AT A GLANCE

Average age: 38.8

Housing units: 1,414

Assessed median home value: $173,665

Median home size: 1,700 square feet

Schools: Silver Beach/Geneva Elementary, Whatcom/Kulshan Middle Schools, Squalicum/Bellingham High School

Shopping: Silver Beach Grocery and nearby mini-mall; Barkley Village and Sunset Square are to the west

Parks: Big Rock Garden, Bloedel-Donovan Park, and Lake Whatcom

Mayor's Advisory Committee member: Myron Wlaznak

City Council member: Grant Deger

Police calls in 2003: 358

Residential burglaries: 13

Vehicle prowls: 24

Population of neighborhood: 2,351

NEIGHBORS PROFILE: 'We're a big happy family here'

CAROL SMITH

Age: 62

Lives on: Olivia Court

Lived here: For 21 years

What she does: Has owned the Silver Beach Grocery since 1986

Why do you like the area? "I like the location, but I like the people. There's an awful lot of nice people in the area. I've been here so long that I know them on a first-name basis and I know what they want and what they buy. It's a pleasure to come to work. I just really appreciate all my customers that come in."

What makes your neighborhood unique? "There's both ends of the spectrum as far as money here. We have some people that are very wealthy and some that aren't. We're a big happy family here."

What amenities do you take advantage of? "I use the trails. I'm a walker.

BOB WINTERS

Age: 51

Lives on: Silver Beach Avenue

Lived here: About 12 years

Lives with: Wife Laurie and youngest daughter Claire

What he does: Teaches fifth grade at Carl Cozier Elementary

Why do you like the neighborhood? "The trails, the access to the lake, and to Big Rock Garden. There's just a very nice feel to the neighborhood. We know many of our neighbors. Many of the people living there have been there a good, long time, some of them upwards of most of their lives."

Why did you move there? "We knew the school. It was an excellent school and our kids were grade-school age. And, because we loved the flavor of the place."

How has the neighborhood changed? "Because of the views of the lake and the character of the neighborhood, it seems like every available lot has been built on in the last 10 years. It seems to be becoming a more desirable place to live."

MYRON WLAZNAK

Age: 56

Lives on: East Oregon Street

Lived here: 12 years

Lives with: Wife and dog

What he does: Silver Beach Neighborhood Association president, science fiction writer.

Why do you like the neighborhood? "It's obviously a beautiful area and if you can put up with the Jet Skis during the summer, it's quiet the rest of the year. There isn't a lot of commercial development here. You can get into town relatively easily and can get out of town relatively easily. I love the lake, the environment and the people."

What makes your neighborhood unique? "Certainly the lake. You put up with the Jet Skis and the float planes, but it's also a great amenity. It's also a great responsibility. Living near the lake, you can't do some things. That's a responsibility people who live here have to learn to accept."