What BestPlaces Users Say about Vancouver
Vancouver, Washington is a city located in the Pacific Northwest with a population of approximately 185,000. It is known for its scenic beauty, affordable cost of living, and diverse community. Many people choose to live in this city due to its proximity to Portland, Oregon, and its thriving job market. However, there are also some drawbacks to living in Vancouver, such as high property taxes and occasional traffic congestion. To get a better understanding of what it is like to live in Vancouver, let's take a look at what some users have to say about their experiences in this city.
- "I have been living in Vancouver for 10 years now, and I absolutely love it here. The natural beauty of this place is unparalleled, with its gorgeous parks and rivers. The people here are friendly and welcoming, and the cost of living is much more affordable compared to other cities in this region." - Sarah T.
- "I moved to Vancouver from Seattle last year, and it was the best decision I ever made. The housing market here is much more reasonable, and the job opportunities are endless. Plus, the food scene is amazing, with so many local restaurants and food trucks to choose from. I couldn't be happier with my move." - Mark D.
- "I have lived in Vancouver my whole life, and while it has its perks, it can also be a bit dull. There isn't much to do in terms of nightlife, and the city can feel a bit suburban at times. But overall, it's a great place to raise a family and the schools here are excellent." - Emily L.
- "I moved to Vancouver for work, and I have to say, it's been a bit of a disappointment. The traffic can be horrendous during rush hour, and the cost of living has been steadily increasing. Also, the city doesn't offer much in terms of cultural events or diversity. I'm considering moving back to the East Coast soon." - Max S.
based on 57 ReviewsGet to know Vancouver with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Vancouver
Resident from 2015-2018 - 3/20/2018
Pros: Beautiful green scenery, plenty of rivers and lakes, great air quality, top notch natural landmarks within an hour radius, very little to zero dangerous wildlife in the area, moderate temperatures year-round, laid back people, located near a larger city with abundant amenities (Portland), federal and state tax benefits living in Vancouver and shopping in Portland.
Cons: Lack of sunshine (there are more grey days a year than there are sunny days), long stretches of rainy days (often 2-3 weeks straight in the rainy season), rent and property prices are increasing sharply due to steady growth, traffic is increasing due to lack of public transportation (traffic to and from Portland for 9 to 5 workers is especially bad), drug problems and homelessness are around the cheaper parts of town causing property crime (my aunt and uncle have lived downtown for 12 years and have had their cars broken into multiple times and have had a homeless person attempt to break into their
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The gloom will make you literally sick - 3/20/2018
Well. I moved here from southern California about 3 years ago (yes, there are a lot like me). I was looking to get away from the constant heat and sun, which I sure as hell did. I was warned by EVERYONE about the rain, which I don't mind at all, but I didn't heed warnings about gloom. The sun comes out less than half the year, and I'm not exaggerating. The lack of vitamin D has really affected my health. I am constantly depressed, my anxiety is extra high, I have permanent fatigue, I get sick a lot...my eyesight has suffered greatly from living here, because it's so dark out all the time, and sungazing is a rare and precious happening.
It's also crowded as s**t here now. I wanted to escape the big city vibe of socal, but it seems everyone and their mother had the same idea. Traffic is terrible, rent and housing prices are skyrocketing, the job market is insanely cutthroat. Also, employers here very often treat workers like garbage. I have been through 10 jobs since moving here.
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Vancouver is a good place to live. - 3/1/2018
Love the area! There is so much to do here. I do find there is life in the town, hence traffic, but would you rather live in a town with no services. Lots of restaurants, parks, trails, plenty of water for summer sports, and lots of rain!
Housing can be a bit pricey, depends on what you want and your definition of reasonable hosing costs. Just remember everyone wants to live in a nice area, so it costs
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I love this town - 12/18/2017
Other reviewers are complaining that the city has changed. Guess what. All cities change over time, and they do get busier as the population grows. Are we, who are priced out of other areas, expected to stay in those areas and be homeless so that cities like Vancouver don't change? I remember this town when I was a kid (moved to Bay Area as an adult), and it was once a dump. We came up a few times a year to get things we couldn't in Oregon. Vancouver was such a dump that many people in Portland still think this town is a dirty, gross place and still call it Vantucky. Many, many Portlanders refuse to come here because of how bad it used to be, and it was bad enough they still expect it to be that way.
Now we have a safe, clean city with beautifully-built shopping centers. We have better roads. It's just plain a cleaner, nicer place. Yet people are complaining it's changed? Do those people want to go back to the filth?
This is a safe city that has
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So Sad - 4/13/2017
So got to Vancouver yesterday and was so excited to see old friends and old past homes from 20 years ago. That being said, much time has gone by. I must admit the amount of traffic and people that are in Vancouver today is absolutely shocking. Mill Plain is just as busy as any large city such as LA or Atlanta. There are businesses everywhere. We were thinking about moving back but no more. If we ever do move back, we will try to live an hour away from Vancouver where property is cheaper and less congested. Real estate prices have doubled. Our old ranch home, which is quite small, was bought for 235,000 last year. Incredible! It's not worth that much by far. So
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Up and coming city - 2/8/2016
I've lived and worked in the Vancouver area for 10 years. When I moved here it had a depressed feel. The downtown area was deteriorated, with many empty storefronts. However, over the past five year, Vancouver has really come alive. There are few empty commercial spaces in the downtown and uptown neighborhoods. There are many wonderful restaurants and microbreweries and numerous events throughout the year. My wife and I like to walk and have never felt unsafe walking at any hour of the day or night in Downtown.
A few years ago the mall in the central part of the city was virtually abandoned, and had few tenants. Now, it has been remodeled and is very upscale, with every type of store and is home to one of the nicest movie theaters in the nation.
East Vancouver has also expanded tremendously, with tons of shopping and new developments. However, traffic in the east side of town has gotten especially bad over the last few years.
The city broke ground in 2015 on a huge
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Small town living by the big city - 5/23/2013
No income tax in WA. No sales tax in OR. Portland, OR offers all the culture one could seek plus great restaurants. It is a great walking city and weather is quite moderate.
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Much to offer - if one is wealthy... - 4/14/2013
I have lived in Vancouver for most of my 59 years, and am very sorry to see what has happened to what was once a pleasant place to live. As more and more people have moved here, the quality of life has deteriorated, and dramatically.
Wealthy people have purchased almost all of the nice properties; this includes those along the many waterfronts, where the public used to enjoy access for recreation. So, there are now only a handful of public access places for river and lake activities; as a result, ever greater numbers of people are crammed into ever smaller areas. Worse still, many of those who flock to the few public places left have no respect for the natural beauty of the area. Instead of picking up after themselves, they litter these places with all manner of trash, and despoil the very beauty they supposedly seek to enjoy.
Anyone who has a pet dog, and would like their dog to enjoy some sort of freedom is out of luck here. Leash laws abound
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Vancouver NOT for drinkers! - 2/17/2013
I have gotten drunk all over the P.N.W. and I can tell you hands down, that it is NOT a good place to get drunk! Cops are VERY hard on being drunk, and also on public pissing, so if you want to wip-it-out, best go somewhere else, cause the cops will beat you. I have been arrested 4 times, all for public pissing, I tell you it's just not worth it.
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