Located on the northern bank of the Columbia River is the city of Vancouver, Washington. Home to about 169,982 people, Vancouver is Washington State’s fourth largest city and the county seat of Clark County. Vancouver is known for its beautiful surroundings, eco-friendly culture, and close-knit vibe. Though Vancouver is technically a Portland suburb, the city has its own distinct appeal with great employment opportunities, highly rated schools, and a bustling nightlife.
Relocating to a new city is an exciting time with a lot of changes. It’s important to ensure you choose a neighborhood that works well with your lifestyle. A young family with children might be looking for a more residential community with walkable streets and great schools nearby. Young professionals might want to be closer to their work, or to a city’s downtown area. If you’re hoping to find the best neighborhood in Vancouver for you, you’ll want to consider the pros and cons of each Vancouver community to make the best decision.
Vancouver Neighborhoods
Vancouver is considered one of the best places to live in the state of Washington. Whether you’re moving to Vancouver as a young professional, retiree, or with your family, there’s a Vancouver neighborhood that’s perfect for you. Check out our guide to see which Vancouver neighborhood will best suit your lifestyle!
Fisher’s Landing East | Best Vancouver Neighborhood for Families
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- Population: 7,010
- Median Home Price: $500,000
- Great for: Families and young professionals
Fisher’s Landing East sits just a short drive east from downtown Vancouver. This neighborhood is perhaps Vancouver’s most popular, especially among young families. Fisher’s Landing used to be a commercial shipping and refueling area, but has been transformed into a thriving mixed-use community. Some of Vancouver’s top employers are located nearby, including Hewlett Packard, Sharp, and Nautilus. Real estate options in Fisher’s Landing range from apartments or condos to townhomes and modern single-family homes. Living in Fisher’s Landing East comes with lots of parks to choose from, including Clearmeadows Park, Summer’s Walk Park, Heritage Park, and Community Park. Students and young professionals can take advantage of the social scene in Fisher’s Landing East, where there are plenty of bars and coffee shops where they can socialize.
Fisher’s Creek | Best Neighborhood in Vancouver for Kids
- Population: 1,084
- Median Home Price: $529,000
- Great for: Families and retirees
Fisher’s Creek is a very well sought-after neighborhood in Vancouver. About 10 miles from the downtown area, Fisher’s Creek is mostly residential, with a diverse residential architecture to choose from. No matter when the homes were built, they are surrounded by beautifully maturing trees that will provide nice shade for your home. Families with children love having access to Fisher’s Creek Neighborhood Park, as well as great schools in the vicinity. You’ll often see moms with their kids hanging out in the cul de sacs and pushing strollers down the street. Fisher’s Creek is a great balance between urban and suburban. The streets aren’t near main roads, so your kids will love biking and running through them without a care. But even if you don’t have kids, there are tons of great shopping and dining options, as well as plenty of trails for hiking and biking, gorgeous views, and farmer’s markets on the weekends.
Bennington | Best Neighborhood in Vancouver for Young Professionals
- Population: 3,200
- Median Home Price: $487,000
- Great for: Young Families, Commuters
Just north of Fisher’s Landing East is the bustling neighborhood of Bennington. This neighborhood is more densely populated and has more of an urban feel than other Vancouver communities. Bennington is known for being lgbtq friendly as well. If you’re looking for an easy commute to work, Bennington could be a great option for you, as it’s home to Columbia Tech Center and Hewlett-Packer’s corporate campus. Bennington is extremely walkable, and everything you could need is within reach. Bennington is home to Columbia Crossing, an outdoor shopping destination with retailers like Kohl’s, Ulta, and Bed Bath & Beyond. Outdoorsy types will love living near Lacamas Lake, and Columbia Tech Center Park sits in the center of the neighborhood. 56% of Bennington households include school aged children, which is no surprise considering the great schools in the neighborhood, including Shahala Middle School, Columbia Valley Elementary School, and Union High School.
Cascade Highlands | Safest Vancouver Neighborhood
- Population: 3,446
- Median Home Price: $455,000
- Great for: Families and retirees
Also in east Vancouver is the Cascade Highlands community. Though Cascade Highlands is largely residential, those who live there still have plenty of shops and restaurants to choose from. Fisher’s Landing Marketplace is located right at the southeastern edge of the neighborhood, so Cascade Highlands residents have easy access to groceries and other amenities. Looking to commune with nature? Not only will you have gorgeous views of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens from your Cascade Highlands home, you’ll be near Homestead Park, where you can take advantage of the walking paths, playground, grassy lawns, and barbeque areas. Cascade Highlands residents are also close to Peach Beach and the Columbia River. You’ll also have a wide array of real estate options in Cascade Highlands; there are apartment complexes, single family homes, and even two parks for mobile homes. About 35% of households in Cascade Highlands are home to kids under the age of 18, who have great schools like Mill Plain Elementary and Mountain View High School nearby.
The Village at Fisher’s Landing | Cool, Trendy Vancouver Neighborhood
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- Population: 7,857
- Median Home Price: $668,000
- Great For: Families, Professionals
Though it comes with a big price tag, The Village at Fisher’s Landing is another great option for families moving to Vancouver. Just below Fisher’s Landing, this small neighborhood is popular because of how conveniently located it is. Those who live in The Village at Fisher’s Landing not only have restaurants, shopping, and everyday amenities within reach, but transportation is easy here too. PDX International Airport is only a 15 minute drive from The Village at Fisher’s Landing, and the C-TRAN Fisher’s Landing Transit Center makes public transit a popular option among residents too. 43% of households in The Village at Fisher’s Landing are home to children under the age of 18, and some of Vancouver’s best schools are located here. Parents living in The Village at Fisher’s Landing can rest easy knowing that they live in a safe community, too. Crime rates in The Village at Fisher’s Landing are 40% lower than the national average. For those without kids, these young professionals consider this one of the best places to live in Vancouver thanks to the ease of transportation, proximity to downtown, and all the restaurants and bars it’s near.
South Cliff | Most Affluent Vancouver Neighborhood
- Population: 455
- Median Home Price: $1.4M
- Great for: Professionals and retirees
If you can afford it, South Cliff and the neighboring community of Dubois Park are fantastic places to live. Both have a dense urban feel, which is great if you’re relocating from a big city. Residents of South Cliff love running along the trails that line the Columbia River. South Cliff Park, in the center of the community, is a neighborhood favorite, and Dubois Park is just across North Blandford Dr on the eastern edge of South Cliff. The median age in South Cliff is 47.3, which is slightly older than other neighborhoods. Because the real estate is so expensive, you’ll find mostly older professionals and retirees that live in this area. The homes are slightly larger than other neighboring communities in Vancouver, but you also pay for that with the higher price tag. The schools in the area are not that well rated, so it makes sense that only 31% of South Cliff families have school-aged children. However, many people will send their children to private schools and pay for their education, to avoid being in the lower-rated schools in this town.
Oakbrook | Most Affordable Vancouver Neighborhood
- Population: 3,243
- Median Home Price: $360,000
- Great for: Young Families
If you want a great community in Vancouver but don’t want to have to pay a high price tag, this upcoming area is the perfect spot for you and your children. Oakbrook is a great option for families and renters, especially for those who are just starting out. Homes and apartments are more affordable in Oakbrook, and residents have easy access to public transit, which is great if you want to commute around the city or go downtown. Oakbrook is home to large parks, including Meadowbrook Marsh Park, Oakbrook Park, and Royal Oaks Country Club. If you love to shop, you’ll love living near Vancouver Mall, which is located in Oakbrook too. Here you can shop, dine, take in a movie, or even go bowling! In addition to the endless recreational opportunities, you won’t have to worry about your kids when it comes to their education. The good news is that Oakbrook kids have access to great schools like Martin Luther King Elementary School and Peter S. Ogden Elementary School.
Vancouver Neighborhood Map
It’s clear that no matter why you want to relocate here, living in Vancouver is one of the best choices you can make. With plenty of unique neighborhoods to choose from, you’re bound to find whatever it is you’re looking for. Once you’ve found the perfect Vancouver neighborhood for you, make sure you work with the best movers to get you there! PDX Movers are the top-rated professional moving company in Vancouver. Call us today at (503) 433-2824 to get started on your free quote!
