Vancouver Real Estate Agents, Vancouver Homes for Sale, Vancouver Condos, King County, Washington, WA

Vancouver Real Estate Overview

Vancouver, Washington is a city on the north shore of the Columbia River, in the state of Washington, USA. It is the county seat of Clark County. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 143,560, positioned as an influential neighbor to nearby Portland, Oregon.

History

In 1806 the Lewis and Clark expedition camped in the area. Lewis wrote that it was "the only desired situation for settlement west of the Rocky Mountains." The first permanent white settlement did not occur until 1825, when Fort Vancouver was established as a fur trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company. From that time on, the area was settled by both the US and Britain under a "joint occupation" agreement. Joint occupation ended on June 15, 1846, with the signing of the Oregon Treaty, which gave the United States full control of the area.

The City of Vancouver was incorporated on January 23, 1857. (List of Mayors from 1858 on)

The much larger city of Vancouver, British Columbia is located 250 miles (400 km) north of Vancouver, Washington. Both cities were named for sea captain George Vancouver, but the Canadian city was not incorporated until 1886, nearly 30 years after Vancouver, Washington, and more than 60 years after the name Fort Vancouver was first used. Some residents of Vancouver jokingly refer to the city as 'The Couve' (pronounced in the same way that the second syllable in Vancouver is pronounced). City officials have periodically suggested changing the city's name to Fort Vancouver to reduce confusion with Vancouver, British Columbia.

Vancouver has recently experienced conflicts with other Clark County communities such as Felida because of rapid growth in the area. Due to urban growth and annexation Vancouver is often thought of as divided between two areas, East and West Vancouver. West Vancouver is home to downtown Vancouver and some of the more historical parts of the town, while East Vancouver is in transition between rural farm-land and residential and commercial development.

Geography

Vancouver lies just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, to the north. Because of its proximity to a major city, many people that live in Vancouver work in Portland. Consequently, much of Vancouver growth is due to Portlanders moving across the river but keeping their old jobs in Portland. In 2003, 70% of workers in Vancouver worked in Clark County. Also, many people who live Vancouver shop in Portland to take advantage of a wider variety of shopping choices and the fact that Oregon has no sales tax.

Colleges and Universities

Clark College (two year) 
Washington State University — Vancouver Campus (this campus once only offered upper division classes, but now accepts freshmen and sophomores)

High Schools

Vancouver has two school districts:

The Vancouver School District covers most of west Vancouver and has six high schools: Hudson's Bay High School, Columbia River High School, Fort Vancouver High School, Lewis and Clark High School, Skyview High School, and the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics (grades 6-12).

The Evergreen School District covers most of east Vancouver and has three high schools: Evergreen High School, Mountain View High School, and Heritage High School.

Annual Events

Each Fourth of July, Vancouver hosts a fireworks display that draws many Oregonians to the city.

Major Newspapers

The Columbian 
The Oregonian (Portland, Oregon)

Nicknames

Sometimes called "The Couve" by locals.

Nearby Cities

Portland, Oregon 
Battle Ground, Washington 
Camas, Washington 
Washougal, Washington

Vancouver Neighborhoods

Airport Green, Arnada, Bagley Downs, Battle Ground, Belavista, Bella Vista, Bennington, Burnt Bridge Creek, Burton Evergreen, Burton Ridge, Camas, Carter Park, Cascade Highlands, Cascade Southeast, Central Park, Cimarrion, Cobblestone, Columbia Way, Countryside Woods, Dubois, Dubois Park, Edgewood Park, Ellsworth Springs, Esther Short, Evergreen Highlands, Fairway 164th, Father Blanchet Park, Felida, Firat Place, Fircrest, Fisher's Creek, Fisher's Landing East, Forest Ridge, Fourth Plain Village, Fruit Valley, Harney Heights, Hearthwood, Hough, Hudson's Bay, Image, Kevanna Park, Landover-Sharmel, Lincoln, Marrion, Meadow Homes, Mountain View, North Garrison Heights, North Hearthwood, North Image, North Woods, Northcrest, Northwest Vancouver, Northwood, Oakbrook, Ogden, Old Evergreen Highway, Parkside, Parkway East, Riveridge, Riverview, Shumway, South Cliff, St. Helens, The Cottages, The Vineyards, Van Mall, Vancouver Heights, Village-Fisher's Landing, West Minnehaha, Wildwood, Woodland.

The Vancouver real estate links will help you find Vancouver homes for sale, Vancouver real estate agents and Vancouver home values. Get access to Vancouver real estate listings and Vancouver home listings, including the Vancouver MLS, Vancouver REALTORS, Vancouver new homes, Vancouver condos, Vancouver condominiums, Vancouver property, Vancouver land, Vancouver acreage and Vancouver foreclosures. These free real estate services feature all Vancouver cities, Vancouver towns, Vancouver suburbs and Vancouver neighborhoods. The websites linked above also contain information on Vancouver home selling, Vancouver home buying, Vancouver mortgages, Vancouver insurance, Vancouver movers and other Vancouver realty services for anyone looking to sell a home or buy a home in Vancouver, King County, Washington, WA.

Also: Vancouver, Washington Official Website