Genesee

Calling Seattle home is not always easy, because no matter where you live in it, you are still living in a big city with lots of noise and traffic. The Genesse area in West Seattle isn’t immune to that but it tries to maintain a peaceful suburb vibe even when it’s close to all the big city craziness and activity.

The Genesse area is the kind of place you’re going to see gaggle of kids riding their bikes up and down the street, but you’re also going to see couples sitting at outside cafes or a small locally owned restaurant crowded on a Tuesday night. It’s got a vibe; it’s like its own small town with super friendly people and just enough activity to make you not bore easily.

The area has a great outdoor space as well, named after the area Genesse Park is a great place to spend a sunny Seattle day and it’s the place to be on Saturday’s when soccer teams are tearing up the field. Tennis courts and a picnic area make it a great family destination. Genesse is the perfect oasis for families who want to be close to Seattle but still have a suburb vibe.

The neighborhood of Genesee in West Seattle is bordered by 52nd Ave SW on the west side, SW Edmunds St. on the south side, Fauntleroy Way SW and the West Seattle Bridge on the east side, and SW Charleston St. on the north side.

History

Not much is written up on Genesee’s background, but a more broad view of West Seattle’s beginnings is located here http://bitly.com/gP4tFZ.

Demographics and Income

The percentage of homes containing children (28%) shatters the Seattle average of 18.7%. This draws down the average age of the neighborhood to 36. The elderly, in fact, are in the minority in Genesee. Even though Whites are currently the largest racial demographic, a growing number of Hispanic and Asians are not to be overlooked. The wealthier sector, the six-figure salaried families, primarily reside in the area south of Schmitz Park (http://bitly.com/dV6baR) on the western edge. The lower income families are on the south side, in between Fauntleroy Way and California Avenue.

Culture

This part of West Seattle is very residential. The advantage, once again, is being a stone's throw from the hustle and bustle. Also, because of the bridge separation from the industry and heavy South Seattle traffic, residents here enjoy relatively serene conditions.

Real Estate

Spacious accommodations abound, by Seattle standards, in Genesee, with almost 50% of dwellings ranging from 1400 to 2400 sq. ft. Roughly 65% of residents own their homes, most of which are single-family type structures. Home values have dropped, as is the case in almost every Seattle community, but not quite as sharply—unlike the case in Alki (http://bitly.com/dqX2GC).

Local Business Tour (Restaurants, Pubs, Coffee Houses, Shops and other Amenities)

The main hub of activity, as is the case with North Admiral, is along California Avenue SW. Many small businesses and restaurants line this main artery that divides West Seattle in two. The heaviest concentration of business lies south of Genesee St. Here is a running list of a few you can check out while in the area...

Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (http://hotwirecofee.com)- A cute little cafe run by a lady named Lora who has a creative approach to coffee and business. She has a couple of computer on site in case you don't have your laptop. The coffee (7 Roasters - http://7roasters.wordpress.com) is roasted by a good friend of mine. Spring Hill Restaurant & Bar (http://springhillnorthwest.com) - An architecturally creative venue with gourmet cooking. Red Cup Espresso (http://redcupespresso.com) - Great coffee from Roast House and electricity through their roof-installed solar panels. Shoofly Pie Company (http://shooflypiecompany.com) - Family owned bakery with handmade pies and other delicacies. Shadowland (http://shadowlandwest.com)- Dinner spot and night club with live music. Brunch is even served here on the weekends. Azuma Sushi (http://azumasushiseattle.com) - Great Japanese cuisine. Maharaja West Seattle (http://maharajawestseattle.com) - Top rated Indian Cuisine that's open late. Cupcake Royale (http://cupcakeroyale.com) - Tasty cupcakes and coffee. My wife and I really like this place. Easy Street Records (http://easystreetonline.com) - An amazing record store, coffee shop and diner all in one!

Some other places to check out within Genesee include West Seattle Bowl (http://westseattlebowl.com) near SW Oregon St. and Fauntleroy Way. Charlestown Street Cafe (http://charlestownchowder.com), at SW Charleston St. and California Ave, features tasty New England Clam Chowder. Seattle Fish Company (http://seattlefishcompany.com) bring fresh wild fish direct to your door. Coffee to a Tea (http://sugarrushbakingcompany.com) is a full feature coffee bar and bakery. Edie’s (http://ediesshoes.com) carries quality shoes for men and women. Curious Kidstuff (http://curiouskidstuff.com) carries non-violent toys, books, music art and other treasures.

Schools

Education and Genesee have a good relationship. This is confirmed by the presence of several quality schools: Tilden School (http://tildenschool.org) - Individualized K-5 education with a stimulating, nurturing atmosphere for experimentation; West Seattle Christian Preschool (http://bitly.com/esLLfL) - A non-discriminatory educational environment for three and four year olds; West Side Music Academy (http://westsidemusicacademy.com) - Offering a variety of private instrumental and vocal lessons; Kumon (http://kumon.com) - An after-school math and reading enrichment program; Seattle Lutheran High School (http://seattlelutheran.org) - Student-centered learning environment that empowers individuals to make and implement choices that reflect ther highest calling; Holy Rosary School (http://holyrosaryws.org) - West Seattle’s oldest Catholic school; and Pathfinder K-8 School (http://bitly.com/eOA43f) - Focusing on expeditionary learning, integrating outdoor education and field work.

Recreation

Regarding outdoor recreation, Genesee is a bit limited compared to her West Seattle counterparts. However, with that said, Ercolini Park (http://bitly.com/g0hpyn) had a total makeover a couple of years ago and boasts a great play area for kids. The West Seattle Recreation Center (http://bitly.com/gKpb5p) is just to the east, featuring a golf course (http://premiergc.com/west-seattle.php) and in-city camping (http://bitly.com/fadFa0). Mountain Madness (http://mountainmadness.com) - Organizing expeditions to various climbing locations, near and far.

Medical and Wellness Facilities

Stay on California Avenue, when it comes to health care, and all is well. The reason why? Look here: Sound Associates Hearing Aid Centers (http://seattlehearingaid.com) - Active in local community services to educate on hear loss and helping people discover the right hearing aids since 1958; West Seattle Physical Therapy (http://therapeuticassociates.com) - A physical therapist-owned and operated partnership of clinics; West Seattle Foot & Ankle Clinic (http://wsfac.net) - Highest degree of foot and ankle care, treating patients as a whole since 1979; West Seattle Dental Center (http://westseattledentalcenter.com) - Skilled at treating patients from all dental backgrounds, toward improved dental health; and Smiles by Bond (http://smilesbybond.com) - Offering 21 years experience with cosmetic surgery, implant dentistry, family dentistry and more.

Spiritual Centers and Churches

One thing Genesee is not devoid of are choices for spiritual nourishment. Most spiritual centers are within a couple of blocks of California Avenue. Here is a list: West Side Presbyterian Church (http://wspc.org) - A church that powerfully seeks to build community among its diverse congregation; Tibbetts United Methodist Church (http://tibbettsumchurch.org) - A non-threatening environment, brimming over with diversity and holding the promise of spiritual renewal; First Lutheran Church of West Seattle (http://flcws.org) - Led by Reverend Ronald F. Marshall (http://flcws.org/Pastor.htm) and part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; West Seattle Baptist Church (http://wsbc.qwestoffice.net) - Boasting a near 100 year history, but more passionate about the future of its impact; West Seattle Christian Church (http://westseattlechristian.org) - 3 part philosophy: Engage yourself, engage others and engage the world; Calvary Chapel West Seattle (http://calvarychapelwestseattle.com) - Started in 1995 by a few who wanted a Bible teaching evangelistic church in West Seattle; and Skate Church (http://theskatechurch.net) - A youth group ministry affiliated with the adult counterpart: The Journey of Faith (http://bitly.com/fubtUO).

Transportation Access and Tips

If the West Seattle Bridge always remained congestion-free, then commuting to/from Genesee would be quick and painless. Setting aside the Utopia—morning and afternoon commutes can be downright brutal. The neighborhood lies far enough north, that heading south to access 509 and 99 is counter-productive. It is best to bring that audio book or tune in to that favorite radio station, because bumper-to-bumper traffic is commonplace for anyone seeking to reach downtown Seattle. Local exploring, within West Seattle, can be a different story. Arterial streets such as Fauntleroy, 35th Avenue, and California Avenue allow the major destinations to be reached. An easy-to-navigate grid of side streets bring short-term relief to escape higher volume traffic in the morning and late afternoon.

Summary

As mentioned earlier, the residential aspect shines here. I can attest to this, having friends in the northern part of Genesee. It was a treat to experience their quiet setting, with quick access to amenities along the main arterial streets. Weekend warriors shall find plenty to do without heading back into the city. Great restaurants and pubs, open late, serve to keep locals and visitors content for years to come.