Arlington

The rural community of Arlington Heights lies northeast of the city of Arlington, between the two forks of the Stillaguamish River and the Cascade Range foothills. This census-designated place has fewer than 3,000 people spread over roughly 8 square miles. "It's beautiful out there," says Zach Hensrude, managing broker with Re/Max Elite. "Snohomish County is a great place to live. You can be moments away from the Sound or a summit." He says another plus is that Arlington Heights' rural setting is close to the amenities of Arlington and Smokey Point. Its mountain- and river-adjacent location makes Arlington Heights an ideal spot for those who love the outdoors. "It's this idea that you're in such a unique area that you have the beauty of coastal and territorial mountain areas in reach. Arlington Heights really offers that. It's not too far from the river but still minutes away from great hiking trails," Hensrude says. Multiple green spaces, including River Meadows County Park, set along the river's south fork, offer access to the Stillaguamish. This park remains largely undeveloped thanks to historical protection acts, though it offers non-utility campsites and yurts for rent. Farther north along the river is Country Charm Conservation Area, whose 100 acres are prime for viewing wildlife, including herons, raccoons, beavers and salmon. Meanwhile, Twin Rivers Snohomish County Park marks the river forks' convergence and features a wooded disc golf course and two baseball diamonds. Privacy is perhaps Arlington Heights' greatest residential commodity, with many homes settled on generous plots of forest and farmland. "With more rural living, there's the opportunity to have more land," Hensrude says. Seclusion and privacy are advantages of living in Arlington Heights, as even the smallest lots are typically over an acre. Additionally, the CAP Index crime score for Arlington Heights is a 1 out of 10. Ramblers built in the 1970s through the '80s typically cost $625,000 to $850,000. Contemporary homes from the 1990s and later are priced from $725,000 to $925,000. A renovated vintage home with over 5,300 square feet can sell for $1.2 million; an equestrian facility on over 20 acres for over $2 million. Public schools include Eagle Creek Elementary School and Post Middle School, which have B grades from Niche. Arlington High School, with a B-plus, battles rival Stanwood High for the annual Stilly Cup, a behemoth football event named after the river. Arlington High's facilities include a sports medicine lab and an agriculture building. State Routes 9 and 530 are major roads in the area, and it's less than 10 miles to Interstate 5, which runs west of Arlington Heights. Via I-5, it's about a 45-mile drive to Seattle. "It's quite a jaunt to Seattle," Hensrude says. "Instead, I would say people are commuting to Everett, which has a large aerospace sector." Everett is about 24 miles south. "Or they'd go up into Skagit County, just north. It's another community that has some more industrial companies." With an increase in industrial parks, Arlington is poised to house more companies and offer closer work opportunities. Some Community Transit bus stops are located along Arlington-Darrington Road, and Arlington includes the Smokey Point Transit Center. The city also is home to the Arlington Municipal Airport, a general aviation facility. For major airlines, people can travel to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Sea-Tac. It's less than a 5-mile drive to downtown Arlington and 10 miles to Smokey Point. "As far as one being more appealing than the other, a larger number of the big-box stores and larger anchor tenants are in Smokey Point," Hensrude says. Smokey Point is home to Lakewood Crossing shopping center, Costco, Target, Best Buy and more. In contrast, Hensrude says Arlington has more of a small-town feel. Businesses include mom-and-pop shops and boutiques. Arlington Pickers antique store, Flowers By George Inc., and The Yarn Outfitter are some Arlington establishments. The Stilly Diner is a breakfast and lunch spot known for its country-fried steak, burgers and sandwiches. A few doors down, Bistro San Martin serves world-inspired regional cuisine made with seasonal ingredients. Arlington's grocers include Safeway and the Grocery Outlet. Arlington Skyfest, held in August at Arlington Municipal Airport, includes an airshow, aircraft and classic car show and a family friendly tailgate. Free airplane rides are offered for ages 8 through 17. Events held in Arlington parks include the annual 4th of July celebration with the Great Stilly Duck Dash, a rubber duck race down the river that fundraises for the Arlington Boys and Girls Club. Also in July, the Arlington Street Fair, organized by the Downtown Arlington Business Association, is held over three days and has more than 200 vendors. Pioneer Day, hosted by the Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Museum, shows off the area's history and agricultural heritage.