Best Old House Neighborhoods 2010: the West and Northwest

For our third annual Best Places to Buy an Old House contest, what we looked for was simple: oft-overlooked neighborhoods populated by people who share an appreciation of finely crafted homes that have plenty of past and lots of future. And what we found—with the aid of our friends at PreservationDirectory.com, who helped us contact thousands of neighborhood groups, real estate agents, residents, and preservationists for nominations—was mighty impressive.

Whether it’s a Victorian-era nabe in downtown Los Angeles, or a historic railroad town in Idaho, here are ten great places in the West and Northwest to find an old house of your own.