York

AT A GLANCE

Average age: 25.4

Housing units: 1,092

Assessed median home value: $91,665

Median home size: 1,234 square feet

Schools: Lowell Elementary, Kulshan Middle School, Sehome High School

Shopping: Nelson's Market is neighborhood mini-mart; Fred Meyer Shopping Center and Lakeway Center, including Cost Cutter grocery, are on Lakeway Drive; adjacent to downtown

Parks: Rock Hill Park, Franklin Park

Mayor's Advisory Committee members: Thomas Scott, Carolyn Mulder

City Council member: John Watts

Police calls in 2003: 1,082

Residential burglaries: 22

Vehicle prowls: 44

Population of neighborhood: 2,614

NEIGHBORS PROFILE: 'Even though we're different, we're able to connect'

TSHOMBE BROWN

Age: 33

Lives on: Grant Street

Lived here: 1 1/2 years

Lives with: Partner

What he does: Independent wedding consultant through his own business, Your Signature Consulting

Why do you like living in the area? "The houses here have retained their historic quality. On the outside, they have intricate trim and people really spend a lot of time giving the houses character and identity instead of being just the house next door."

What's your favorite neighborhood moment? "It had been just raining heavily and my neighbor was standing out there with his girlfriend, and then another neighbor was right outside their house with his kids and his wife ... and they're all beckoning me to come out, so I go out and there's this amazing rainbow extending from infinity to infinity. It illustrates the commonality we feel. Even though we're different, we're able to connect with each other as well."

MARY FRASER

Lives on: Grant Street

Lived here: 3 years

What she does: Piano teacher, avid gardener, member of the choir at St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Why do you like the neighborhood? "The people are fabulous in this neighborhood. It's a very interesting, eclectic mix of people and they care about their neighbors and they talk to each other."

What makes your neighborhood unique? "It used to be a place where you could get an affordable house. It's changed, though. I think it's getting too pricey."

Why did you move there? "Because of its close proximity to downtown. The other thing is, I fell in love with my house. It's a character house. It's 1895. It's perfect for me. I've got a big Steinway piano. That thing has to have a room for itself."

JON OSTBY

Age: 57

Lives on: Potter Street

Lived here: 17 years in current house, 30 years in the York neighborhood

Lives with: His wife Anne Mackie

What he does: Owns Nelson's Market, active in York Neighborhood Association

Why do you like the neighborhood? "The location. It's close to downtown. It's close to the freeway. I like the community feel of the street patterns. The York Neighborhood is built in such a manner that everything is oriented to the street in front of them with an alley in the back. So it's a friendly place."

What's the biggest thing that's happened there? "In 1995, we had a big 100-year celebration for Nelson's Market. We had a parade that had 200 kids in it and 25 mobile floats and old cars. But that would be kind of tooting my own horn."