Vancouver is a diverse, friendly, city in western Washington, located on the north bank of the Columbia River. It is a city with a great mixture of a smaller-town feel, yet close enough to nearby Portland, Oregon, to offer all of the amenities of a big city. It’s truly the best of both worlds. Vancouver is also known for having a thriving LGBTQ community, ranking number 4 in numbers of gay residents in the state of Washington. It also has many outdoor green spaces and plenty of scenic beauty, a wide variety of welcoming neighborhoods, and much to see and do. Truly, Vancouver would be a wonderful place to call home!
A Look at Vancouver's History
Vancouver originally began as a port, wood-building, and ship-building town. As a result, the street layout is distinguished by its very square, old-fashioned grid design that gives it an older feel. Vancouver was officially incorporated as a city in 1857 and was named for George Vancouver, the British explorer who mapped the coast in 1792. Soon after its founding, businesses began to grow, and Vancouver quickly became an important center of trade in the area. That growth has continued steadily since its founding, and today, Vancouver is a busy, bustling, and thriving city full of innovation and diversity.
A Few Fun Facts About Vancouver
Read more fun facts about Vancouver here.
Vancouver’s LGBTQ Community
Vancouver is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
PFLAG Vancouver-Southwest Washington
PFLAG Vancouver-Southwest Washington is the Vancouver area’s local chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.
The Queer Youth Resource Center is a local community group dedicated to serving the LGBTQ youth, friends, and allies in the area. By planning events, providing resources, and more, the group strives each day to accomplish the mission of helping every youth to feel celebrated, supported, and encouraged.
What's the Weather Like in Vancouver?
Those who live in Vancouver can look forward to experiencing all four unique seasons each year. High temperatures in July typically reach around 79ºF, while lows in January usually drop to around 34ºF. The area receives 42 inches of rain, on average, each year, and about 3 inches of snow.
Can’t-Miss Events in Vancouver
Vancouver USA Pride is the largest annual LGBTQ pride celebration in the area, and it’s one celebration you’ll definitely want to put on your calendar. This annual celebration includes family-friendly entertainment, plenty of vendors, speakers, excellent performances, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to meet friends and have fun!
Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival
The Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival, held each year in Esther Short Park draws an average of 13,500 visitors, making it the largest jazz festival in the Pacific Northwest. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy great music and wine and fun with friends on a beautiful Vancouver weekend.
The Best Neighborhoods in Vancouver
Vancouver is a smaller city, which means unlike some larger towns, it doesn’t have one specific “gayborhood,” or area where most of the LGBTQ population lives. Instead, the LGBTQ community in Vancouver is spread throughout the city, which means that there are many wonderful places to choose from.
Two of the most popular neighborhoods are Arnada, which is an older neighborhood with an eclectic mixture of homes. There are a number of artists in this area, and many unique shops and businesses. The median list price of homes for sale in the Arnada neighborhood is $470,000.
Salmon Creek is also a very popular neighborhood, located in the northern part of the city, but it still has quick access to both downtown Vancouver and nearby Portland, Oregon. This friendly community just north of the city is situated very near Washington State University Salmon Creek Campus. It’s also a wonderful neighborhood for enjoying the great outdoors. The area boasts a big park and 400 acres of green space that includes picnic areas, beaches, and trails for hikers, rollerblades, and cyclists. The median home value in Salmon Creek is currently around $501,000.
Arts and Entertainment
The historic Kiggins Theatre first opened to the public in 1937 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the theatre was one of the most luxurious movie theatres in the Pacific Northwest at the time. National Register of Historic Places in 2012. Today, guests can enjoy an array of entertainment at the theater, including independent and classic films.
Metropolitan Performing Arts is a performing arts group known for its excellent performances and mission to make everyone feel seen, heard, and valued through theatre and live arts. Each year, there are a wide variety of performances offered – don’t miss the chance to enjoy one (or several!) for yourself.
Parks and Recreation
Located in the heart of the city, Esther Short Park and Playground is the oldest public square in the state of Washington. This beautiful urban green space is a popular gathering spot for community events and concerts, and simply a great place to enjoy a beautiful Vancouver day.
Vancouver Lake Regional Park is a beautiful area near a 3,000-acre lake. It's a beautiful spot to enjoy a picnic, plenty of water activities, hiking, biking, or simply relaxing. It's also connected to nearby Frenchman's Bar Regional Park by a 2.5-mile paved pedestrian path, so visitors can enjoy two parks in one.
Vancouver Nightlife
Back Alley Bar and Grill is one of the most popular bars in Vancouver, and a great spot to stop on a night out. Offering regular karaoke nights, good food, strong drinks, and friendly crowds, it’s always a fun place to be.
The Eagle, located in nearby Portland is a popular LGBTQ nightspot that is well worth a short drive. This cozy, laid-back bar is known for its billiards, barbecue, lively crowds, and fun theme nights.
Contact a Vancouver Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Vancouver, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in Vancouver, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a Vancouver gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
