r/AskVancouverWA

I've checked prior threads and wanted to expand on the topic. As a teen, I lived briefly in Vancouver WA, in the Evergreen area. Relocated often, and I've been living overseas since 2015. Nostalgic and wanting to come back to the US, deciding on the city. Would love any insights from residents.

I'm a US citizen, (foreign pharmacy degree, unlicensed in US). Partner is a non-citizen, works remotely in SAAS. Prior to licensing my income will likely be around $50k, will take 1-2 years to earn US Pharm license, in the interim I don't mind working wherever.

• Are you happy living in Vancouver, WA? Would you recommend a friend to move there?
• Would a ~$50k income be liveable for you during a year, comfortably, without dipping into savings? Research tells me it's doable but I'd love true anecdotal commentary.
• Any insights on work availability and QoL working locally in healthcare or tech?
• Best neighborhoods with good walkability/bikeability? Neither of us have a license, although it'll be our first priority after moving.
• Any safety concerns we should be aware of? We live in a city center now but there is very low crime.
• We're hoping to start a family and purchase a home once we're settled and a solid dual income; any thoughts on the general schooling quality/daycare availability?
• Do you consider this a good place to purchase/buy a home, raise a family and make permanent roots? We've moved/rented our whole lives, our parents never owned and we would love a place to call our forever home.
• How is the overall build quality of an average home there?
• What are your biggest complaints about living there?

Any insight is useful, thanks in advance! Google and practical research doesn't replace the lived experience, and my childhood memories are vague.