What would you suggest??? ...places to relocate in SW Washington (Vancouver: sales, rent) - City-Data Forum

Mollym313 · 09-10-2011, 07:21 PM

I spent most my childhood in NE Oregon then moved to SW Missouri in 1989. I reached the milestone of 41 years and am realizing that I want a change. It is just my son (almost 16) and myself. I have friends in Portland, Pendleton, OR, and SW Washington. We want to relocate when he graduates high school. I am tired of the heat and truly miss the mountains and have not seen the ocean since 1989.

I have a BS in Psychology and I currently work as a caseworker in the psychiatric unit of a hospital. I have been away for a very long time and would appreciate any input on where you think would be a good place for us. I want us to be near the coast (within 2hrs). I was thinking NW Oregon or SW Washington. I want to ski again, go to the ocean and soak in the scenery and be with old friends again.

I noticed things are pretty expensive these days. Any good advice/suggestions on possibilities to relocate would be greatly appreciate. I do not mind cooler weather and small communities. I also don't care about the dating/single/night life thing.

Ultrarunner · 09-11-2011, 12:01 AM

For some reason I seem to know more than a few people that live in Vancouver WA and work in Portland... they say they have the best of both worlds...

I imagine they no income tax of WA plus the no sales tax of OR comes into play.

Mollym313 · 09-11-2011, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

For some reason I seem to know more than a few people that live in Vancouver WA and work in Portland... they say they have the best of both worlds...

I imagine they no income tax of WA plus the no sales tax of OR comes into play.

Not to seem ignorant....personal income is not taxed? I knew Oregon had no sales tax. Do you know anything about Longview?

Mollym313 · 09-11-2011, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

For some reason I seem to know more than a few people that live in Vancouver WA and work in Portland... they say they have the best of both worlds...

I imagine they no income tax of WA plus the no sales tax of OR comes into play.

Ok...Not reading good things about Longview. I'll scratch that one off...LOL

Ultrarunner · 09-11-2011, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollym313

Ok...Not reading good things about Longview. I'll scratch that one off...LOL

Washington has no State Income Tax for individuals... can be a significant savings when some other States charge 10 percent or more...

There are plenty of taxes for those the own a business or are self employed.

Funny you should mention Longview.... almost no mention in the National News but the labor situation there is quite ugly... especially at the moment.... hundreds of Union members clashed with security and law enforcement at the port... and it did get very ugly...

cdelena · 09-11-2011, 10:44 AM

Clark County (Vancouver) has advantages of proximity to Portland, airport, hospitals, and shopping but does have relatively high property taxes and politicians that want more. It does have the rare situation of no income tax and shopping that is close with no sales tax (there are exceptions). Further north or east will have other advantages and disadvantages.

Mollym313 · 09-11-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdelena

Clark County (Vancouver) has advantages of proximity to Portland, airport, hospitals, and shopping but does have relatively high property taxes and politicians that want more. It does have the rare situation of no income tax and shopping that is close with no sales tax (there are exceptions). Further north or east will have other advantages and disadvantages.

Yea I do see some positives about Vancouver....may be a bit too large for me. I'm hoping for a smaller community that is relatively close (an hour or so) to a larger area for shopping, entertainment, beach (2 hrs or closer) etc. The only property that I will have for a while is a car...so thats what I'm looking at to be taxed yearly. I noticed rent varies significantly from one community to another. My degree is in behavioral health...so I'd have to be near a hospital with a psychiatric unit or non-profit social service agencies, state social services etc.

NW Crow · 09-11-2011, 04:10 PM

You could look at Ridgefield, Camas, Washougal WA and Hillsboro and Forest Grove OR. The first 2 have more expensive housing than the latter 3.

StealthRabbit · 09-11-2011, 05:15 PM

Come NOW to Camas (Running Start... free college INSTEAD of HS). http://www.clark.edu/academics/progr..._start/faq.php

I have a few friends who work at Adventist Medical (in Psych ward... located in East Portland, but these friends live in WA). They seem to feel it is a good employer and treatment program. (some have been there 20+ yrs).

Car registration is finally affordable in WA, it is a hair cheaper in OR, but then... I'm not sure you want to habitate there. It does have its drawbacks.

Camas is very close, decent community, great schools, decent neighbors, and police dept.

Mollym313 · 09-12-2011, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

Come NOW to Camas (Running Start... free college INSTEAD of HS). Academics - Running Start - Frequently Asked Questions

I have a few friends who work at Adventist Medical (in Psych ward... located in East Portland, but these friends live in WA). They seem to feel it is a good employer and treatment program. (some have been there 20+ yrs).

Car registration is finally affordable in WA, it is a hair cheaper in OR, but then... I'm not sure you want to habitate there. It does have its drawbacks.

Camas is very close, decent community, great schools, decent neighbors, and police dept.

Thanks! I found your information quite helpful....its all about connections. Thats why I love this site!