Don't confuse Vancouver, Washington, with its bigger Canadian sister to the north, Vancouver British Columbia. Vancouver, WA, is a small city of 150,000 on the banks of the Columbia River situated across from Portland, Oregon. The Pacific is about 90 miles to the west, while to the east the Cascade Mountain Range towers overhead. The infamous Mt. St. Helens is only a two hour drive away. As a companion city to Portland, Vancouver offers the modern charm of a metropolitan city with a small-town feel.

Climate in Vancouver is mild with less rainfall than cities like Boston and Washington DC. Highs tend towards 80 F, while lows don't usually drop past freezing. As a result, Vancouver is known for its lush forests and tons of foliage.

Vancouver is also home to the famous national historic site of Fort Vancouver. Originally an outpost for British civilization in the west, it was later inhabited by Americans as the British pulled back their forces to the north.

Only a 20 minute drive from Portland International airport, Vancouver is a great destination for those looking to settle down and setup a family and also for those who are just stopping through on their way to explore Washington's abundant nature.