Though it’s certainly within commuting distance to Downtown Portland and some may say it is a suburb of Rose City, the residents of Vancouver would beg to differ. Vancouver is establishing its own identity with colorful murals and creative sculptures that decorate the downtown streets, a diverse food scene that is a source of pride, and a freshly developed waterfront with the oldest public town square in the Pacific Northwest. “It has been turned into a destination place for Portland, Oregon and Washington,” says Darryl Bodle, a realtor with Keller Williams Realty Portland Premiere. “It’s going to be similar to Pike Place in Seattle, with a farmers market and shopping to complement the waterfront development,” Bodle says, referring to the city’s plans to add retail and open space to the waterfront area.
Diverse restaurants make Vancouver a foodie destination
The downtown businesses are mostly concentrated between Washington Street and Main Street, with countless well-reviewed places to eat and drink. “Downtown Main Street has just about every restaurant, brewpub, theater and coffee shop you can imagine,” Bodle says. “There’s a wide variety of ethnic food, with things like Georgian food […] in this little strip in Downtown Vancouver that you wouldn’t find in Portland or Seattle, which are known for their food.” The Georgian restaurant Bodle references, DEDIKO, is housed in a modern interior dotted with traditional Georgian décor, like the ceramic pots used for old-fashioned winemaking. Besides wine, the restaurant serves kompot—a tea home brewed from fruit—as well as authentic Georgian dumplings, kababs and khachapuri, a type of cheese bread. For dessert, diners pair honey cake and baklava with Turkish coffee. A few blocks down, The Smokin’ Oak is revered for its Texas-style smoked meats, like beef brisket and pulled pork, that have been described as “meat butter” for their delicate texture. The no-fuss menu items come with classic sides like collard greens and cornbread on aluminum trays in a place where patrons can seat themselves.
Vancouver is home to several breweries, earning its nickname of “Brewcouver.” UnderBar is another popular nightlife option, offering trivia, karaoke and a drag brunch to enjoy with a classic cocktail in an underground setting. A New Seasons Market, on the north end of downtown, has residents covered with groceries, while the Vancouver Farmers Market provides fresh, locally grown produce in Esther Short Park on Sundays from April to October and Saturdays year-round.
The Beer Porch on Main Street offer ample out door seating for its guests.
Enjoy an ice cream cone from the famous Salt and Straw, a Portland institution.
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Esther Short Park and Grant Street Pier
The Esther Short Park and Playground is one of the focal points of downtown. It’s also the first public park in the Pacific Northwest, as part of the oldest town square in the region. Spanning five acres, the park boasts several unique features. A Harper’s Playground-approved play area for children of all different abilities makes the park a fun destination, along with a sleek water feature composed of dark hexagonal slabs of rock that create a small waterfall. Enjoy wafts of fragrance from the rose garden with chipper-colored blooms while the chiming of the Salmon Run Bell Tower fills the air every 15 minutes. Stick around long enough visitors to see different characters emerge from the glockenspiel of the tower that narrates the story of the Chinook Native Americans, the original inhabitants of the land. Nearby, the statues of George Vancouver and the Pioneer Mother continue the story of the city.
Slightly further south is the Vancouver Waterfront, which features one of the best views of the Columbia River, especially from the suspended Grant Street Pier, which resembles the masts of the ships that traverse the river.
Downtown Vancouver's Esther Short Park is the first park in the Pacific Northwest.
The Slocum House, built in1867, is listed on The National Register of Historical Places.
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First Fridays in the arts district
With a vibrant arts scene downtown, Vancouver’s First Fridays art walk is popular among connoisseurs, which takes place on the first Friday every month. Local boutiques, galleries, restaurants and bars stay open past regular hours—with some galleries hosting exhibitions from local artists and live music with refreshments.
Downtown Vancouver offers one of the most updated library's in the nation.
Downtown Vancouver offers boutique shopping options.
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Condos and apartments dominate Vancouver property mix
Home and apartment renters occupy roughly 77% of downtown, including office spaces. Housing in Downtown Vancouver usually entails a condo unit, with only 2.95% of the area’s property mix consisting of detached single-family homes. Buyers will find units with one, sometimes two, bedrooms and 500 to 800 square feet on the market between $250,000 and $350,000. Boasting more space, units with two bedrooms and more than 1,000 square feet sell anywhere from $400,000 to $560,000. Units with even more space can reach closer to the $1 million mark. Regardless of price, most condominium complexes offer a quick and easy walk to Esther Short Park.
Regal Cinema offers many view screens in the heart of downtown Vancouver.
The newly constructed waterfront offers beautiful views of the Colombia River.
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Before- and after-school care at Hough Elementary
Local children can attend Hough Elementary School, which earns a C-plus from Niche, and features extracurricular activities like Lego Club, choir, music exploration, horticulture and various athletics. The school also offers before- and after-school care programs for families with working parents and a Kindergarten Jump Start program for extra math and literacy support. After possibly attending C-rated Discovery Middle School, teenagers may enroll at Hudson’s Bay High School, which receives a C-plus.
Discovery Middle School has several peaked entrance facades in Lincoln, Vancouver, WA.
The entrance to the Hough Elementary School in the Hough Neighborhood.
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Main, Columbia and Washington Streets
Main Street and Columbia Street—along with Washington Street in between—are the main thoroughfares in the neighborhood, where most of the area’s popular spots sit. As a true urban neighborhood, sidewalks line most streets and bike lanes delineate the bigger roads, making it possible to get around the area without a car. East Mill Plain Boulevard in the north of the neighborhood crosses the interstate to reach the historic Officer’s Row neighborhood, as well as Hudson’s Bay High School. Interstate 5 crosses the Columbia River to take commuters to Downtown Portland in around 20 minutes.
Downtown Vancouver is full of historical homes that create character and charm.
Main Street Barbershop is a great choice for a quick cut.
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This beautifully upgraded 2-bed, 2-bath condo is ideally located in the heart of Vancouver, WA, just steps from the lively Terminal 1 development located on the Vancouver Waterfront, & across from Esther Short Park. Perfect urban retreat---lots of dining, shopping, & entertainment options. The kitchen has quartz countertops, new stainless steel appliances, & elegant LVP flooring. The living room
Rare opportunity to own a stunning penthouse in the heart of Vancouver Center with nearly 360-degree views of the Columbia River, city lights, and four mountains and enjoyed from four private balconies. This timeless, high-end remodel features a custom bar, surround sound, herringbone wood and steel barn doors, floating ceiling design, and a chef’s kitchen with Thermador appliances and two
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Enjoy the best of downtown Vancouver living in this top-floor condo just steps from Esther Short Park and minutes from the vibrant Vancouver Waterfront. This 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom unit is perfectly situated for those who love walkability, with coffee shops, local dining, and the weekend Farmers Market all right outside your door. Tall ceilings and large windows bring in great natural light, and
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Experience Vancouver apartment living at The Aria. Nestled in a beautiful neighborhood next to the Columbia River at 636 W 6th St, The Aria is a new apartment community located just steps away from all of your favorite attractions in downtown Vancouver, WA. Dining, shopping and entertainment options await you around every corner, and the natural splendor of the Pacific Northwest offers up
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
4,285
Median Age
44
Population Density
17 ppl/acre
Population under 18
10.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$36,940
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$71,799
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.7%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
34.2%
Advanced Degrees
11.2%
% Population in Labor Force
47.7%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
31°F
Average Summer High Temperature
78°F
Annual Snowfall
3''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
86/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
83/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
57/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
