Advice on move to Vancouver, WA this year (Orchards, Salmon Creek: apartment, to rent)

[bodozer]

Hello all,

I have been reading posts online for almost a year now. We are going to moving to the Vancouver, WA area before the end of the year and am looking for any advice you have to give. We are planning on renting a house for several months to find the right area for us to buy a house. We have researched most of the areas (North Vancouver, Camas, Washougal, Orchards, Salmon Creek, Brush Prairie, Battle Ground, Ridgefield). There is an area east of Orchards and north of Highway 500 that looks like it is being developed. Does anyone know if this is county land? We have a one year old and of course schools will make a difference where we buy. Also, we are considering starting a dog daycare business and are unsure of the demand for this kind of business.

Any advice, information or thoughts you may have on certain areas, schools and our business would be welcome.

TIA,

bodozer

[PNW-type-gal]

The dog day care I take my dog to is out that way (around 4th Plain and 220th) and the big problem for them is that they are not near a major commuter route or the highway. For the boarding part that's not a problem, but it gives them a smaller pool of people willing to bring their dog in on the way to work.

On the other hand, close-in the lots tend to be smaller and the city zoning is restrictive.

[StealthRabbit]

Do some searching, as there is exhaustive comments on schools. (and very polarized) Everyone has their opinions, and experiences. Basically, Hockinson and Camas districts are preferred, then Evergreen (includes Orchards) and Ridgefield , then north Vancouver and Battleground and Washougal, then Vancouver central.

There is a site 'goodschools dot com', I haven't verified their ratings vs. reality. At one yr old, you have probable odds to move to your preferred area before the main thing starts. Just don't 'over-buy' on property value in the meantime. I personally would not buy into an east vancouver new development, just due to future potential sell. (there will be hundreds of homes competing) Get something with charactor / view / extra property, or zoned commercial. IMHO

There are several pet boarding places, do a map search on their locations. I have a friend who has a training business, I'll ask them for suggestions. People are much more picky about pet boarding, than kid babysitting / daycare.

[dnahas]

What part of Northern California are you moving from ? We are moving from San Jose and have decided on Camas, WA. We decided to buy because we have two small children and moving them so many times will be a nightmare ! Have you heard anything about the Camas area ?

[StealthRabbit]

Do a search for Camas, lots of options and discussion (from ritzy LaCamas Shores, to 'semi rural' Fern Prairie, and everything in between. What are you looking for? (and where will your commute be?)

Our kids survived 5 moves in 4 yrs, 3 of which were international (when they were between the ages of 4-9) It was a challenge to go from a farm to a Hi-rise apartment in Singapore, then to an Island in Canada, back to Vancouver farm, then to Washougal (city), then a small town in Spain, and back to Washougal, (country) where we remodeled one place, then built 2 more. They kinda got burnt out on the 'shoveling' and cleaning and living in mud issues of building new homes But, their alternative was 'Dairy Farm Boarding School'. That sends tremors of fear through anyone ! up at 4:30 AM 7 days / week, 365/yr !! oh, my... but you're really grateful for 7:30am, when you can escape the barn and go to school (unless you homeschool... bummer, more chores) Oh, and after school activities ?..., guess that would be milking... (again)

You are fortunate, as I'm not sure there are any dairy farms left in Camas. (except 'Stauffer's) There used to be several, but the newcomers reacted very negatively to the liquid manure fertilizer sprinklers spewing in the wind. That leaves some nice fertile soils for gardens in some of the areas they are now building homes.

Caution on the commute, be sure to visit your location of choice during your future commute hrs. Some of the country roads and narrow routes are challenging in the cold dark and rainy winter mornings and evenings. It is probable that you will be going to work in the dark (and rain) and coming home in the dark (and rain) for several months. AND DON"T buy a house surrounded by trees, as nice as it seems in the summer. Winters will be dark and moss will grow everywhere. To say nothing of the potential fire danger during our tinder dry Aug / Sept. (see Yacolt Burn, went through rural Camas with a vengeance, (110 acres per minute!!!) circa 1902, gonna really be ugly next time, now that there are so many homes in the wildland / urban interface )
Yacolt Burn - Yacolt - LewisRiver.com

[bodozer]

Originally Posted by dnahas

What part of Northern California are you moving from ? We are moving from San Jose and have decided on Camas, WA. We decided to buy because we have two small children and moving them so many times will be a nightmare ! Have you heard anything about the Camas area ?

dhanas -

We live in Concord. JanB is right and is very experienced on this board. Just do a search on CAMAS. Lots of data. I remember reading something about a motocross track somewhere out in the CAMAS/WASHOUGAL area that you need to keep in mind on the weekends. We are definately going to rent short term and take our time finding the right house or land. Our son is 14 months old so he won't care about the moving right now. When is family making the move?

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by bodozer

dhanas -

We live in Concord. JanB is right and is very experienced on this board. Just do a search on CAMAS. Lots of data. I remember reading something about a motocross track somewhere out in the CAMAS/WASHOUGAL area that you need to keep in mind on the weekends.

The Washougal Motocross track is north of Washougal a few miles up the Washougal River Road. (Most locals will go up the backside to get to it during busy times, though.) The motocross traffic crosses through town at the 17th St/19th St area. From HWY 14, they head north on 17th Street and follow it up the river as it turns into 19th Street and then into the Washougal River Road. (Yes, it's one street with three different names, depending on which area of it you're on.)

The motocross runs mainly during the summer months with the national finals in August. It isn't that big of a deal unless you live right next to it or if you live somewhere on the Washougal River Road. If you do, you'll likely just need to figure out another way around. (There are some funky little side roads that will get you around the majority if the nasty traffic...non-locals just don't know them so they're relatively unused during these times.)

They'll also occasionally have non-moto stuff at the track. (Such as the Washougal Bunch 4X4 group events.) But those events don't typically draw the 20,000 people-strong crowds that attend the national championships.

Here's the website of the MX park if you have any other questions about it:

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[balanceddog]

Hey there! I do K9 Rescue, Re-hab and Rehoming, training etc. We have about 12 to 15 dogs, and are URGENTLY looking to move temporarily to some land with a barn with a living quarters, or a small home. We are in the process of buying land, but it will take some time to get it move on ready. We have recieved a 30 day notice. Please let me know if you know of any vacent places or land . I also have 5 Rescues that need fosters or homes.. Thanks for any help! Well Balanced Dogs - HomeÂ*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â *