Yes, Vancouver is a good place to live. Are you thinking of moving to Vancouver, Washington? You’ll find all you need to know here.
In this article, we’ll discuss 14 pros and cons of living in Vancouver, Washington. You’ll also get to read the answers to random questions people like you are asking.
Let’s get started!
Summary of Pros and Cons of Living in Vancouver Washington
| Pros of Living in Vancouver, Washington | Cons of Living in Vancouver, Washington |
| Many Outdoor Opportunities | Not the Best Experience if you Don’t Love the Rain |
| Proximity to Other Cities | Nightlife is not so Vibrant |
| Perfect Weather | Rising Cost of Living |
| Lots of Food Markets | Traffic Congestion |
| Vancouver is Safe | Rising Cost of Housing |
Pros of Living in Vancouver Washington
Vancouver is Washington’s 4th largest city. It’s also the 25th largest area in the United States Metropoly. You can tell it has a vast landscape.
Vancouver is known for its richness in art and culture. You’ll notice this from the abundance of notable buildings and sites that hold history.
If you move to Vancouver, here are some of the good things to expect:
1. Many Outdoor Opportunities
Despite the rain, you can enjoy the outdoor activities in Vancouver. In spring, you can explore most of the scenic areas in Vancouver. There are tons of lakes, rivers, and trails to explore.
In summer, you go on an adventure! Perhaps you love mount climbing, fishing, or hiking? Vancouver is for you!
In the fall, you have the opportunity to experience the most romantic getaway. A scenic drive through north Clark County will leave you speechless.
And in winter? Photographers get the best snow shots. Mt. St. Helens is your best bet!
2. Proximity to Other Cities
Seattle is just 3 hours south of Vancouver. It’s also close to Portland, so if you ever want to take a short trip, you have options.
3. Perfect Weather
How nice it is to live in a city that’s neither too hot nor too cold. If you’re considering moving to Vancouver, Washington, you should move either in July, August, or September.
Those months have the best weather conditions for visitors and residents. Besides these months, get ready for the rain!
4. Lots of Food Markets
With the weather, it’s easy for anything to grow. There are lots of farms, so you’ll quickly see farmers’ markets. You’ll also find urban farms and bee farms. There are even farms kids can visit in Vancouver.
If you live in Vancouver, get ready to pick up fresh produce yourself! And there are favorable laws to back you up. For instance, residents are allowed to rear chickens. Eat your eggs, eat your chicken, life’s easy!
5. Vancouver is Safe
In November 2020, Vancouver, WA, ranked the 14th safest city to live in Washington. Residents say they’ll be there for a very long time with a low crime rate. If you live in Vancouver, you won’t have to bother about crazy uproars that are common in other cities.
6. Best Place to Raise Children
Asides from the safety you’ll enjoy in Vancouver, the city is not too rowdy. It has a population of 182,792. So, you have nothing to worry about. Isn’t this the desire of every parent? That the crowd does not negatively influence their kids? You have this luxury in Vancouver.
7. It’s a Politically Liberal City
Unlike in Portland, political liberality is rife in Vancouver. The statistics from previous elections point to this. In the Presidential elections of 2020, 51% of the Vancouver population voted for the Democratic candidates.
This is as opposed to voting for another political party. For many residents, this is a pro; I don’t know how you feel about it.
8. Good Schools for Your Children
Vancouver is generally kid-friendly. Aside from the truckload of kid-friendly activities, Vancouver, Washington also has great schools. And this is no surprise — education is a top priority for political liberals.
Vancouver district has 12 principal high schools. Some of them have been specially reserved for students intending to go into specific areas like the medical field.
9. No State Income Tax
Since Vancouver has no state income tax, people prefer living there. However, while there’s no state income tax, there’s still a sales tax of 8.5%.
If you live in Vancouver Washington, you may join other residents in making heavy purchases in Portland to avoid paying too much.
Downsides of Living in Vancouver Washington
Beyond the benefits of living in Vancouver, here are some disadvantages to expect:
1. Not the Best Experience if you Don’t Love the Rain
This is the part of Vancouver, WA that gets frustrating. The rain is too heavy to preserve the green vegetation, even. If you want sun, your best bet is east of Cascade mountain or to the beach. If you ever find people going for a holiday, they’re mostly looking for the sun — trust me.
2. Night Life is not so Vibrant
In comparison with Portland, Vancouver is not the life of the party. While you can still have some fun in some night spots, you’ll never be satisfied if you’re a party junkie. Some of the nice night spots in Vancouver, WA include
- The Thirsty Sasquatch
- ME Ultra Lounge
- The Infirmary
- UnderBar
3. Rising Cost of Housing
The house cost in Vancouver is constantly rising from what was obtainable before. Residents who moved from Portland to Vancouver found the increment surprising.
This ripple effect is that Vancouver’s homeless population is increasing. A one-bedroom apartment goes as high as $300,000 while a 3 bedroom is as high as $500,000.
4. Rising Cost of Living
Actually, there’s no state income tax in Vancouver, unlike in Portland. However, according to Payscale, the cost of living is 3% higher in Vancouver, Washington than the national average.
But on the bright side, it’s not high enough to deter anyone from staying there. On the contrary, some say it’s very affordable.
5. Traffic Congestion
Vancouver has rising traffic like the one in Seattle. Road rage is slowly becoming the order of the day as drivers lose their tempers.
Finally
What’s there not to love about Vancouver? Even the advantages of living in Vancouver Washington, trumps the cons. It’s impressive. In making a decision, I hope this article guides you to the right one!
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Vancouver Washington
Should I do my grocery shopping in Portland instead of Vancouver?
Because of sales tax, there’s a belief that shopping in Portland is more cost-effective than in Vancouver. Well, there’s no tax on most groceries in Vancouver.
Except you’re buying big-ticket goods, there’s no need to waste gas to go all the way to Portland to shop. But be reminded that Washington requires that you pay a use tax on goods brought into the city. So, count your cost.
How can autistic people get around the city or travel to Seattle or Portland?
Vancouver has a decent means of transportation. C-TRAN is a mass transit in Vancouver that connects to Portland. That way, autistic people don’t have to cross bridges themselves.
If you get an Amtrak ticket, you can also connect from Vancouver to Downtown Portland.
Where are the best areas to live in Vancouver, Washington?
Here are the 7 best neighborhoods you’ll enjoy living in Vancouver:
- Felida Neighborhood
- Esther Short Neighborhood
- Fisher’s Creek Neighborhood
- Lake Shore Neighborhood
- Shumway Neighborhood
- Cascade Highlands Neighborhood
Where are the dangerous neighborhoods in Vancouver, Washington?
According to Areavibes, these are some neighborhoods to avoid:
- Central Park
- Barley Downs
- Fruit Valley
- Airport Green
- North Garrison Heights
- Fircrest
- Van Mall
Why does Vancouver, Washington smell?
If you visit downtown Vancouver, the stench never leaves you the same. It’s a horrendous stink from the downtown waterfront to the upfront village.
The smell can be traced to the sewage plant nearby and irregular weather patterns. Besides these causes, nobody can say why that pungent smell disturbs downtown Vancouver.
