Vancouver

Located on the north bank of the Columbia River, Vancouver is a bustling city in the state of Washington. Part of the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area - the 23rd largest metropolitan area in the United States – Vancouver is the largest suburb of Portland and is the country seat of Clark County. Vancouver is one of the oldest cities in Washington, boasting a rich history that dates back to the early 1800s.

 

Home to around 185,000 residents and spanning over 74 constituent neighborhoods, Vancouver is the fourth largest community in Washington. Adjacent to the Columbia River in southern Washington, and connected to Portland, Oregon via two scenic interstate bridges, Vancouver plays home to a rich historical heritage, a progressive culture, pristine parks, and a plethora of scenic trails.

 

Ranked by Niche as the 12th best city for outdoor activities in America, Vancouver has an outdoor recreational landscape that stands second to none. For such a historical city, it is pertinent to start with the Esther Short Park and Playground, which is the oldest public square in the state of Washington. Apart from being a famous gathering spot for community events and concerts, the park is also a great place for simply enjoying Vancouver’s charming weather in the outdoors.

 

The 5-acre Esther Short Park frequently hosts street performers and live music, as well as the Vancouver Farmers Market that takes place every Saturday and Sunday between March and October.

 

Another intriguing historical site in Vancouver is the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, which is a national park that truly reflects the city’s prolific cultural past. Located on the north bank of the Columbia River in the heart of the Portland-Vancouver Metropolitan Area, Fort Vancouver sprawls over 350 acres and encompasses waterfront areas on the Columbia River. Today, thousands of visitors come to this historical monument to learn about the region’s profound history and culture.

 

To capture the full glory of the Columbia River, head to the gorgeous Waterfront Renaissance Trail, which links Esther Short Park with Wintler Community Park via the Columbia River. Stretching over five miles, the trail offers opportunities for biking, jogging, rollerblading, strolling, or simply standing by the trail to capture the breathtaking sunsets over the gorgeous, sprawling river water.

 

Real estate in Vancouver has shown an average growth of 4.13% per year since the year 2000 and the prices of homes in Vancouver have overall appreciated by a strong 133.91%. Vancouver’s housing market is somewhat competitive and the sale prices of homes in Vancouver have experienced strong growth of more than 21% since April of 2019.

 

The median home price in Vancouver is $429,000. Currently, there are 1,443 active homes for sale in Vancouver, and normally it takes just 36 days for a listed home to sell.

 

Over the last year, Vancouver’s job market has grown by 0.9%, while its unemployment rate stands at a decent 6.4%. The US average is 6%. Also, the city’s job market is expected to grow by 38.8% over the next ten years.

 

On average, a Vancouver resident earns around $26,300 per annum, almost in line with the US average of $28,500. The city’s median household income of almost $50,300 per resident is also almost parallel to the US average of approximately $53,000. Most of the residents of Vancouver work in construction, manufacturing, retail, finance, transportation, educational services, accommodation, professional and technical services, and healthcare.

 

Vancouver is covered by 6 school districts, with Vancouver Public Schools being the city’s major school district encompassing 41 schools and 23,077 enrolled students. Vancouver also lies in proximity to many colleges including, among others, Clark College, Warner Pacific College, and Pacific Northwest College of Art.

 

When it comes to higher education, Vancouver lies in the vicinity of several universities including Concordia University Portland, Reed College, and the University of Portland. Founded in 1908, Reed College lies just 11 miles from the city of Vancouver. The college is known for its mandatory first-year humanities program, senior thesis, progressive politics, de-emphasis on grades, and an unusually high proportion of graduates who go on to earn doctorates and other postgraduate degrees. The college has many prominent alumni, including over a hundred Fulbright Scholars, 67 Watson Fellows, and three Churchill Scholars.

 

To sum up, Vancouver is a large, bustling city whose prolific, rich history and historical sites make it stand out in the region. Facing the picturesque Columbia River, Vancouver offers its residents the highest quality of life and an outdoor recreational landscape that has been nationally recognized and applauded. With great schools, lush parks, scenic trails, and pristine parks, Vancouver makes a perfect place to be your next hometown, should you decide to move to Washington.