with kids -- how does Vancouver compare to other places you have lived in terms of kid-friendliness?

[Hemlock140]

Oregon has no sales tax but WA has no income tax. If you live in Portland and work In Vancouver you are subject to Oregon income tax, and your employer will probably not withhold so you will get hit with a big bill at tax time. You are better off living and working in Vancouver and shopping in Portland. Despite the lack of vibrant feel and fun in Vancouver there are plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities.

[EnricoV]

If you're working there, it definitely makes more sense to live in Vancouver. While it's very suburban, it does have a nice little "downtown." I'm not sure that I'd want to live in the downtown area, though. You might want to look at some of the smaller communities surrounding Vancouver. They might give you more what you're looking for.

Access to nature is as easy as it would be from Portland.

[Steve Pickering]

No more Crazy than you are now or would be wherever you live. I would chose Vancouver over Portland, except the sales tax would drive me down that short road to insanity.

[downnice]

Vancouver is always under Portland's shadow. Vancouver does have a nice feel and has some nice little coffee shops and stuff but you can tell it is apart of Portland. You can shop in Portland but I-5 at certain can be a mess and 205 loops you so somedays It would not even be worth it.

[NWGirl74]

I live and work in Vancouver. The biggest advantage to this is not having to pay Oregon income taxes which are always said to be 9%. Living in Portland you would have to pay them, as has been mentioned previously.

We do have a nice, new library and downtown does have that nice, small town feel to it. Most of my socializing does take place in Portland, however, and I find if I leave work between 4:15 and 5:30ish, it usually takes about an hour to get downtown on I-5 (except Fridays for some reason). After 6:00, it takes about 1/2 hour unless there's a Blazer game. I-205 is also starting to get bad between Airport Way and the exit to I-84.

I don't think you'd go crazy here. Contrary to popular belief, Vancouver is NOT a separate country light years away. Financially, it makes more sense to live in Vancouver if you are working here.

[Steve Pickering]

Originally Posted by NWGirl74

... ... Financially, it makes more sense to live in Vancouver if you are working here.

Working, maybe, on Social Security the sales tax is a deal breaker.

Vancouver cost of living is 4% higher than the rest of the country.

Portland is 16% higher

[Rob Allen]

Originally Posted by downnice

...I-5 at certain can be a mess and 205 loops you so somedays It would not even be worth it.

That's twice I've seen you mention I-205 "looping". I have no idea what you're referring to.

[sorupaa]

the on and off ramps loop on 205, just dont go fast

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by blanketfort

I am looking at a job in Vancouver, WA, and have been looking -- on this site and elsewhere -- into people's experiences of living there. I have always loved the idea of living in Portland, but based on people's accounts of the commute (and the whole property taxes thing) it looks like it would make more sense to live and work in Vancouver.

So here is my question -- is Vancouver, as it is sometimes made out to be, a soul-less suburb with nothing but sprawl and chain restaurants, or does it have pockets that feel a little more vibrant and fun? I really like the idea of walkable neighbourhoods, a downtown with a library and maybe independent bookstores/cafes/restaurants, and really don't want to spend my life in the car. Is any of this an option for people living in Vancouver? Also, how close are the nearest hike/bike trails & areas of natural beauty?

Also, considering another option, is there any sense in which a person living in Portland and commuting to Vancouver would be going 'against the flow' and thereby not having such a long gridlocked nightmare vs. the people going the other way? What might be a reasonable commute time from a neighbourhood in N/NE Portland to downtown Vancouver?

Thanks in advance for any info. I'd be especially interested to hear from people with kids -- how does Vancouver compare to other places you have lived in terms of kid-friendliness?

I do not think you would be going against any flow. I used to know someone who did this and was constantly complaining about traffic. This was back in the 90's so you can imagine how much heavier traffic is today. Besides, you would still be stuck with Oregon income tax and Washington sales tax so of all variables, that is probably going to be the most costly.

There is nothing wrong with Vancouver. If you like a more urban area, its downtown is nice. Housing is less expensive than in Portland. And if you want more entertainment choices, you can drive into Portland for the nightlife or whatever else you think Vancouver doesn't offer.

What most people will tell you is that it is it is best to live in the state in which you are employed. You should come for a visit to make the determination for yourself as to whether or not it will suit your needs.