Vantage Glen - Renton, WA

While the area surrounding Vantage Glen was a key salmon fishing area for Native Americans for many hundreds of years, European settlers first populated the area in the 1860s, drawn by jobs in coal mining and timber export. The area’s manufacturing industry, initially dominated by Paccar and train car manufacturer Seattle Car Mfg Company, ensured steady population growth throughout the early 20th century. This continued post World War II, during which Boeing constructed a factory in nearby Renton.

Renton’s annual Renton River Days festival is the area’s most notable cultural event. The multi-day summer festival celebrates community pride, bringing together residents, businesses and even tourists for a variety of events including special crafts, recreation, food vendors, activites for children and musical entertainment.

Vantage Glen is a great neighborhood for affordable dining. Many options, most of them national fast food chains, are spread throughout the area. For Chinese cuisine delivery or pickup 7 days a week, try Chopsticks, which brings specialties like barbecued pork fried rice and General Tso’s chicken to your door within an hour. Chopsticks’ seamless online ordering process makes this spot a no-brainer for busy workdays. If you’d prefer your food to arrive on a plate rather than in a bag, line up for the buffet at local favorite Golden Indian Curry House. The tandoori chicken and garlic naan are exceptional. In the mood for comfort food and maybe a comfort beverage? Wash down classic American pub fare like potato skins, onion rings and juicy burgers with a local brew at Sidetrack Eatery and Pub, which stays open late all week.

Nightlife in Vantage Glen revolves around its casinos. The Silver Dollar Casino boasts a variety of table games as well as a poker room. Frequent events and promotions like cash giveaways and holiday parties ensure an energetic atmosphere. The casino’s Gold Rush Café serves an extensive list of American classics, including a prime rib dinner each Friday, to hungry patrons. For more Vegas-style table games, check out the Great American Casino, which hosts a popular happy hour daily.

If gambling is not your idea of a fun night out, catch a game on one of Spot Sports Bar and Grill’s 23 HDTV flat screens. Dartboards and pool tables entertain customers, who also enjoy Spot’s outdoor patio. Spot, open since 1962, is much loved by locals: they recommend the bar’s pizza and hot wings.

Navigating Vantage Glen is a breeze. Sound Transit bus route 169 transects the neighborhood, and King County Metro and Sound Transit Express buses also serve the area. Drive 10 minutes from the center of Vantage Glen, and you will hit the intersection of three major freeways serving the greater Seattle area: Interstate 5, Interstate 405 and State Route 167. In terms of parking, most commercial areas have sizable parking lots patrons can use for free. Not many people walk or bike in the area, except within residential pockets. Bike lanes are scarce and heavy traffic makes bicycling a somewhat harrowing prospect.

Cab service is readily available via several companies: Yellow Cab, Orange Cab and Far West Taxi can be summoned 24 hours a day. Uber is also an option here, but service is not as consistent as that found in Seattle or Tacoma proper. For an even classier ride, dial up local company APS Limousine and Towncar Service.

Though commercial areas and residential pockets dominate Vantage Glen, several nearby parks provide recreation opportunities. Boulevard Lane Park is small but draws children and families with spacious grassy fields and a basketball hoop. Gary Grant Soos Creek Park is great for fitness fans, offering a paved trail along peaceful Soos Creek.

For more varied activity options, visit 10-acre Thomas Teasdale Park, where visitors of all ages love the covered picnic shelters. Burn off your lunch with a softball game on one of the park’s ball fields, or start a game of pickup basketball on the well-equipped court. All three parks are free and allow dogs, if leashed.

Vantage Glen residents enjoy a lower cost of living than Seattle denizens. The average one-bedroom apartment rents for $1099 here, while Seattlites pay around $1,400 per month for a comparable unit. Given Vantage Glen’s easy access to Seattle, the area can be a tempting option for those who want to be near a big city but need to closely watch their spending.

One area in which Vantage Glen won’t bring notable savings is gasoline; as is usually the case throughout Washington State, area gas prices outstrip the national average by 17 percent. A beer at an area bar costs around $3, typical for the greater Seattle area but generally lower than prices found in Seattle’s core.

Vantage Glen retail primarily consists of shopping centers spread throughout the area. Many of these house major national and international chains (nearby Ikea, for example, draws thousands of shoppers to the area each week). However, a small handful of local businesses thrive here and are worth a visit. If you are due for some pampering, reputable esthetical school Euro Institute of Skin Care offers appealing discounts on facials, waxing and other spa treatments, which are provided by students under instructor supervision. Following your spa treatment, snap up high-end skincare items from the Institute’s boutique.

While you won’t find a farmer’s market, health food store or co-op in the neighborhood, superstore Fred Meyer and large grocery store 99 Ranch Market satisfy the area’s food shopping needs. Fred Meyer, notably, is a one-stop shop, housing a drugstore, apparel store, home improvement center and a full grocery store.