Fisher's Village - Vancouver, WA

Due to its proximity to the Columbia River, Fisher's Village was a popular choice for early settlers to the Vancouver area. Many of Clark County's first roads, schools and post offices were established in this area, with its rich soil and convenient water access. Today, the neighborhood enjoys access to the throbbing and recently revitalized cultural expression inherent in downtown Vancouver.

The Fort Vancouver Historical Site in downtown Vancouver hosts an annual Fourth of July celebration, just ten minutes away from Fisher's Village via Highway 14. The show features live music, food, and entertainment all day long, as well as a popular fireworks show at night. The largest jazz festival in the Pacific Northwest, the Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival, also takes place nearby at Esther Short Park every August.

From vegans to pepperoni pizza-lovers to the most adventurous diners, everyone satisfies themselves with the eclectic offerings in Fisher's Village. Begin your eating expeditions near the center of the neighborhood on Southeast 164th Avenue.

Vegetarians (and everyone else) eat blissfully at Chutney's Indian Cuisine and Spices. Take advantage of the $9.99 daily lunch buffet and enjoy the cranberry chutney with samosas for starters. Pair the chicken korma with the tandoori roti for an especially heavenly treat. Nearby, end your search for an awesome cheesesteak sandwich at Philly Bilmos Cheesesteaks. Savor tender steak, perfectly cooked onions and amoroso rolls at the best, quickest sandwich stop in town.

At night, stick around the same area to check out Gustav’s, a German food pub with a touch of class. With two “happy hours” – from 3-6 pm and again from 9pm-close – and plenty of beers and cocktails to choose from, Gustav’s is a favorite local hang-out. Alternatively, Main Events Sports Grill provides a perfect place to watch the game and relish a satisfying burger. Don't miss the signature fries layered with herbs, melted Parmesan and truffle oil. For a fun night out, stop by Big Al's and bowl a few rounds or jam out to live local bands at Cascade Bar & Grill.

Situated near Highway 14, Interstate 5 and Interstate 405, Fisher's Village provides convenient access to freeways for all its visitors and residents. Vancouver's favorite parking company, EasyPark, consistently brings innovative and eco-friendly parking initiatives to the city, for a constantly evolving, easier and more affordable parking experience.

You can even consider giving up your car since bikers happily and safely traverse the streets of Vancouver and Fisher's Village via a particularly integrated network of biker-friendly roads. Major roads with biking lanes in Fisher's Village include Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard, Southeast 20th Street, and Southeast McGillivray Boulevard.

As part of Clark County, Fisher's Village is also serviced by the public transportation system C-Tran, which offers 27 fixed transit bus routes within Vancouver and the surrounding cities. The award-winning regional transportation system, TriMet, supplements C-Tran's public transportation service, providing a thorough network of bus and rail routes throughout the Portland metro area.

As in Portland, few Vancouver cabs circle the streets looking for fares. Instead of expecting to hail one, save the number for Vancouver Cab Company in your phone, and know that fast, friendly taxi service is always just a phone call away.

Free your dog from her leash in the 56 acres of Pacific Community Park near the north of the neighborhood. While you're there, enjoy the community garden and generous paved walking and biking trails, as well as several recreational sports fields. Take your kids to the playground at Fisher Basin Park, or play summertime sports including soccer, baseball and softball at the free community fields of the Harmony Sports Complex.

In the summer, check out Vancouver's calendar of events for regular shows and concerts in the parks, including an outdoor Friday Movie Night that takes place every week in a different locale. With the Columbia River and Lacamas Lake situated near Fisher's Village, as well as a network of smaller creeks, nearby swimming opportunities also abound during the hotter months of the year.

The locals happily pay a little extra to reap the benefits of living in Fisher's Village, with a cost of living 8 percent higher than the average cost of living in Vancouver. A one-bedroom residence still rents for a very affordable average of $811.95. Pay just $1.75 to ride to Vancouver's city center via public transportation or $3.75 for express service to downtown Portland.

Expect to pay about $4 for a beer at a local bar, while neighborhood gas prices hover 2 percent lower than the national average.

Near the center of the neighborhood, Fisher's Landing Marketplace constitutes a popular shopping center located in the heart of southeast Vancouver. Choose specialty organics, health foods and gourmet items at New Season's Market, and grab a coffee and a sweet treat at Shari's Cafe & Pies when you need a break. Clothe the beloved little ones in your life in well-maintained, cute clothing from Pipsqueak Resale Boutique, or outfit your athletic side at the Athlete's Corner.

A variety of convenient department stores and staple chains also are scattered throughout the neighborhood, including Target, World Market, Kohls, Fred Meyer's, Home Depot, JC Penney and Lowes. Neighborhood groceries include Safeway, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.

The second-largest market in the state of Washington, the Vancouver's Farmers Market, takes place about 10 minutes from Fisher's Village in Esther Short Park. Bring your pets and come to chat with the people who have grown your food, grab a bite to eat, stroll through the park and listen to live music.