AT A GLANCE

Average age: 30.8

Housing units: 2,621

Assessed median home value: $98,165

Median home size: 1,242 square feet

Schools: Roosevelt /Sunnyland/Northern Heights elementaries, Kulshan/Whatcom Middle School, Bellingham /Squalicum High School

Shopping: Several mini-marts on Alabama Street. Major grocery stores are Red Apple Market on James Street, Haggen at Barkley Village

Parks: Roosevelt Park, Roosevelt Nature Area, Whatcom Falls Park and Railroad Trail

Mayor's Advisory Committee member: Teresa Quinn

City Council members: Gene Knutson, Grant Deger

Police calls in 2003: 3,877

Residential burglaries: 76

Vehicle prowls: 228

Population of neighborhood: 3,918

NEIGHBORS PROFILE: 'It has enriched my life meeting these people'

DANA EVANS

Age: 38

Lives on: Huron Street

Lived there: 3 1/2 years

Lives with: Husband, kids, two dogs and a cat

Why did you move there? "Schools were our compelling reason. We actually picked this area so that our children would attend those schools we want them to attend."

What do you like about the area? "I really like the neighborhood. It's really friendly and I like that houses are on bigger lots than newer neighborhoods are on."

What amenities do you take advantage of? "I like a lot of the trails because we like to be outside walking or jogging. You can walk here. The kids have a trail to the school or you can walk all the way to Whatcom Falls Park. It's a pretty area."

What makes your neighborhood unique? "I think the neighborhood is very neighborly. Everyone looks out for each other."

RICHARD MANEVAL

Age: 51

Lives on: Superior Street

Lived here: 20 years

Lives with: Wife and cat

What he does: President of Roosevelt Neighborhood Association

Why do you like living there? "There are a lot of good people. It has enriched my life meeting these people and learning from them."

What's the biggest thing that's happened there? "Definitely, the crime rate going down. It would be nice if people would stop saying we have nothing but crime."

What's your favorite neighborhood moment? "Three years ago, someone vandalized the bathroom at Roosevelt Park. After the police showed up, immediately kids took police officer by the hand and took them over to the apartment building where the vandals lived and said they had done it. They showed a great responsibility on their part."

BECKY ROGGE

Age: 21

Lives on: East Illinois

Lived here: 8 months

Lives with: Roommate

What she does: College student and works at Round Table Pizza

Why do you like the neighborhood? "It's pretty centralized. There's a grocery store within two blocks in any direction and the urban trail, so you don't have to walk on the street when you go somewhere. You can rent movies in one direction and see movies in the other direction."

What makes your neighborhood unique? "It's a mixture of ages. There are a lot more family types."

Are there amenities you take advantage of in the area?: I usually just go to Whatcom Falls on the trails. It's pretty nice to walk that direction, bike, too. The bridge (pedestrian overpass over Alabama Street) has an awesome view."