Moving? Put New Homes for Sale in Vancouver, Washington at the Top of Your List!

If a community with small-town charm alongside big-city entertainment and one-of-a-kind natural wonders sounds like your kind of place, consider taking a looking at new homes for sale in Vancouver, WA. Routinely ranked among the top 60 places to live in the United States by livability.com, Vancouver’s diverse offerings make it an incredible travel destination and an even better place to find your dream home.

Outdoor attractions

Originally established as a wintering habitat for Canadian geese, today the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge preserves approximately 5,300 acres of wetlands, forests and grasslands, as well as the wildlife that make their home there. Bird-watchers will be pleased to see neotropical song birds, waterfowl and other local native species in the skies.

This 80-mile landscape is one of only 10 National Scenic Areas in the country, and it’s no wonder why: at the Columbia River Gorge, waterfalls, winding trails with stunning views and serene old-growth forests abound. Adrenaline-junkies have several options for recreation, including Coyote Wall, where experienced mountain bikers can ride strenuous trails and wild terrain on the edge of a syncline cliff. Skamania Lodge Adventures gives participants the chance to fly through the treetops, with seven different zip lines ranging in length from 100 to a whopping 900 feet. Three incredible “sky bridges” lead the way to idyllic, moss-covered fir trees.

Teeing off

From PGA-designed courses to family-friendly Par 3s, Vancouver is home to numerous top-quality golf courses, boasting manicured lawns and lakeside links. Nearby clubhouses and restaurants are the perfect way to kick back after a round. For a list of courses, see here.

Fun on two wheels

Vancouver is a cyclist’s paradise, offering myriad choices for pedal-powered fun. A five-mile paved path, the Columbia River Waterfront Renaissance Trail is a popular choice, lined with local eateries, sculptures and historical markers. Ten minutes west of downtown Vancouver, cyclists will find Frenchman’s Bar Park, offering waterfront views and 2.5 miles of paved pathways. If you’re inclined to seek out nature, the secluded Lacamas Heritage Trail showcases 3.5 miles of stunning shoreline. Ride this breezy path at dusk or dawn to see colorful skies reflected in the calm lake water. In north Clark County, mountain bikers can hit the Bells Mountain Trail, boasting scenic summit views and a speedy single-track downhill section.

Can’t get enough time on two wheels? This interactive online bike map shows bike routes and their current conditions!

Stroll The Waterfront

It doesn’t get much better than a day spent at Vancouver’s lovely waterfront! The 90-foot Grant Street Pier is at the heart of the 35-acre expanse, offering a gathering place for visitors and the perfect spot to watch sailboats pass by. Seafood eateries and coffee spots abound, and a new 7.3-acre park promises to keep the whole family entertained, with an open lawn, an urban beach and an interactive play structure. For a more “adult” outing, take the “wine walk,” which brings you to five tasting rooms in a few short blocks. Nearby, Barlow’s Public House offers quite a novelty: a self-serve beer wall filled with local brews. The Waterfront will continue to grow: currently, developers have plans for a public marketplace, a trendy hotel and more commercial and community spaces.

Discover Downtown Vancouver

Art, culture and culinary hot spots come together in downtown Vancouver, which is humming with events year-round. Public art takes center stage, with more than 24 colorful murals adorning buildings, walls and bridges in the blocks around Main Street. One-of-a-kind sculptures are also scattered throughout downtown, like the playful “Flying Umbre l las” which waters the plants at its feet, and “Ilchee,” the iconic seven-foot, 700-pound bronze installation commemorating the Chinook people. On First Fridays, visitors can peruse galleries with rotating art exhibits, live music and artist talks.

For a self-guided tour of city-owned sculptures and outdoor installations, download the City of Vancouver’s public art map.

When it comes to performing arts, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is the perfect pick for lovers of classical music, and big-time acts can be found at Sunlight Supply Amphitheater. The five-acre Esther Short Park hosts frequent events and performances, and is the oldest public park in the Northwest (built in 1855). Today, it serves as a welcoming community hub, and hosts the annual Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival, which attracts an average of 13,500 visitors. The park also offers a covered performance pavilion, a rose garden, a playground, an interactive fountain, the incredible 69-foot Salmon Run Bell Tower, and a near-century-old sculpture of Esther Short herself.

Kiggins Theater on Main Street offers a blast from the past; the iconic, still-operating movie theater first opened in 1936. On opening night, a ticket to see “She Married Her Boss” at this alluring, Art-Deco inspired venue cost 32 cents, plus tax. Now, the theater plays classics, indie flicks and community-centric programming, including local stand-up comics, lectures and more.

Foodie Favorites

WildFin serves halibut, scallops, snow crab and whole lot more, fresh from the waters of the Pacific Northwest. This recent addition to The Waterfront is already a sought-after dinner spot, boasting sustainable seafood, indoor and outdoor seating and a beautiful view.

Inspired by the charming patisseries of France, Bonnie Brasure opened Bleu Door Bakery in 2011. Now, it’s a local favorite, offering baked-from-scratch goodies including scones, croissants and eight heavenly flavors of brownies. If you’re in the mood for something savory, soups and sandwiches are also available.

Petra House is a can’t-miss for fans of Mediterranean cuisine, highlighting delicious family recipes from chef Issac Dakar. Mansaf, the national dish of Jordan, blends savory lamb with herbaceous yogurt sauce, and mujaddara treats diners to beautifully spiced traditional lentil and rice casserole.

Thai Orchid boasts a decade of popularity amongst Vancouver locals, and a look at their menu makes it easy to see why. Bold flavors take center stage, and an incredible selection of curries and noodle dishes begs for repeat visits.

With so many fantastic choices, it’s hard to narrow down your dining options. Here’s a comprehensive list of Vancouver’s restaurants to help.

13 facts about Vancouver that might surprise you:

Vancouver, Washington has no income tax!
You’ll find a whopping 191 parks here.
Vancouver is home to a rare Brautigan Library, which features over 400 unpublished works from writers across the globe. Visitors are more than welcome to pick up a book and start reading.
Driven by a strong Hawaiian cultural presence, Vancouver is home to 4 Days of Aloha, one of the most prominent mainland Polynesian festivals.
Each year, Vancouver’s free, two-day Recycled Arts Festival draws more than 35,000 visitors. Vendors display innovative artwork made from at least 75% recycled and repurposed materials, and there’s plenty of food, activities and entertainment to enjoy, too.
RedFin has ranked Vancouver in the Top 10 Best Cities for Accessible Living for its ADA-compliant trails and outdoor attractions.
In 2017, Sunset named Vancouver’s Main Street among the “Best in the West.”
In the 1920s, Vancouver was considered the prune capital of the world, which was then the nation’s most popular breakfast fruit.
Vancouver was home to Washington’s oldest apple tree, planted in 1826. Considered the “great grandfather” of Washington’s apple industry, the tree finally died at age 194.
It is illegal to harass Bigfoot in Vancouver.
Pearson Field at Fort Vancouver is now the oldest continually operating airfield in the country. It was also the landing site of the first transpolar flight from Moscow in 1937.
Every August, the Vancouver Brewfest brings together offerings from 38 breweries, five cider companies, two wineries, a distillery and a meadery for festival-goers as a fundraiser for local businesses.
In 1849, the Vancouver Barracks was established as the first American military post in the Pacific Northwest. Both President Ulysses S. Grant and General George McClellan served there.

Ready to check out some Vancouver communities? We don’t blame you! Here are a few of our exceptional neighborhoods, each boasting flexible floor plans, open layouts, attractive pricing and hundreds of exciting options if you build from the ground-up.