This week at the Vancouver Business Presenters Club meeting we all became better acquainted with Gary S. As a first time visitor to the Club we gave him an "Icebreaker" topic, and asked what brought him to Vancouver and something he was passionate about.
As a retired Engineer from Boenig's Everett WA Facility (where they make 747's, 767's and 777's) he had led many presentations but wanted to try out our local club to refresh his skills. Thus, he confidently gave his story that about 5 years before retiring while still living in Bothell, he had purchased an older El Camino automobile as a restoration project. While looking for replacement parts one of his associates advised him to avoid the plastic after-market body parts as they would cheapen the restoration, and just wouldn't last. That person also recommended he visit All American Classics auto parts yard, in northeast Vancouver WA on NE 4th Plain Road. 
Gary took his associate's advice, and he and his wife came to Vancouver and found many fine replacement parts for his auto restoration. When the trip was over both he and his wife were pleasantly surprised by the Vancouver environment and how friendly the people were.
Fast forward a few more years and closer to retirement, Gary and his wife made several trips to many of the more well-known retirement states in the West, such as Arizona and Nevada; as well as other parts of Washington such as Spokane, and those places weren't clicking with them. Then they remembered how friendly the people were that they met in Vancouver on their previous visit so, they made a return visit to do a more thorough investigation to see if this would be a good landing place. They found the climate to be pleasant and similar to the Puget Sound area (a little bit Warmer; Spring comes a week or two sooner; and Autumn a week or two later; AND with at least 7 more Cloud-Free days than Seattle! -- editors embellishment). They also found the people they met to be just as friendly as before.
On a second scouting visit they viewed a few homes, and found one that just came on the market that also had a shop and garage space for the El Camino -- that sealed the deal! In fact, they liked their new home so much that Gary spent the last 2 months commuting to the Everett plant until he retired from Boeing!
As local Realtors® we've seen many variations on this story, such as the business person that has traveled to Vancouver and other cities, and found this to be a great community to retire in; or, it may be grandparents wanting to move closer to their children and grandchildren and have found that Washington does not have a state or local income tax (no tax on retirement income or on earned income), along with lower property prices and taxes when compared to nearby Portland Oregon.
If you or someone you know is looking for one of the best kept secret retirement locations in the USA, give us a call or check on homes for sale in Vancouver WA to see what this community has to offer!
For Senior 55+ Communities, the golf course community of Fairway Village is very popular.
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