Greenwood Ave North, Broadview Bitter Lake

Two of my closest friends have lived for almost a decade on Greenwood near the Holman Rd cut-off, where their only complaint is rush-hour road noise. The recent resurfacing has helped ease a bit of the congestion and has added a boulevard-like median planted with leafy trees.

It's amazingly easy to get around from there, whether grabbing some great food around 85th and up on Phinney Ridge, or skipping over to Northgate for some shopping, or down to Ballard for fun. It looks like parking would be tight, but I've never had a problem finding a spot.

My grandmother used to live a little further north, in one of the several retirement facilities available. She very much enjoyed the easy access to city amenities while being just a little off the main traffic lines.

An added bonus: both my friends and my grandmother love the view of the Sound, available even from some second-story apartments.