what's it like there? Is it AP friendly? How 'bout organic vegan friendly? Lots of public nursing? Lots of unschoolers there? We may be moving there in the next month or so and I have really no idea what it is like (we are in Albany, OR right now), except that housing looks outrageously expensive, possibly unaffordable for us, but is it worth it to live there? We are just really looking for more family friendly things to do and see... we are always driving to Salem or Corvallis, even just for grocery shopping (to get locally grown organic produce -this is top priority for us, food first! any CSAs?). We also go to OHSU for medical care... so it just doesn't seem like there is a whole lot keeping us here, however I know that I find Portland just too busy, overwhelming, expensive, crowded, etc. We are heading up to Vancouver tomorrow just to get a feel of what it is like, any suggestions on best places not to miss or what areas should definitely be skipped. Anyone move there and regret it? We really want someplace safe for families, with lots of family friendly things to do (we are a family of soon to be six and we always do everything together), but also lots of daytime activities for the kids (my 11yo is starting to get to the point where her evenings are getting packed with activities and I'm hoping Vancouver would have more activities available during the daytime school hours so we can have our family evenings). We also enjoy hiking... we love Silver Falls, is there anything like that in the Vancouver area?
I'm planning a homebirth with this latest baby, are there plenty of great midwives there (we can have homebirths in WA, correct?)... what's the cost of gas like there? Food is exempt from sales tax, isn't it? Are there city income taxes? I don't even know what to ask or what to look for at this point... any and all input is greatly appreciated, we have to make a decision fast and we are feeling so overwhelmed. We definitely aren't *unhappy* where we are (we could easily see staying here forever), but we could certainly be happier.... mainly I guess we are just looking for more things for our kids to do during the day as they get older and not having to drive so far and so often to find those things and maybe also to find more like minded folks to hang with.
I'm planning a homebirth with this latest baby, are there plenty of great midwives there (we can have homebirths in WA, correct?)... what's the cost of gas like there? Food is exempt from sales tax, isn't it? Are there city income taxes? I don't even know what to ask or what to look for at this point... any and all input is greatly appreciated, we have to make a decision fast and we are feeling so overwhelmed. We definitely aren't *unhappy* where we are (we could easily see staying here forever), but we could certainly be happier.... mainly I guess we are just looking for more things for our kids to do during the day as they get older and not having to drive so far and so often to find those things and maybe also to find more like minded folks to hang with.