Port Gardner - Everett, WA

Established over 100 years ago, Port Gardner contains some of the oldest homes in the city of Everett. The area was discovered by Dennis Brigham, a European explorer, who built a cabin along the waters of Possession Sound. Other settlers followed, and today the city of Everett has around 103,000 people.

The art scene plays an important part in the lives of the residents of Port Gardner. For this reason, you can find a large selection of museums and various craft shows throughout the year. The Museum of Flight hosts various exhibits on the history of flight and the types of different jets.

The Imagine Children's Museum provides an exciting place for children to experience a hands-on atmosphere. The museum hosts many activities throughout the year, including day camps and a New Year's Eve party.

Fourth Street in Everett provides the setting for the majority of the restaurants in the neighborhood. Whether you are craving a classic American burger or looking for Chinese take-out, Port Gardner has an eclectic blend of international fare and elegant dining opportunities to choose from.

Explore the menu at Kama'aina Grindz for a casual family restaurant featuring traditional Hawaiian cuisine. Slip into your grass skirt, put flowers in your hair and join the locals for a selection that includes mini spam musubi, ginger sesame chicken drumettes and Asian-style Caesar salad.

A great little cafe-style place to go for lunch, Red Rock Subs serves up hearty portions of kettle roasted turkey, lean pastrami, Genoa salami and a variety of other meats, cheese and fresh vegetable choices on your favorite bread. You can also opt for a salad, or if you need catering for a big event, Red Rock provides platters and box lunches at affordable prices. The restaurant also has $3.99 specials for those on a budget.

Focusing on great-tasting food at incredible prices, Denalli's Grill & Bar provides an excellent place to go for Mediterranean tapas, pasta and flat breads. The simple decor and friendly waitstaff make this restaurant a great place to meet with friends or relax on the weekends. Menu items include bacon-wrapped chicken skewers with crispy bacon wrapped around a lean piece of chicken and baked to perfection. You should also try the burger de Greco at least once.

The nightlife in Port Gardner can be subdued; make a trip to Seattle for wilder options. If you want to try your hand at gambling, the Quil Ceda Creek Casino has a variety of table games as well as slot machines. Located on the Tulalip Reservation, this casino also features shops, live entertainment and a resort so you can stay the night. Other nightlife close by includes the El Norte Lounge and The Triple Door music lounge.

Automobile transportation allows you to explore the region easily on your own. Parking is free and easy to find, and Interstate 9 runs conveniently through the entire city to Seattle. For taxi service in the Port Gardner neighborhood, you will need to call one of several local cab companies. The Everett Transport city bus can take you anywhere in the city of Everett.

The Sounder train provides a way to get back and forth between Everett and Seattle. The train also runs to Tacoma.

Port Gardner has safe streets that are easy to navigate on foot. Most roads have bike or pedestrian paths, and biking is common here.

People who live in the Seattle area tend to be very conscious about health and exercise. Port Gardner and Everett have many different parks that encourage physical activity. One popular place for sunbathing and activity is Howarth Park. The park lies on 28 acres of beachfront property, with trails for walking and jogging, tennis courts, an off-leash dog area, playground equipment and safe access to the water. Admission is free.

The Langus Riverfront Park lies adjacent to the Snohomish River. Residents have access to the free boat launch, fishing pier, rowing dock and a three-mile paved sidewalk for walking, jogging and even biking.

For those who love competing, the Heroes Half Marathon allows runners to raise money for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The cost for signing up is nominal.

Those who live in the Port Gardner region can enjoy a cost of living that hovers around 1 percent lower than the Seattle average. This makes it an attractive place to live for commuters who work in the city but prefer to live in a quieter and more scenic location. A one-bedroom apartment costs around $1012 dollars per month, and those who ride back and forth to the city center can expect to pay around $2.50 for the bus and $5.25 for the train.

Gas costs 3.4 percent higher than the national average and you can expect to pay around $5 for a beer at a local pub.

Local shoppers turn to Everett and Seattle for the majority of their shopping needs, as most of the shopping malls and boutique stores can be found in those locations.

Shop for a vintage outfit at the Refresh Boutique in downtown Everett or allow the employees to show you a matching pair of shoes to complete the look. The Melissa Jane Boutique provides special occasion dresses for girls for pageants, weddings and cotillions. You will also find coats and jackets, jewelry, accessories and tutus.

Kroger, Fred Meyer, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Safeway and a variety of other major chains provide residents with many choices for grocery shopping in the area, and the Mukilteo Farmers Market runs from June through September on Wednesdays.