Considering move from CA to WA.... Advice???

[cdelena]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

What made you decide on Vancouver? Is it more important to be in WA as opposed to OR? I wouldn't necessarily think of Vancouver as a destination city, it's more like one of many Portland suburbs, so are you wanting to move to Portland metro, or do you just want to be in WA for some reason?
...

I specifically chose the Vancouver area (Clark County actually) when I moved from Texas. I wanted to be on the west side of the mountains, did not want to pay income tax, and still needed to be close to a major airport. Access to major hospitals and city services was important but we did not want to live in a city. I find this location to be ideal and argue it is not at all just a Portland suburb.

[happygorgedwellers]

Moving here to the Vanvcouver/Camas/Washougal area is such a great thing to do, from getting more crowded by the day Portland to alreay crowded and getting worse California.

here you have friendly people, slower pace of life, GREAT schools, even a "green" carbon zero HS school building being built--forgot to lock your doors?? No worries. Not only will your neigbors watch out for you but there really isn't anyone around doing bad stuff.

Considering moving here? You will be amazed. Take a drive up 14, take in the view, no you are not in the fiords of Norway but in the good ole US of A and in YOUR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD!!!! It is simply the best--friends await--fun and family get togethers...old fashioned USA like the 50s.

Don't even think any more about it, just do it....

[trixie09]

I relocated to Washington State 6 years ago from California. I ended up more toward Seattle, Gig Harbor to be exact. I've spent some time in Vancouver, and really enjoyed it. I'm not sure where the Vantucky thing comes from... there are a few towns north of there that sure qualify! But Vancouver has some gorgeous neighborhoods, and nice looking retail. The big bonus is Portland so close by! I prefer Portland to Seattle.. it's much more authentic.

Regarding the rain. I have to say that quite a few people make the big mistake of falling madly in love with the PNW on a visit during the only dry month of the year. I echo the other comments that you really need to spend time here in other seasons besides a visit in the summer. Better yet, spend 9 or so weeks from January thru February, and see how you like it. It's not the rain that gets you.. I honestly thought I loved rain, because of my experience with rain in Calif. Up here? It's not the rain that gets you, it's the constant gray from October through June. Literally. Yes, you can have a few dry spells for a day or two in there, but it's gray and drizzly for at least 8 months a year. I thought people were just being negative when they told me that things get mossy and mildewed here for months at a time, but when my mother's CAR was covered in moss last winter, it pretty much proved their point.

Not everyone has an issue with all the gray here... some folks enjoy indoor pursuits, and don't mind the overcast and drizzle. It takes around 3 years for the honeymoon to wear off in the PNW, and at that point you'll fall into one of three camps: Those that absolutely love the weather as it is (more of a rarity); Those that don't like the weather, but find all the other good things outweigh the weather; and those that just cannot function without sunshine for months at a time. Not being dramatic.. you will literally go for weeks with no sunshine here, and the winters get dark at 3:30pm. There's that joke about Seattle.. the only place where you can go to work in the dark, and come home in the dark, and be working 8 to 5. It's not for everyone.. and I think people have to be very honest about it up front, so people asking about living here have both sides of it.

It's gorgeous here. If you love trees and water and lots of clean air, it's lovely. There is a lot to do. I'd be more inclined to move near Portland, than Seattle. If you move too far from Oregon, you'll find yourself missing the real ocean and beaches. Oregon has the most gorgeous beaches in the Country... and the State does it right with having all those state parks. Washington pales by comparison. So if you'd like to hit the beach occasionally (and believe me, you will miss the beach at some point), you'll want to stay near Oregon (either in or near it!)

Many folks lease a home for a year or so until they see if the lifestyle and the weather suits them. Though it takes a few years for some people to decide, others make up their mind after one long winter. Being from Southern California, you just have to experience it for yourself, but armed with the knowledge that it's not just some rainstorms... it's like the June gloom in So Cal, only colder and it lasts several months.

[BhamRez]

I used to live in Vancouver and, um, the Californians who moved there weren't popular, to say the least. You might want to keep your comments about "Vantucky" to yourselves! Seriously. Yes, you will find mullets and jacked-up pickup trucks and all of those other redneck things, but you'll also find lots of people who believe they are very sophisticated. So please try very hard not to have a 'tude about Da 'Couv!
It's a bedroom community of Portland; we always used to say that Portland is the best thing about Vancouver. It's got next to no charm, except for the downtown area. But living across the bridge from Portland is a FABULOUS benefit, provided you don't try to cross the bridge during rush hour!