Yuppie Moving to Vancouver (Mill Plain, Felida: apartment, to rent, condos)

[peanuteminem]

I'm a single guy, 35, moving to Vancouver from Central Illinois for a nice job opportunity. I've never been on the West Coast for more than a vacation, but from what all I've read on here this seems like a great place (cultured, nice climate, but not too pretentious.)

I'm looking for neighborhood help. This first year I'm probably just going to rent an apartment/townhome so I can get acquainted with the area. What are some areas to check out?

And while I'm asking questions...there wouldn't happen to be like a Yuppie section, would there? I hate to admit it, but I'm kind of a progressive, waspy, type of guy.

Thanks in advance!

[PNW-type-gal]

Assuming you're talking Vancouver, Washington and not Vancouver, BC, Canada...

You'd probably want either the downtown area or the 164th/Mill Plain area, or even east of 164th. Vancouver isn't as progressive a Portland, hence the cheaper housing prices (until the late 80s, the county's general response was "You want to build? Sure! Never mind the traffic/infrastructure and school requirements, we can amend that if it's too bothersome." Hence why the lowest acceptable speed limits were fudged with to make sure the Mill Plain/Chaklov intersection doesn't fail).

[st33lcas3]

Like PNW-type-gal said, 164th and Mill Pain area, known as Fishers Landing, is a good place to start. Downtown has newer condos too. Once your settled and start looking for a house, I'd suggest the Felida area. It's on the north side of Vancouver, very quiet and well cared for homes. There isn't even a grocery store in the immediate area. If your lucky, you may even find a house that overlooks Vancouver Lake.
The area along the river is nice too. It ranges from older homes to new high end homes. Very little crime, unless you consider kids speeding in mommies Volvo a crime. They are building new condos down there right now. Not sure on the pricing, but I'm guessing they'll start at $250-300,000.

[peanuteminem]

Thank you guys (gender non specific, of course ;-)

I've gone online and found two places that look right up my alley in the areas you are talking about.

While I'm asking questions...you mind responding to a stupid idea I had? It's hard to determine what people are "like" just by asking...so a friend of mine and I came up with this quiz: I know it's not perfect...but I thought it would be fun: Ready?

Vancouver folk are more apt to like...
- Toyota Camrys, Dodge Neons, Acura Integras, or Chevy Pickups
- McDonalds, Olive Garden, Nice Steakhouse, or Organic Hut
- Jim Carrey Movies, Matt Damon Movies, or Ingmar Bergman flicks
- Tractor Pulls, Semi-pro Baseball game, The local theater, or Nature Walks.

And while I'm asking stupid questions. What would I most likely see in the yard of a Vancouver-en: Car on blocks? Gated Fence? Lawn Gnome?

Thanks!

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by peanuteminem

Thank you guys (gender non specific, of course ;-)

I've gone online and found two places that look right up my alley in the areas you are talking about.

While I'm asking questions...you mind responding to a stupid idea I had? It's hard to determine what people are "like" just by asking...so a friend of mine and I came up with this quiz: I know it's not perfect...but I thought it would be fun: Ready?

Vancouver folk are more apt to like...
- Toyota Camrys, Dodge Neons, Acura Integras, or Chevy Pickups Honda Accords
- McDonalds, Olive Garden, Nice Steakhouse, or Organic Hut
- Jim Carrey Movies, Matt Damon Movies, or Ingmar Bergman flicks (I don't do TV or movies...radio only for me, usually All classical 89.9, or KBOO)
- Tractor Pulls, Semi-pro Baseball game, The local theater, or Nature Walks.

And while I'm asking stupid questions. What would I most likely see in the yard of a Vancouver-en: Car on blocks? Gated Fence? Lawn Gnome? , few fences, Normal Lawn, kids playing soccer


Thanks!

Biking, hiking, exercise (kick boxing) is big,

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by peanuteminem

Thank you guys (gender non specific, of course ;-)

I've gone online and found two places that look right up my alley in the areas you are talking about.

While I'm asking questions...you mind responding to a stupid idea I had? It's hard to determine what people are "like" just by asking...so a friend of mine and I came up with this quiz: I know it's not perfect...but I thought it would be fun: Ready?

Vancouver folk are more apt to like...
- Toyota Camrys, Dodge Neons, Acura Integras, or Chevy Pickups
- McDonalds, Olive Garden, Nice Steakhouse, or Organic Hut
- Jim Carrey Movies, Matt Damon Movies, or Ingmar Bergman flicks
- Tractor Pulls, Semi-pro Baseball game, The local theater, or Nature Walks.

And while I'm asking stupid questions. What would I most likely see in the yard of a Vancouver-en: Car on blocks? Gated Fence? Lawn Gnome?

Thanks!

Depends on the part of the town. You could find any of that in any part of town.

In Cascade Park? Acuras, BMWs, upscale minivans and Sport Utes. Food wise, there are a couple of fast food places, a Baja Fresh, a sushi chain, maybe 5-6 Thai restaurants, 3 pho shops, 3-4 Mexican places, two GREAT "Northwest" places (Applewood and Roots), 2 okay Italian places, a squadron of pizza places and some chain places (Applebees - don't confuse that with Applewood - McGrath's Fish House, red Robin). There are two big cinemas, the standard Regal Cinemas and the wonderful Cinetopia, which has all HD theaters, and 4 "living room" theaters that serve beer, wine and upscale food. Cinetopia also has a restaurant attached that's pretty good, plus a European "wine bar" that's fun. Although I've gone to movies there before and spent more than $100, after 2 tickets, 2 dinners and a bottle of wine...

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by peanuteminem

Vancouver folk are more apt to like...
- Toyota Camrys, Dodge Neons, Acura Integras, or Chevy Pickups
- McDonalds, Olive Garden, Nice Steakhouse, or Organic Hut
- Jim Carrey Movies, Matt Damon Movies, or Ingmar Bergman flicks
- Tractor Pulls, Semi-pro Baseball game, The local theater, or Nature Walks.

The cool thing about Vancouver (and most of Clark county, too) is that you'll find lots of different people with ALL of these tastes across several different socio-economic and demographic groups. This makes it almost impossible to generalize answers for you, though.