|
Get the scoop on Seattle neighborhoods.
...because it's all about location. If you're looking for a home or condo in the Seattle area, it's vital that you know the ins and outs (more like ups and downs) of the Seattle neighborhoods and landscape. I've pulled together descriptions of some of the most popular Seattle neighborhoods and links to search for homes in those neighborhoods. (If you don't see a neighborhood you're looking for or want more details, please contact me.) As a real estate agent with a vast array of real estate resources at my fingertips, I am also able to help you find exactly what you're looking for—just contact me using any the links below.
Ballard
Ballard was the third incorporated city in the state of Washington in 1890. It was originally an area that was focused on the lumber industry, which was quickly followed by a lucrative (and still present) fishing industry boom. Walking the streets of Ballard, you'll find its charm in the Scandinavian shops and architecture leftover from the original English and European inhabitants. Ballard covers quite a large area; it is connected to two of the most popular areas of Seattle (Downtown and Fremont). The nightlife on Ballard Avenue is experiencing a major revitalization, with new restaurants, bars, and boutiques all within a safe walking distance in the "downtown Ballard" area. Many new condos are going up around downtown Ballard, with lots of availability (not to mention they're a great investment!) The neighborhoods that cover the majority of Ballard are quiet and quaint. Ballard homes tend to be spacious and offer a variety of designs.
Belltown
Just a few blocks up from Downtown is Belltown—a young, hip, and trendy area that transforms into a vivid nightlife most evenings. Many of Seattle's most popular bars and restaurants are located along 1st and 2nd Avenue in Belltown. The daytime fills the sidewalks with shoppers and window lookers, checking out the fashion boutiques and grabbing a bite to eat at one of the many trendy lunching spots. Belltown was once known as the "Denny regrade," referring to the man-made terrain below Denny Hill, which originally extended down toward the waterfront right through Belltown. Belltown is largely comprised of high rise condos and lofts, many of which are new and have views of either the waterfront or the Space Needle.
Capitol Hill
Perhaps one of the most diverse areas of Seattle, Capitol Hill can be classy,
chic, and eclectic depending on where you are or what you're looking for. Broadway
Avenue, which runs right through the heart of Capitol Hill and serves as one
of its busiest paths, is perhaps the most active and vibrant area of Seattle
(it's also the main throughway for Seattle's annual gay pride parade). In fact,
the area was even once called Broadway Hill, before its "founder," James A. Moore,
dubbed it Capitol Hill (historians site this as a description he used to market
the area for development purposes). Bars, restaurants, and clubs are plentiful
on Broadway. To the north is Volunteer Park, one of Seattle's largest parks,
and nearby majestic St. Mark's Cathedral overlooking Eastlake and Lake Union.
Further to the West (just down the hill) is Downtown. Just beyond the busy streets
you'll find the quaint, classy, warmly lit homes that typify the old-style, Victorian-esque
properties in Capitol Hill. Closer to the more foot trafficked areas, you'll
find new condo developments that provide quick access to bus routes and all that
Capitol Hill has to offer.
Downtown
First established by the thriving community in Pioneer Square, Downtown Seattle is an area rich with history and fast development. Downtown Seattle was inhabited by the first European settlers in 1852, who came across Elliot Bay from Alki (supposedly relocated because of...well, too much rain). The Downtown Seattle area is comprised of the business district, the International District, the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners sports stadiums, high rise condos and lofts, and is also home to the original location of the University of Washington, before it was moved in 1895. The life of Downtown Seattle is indicative of the many high-tech, coffee-powered people that comprise Seattle's population. But that's not to ignore the many museums, art lofts, record stores, and the thriving shopping district frequented by locals and tourists. The Pike Place market, central to Downtown Seattle and near the waterfront, continues to thrive as a local market and is a great place for a stroll or to pick up groceries. New condos and 5 star hotels with great investment opportunities are going up in Downtown Seattle in every direction.
First Hill
The area known as First Hill, just east of Pioneer Square in Downtown Seattle, was settled by the Europeans around 1883, who built mansion-sized homes and clubs atop the hill, not long after finding the plentiful springs that bubbled from the forest that once existed there. Between 1888 and 1891, three street railways were built across First Hill, which made it more convenient to reach for many of the settlers who lived down below the hill. This accessibillity transformed the once "high-brow" culture there to a place where modest workers could reside. The first King County Court was built atop the hill, which gave it the nickname "Profanity Hill" for all the lawyers and court officials who had the climb the hill, cursing its steepness, just to go to court! First Hill holds one of Seattle's largest hospitals (Swedish Hospital) and is largely comprised of high-rise condos and hotels. It's location makes it easy for those who live there to hop down the hill to Downtown or walk across Pike Street into the bustling area of Capitol Hill.
Fremont
Welcome to the "Center of the Universe!" Fremont, located on the canal that
leads from the Puget Sound into Lake Union, is a place of food, art, and festivals.
The Fremont Bridge, Fremont Troll, and the statue of Vladimir I. Lenin make Fremont
a great place for exploring and walking—especially during its busy Sunday
market. Most of Fremont's buildings in the business district date from 1900 in
1915, after rail entrepreneurs built through this area of town and Fremont's
settlers annexed themselves to Seattle proper. The Fremont landscape consists
of upper Fremont—mostly residential homes and local
coffee shops—and lower Fremont (the business district). Lower Fremont
becomes bustling during the evenings, with a youthful nightlife that thrives
among the many bars and restaurants on the main strip. Artist's lofts and newer
town homes and condos comprise the majority of lower Fremont's residential areas.
Green Lake
Green Lake and the area around it was surveyed and settled by working class Europeans between 1855 and 1869. The lake itself was formed by the Vashon ice sheet and is most likely named after the green algae that is often seen floating on it. Population growth began around the 1880s, with the expansion of the cross-town trolley through the area. At that time, Seattle papers proclaimed that Green Lake was to be "Seattle's choicest suburb." In 1911, a landscape architecture firm was hired to lower the lake, adding 100 acres of land to the area. Seattleites in the early 1900s often escaped for weekend excursions to the Green Lake area to get away from the busy city. The beautiful homes that line the lake are charming remnants of earlier times with gorgeous views of the lake. Extending in every direction from the lake are charming homes and condos with quiet streets for strolling.
Madison Park
Overlooking the western shore of Lake Washington to the east is Madison Park. After it was founded in the 1850s, Madison Park became a favorite picnic and recreational area. The area is largely a residential area comprised of parks and includes a small but elegant shopping area down along Madison Street to the lake. The first European landowner to reside in Madison Park was Judge John J. McGilvra, who once practiced law in association with Abraham Lincoln. He build his family home on 420 acres of land but shortly sold off most of his property, with the stipulation that only cottages could be built there. He then reserved 24 acres for the park itself. Madison Park and its residents have mostly enjoyed a quiet, lake vacation-like atmosphere. Homes in and around Madison Park are beautifully kept and many are within walking distance to the park or waterfront areas.
Magnolia
Magnolia sits on a peninsula looking out over Elliot Bay from the bluff, and requires its residents to reach it by one of two large bridges. Dairy farms were established in Magnolia as early as 1900, but development in Magnolia was slow since surveyors first spotted the land in 1855. In World War I, Fort Lawton (an army base) was built to train troops soon to be shipped off to Europe and remained active through the second World War and Korean War. Now, the base has been reduced to 11 acres that sit near Discovery Park, providing a vast, open landscape for kite flying and walking. In 1913, Fisherman's Terminal (below Magnolia Bluff to the south) was developed providing a harbor for Puget Sound's large fishing fleet. Today, Magnolia is an oasis that grows around a central shopping area (the "Village") with homes and residential areas that enjoy a quiet escape from Downtown.
Montlake
The canal that flows into Lake Washington to the north of sleepy Montlake was first conceptualized as the Montlake Cut (part of the Lake Washington Ship Canal) in 1861 but was not finished until 1917. Since its incorporation into the list of Seattle neighborhoods, Montlake has largely been defined by the water thoroughfare that it is, moving ships and leisure crafts to and from the adjacent lakes. The history Montlake Bridge represents the area and is heavily trafficked by both ships underneath and cars above. The residents of Montlake find solace in the serenity of the lake and protected marshes, and many live or houseboats or moore their boats in the nearby Seattle Yacht Club. Montlake crawls up the hill toward Capitol Hill, where many beautiful homes are situated overlooking the lake. The area is generally peaceful and diverse, and the proximity to the water makes Montlake representative of all that Seattle has to offer.
Mount Baker
The small hill above Leschi and Lake Washington that is Mount Baker developed
late in Seattle's history, with its development dating back to around 1905. Since
that time, Mount Baker has progressed into an upscale neighborhood with beautiful
homes and amazing views. In fact, the neighborhood is actually named after the
majestic views of Mount Baker that sits in the background. Though the Mount Baker
neighborhood for many years existed as a place where only the rich could afford
to live, in the 1960s and 70s the neighborhood reluctantly opened its doors to
the community. Now, the houses in Mount Baker are large, spacious and often well-priced
for what the area has to offer. You'll find many residents strolling down Mount
Baker Ridge or cozied up in their large living rooms.
Phinney
Guy Phinney, a wealthy immigrant from Novia Scotia, founded this Seattle neighborhood
and created a private estate that is now Woodland Park/Woodland Park Zoo. To
the west is Phinney Ridge, which spills down the valley and offers glorious views
of Ballard. To the east, Phinney meets the edge of Green Lake. The area was developed
by extending the Fremont trolley line north and through Phinney Ridge in the
early 1900s. Bungalows and box houses were built along Phinney Ridge after the
turn of the century. Now, along the main route, Phinney Avenue boasts newer town
homes and condos that sit among the sleepy, more modern residences. The Woodland
Park Zoo, which also runs along Phinney Avenue, brings in tourists—and it's
short jaunt for locals to access. Homes in Phinney often have views of mountains
and lakes and there's a growing scene for local restaurants and bars.
Queen Anne
First and foremost, Queen Anne is a big hill. A very big hill—rising 456
feet above Puget Sound. The hill was formed by the Vashion Glacier and was once
almost completely surrounded by water. In the late 1850s, Queen Anne was known
as Eden Hill and most settlements existed around the base, but it didn't take
long for settlers to move up. By the 1880s, they were slowly building homes up
the hill—but not just any homes—Queen Anne style homes. The locals
began to refer to this part of Seattle as "Queen Anne town" because of the many
homes that took on this style of architecture. City officials decided to keep
the name, and now Queen Anne Avenue runs up the hill through the heart of "upper" Queen
Anne. Because of the complications of transporting goods and people up and down
the hill, development was slow. It wasn't until 1902 that a street car line ran
up the hill to serve the people of Queen Anne. Street car lines and the growing
maritime community that thrived around the north, east, and west sides of Queen
Anne helped to develop and diversity Queen Anne as a neighborhood. After the
World's Fair came to Seattle in 1962, "lower" Queen Anne (beneath the hill) saw
the addition of The Seattle Center, which includes the world-renowned Space Needle.
Upper Queen Anne is comprised of beautiful homes and streets that offer pleasant
walks for residents. Lower Queen Anne is a busy, bustling area with plentiful
bars, restaurants, and low rise condos within walking distance to the Space Needle
and Downtown.
Ravenna
The neighborhood known as Ravenna was populated by European settlers in the 1880s
with the platting of Ravenna Springs Park—a large walking area along a steep
ravine that remains heavily forested. Shortly thereafter, the Seattle Female
College was developed from ten acres set aside by a local landowner. It was only
five years after that, that the University of Washington moved into the area
south of Ravenna from its prior location Downtown. Needless to say, Ravenna has
been closely connected to the college community since its beginning. In fact,
many faculty and staff of the University of Washington make Ravenna their home.
Life in Ravenna is casual and many shops, grocery stores, and affordable restaurants
are within walking distance. Homes in Ravenna are typically spacious and comfortable,
with many representing a brick-style reminiscent of the 40s and 50s.
Return to top
|
|
|
 Gretchen Bruce
|
Real Estate Agent, Realtor®
Lake & Co. Real Estate, Inc.
7801 Green Lake Drive North
Seattle, WA 98103
gretchen@lakere.com
(206) 818-7028
|
|
