Walnut Grove - Vancouver, WA

Originally founded as a trading center, Walnut Grove first grew during local gold rushes, eventually evolving into a forest and food product processing and shipping point. Over time, the area diversified, now including strong high-tech and creative employment presence that earned the Walnut Grove/Portland area the nickname “Silicon Forest.” While significant blue collar employment still exists, mainly in forest product mills as well as transportation, today's work force slants toward executive or professional positions, allowing the Walnut Grove area to become well-evolved, progressive and cosmopolitan.

Visit museums such as the Portland Art Museum, the seventh-oldest museum in the United States. Check out annual events, including the Northwest Filmmakers' Festival, Muddy Boots Organic Festival, Sidewalk Chalk Arts Festival or many others throughout the year.

Walnut Grove has an innovative food scene with diverse restaurants ranging from Peruvian to doughnut shops. As a green-friendly city, Walnut Grove also has large numbers of vegetarian and vegan eateries.

A local watering hole with live music four nights a week, Billy Blues Bar and Grill welcomes minors and families daily until 9 p.m. when the entertainment begins. For seafood lovers, start out with homemade clam chowder, followed by the Dungeness crab and bay shrimp sandwich served open-faced on a crisp toasted muffin with Swiss cheese, diced tomatoes, green onions, then topped with homemade hollandaise sauce. For good steak with a twist, try the Schwarzkopf. This top sirloin comes hand stuffed with bleu cheese crumbles and topped with caramelized onions.

Frontier Public House dishes up tasty made-from-scratch menu items, craftily created cocktails and great beer and wine selections. For weekend brunch, try the Virginia Girl Benedict, with thick sliced applewood bacon, griddled tomatoes and poached eggs, all topped with hollandaise sauce on sourdough bread. The chicken fried pork chop comes with two fried eggs under pepper gravy served alongside hash potatoes. Fried sausage poppers dipped in cornmeal batter served with grainy mustard and bacon-wrapped jalapeños serve as popular appetizers at this establishment.

Fans of the 80s dance the night away at 80s Video Dance Attack featuring, VJ Kittyrox. This fun nightlife event draws huge crowds throughout Oregon and Washington to McMenamins Crystal Ballroom/Lola's Lounge.

For live pre-show music Friday through Saturday and In-theater restaurant service daily, head out to Cinetopia Vancouver Mall 23, which features four types of theater venues. This Theater includes an outdoor balcony with a private lake view. Be aware of this establishment's 21+ age requirement as it serves beer and wine.

A walkable community, Walnut Grove also promotes safe bike-friendly riding lanes. Here, most residents drive alone in a private automobile to get to work. Although average commute times can be around 25 minutes long, the area has good public transit with a light-rail system among the nation’s best. Excellent intercity rail service provided by the Amtrak Cascades connects Eugene, Oregon to Portland, Seattle and ultimately Vancouver B.C. Major roads include the Trans Canada Highway, Golden Ears Bridge, 200 Street and 88th Avenue. Bus service provided by Translink features many area routes. Catching a cab or booking a ride with Uber also remain available options. Plenty of parking choices exist as well, with the majority being metered spots or paid for parking garages.

Outdoor recreational activities abound on the coast, 60 miles west, and in the Oregon Cascades Mount Hood ski area, 50 miles east. The Cascade Mountain areas northeast to southeast give residents plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including skiing. The Columbia River also provides a popular destination for those who enjoy water sports, especially windsurfing.

Located on NE 58th Avenue at NE 70th Street, Walnut Grove Neighborhood Park has 3.7 acres with one basketball half court, three pieces of play equipment, two picnic tables, two benches and a half mile of asphalt path.

Situated along the Columbia River five minutes from downtown Vancouver and just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, Fort Vancouver National Site's 366-acre campus remains the only national park site in the Vancouver/Portland metropolitan area. History is told here through enriched community educational programs, connecting "what was" to modern-day Pacific Northwest. Experience live theater at Fort Vancouver by candle-lit lanterns. Journey with a park ranger and peek into the past with vignettes by costumed interpreters and learn about this urban national park's history.

Located just 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver in the Mt. Seymour Provincial Park, owned and operated since 1984 by the Wood family, Mt Seymour stays true to the mountain’s roots, creating a welcoming family atmosphere. The ski area's 80 hectares of terrain, which includes 40 hectares lit for night skiing and features gentle slopes for beginners and tougher terrain for advanced skiers and snowboarders. This park hosts events such as the Lunar New Year Celebration, Valentine's Day Fondue and Shred for the Cure.

For your four-legged friends, Ross Off-Leash Dog Recreation Area has a huge field in the middle of hills and trees, including another back area over the top of the hill and a small dog fenced area. A walking trail, three waste disposal areas and benches around the park make the area comfortable for owners as well.

Although high on a national scale, the cost of living runs moderate among West Coast cities. Compared to the rest of the country, Walnut Grove's cost of living calculates 14.6 percent higher than the United States average and more expensive than 2.6 percent of the neighborhoods in Washington. The average rental price for a one-bedroom apartment in Walnut Grove sits at about $925 per month. The price of gas in Walnut Grove costs drivers 6.7 percent more than the national average. The cost of a beer run between $3 to $5 per pint or bottle for well-known labels.

Walnut Grove hosts many businesses, including several shopping plazas and three major grocery stores in the community. The Westfield Vancouver Mall has what you expect from a mall with a vast array of shopping selections and food establishments. It also houses a library, which conducts story time and knitting lessons, as well as a movie theater. Celestial-Awakenings, a new-age metaphysical store, has a wide selection of transformational jewelry, crystals, healing wands, minerals, incense and Buddhist items. An ongoing drum circle event takes place here every fourth Friday. Moms-to-be love perusing Baby Momma Boutique. This special store sells all things maternity. Shop the large selection of nursing shirts and stretchy-waist pants. The extremely friendly employees help with sizing and give great fashion advice. Local residents do most grocery shopping at Safeway or Fred Meyer. Home to over 250 vendors, pet-friendly Vancouver Farmers Market allows you to chat with people who grew or created your purchase, grab a bite to eat, listen to music, stroll through the park, watch the kids play and enjoy a relaxing day. Here, you can discover fresh and local produce, flowers, plants, baked goods, delicious food, pet treats, and other items for yourself, home or garden. Enjoy live music every Thursday at the community-run Salmon Creek Farmers' Market, which connects local farm vendors, producers of wholesome food and select artisans to the community.