North Admiral

Just moved here recently because of the quaintness of the neighborhood. Have found people in the area to be very friendly and welcoming. Access to grocery stores and family run restaurants is terrific. Parking is not great in the area but we don't mind since we live here. Commute into downtown is very manageable. Overall, we are very happy to have moved here.

The public face of West Seattle, with stunning views of the downtown skyline (http://bitly.com/h9PPmC) from its coastline and a resort-like feel around the perimeter. Virtually shaped like an arrowhead, North Admiral has a massive residential area. Hemmed in on the south by SW Charleston Street. The western boundary is 56th Ave SW (more or less).

The main arterials are Admiral Way through the interior, Harbor Avenue and Alki Avenue along the coast and California running north and south through the center. It's along these routes, obviously, that most of the restaurants and businesses operate.

A couple of venues to note are Salty's On Alki (http://saltys.com/seattle), an elegant steak and seafood restaurant with glorious views of the skyline. Just up the coast from Salty's is Alki Kayak Tours (http://kayakalki.com) where you can take classes and go on kayaking tours. If you have enough experience, you can rent a kayak for an unguided experience. Being near the trails and beaches, they also rent out skates, bikes and long boards. The Water Taxi (http://1.usa.gov/eB0IMN) route to downtown Seattle (http://bitly.com/fwXJkP) is nearby too, especially if you want to avoid the West Seattle Bridge (http://bitly.com/bYearn) congestion and let someone else drive.

Superb pubs and dining are found deeper into Admiral, including Admiral Pub (http://admiralpubseattle.com) - In existence for 22 years with superb entertainment and free WiFi, Elliot Bay Brewery & Pub (http://bitly.com/gE8WbS) - Co-owned by Todd Carden and Brent Norton since July 1997, Circa Ale House (http://circawestseattle.com) - A wide variety of drinks and food dishes, Mission (http://missionbar.com) - Latin cuisine and bar with late hours and facility rentals, and Palin Thai Cuisine (http://pailinthai.com) - Boasts of a cozy and exquisite environment, and the Bohemian.

The coffee establishments include Starbucks (http://sbux.co/fPrNgs), Freshy's (http://freshyscoffee.com) - A place ‘more comfortable than your living room’ with ‘garage sale’ like events and even box lunches for large events, and Alki Mail and Dispatch (http://alkimail.com) - The one-stop location for mailing, WiFi, coffee and copies. The latter, a creative meshing of a cafe and mail room. An uncrowded landing area in the back provides a quiet remote office or a relaxing quarters for unrestrained conversation with a good friend. I met a fellow entrepreneur here last year and was completely at ease, mostly from the serene environment and not having to raise our voices over the usual cafe chatter.

Four parks secure the perimeter of North Admiral. On the eastern edge, along the water, is Jack Block Park (http://bitly.com/eAvCWB). An attractive space with a 45 foot high observation tower, play area, pier, and plenty of panorama. To the north is Hamilton Viewpoint Park (http://1.usa.gov/fzd1JA). It's an environment to basque in, taking in the views of the Sound and of downtown. A supreme location for a family picture on a clear day. Directly south is Hiawatha Playfield (http://1.usa.gov/hNC3bZ), where play greens and playgrounds abound. The center for recreational activity in the community. Enforcing the western side, another one of West Seattle's spacious nature preserves, is Schmitz Park (http://1.usa.gov/ifpxPR). Entering the park allows you to quickly forget the urban setting. The old growth trees, large ravine and waterfalls transport you to another dimension. My two boys and I enjoyed scampering along the ravine, occasionally crossing a fallen tree log, and even scaling a steep slope to re-access the main trail.

Just as an old virgin forest can be found here, the neighborhood itself is the oldest in West Seattle. A variety of home styles, architecture, and eras mesh to create a section that Seattle continues to boast in. It's the Magnolia neighborhood (http://bitly.com/cWwQE0) on steroids. The downside, unfortunately, is access. The West Seattle Bridge is a joy to cross during non-peak times. However, when you hit it during the commutes you better have a good tune playing or have that long phone conversation (On your blue tooth headset, of course).

A great community in many respects. This location will continue to earn a soft spot in Seattle's existence.

North Admiral, or as it's known locally, The Admiral District, is a wonderful neighborhood tucked in between the beauty of Alki Beach and the hub of West Seattle, the Alaska Junction. The intersection of California Avenue and Admiral Way is host to great local restaurants, catering to neighborhood regulars. Living in this neighborhood is akin to living in a small town in the 1950s, as sooner or later, you will get to know nearly everyone in the area if you start hanging out at places like Circa or Mission. There is a wonderful theater which hosts movies, music, comedy, a monthly midnight showing of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show (costumes mandatory,) and even an occasional burlesque show. The theater itself is an historic site, which is experiencing a rebirth as of late. The retail environment is quirky, leaning more toward gift/boutique type shops, of which there are plenty of lovable local family-owned businesses. One of the newer additions if Atomic Boys, a retro-themed candy/gift shop, which caters to toys and candy from the 1950s and '60s. The nightlife of the area is well-contained and runs the gamut from the sporty atmosphere of the Admiral Pub, to the classier digs of the aforementioned Mission or Circa. Heading down California toward the Alaska Junction, there are plenty of retail spaces from independent coffee shops to the newest West Seattle addition, Arcane Comics. Let's not forget the Metropolitan Market, host to cheeses, wines, olives, baked goods, and exotic grocery fare from all over the world. If you cannot find it at the "Met", it simply does not exist! Seriously, the place is a gourmet chef's dream come true. Locals often claim proud ownership of the fact that their neighborhood is so self-contained, that there is no need to "cross the bridge" and head out of West Seattle. Perhaps it is the plentiful and stunning views of Seattle's skyline, access to Alki Beach, or the small-town feel of all of West Seattle that is contributing to so many people falling in love with the neighborhoods across said bridge.

If you are looking to move here, there are some slight negatives. Traffic on Admiral can get pretty thick at commute times, and living along Admiral itself can be noisy. Also, as with anywhere else in Seattle, property values are outrageously high. You will be paying close to San Fransisco or New York prices for property.