In Our View: Yay, we’re No. 37! So how do we stay so livable?

Where do we go from here?

Sure, it is tempting to rest on our laurels, considering that Vancouver has just been deemed the 37th-most livable city in the United States by something called Livability.com. The website ranked cities with populations between 20,000 and 350,000 based on metrics such as education, economy, health and infrastructure. The computations determined that Clark County’s largest city is not quite as charming as Royal Oak, Mich. (No. 36) but clearly is superior to Lexington, Ky. (No. 38).

The website also decided that Vancouver is the second-most livable city in the state, behind Richland at No. 30. Spokane at No. 41 and Pullman at No. 86 gave Washington four cities on the list of the top 100.

The ranking adds to a long string of plaudits for Vancouver. Earlier this year, ApartmentGuide.com ranked it as the second-best coffee city in the country; in 2017, MoveHub.com had it as the “Most Hipster City in America,” which we’ll take as a compliment; in 2017, Livability ranked it the sixth-best city in which to retire; and in 2015, Amazon had it as the fifth-most romantic city in the country.

There are several lessons to be learned from all these kudos. For one, Livability.com likes us; they really, really like us. For another, websites like to make lists and The Columbian relishes in writing about those lists. Hey, when people say nice things about us, it is newsworthy. But the most important thing is that by any measure, Vancouver — and by extension Clark County — is a pretty wonderful place to live. But you already knew that.

So, where do we go from here? As they say, it’s harder to stay at the top than it is to get there.

Livability wrote: “If exploring wilderness trails, wineries and an endless number of new eateries sounds like the perfect way to spend your downtime, then this Pacific Northwest locale should be on your radar. It comes with the same big-city perks offered by its neighbor to the south, without the insane traffic or elevated cost of living.”

That neighbor would be Portland, and we’ll try to keep it a secret that traffic here is nearly as aggravating as on the other side of the Columbia River. But while finding a solution to the roadblock called the Interstate 5 Bridge is essential to retaining livability in the area, it also is a suggestion that has been repeated ad nauseam. So has the need to effectively deal with homelessness in the area.

Therefore, while traffic and housing should remain at the top of the priority list for local leaders, allow us to suggest some additional ideas for keeping Vancouver livable.

You know, like parking and transit at the burgeoning development along the Columbia River. That development, along with the nearby Terminal 1 site, could come to define Vancouver for locals and visitors alike. But it will not reach its potential if it is burdensome for people to get there and stay there.

The development will play a role in another key to keeping Vancouver livable: A diverse economy that is welcoming for everything from heavy manufacturing to the arts. A broad economic base is best suited for growth and is more flexible during down times.

Finally, there is a need to continue to focus on areas outside the downtown core. Bustling Uptown Village and the area along East Mill Plain have demonstrated that Vancouver can support numerous commercial centers.

The good news is that city officials and private investors have effectively worked to make Vancouver a desirable locale. The trick is to keep it that way.