The name Minnehaha is widely believed to mean "laughing water," and was made famous in the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem "The Song of Hiawatha." As fun as the name with a half-laugh is to say, it's actually a Dakota native word meaning "rapid water" or "curling water," and references waterfalls.
The early residents of the part of Clark County, Washington that came to be known as Minnehaha were introduced to the name by a newspaper editor who likened Burnt Bridge Creek to the waters of Longfellow's imagination
The name Minnehaha is widely believed to mean "laughing water," and was made famous in the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem "The Song of Hiawatha." As fun as the name with a half-laugh is to say, it's actually a Dakota native word meaning "rapid water" or "curling water," and references waterfalls.
The early residents of the part of Clark County, Washington that came to be known as Minnehaha were introduced to the name by a newspaper editor who likened Burnt Bridge Creek to the waters of Longfellow's imagination. They took to the name, and it has stuck like glue in hair ever since. The census designated place is part of the greater Vancouver, Washington area, which is part of the Portland, Oregon metro. It's home to just about 10,000 people who enjoy the convenient location and available housing choices. Additionally, the shops at Vancouver Mall and Vancouver Plaza are close.
Moving to Minnehaha
Deciding to make this town your home will put you within reach of the entire metro Portland-Vancouver region. Many people who work in Oregon live in this part of Washington and drive across the river each day, so think about that when considering where to live in relation to work. The vacancy rate is higher than in Portland but still low enough that it's a good idea to start your search for rental houses in Minnehaha or the perfect rental apartments as soon as you know a move is in your future. Be prepared to go through a credit check and have first, last and a possible security deposit on hand.
Neighborhoods in Minnehaha
Where do you want to live in Minnehaha? Do you want to be near parks? Are you looking for a certain type of housing? The list below reviews some of the neighborhoods Minnehaha has to offer.
West Minnehaha: Bordered on the east roughly by NE Saint Johns and NE Saint James Roads and the west by Interstate 5, this is a mixed residential area that is more single-unit homes. It's centered around West Minnehaha Park and is a good place to start looking for a home for rent in the greater Vancouver area. Your four-legged friends will like Ross Dog Park, located just off of NE 15th Avenue.
Minnehaha Heights: This is a small area in the northwest part of the community that follows along NE 54th Street and features some homes with larger lots. Light industrial areas to the north and west provide local jobs.
Andresen: The major north-south artery that is Andresen Boulevard is lined with retail establishments and large apartment complexes with modern amenities. You can find everything from studio apartments for rent to fully furnished two or three-bedroom units for rent that can be leased long term or on a month-to-month basis.
Living in Minnehaha
Still in the city but not too far from rural Clark County, this closely knit community is a good choice for anyone who desires the convenience that provides. With Portland close by and Seattle less than three hours to the north, there are plenty of things to do, not to mention Minnehaha is smack dab in the middle of one of the most naturally beautiful regions anywhere. Most people rely on cars but there is good public transportation that connects to everywhere in the metro area. Great restaurant variety is here -- like the fantastic Thai at Dok Koon Cuisine or the many eateries near Vancouver Mall.
