North Image - Vancouver, WA

Neighborhoods outside of Vancouver's downtown core share a similar history – they all came to be as expansions of the original Fort Vancouver.

The fort was established in 1824, and after disputes with the aboriginal occupants and decades of land development, Vancouver's population grew and its territory expanded. In the 1990s, North Image experienced a housing boom during which more than 700 homes were built and the number of residences in the district more than doubled. The next decade followed up with similar growth.

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site represents the shared history of the city's neighborhoods. The full-scale fort replica and collection of artifacts create a living-history environment. Through costumed re-enactment, the annual Campfires & Candlelight event gives visitors a hands-on taste of early life at the Fort.

North Image's eateries are clumped together at the neighborhood's northwest corner along NE Fourth Plain. Wendy's, Subway, McDonald's, KFC and Burgerville line up to serve the fast-food customers, and a few sit-down restaurants add to the mix. Coffee Villa takes customer service to a new level with a comfortable living-room-style eating area. Bring along your laptop, and use the free WiFi while you sip your caramel macchiato, or relax by the fire in an armchair as you eat your turkey, cream cheese and cranberry panini. Stop in after a run or a workout for a strawberry-banana protein shake that tastes great and feeds your muscles. If you're in the mood for Asian food, try Talay Thai Cuisine on Northeast 84th Street. Open for lunch and dinner, this popular local favorite features unique specialty dishes such as the Talay Medley, a tasyu combination of seafood, pineapples onions and red chili sauce, stir-fried to perfection and served with jasmine rice. For American eats such as burgers, fish and chips, and beer-battered fries, locals go just south of the neighborhood to Burger Bungalow. Try the Shut Yo' mouth burger if you can take the jalapeño heat, or tuck into a bowl of thick clam chowder. Try to save room for a big plate of deep-fried pickles with Bungalow dipping sauce. North Image isn't a nightlife hot spot. For an evening's entertainment, locals typically visit adjacent neighborhoods for pubs, such as Charlie's Sports Bar & Grill, and for concerts, clubs and vibrant nightlife, they make the trip to Portland.

North Image doesn't have a reputation as a walkable neighborhood. The area supports a modest amount of commercial activity, and most residents rely on their vehicles to run errands and get around. Highway access couldn't be more convenient. In 10 minutes, residents can join I-5 and make the 25-minute trip to Portland, or in five minutes, they can hop on I-205 and connect to I-5 for a road trip north to Seattle. Retail centers have lots of free parking, and residential areas allow street parking.

C-TRAN runs buses along NE Fourth Plain and NE 112th for anyone interested in public transportation. You can ride downtown, make a connecting transfer and carry on to visit friends on the west side. You're not likely to find a cab to hail, but you can always call for one, or you can use your smartphone to book with Uber.

Although North Image doesn't have an extensive network of cycling paths, it does have dedicated bike lanes that run north-south and east-west across the center of the neighborhood. Lanes and bike-friendly roads extend beyond the community and connect with major bike routes.

Although the neighborhood has open spaces and a green corridor along Burnt Bridge Creek, North Image residents typically share their neighbors' park space. LeRoy Haagen Memorial Community Park is located just 10 minutes away and covers 30 acres of green space. Breathe in the fresh air as you bike or jog along the trails, enjoy a basket lunch in the sheltered picnic area, or set the kids loose on the playground equipment. Bring your dog, but keep the pooch on a leash.

If you really want to tire out Fido, make the 10-minute drive to Dakota Memorial Dog Park. Treat your canine best friend to an off-leash romp and a doggy social to tire him out.

For family fun in the summer months, locals go to LeRoy Haagen Park or to Esther Short Park downtown for free outdoor movies under the stars.

Residents enjoy a price break in this neighborhood as the cost of living comes in at about 4 percent less than the Vancouver average, and the average rental rate is an affordable $770 per month.

One-way bus fare to downtown costs $1.75, and a pint of brew runs about $5, or less if you hit the local pubs during happy hour.

Washington residents know that fuel distribution costs make gas prices higher in the Pacific Northwest. In the North Image area, you can expect the charge at the pump to be about 12 percent higher than the national average.

Most of North Image's retailers can be found in the Orchards Market Center at the neighborhood's northwest corner.

At Once Upon a Child, you can buy or consign gently used baby equipment, toys and children's clothing. If you're selling, you get paid cash for the items that your kids have outgrown, and if you're buying, you can hang onto your hard-earned money by picking up strollers, shoes and cribs at a fraction of the retail cost.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store carries a complete range of supplies for your sewing, knitting, scrapbooking and crafting needs. If baking happens to be your passion, check out the cupcake-decorating and candy-making supplies, or if you're into flower-arranging, have a look at the stems, wreaths and containers for your designs. The store also hosts classes in quilting, crafting and cake-decorating to help you hone your skills or to teach you something new. Locals can pick up convenience store fare at Stop N Shop Market on NE 112th, but for groceries they typically make the five-minute drive south to Safeway. North Image doesn't host a farmers market, but locals happily go downtown for the granddaddy of farmers markets held weekly at Esther Short Park from spring to fall.