Westmont - Everett, WA

Located in Everett, the seventh-largest city in Washington, Westmont emblemizes the industrial history of the greater area. Dubbed, at one point, the "City of Smokestacks," Everett has played host to a huge amount of lumber processing and manufacturing since the industrial revolution.

In World War II, the U.S. military opened a base southwest of Everett, close to Westmont. The government withdrew the base after the Korean War, leaving facilities and hangars behind that Boeing occupied in the 1960s. Everett became one of Boeing's many homes in the Seattle-Tacoma area.

History buffs interested in the influence of Boeing ought to visit the Museum of Flight, located in southwest Westmont. This local treasure has aircraft from all eras and even boasts a mock-up of the boeing lunar rover. During the holidays, the museum holds family workshops every weekend, perfect for bringing young ones closer to the industrial history of the area.

Westmont's restaurant scene sports a few local highlights and national chains. Many of the restaurants cater to the influx of golfers and feature their own sort of entertainment. Knock down a few pins, and enjoy some classic American dining or drinking at Glacier Lanes Restaurant & Lounge. Customers love the Glacier Lanes rendition of chicken strips; a perfect meal to build up energy for a few brackets of bowling.

The Buzz Inn Steak House attracts customers with its friendly service and energetic atmosphere. Order the chicken fried steak breakfast, and don't expect to wait too long.

Toyama Sushi impresses Westmont with its array of rolls and teriyaki options. Try the hamachi rolls, and take time to talk to the always friendly and accommodating wait staff.

Further east out of Westmont, Middleton Brewing plies customers with handcrafted ales and lagers. Music fans have to trek north into downtown Everett to Cafe Zippy, a small coffee shop with live music.

While Westmont may not stretch-out over many city blocks, residents still travel by car for most trips. Everett Transit serves several buses along Evergreen Way and several on West Casino Road.

Cabs run in Everett but usually take passengers through dispatch; call ahead, don't plan on hailing a cab. Uber does not provide service to the Everett area.

Cheap parking abounds in Westmont. Cars can access the I-5 in about five minutes, connecting them to the greater Seattle-Tacoma area. Most streets in Westmont have sidewalks, but a few large boulevards prove tricky to cross. Westmont does not have bike lanes, and bikers should take caution biking on the sometimes-busy city streets.

A small, wooded reprieve from the industrial surroundings, Loganberry Lane Park attracts Westmont residents and visitors alike for its short hiking trails and off-leash areas, perfect for dogs. A small clearing, ideal for letting your creatures roam, links up to a small trail that loops around the park, nearing the fenced edge of the adjacent golf course. Although this park is suitable for kids, it doesn't contain any children-friendly attractions. It still should be considered for family outings as it doesn't cost a dime.

The Walter E. Hall Park, next to Loganberry Lane Park, contains a golf course and the city's only skate park.

The skate park features 14,300 square feet of practice and training areas, perfect for budding skaters and experts alike. Cut some grooves into the 40-foot wide bowl, drop in on the quarter pipe, or grind the multiple benches. Though outside, the well-planned-out drainage means water doesn't pose too much of a hazard.

Golfers can practice their swing on the full 18-hole course, replete with water and sand hazards and a clubhouse. A day of golf costs anywhere from $15-37, depending on the time of day, week and year. Golf enthusiasts ought to check out the annual Joe Richer Golf Tournament held every August at the nearby city-owned Legion Memorial Golf Course.

The Kasch Park Athletic Complex, located on the other side of Loganberry Lane Park, features a soccer field, baseball field, sheltered picnic area and playground, perfect for children. Make a rental ahead of time, for a fee, and bring some friends for a game on the park, or watch the annual Little League games, held on two smaller fields. Kasch Park does not allow dogs.

Westmont costs more than the city average for regular living expenses, such as utilities, goods and services. One-bedroom apartment rentals cost $840 on average, beer costs $4.50, and a trip on the Everett public transportation costs $1. Gas prices sit at 18 percent more than the national average.

Evergreen Way, running diagonally along the eastern portion of Westmont, contains a host of shops and boutiques. The neighborhood doesn't have any high-end stores, but the nearby Everett Mall hosts more-upscale retailers like Kay Jewelers and Victoria's Secret.

Homebrew Heaven Brewing Supply provides the area with all of the malt extracts, grains and kettles you may need to make your own lagers, grains and sodas. QFC and Fred Meyer provide for the area's general grocery needs. Shoppers looking for a farmers' market have to travel west to the Mukilteo Farmers Market, about a 15-minute drive from Westmont.