Portland Vs Vancouver

[LocalYokel]

Some of you may have read a thread I posted about moving out west, California Vs Oregon. The final decision has been made: California is OUT OF THE RUNNING!!! Man, I feel so much better now that my mind is made up. CA used to be a fabulous place, but I have no need to reside in such a deeply troubled state.

So, the question for you Pacific Northwesterners (and hence my new neighbors!) is pretty simple: Portland or Vancouver? I don't need to live in an urban environment; in fact, some homes that I have looked at online with about 5 acres outside of town would be perfect. Thoughts? Thanks guys!

 

[juleswinnfield]

My vote is Vancouver, mainly b/c of not being under the bloated US government. But what do I know...

 

[danek]

Actually Bryan, he's referring to Vancouver, WA which is across the river from Portland, OR. The Columbia River separates the two states, and runs between the two cities.

 

[thunderball]

Actually Bryan, he's referring to Vancouver, WA which is across the river from Portland, OR. The Columbia River separates the two states, and runs between the two cities.

Ah...yeah I was gonna say...two totally different countries mate! I thought he meant British Columbia too.

 

[DefaultAnon]

Vancouver is a great place, but it has nothing on Portland.
There really is no competition
Better schools, better city, better people!

 

[wundergussy]

Portland would have no sales tax.... Also, yeah, better food, entertainment, shaving supplies, etc.

 

[marvin100]

Portland would have no sales tax.... Also, yeah, better food, entertainment, shaving supplies, etc.

But Vancouver has far, far lower property and income tax (not to mention real estate prices). Live in the 'Couv, shop in Potland.

If you're not an urbanite who's goint to take advantage of PDX's superior urban culture all the time, Vancouver is a great option, especially financially.

 

[bordeaaj]

Portland would have no sales tax.... Also, yeah, better food, entertainment, shaving supplies, etc.

I agree with Marvin100...Washington doesn't have a state income tax the way Oregon does, and most in Vancouver just take the short hop across the river in order to avoid paying the Washington sales tax on non-food items anyway...that way they get the best of both worlds. I lived in Portland all my life until recently. Didn't ever want to move to Vancouver but when I did it was like getting a 10% raise without the Oregon state income tax. I should have done it far sooner.

Vancouver is really just a suburb of Portland and you are literally within minutes of the better food, entertainment, and shaving supplies Portland has to offer. I've been driving for a living in the Portland area for 15 years and, in fact, from Vancouver you have quicker access to either of the main highways through Portland, I-5 and I-205, and can often get where you want to go faster from Vancouver than if you lived in the Portland area itself. Sometimes traffic across the bridges is a pain but no worse and often better than traffic into any other Portland suburb.

If you have kids, Oregon and Portland area schools have been in trouble for years, and while there are still decent schools to choose from Vancouver/Camas area schools are just as good if not better. Lots of Vancouver families, including my own, send their kids to Portland-area private schools so that's not a problem either. I agree living in Vancouver has definite financial benefits without having to give up any of the Portland opportunities.

 

[LocalYokel]

Thanks for all the helpful info, guys. Any areas that should be definitely avoided?

 

[kwk285]

You should live in the state that you work in. Both are nice places to live.

 

[highball]

Vancouver, Or. has a state income tax