Ogden - Vancouver, WA

The Vancouver area was originally occupied by Native American tribes, but contagious diseases decimated the majority of the population. One of the early settlers in the 1840s, Peter Skene Ogden helped to open up the west through exploration and trading as he administered for the Hudson's Bay Company fur post at Fort Vancouver.

The large army base established in the late 1800s and the war-fueled military-support shipyards brought economic and population growth in the 1940s and expanded Vancouver's residential territory. Ogden's biggest housing boom occurred in the period between the 1970s and the 1990s.

Although this neighborhood is not known for its historical or cultural prowess, it proudly shares the Fort Vancouver historical district and defers to Portland for its renowned art scene.

Vancouver residents gather in Fort Vancouver for the July 4th fireworks show, which holds the distinction of being the biggest pyrotechnic display west of the Mississippi.

Ogden eateries fall primarily into the chain category. Arby's, Wendy's, Taco Bell, Dominos and IHOP line the commercial zone along NE Fourth Plain Road and down NE Andresen Road. On NE Vancouver Plaza Drive, Burgerville puts a green spin on fast food. Exclusive to Washington and Oregon, this small chain restaurant serves up American-style burgers and fries while maintaining a commitment to local and ethical food sources and a program for composting and recycling. Washington-fresh Walla Walla onions deliver the flavor in the crowd-pleasing onion rings and Oregon-made Tillamook cheddar adds richness to the cheeseburgers. Blackberry milk shakes draw crowds, but the flavor only makes an appearance when the berries are in season.

Stop in for coffee, ice cream or fresh-baked goodies at Cupidone Coffee House. Cute, clean and modern, this little café takes pride in serving artfully presented espresso drinks with robust flavor, as well as non-caffeinated favorites including peppermint matcha. Delights such as walnut pecan brownies and apple caramel cake show up on the irresistible baked-goods lineup.

If you're craving pho, head to Saigon Restaurant. Locals have become regulars because of the satisfying depth of flavors in the eatery's spicy pho. Be sure to try the plump salad rolls, stuffed with BBQ pork, shrimp and bean sprouts and served with peanut dipping sauce. Although this Thai and Vietnamese restaurant has an underwhelming décor, reasonable prices, generous portions and rich flavors make it a neighborhood favorite.

Spot Tavern on NE Fourth Plain serves the neighborhood with late-night eats, drinks and fun. In this rustic, cabin-like venue, you can shoot pool, kick back and enjoy a stacked Spot burger and a brew, or rock out to the live band on the dance floor. Go Monday and Thursday for karaoke and Sunday for goldfish racing.

People don't move to Ogden for the nightlife, and generally Vancouver is notoriously quiet after 5:00 p.m. Nearby Portland offers all the clubs, concert and nightlife opportunities that Ogden lacks.

Although the neighborhood sits near city center, it's not particularly walkable. Its design is suited to vehicle travel, and most people rely on cars to get around and run errands. Retail centers are prepared for drive-in traffic, and they offer lots of free parking. For easy highway access, drivers can hop on State Route 500 and connect with I-5 for travel south to Portland or north as far as the Canadian border.

If you prefer to be a passenger, you can book a ride with Broadway Cab or tap your app to arrange a ride with Uber. C-TRAN bus service runs routes across Ogden along NE Fourth Plain and NE Burton and north-south along NE Andresen.

For avid cyclists, dedicated bike lanes cross the neighborhood along NE Burton and run north-south along the east and west perimeters. The neighborhood's central area also features bike-friendly roads.

Ogden enjoys scenic benefits from the manicured green space of the Royal Oaks Country Club and 18-hole golf course at its northeast corner, but it also has a few free public parks of its own.

Next to NE Vancouver Plaza, 9-acre Centerpointe Park provides playground equipment for kids' fun, benches for picnics, trails for jogs with dogs and a grassy area for sports activities. Meadowbrook Marsh Park in the southeast corner offers similar facilities in its 11-acre space.

If you want to set your dog loose, you'll have to go out of the neighborhood. Spoil Fido at the fully fenced Dakota Memorial Dog Park where he'll have water fountains, an agility course and 8 acres of running and socializing room.

For family fun in the warm weather, locals make the 15-minute drive to Esther Short Park for summer concerts and Friday night movies in the park.

Money goes a little further in Ogden because the cost of living is slightly lower than the Vancouver average. A C-TRAN bus trip to downtown Vancouver costs $1.75, and an express trip to downtown Portland costs $3.50. At the pub, pints of beer cost about $5 each, and at the pump, gallons of gas cost about 11 percent more than the national average.

With an average rental rate of $855, housing costs are comfortably affordable. A 970-square-foot one-bedroom apartment with a gas fireplace and modern kitchen runs about $870 per month.

From NE Vancouver Plaza on the east side to a series of car dealerships on the west side, most of the retail activity takes place in Ogden's northern sector between NE Fourth Plain and State Route 500. A scattering of businesses can be found along the northern section of NE Andresen. Big stores and chain restaurants dominate Vancouver Plaza. Bed Bath & Beyond, Target and Burlington Coat Factory share the space with IHOP, Burgerville and Taco Bell. Locals routinely make the 4-minute drive to Westfield Vancouver Mall just beyond the neighborhood's northern edge to enjoy 140 shops, boutiques and eateries including the retail giants, Macy's and Nordstrom.

For frugal shopping, you can save money, support local charities and honor your green sensibilities by purchasing recycled treasures at Value Village, or stock up on household items, snacks and party supplies at Dollar Tree.

Ogden has grocery shopping well covered with Walmart Neighborhood Market in the north and WinCo Foods in the southwest. Both are open 24-hours daily. From March to October, Ogden residents head downtown to the Vancouver Farmers Market, the second largest in Washington State.