NEIGBORHOODS  (Listed in alphabetical order)Seattle is a city of neighborhoods, all with their own wonderful sense of style and flavor. This is one of the reasons that Seattle is such a wonderful place to live. Here is some information on a few neighborhoods and a link to information on local schools.

Ballard
Historically Scandinavian, Ballard has grown into a more multi-ethnic community. From the Locks to Old Town Ballard to the independent music scene, the marinas, the Majestic Bay movie house, the Nordic Museum, parks, Ballard Market, Golden Gardens and more, this is a neighborhood that combines a rich history and is a vibrant place to live.

Beacon Hill
One of Seattle's first neighborhoods, Beacon Hill was homesteaded in the 1860's. With a new City Library in the works, Sound Transit on its way, this wonderfully diverse neighborhood is quickly emerging as one of Seattle's hottest markets. North Beacon Hill is home to Jefferson Park Golf Course and Jefferson Community Center. Close to I-5, I-90, the West Seattle Bridge and downtowntalk about centrally located!

Capitol Hill (A Finer Neighborhood)
Just east of downtown, Capitol Hill is a great mix of residential streets with stately turn-of-the-century homes, classic architural apartments and co-ops. The area is known for its widely diverse neighbors, great shopping, restaurants, parks, nightlife, arts scene and walking distance to downtown Seattle. Especially convenient proximity to the major medical centers located along the west and southern tip of the hill.

Central Seattle
Music, people, culture and spirit describe the Central Area Music Festival, a way of life this neighborhood has always held close to the heart. The Central Area is also probably one of the fastest changing areas in Seattle. Once a community that was on the decline, now that couldn't be further from the truth. Home styles vary, including Tudors, Victorians, Cape Cods, Craftsmans, tri-levels and others. Close to downtown, Madrona, Leschi and Capitol Hill, the area's local landmarks include churches, Rogers Thriftway, The Louisianan restaurant, coffee shops, Catfish Corner, Garfield High School and the Community Center.

Columbia City

The people who live here take pride in their neighborhood, each year making Columbia City an even better community in which to live. Because of the shops, restaurants and many community activities like the Farmers Market and Beat Walk art and music event, this neighborhood has playfully been named "the new center of the universe". Located west of Seward Park and southeast of Beacon Hill.

Downtown (A Finer Neighborhood)
The largest residential neighborhood downtown is Belltown. Another community of residences are loft and "antique" condos in and around Pioneer Square.  Sky-high living can be the Finest when you find one of the penthouses available in one of our skyscrapers.  Some of the city's best restaurants, the Pike Place Market, the Piers, Seattle Center, Myrtle Edwards Park and many shops and clubs are within walking distance.

Fremont

Fremont has many surrounding landmarks, places to be and things of interest. Check some of the links listed. Yet perhaps the best way to get a feel for it is to go! Here are some comments from people who have: "The center of the Universe", "funky", "hip", "Fremont is a state of mind", "Quirky", "The hipness has kept pace with the yuppiness". Fremont's boundaries are Woodland Park Zoo, the Fremont bridge, Gasworks Park and Ballard.

Georgetown
Seattle's Oldest Neighborhood. In 1871, Annie & Julius Horton plotted their land into a town & named it for their son George to honor his graduation from Medical School. In the Southwest part of the city, it is part industrial, commercial and residential. Georgetown is flourishing as a unique, affordable close-knit neighborhood, with a variety of home styles, artists' studios and workshops, and a new park that features the classic Hat 'n' Boots and the Georgetown Garden Walk on the second week of July.

Green Lake

The center of this active residential community is, of course, Green Lake. There are walkers, runners, bikes, rollerblades and skateboards. Roger Sale writes in his book Seeing Seattle, "If what I wanted was conversation ranging from casual to good, Green Lake is ideal, since others leave you alone and the scene provides fodder for the talk. It is a great city street." Surrounding the lake is an urban village including restaurants, coffee shops, soccer and softball fields, basketball and tennis courts, Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse and more. Homes in this area are predominantly single-family residences including Craftsman, Tudor and Bungalow.

Greenwood and Phinney Ridge

Greenwood and Phinney Ridge are in close proximity and sometimes overlap commercially. Because of this, the two neighborhoods often work together when planning community strategies and events. The area is known for its pubs, cafes, antique stores, art and culture. Housing styles are diverse, from Cape Cod to Tudors, 50's style to Ramblers and more.

Laurelhurst  (A Finer Neighborhood)
This is an upscale neighborhood with a strong sense of community. Located south of NE 45th Street to Webster point and east of the UW, it is known for its quiet streets, views and well-cared for homes, some of which line the shores of Lake Washington.  Located in close proximity to world-famous Childrens' Hospital in Seattle.

Madison Park (A Finer Neighborhood)
Towering, tree-lined streets wear like necklaces to historic mansions and larger more recently built large homes.  This neighborhood is located immediately adjacent to Lake Washington. The main street of Madison Park is a bit like a little resort town. Quaint little shops and sidewalk restaurants, a park with a beach house where you can take in Lake Washington, this is one of the most desireable locations in the city. Everything from bungalows to lakeside mansions, condos to craftsmans. A quick drive to Capitol Hill, downtown, and SR520, yet still tucked away from it all.  Original location of ship that transported residents over to Laurelhurst (see above) for golfing.

Madrona (A Finer Neighborhood)
Just North of Leschi and South of Denny Blaine lives "The Peaceful Kingdom". Similar architecture to Capitol Hill can be found in Madrona - stately homes in the Craftsman, Mediterranean, Tudor, etc. styles.  In a livable city, this is one of the most livable neighborhoods. 34th and Union is its junction, with the High Spot, St. Clouds, Fetch and Woodridge Winery being just a few of the businesses that line the meeting place of Madrona. This is a community persons community, something that is true of many Seattle neighborhoods. In Madrona there's the "Madrona Moms", a strong community council that produces a web site and newsletter of goings-ons, and including people banding together to develop parks and playgrounds.

Magnolia (A Finer Neighborhood)
With its natural boundaries, Magnolia has an island-like feel. It has many parks to explore, the largest is Discovery Park. With 534 acres, it supports four habitats, a forest, meadows, saltwater and fresh water. Magnolia has homes in a wide range of prices depending on your needs. Homes here frequently offer expansive views of city skyline, Puget Sound and/or Mountains.

Maple Leaf
In 1986 Maple Leaf was voted "U.S. Neighborhood of the Year". Located NE of Green Lake, it offers views of the Olympics and the Cascades Mountains, a puppet museum, good restaurants and pubs, and thriving businesses.

Mt. Baker (A Finer Neighborhood)
Just south of Leschi and north of Seward Park, Mt. Baker's location has much to offer. Great homes, Mt Baker Park and beach, its popular "Day in the Park" event, the Community Club, Rose Club Caf, Artemis Galley and Framing, Crew Club and more. Mt. Baker is close to downtown and I-90, yet very much a residential neighborhood with a mix of lovely large homes on the eastern slope of the hill overlooking Lake Washington.

Ravenna (A Finer Neighborhood)
North of the University District and South of Maple Leaf, Ravenna was founded in 1887 and named for a seaside district in northeast Italy. Ravenna has had a strong Community Association since the 1920's, big support of schools and boasts one of the oldest parks in the city. Ravenna residents are working to bring Ravenna Creek to the surface after being underground for 50 years.

Queen Anne (A Finer Neighborhood)
One of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the city and one of the highest points in Seattle, PLUS the fact that it is so close to Downtown, Queen Anne occupies some amazing views of the city, water and mountains. Check out the Kennear Park lookout! The homes in this neighborhood are beautiful, many of them artistically painted and well maintained. Queen Anne Avenue runs the length of this community from lower to upper, lower having the Seattle Center, many theaters and concert Halls, the Uptown Movie House, restaurants and markets. This very urban part of the neighborhood is mostly made up of condos and townhouses. Upper Queen Anne has a more residential texture and a still vivacious community core.

Seward Park (A Finer Neighborhood)
Just south of Mt. Baker, this neighborhood is filled with sites that make Seattle a very livable city. Beautiful Seward Park (originally designed by world-renowned Olmsted Brothers), offers great beaches along Lake Washington and one of the loveliest drives in the city goes right through this neighborhoodLake Washington Boulevard. Homes in this neighborhood can be chic 1950's ramblers to brand new construction with stunning views of water and mountains.  Along 50th there is a community of business that include the PCC, 4 Paws Veterinarian Clinic, restaurants, cafes and more.

Upper Rainier Beach
O.K., I'm letting the word out, this place is amazing! Affordable homes, some of them with amazing views of Lake Washington, which if just a bit further north would be 100's of thousands more in price. A quiet neighborhood with many long time residents who love it. A Seattle homebuyer's surprise.

View Ridge (A Finer Neighborhood)
A small neighborhood located north of NE 65th, east of 40th Avenue NE, and west of Sandpoint Point Way NE. Obviously by the name, View Ridge sports some great views of Mt. Rainier and Lake Washington. In the late 60's, the utility poles and power lines were buried, leaving just neatly-groomed yards and homes, quiet streets and sidewalks. View Ridge is located near the UW, Husky Stadium, University Village, Magnusson Park and Lake Washington.

Wallingford
Bordered by Lake Union and Woodland Park, I-5 and Aurora, Wallingford is known for its tree lined streets, The Guild 45th movie house, a diverse collection of restaurants, shops, book stores and more. In 1956 a local energy plant closed and Wallingford became the first neighborhood in the world to recycle an industrial factory into a public park. Today, people enjoy the grassy hilled Gasworks Park for its views, kite flying, July 4th fireworks and proximity to the Burke-Gilman Trail. Wallingford is a wonderful neighborhood in which to live. Close to most everything and most of what you need is right in the hood.

Wedgwood
Homesteaded in 1900, Wedgwood is mainly a single family residential community. Close to University Village Shopping Center, the Burke-Gilman Trail, the UW and 35th Avenue NE, this neighborhood is known for supporting community-established ventures.