Camas? (Spokane, Vancouver, Washougal: for sale, 2015, to rent)

[welshb2]

Hi All,
Am new to this posting but have been following it for a year or so. Interesting posts and I thank you all for so much wonderful information.
My wife and I are thinking of retiring to Vancouver-Camas, WA area in 2-3 years. We're leaving Placerville, CA. Have lived here 20+ years and like it a lot but the income taxes in Cali are 15% and climbing. Supposed to be 20% by 2015! We lived in Spokane for 5 years '93-'98 and liked it but weather was to cold, snow. We would like a town we can walk to within a mile to stores, eateries and other things to do. The future is bleak for water so would like to be near water and farmers markets. I bake breads and pastries in a self built brick wood fired oven and will do that in retirement for fun and to sell. Any suggestions for such a place in the Vancouver area?
Thank you,
welshb2

[StealthRabbit]

Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver have Farmer's market. Vancouver is best attended, and longest season. Vancouver Farmers Market - Esther Short Park, Vancouver, Washington


New Seasons is keen on local producers, and has classes / help for you
(local chain of organic / health grocery) New Seasons Market - Vancouver, WA

Portland is only 20 minutes away and has several potential outlets for you.
Portland Farmers Market

Here is a good Camas Veggie Market, They have a few choices of specialty bread.
CAMAS PRODUCE

Of course my favorite entity working for local food availability / security Gorge Grown Food Network - Supporting local, sustainable food in the Columbia Gorge Region

WA state has recently passed legislation making it easier to have 'in-home' commercial food prep (very limited, but meant for small producer). There are also some avenues to rent time in local commercial kitchens. There is a really nice vintage home (once a restaurant) and attached commercial kitchen for sale in Washougal. It was most recently used for Rainy Day Soups, possibly a BBQ prep place too.
2131 Main St, Washougal, WA 98671 | MLS# 11147399 (looks to have recently sold, ???) Here is a local bread bakery (on east side of Washougal, recent new owners ~ 1 yr)
was The Corner Cupboard - Washougal, WA
now Evergreen Pieway Pizza Cafe and Bakery (http://www.evergreenpieway.com/index2.html - broken link)


Also check with these guys (They are very nice proprietors in Camas) TWILIGHT PIZZA BISTRO | Pizza and Italian Food in Camas, WA
This Pizza place just went bust (after less than a yr). Not uncommon for cafes. It has a SUPERB location / setting for Breakfast place. (On the river)http://www.yelp.com/biz/angelos-pizza-camas

Unfortunately, Clark County Health Dept is now run by the county and they are way difficult to deal with for 'point-of-sale'. You may have the most reasonable success being a distributor to some retail outlets. (I hate to see small operators burdened with the hours and expense of a storefront... having watched 4 restaurants go broke in my Camas Commercial properties).

BTW: plenty of water here... I just dumped another 5 gallon bucket (took less than a month to fill (14") from rain / snow.

[Hemlock140]

Great place to retire, no state income tax, and you can cross the border into Portland to shop and pay no sales tax.

[spartan69]

Hi StealthRabbit,

You seem to know everything about PDX/SW Wash. and then some. I am trying to make a decision about buying a house and can't decide where. I live in Washougal which is ok but shopping, medical, etc. are miles away, it's just not convenient. Would you choose Vancouver, Camas or somewhere else for example? Thankyou

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by spartan69

Hi StealthRabbit,

You seem to know everything about PDX/SW Wash. and then some. I am trying to make a decision about buying a house and can't decide where. I live in Washougal which is ok but shopping, medical, etc. are miles away, it's just not convenient. Would you choose Vancouver, Camas or somewhere else for example? Thankyou

I know very little about SW WA, but even less about you and your specific needs.

For elderly, or limited income, or needing a job, or access to shopping, mass transit, or Healthcare I would probably recommend moving to Portland, near Mall 205. (Vancouver is not well suited to be 'car-less') Depends on your age where I would recommend.

If young professional in need of culture, 'fun', and work, look to some of the 'town centers' of Portland and see which one fits you.

If a soccer mom w/kids... then look near LaCamas Swim and Sport (stay in Camas school district, but close to Vancouver).

If an independent driver, and no kids, and no need to commute for job or frequent medical. Washougal should be fine.

If you own a home in Washougal and need to sell it BEFORE you move, you are probably NOT going anywhere. Several yrs of 'street-of-dreams' took care of saturating a very feeble infrastructure with over-priced and over-sized homes. If you stay, you will pay (via increased taxes, no jobs, need to commute for simple services). Washougal and Amboy have always been the pits of Clark County. These areas are rural centric rather than URBAN, and should be in a different county than Clark (thus 'River County' was attempted to be formed in the early 90's.) Clark could just give it's problem children to Skamania County. They need the tax revenue, and WE would get some USDA rural economic development services. (and not have to pay for Clark County fiascoes...CRC, dumb-rail Mass transit ...)

[NWbyNW]

Good services are found closer to Vancouver, but Camas is probably what I would choose. Nice historic downtown, and close to shopping at Vancouver's chain stores. Camas has shopping as well, but not all the big chain companies. You are less then ten minutes to Vancouver and 15 to Oregon's shopping. Health services and policing are all a hop and a skip from you, so it is a nice area. Great views, mountains, forests, the gorge and river, and real close to recreation and stunning natural beauty.

[spartan69]

Thankyou for the Washougal information Stealth Rabbit, highly informative, no I don't own anything property here thankfully, thought about it but I decided against it.

Everytime I went to the Washougal and Camas libraries for example, I would wonder why such a stark contrast. Now I think I have the answer.

Yes Camas with its downtown and shops is pretty cool and it's almost an exact duplicate of the town I grew up in called Montrose near L.A. The paper plant is a negative but someday they may leave.

Thank

[NWbyNW]

I personally see the paper plant as unique. It's not something you see everyday, especially at the end of a main street looming over a quaint town.

[spartan69]

Thanks NW for the input on Camas, your right that paper factory is definately unique.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by spartan69

... the Washougal and Camas libraries for example, I would wonder why such a stark contrast. Now I think I have the answer.
...

Libraries certainly don't compare .

Camas is quite unique, and lucky, to be 'separate' from the FVRL system (a 'partner', but not a 'branch'). It is one of few libraries in SW WA that is independent. Being a connesoure of libraries... I appreciate the benefit of having Camas library (as well as Multnomah County and MANY college libraries) available to locals. If you get a chance some HOT summer day, be sure to relax at the Portland Art Museum Library. Mid Summer Wednesday works good, as you can go to Rhodie Gardens for free, then attend the free CMNW rehearsals at Reed College @ 11AM, go to Farmer's Market in Park Blocks and spend the heat of the afternoon in the Art Museum Library, and attend a free concert in the park in evening. (You can also get a free lunch at DBC @ Art Museum if you are so inclined)... so, total package price $0.00 for a full day out (+ transportation)

Not having a 'real' (taxable) property is definately an advantage in WA.

So... do you drive, or do you need access to transit?