A neighborhood where we can walk to shops, bars and other locations? (Vancouver: appointed)

[Lesabelle1]

I am moving to the Vancouver area in about six months from NYC. I am looking for a neighborhood that is fun. I would like to be able to walk to shops, bars and other locations. My boyfriend and I have no children so would like an area where other young professionals hang out and there is alot to do. Any advice would be great. Thanks

[Inkpoe]

Are you sure you want to move to Vancouver? Have you ever been there?

I wouldn't really classify Vancouver as walkable, but I guess DT Vancouver could fit in. It is definitely a car town where you would need a car to get around. You could use the Max light rail that would take you to Portland; but Vancouver metro system is a bit screwy. Vancouver is essentially a Portland suburb, so it's not really fun. It closes down around 9:30 and becomes a dead town, but OFC you still have some bars open.

[hml1976]

Move to Portland. I'm married with kids so suburbia is great for us but we lived in NYC for years and you're going to be sorely disappointed if you move to this side of the river.

[CPF]

Check out walkscore.com for a great resource on walkability. Vancouver ranks pretty low, and having grown up there I can tell you that sidewalks are not a priority and there are parts of town you flat out cannot walk to.

[thedrizzlemonster]

There is in fact one walkable area of "the couv" and this is the area around esther short park (ESP). The area was developed several years ago and, IMO, is one of the best new urbanist areas in the entire pdx metro region. That said it is a far cry from NYC. ESP is more like an island in a sea of what the others have described as suburbia. There is pretty decent transit service (bus) into pdx and throughout metro region (malls, Comm. Colleges, etc).

What I will say is that if you haven't been to the couv, check it out first before committing to anything. And BTW, are you sure you're not looking for Vancouver BC?