Vancouver, Washington

What It Is Like to Retire in Vancouver

Vancouver is a fairly large city of over 100,000 in southern Washington, just north of Portland. Not to be confused with Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada.  Lewis and Clark camped near here during their historic western explorations. Photo of Aerial View of Vancouver, in the Public Domain, courtesy of Wikipedia and MB298.

Watch this short Youtube video prepared by How to Vancouver:

Where to Retire in Vancouver and Home Prices

According to Zillow, the median home value in Vancouver was $359,171 in early 2020. There are active adult communities in the area.

What Is Special about Vancouver

Vancouver is located along the Columbia River and offers a lot of outdoor recreation and has a national forest nearby;  transportation is easy with two interstates bordering the town, it also has an Amtrak station and airports are nearby;  the town is a growing artist and music community and has a dedicated art district with several galleries and shops; there is no state income tax; Luepke Senior Center is an active organization for those over 50; Washington State Vancouver and Clark College are located here making it a college town.

What Is Not Special about Vancouver

High cost of living; average temperatures in summer are only in the 60's; crime rate is a little above the national average

Who Will Like Retirement in Vancouver

Those who like outdoor activity for every season, along with art, music and history, would enjoy living here.

Local Economy Is Driven by

Business and Management drive the economy. Many in the workforce commute to Portland, Oregon, located just across the Columbia River.

Climate and Physical Environment

The average Jan temperature is about 40 and the average July temperature in the high 60s.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Vancouver has a symphony orchestra and a refubished movie theater,  the Kiggen Theatre, that now host independent films and community events. The city also has many festivals and events throughout the year, and is home to many artists and art galleries.

Crime

The crime rate is slightly above average.

Medical facilities

Vancouver has several medical facilities including Peace Health Southwest and Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center.

Transportation

Transportation is not a problem in Vancouver.  C-TRAN is Vancouver's public transportation system, and it also has access to I-5 and  I-205 and an Amtrak station in town.  There is a small airport in Vancouver for general aviation, but Portland International Airport is just 12 miles away.

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