Wedgeview Ridge

A combination of Wedgwood and View Ridge, Wedgeview Ridge encompasses a large area in northeast Seattle, west of Warren Magnuson Park (http://bitly.com/9tQbGM). Almost resembling an upside-down version of Texas, it is hemmed in (roughly) by NE 65th Street on the south, Lake City Way/30th/35th Avenue NE on the west, NE 105th Street on the north, and Sand Point Way NE on the east.

History

The View Ridge community is one of the last founded neighborhoods in Seattle, having been settled in 1936, then annexed into the city around 1942. Wedgwood began to take shape during World War II, with a fair percentage of defense worker housing being constructed. One notable landmark is the P-Patch Community Garden on the western side, Seattle's oldest and largest, established in the 1960s. The Jesuits had planned to relocate their Seattle University campus from First Hill to this community, but the Stock Market Crash of 1929 quickly thwarted any progress.

Demographics and Income

View Ridge - Predominantly white with 61.3% of residents being married. Approximately 26.7% of households have children. The 40s age group is the largest, representing 17.5% of the population (2,447). Another populous age demographic are those over 70, representing 15.6% of the neighborhood. Most males and females are involved with various middle or upper management occupations, boosting incomes well over $100K in some cases, especially with both spouses employed. The median household income in View Ridge far exceeds the Seattle average of $45K. The wealthiest portion is within Sand Point Country Club and to the south. The lowest income families are on the southeast side, closer to Sand Point Way NE.

Wedgwood - Whites, like in View Ridge, have the majority. However, Asians seem to have a larger presence. There are less married couples, with 54.9%. Almost an identical percentage of homes with children, when comparing the neighborhoods. One notable difference between the two, is a younger age representation in Wedgwood, with 19% of its residents in their 30s. The population falls sharply after the 40s age range, with even smaller numbers of seniors. The median age is 38, four years younger than for View Ridge. A much larger representation of males are in management than their female counterparts. The largest incomes are found in the eastern, north-central, and southwestern sectors of the area. Maximum salaries approach $110K, lower than those of View Ridge.

Real Estate

Both neighborhoods continue to experience declining home values. Wedgwood, the more "affordable" neighborhood, has an average housing cost $90K less than View Ridge. Between 70% and 80% of residents, in both neighborhoods, own their homes. Homes in View Ridge are, by average, larger. Homes currently on the market, range in price from $235K to $2 million, with the latter amount represented in eastern View Ridge market. Quiet, residential streets and close proximity to Magnuson Park (http://bitly.com/b742rg) and the University of Washington (http://washington.edu), make these neighborhoods a choice place to settle despite the readings of market values.

Culture

Middle and upper class demographics dominate here, providing that "American Dream" atmosphere within Seattle city limits. However, the large income families and couples will tend to be "at the office" more, stripping energy from the "Dream" by way of availability. A good number of Jewish residents, especially in View Ridge, also sweeten the cultural pot.

Restaurants, Pubs and Coffee Houses

The highly residential nature means certain aspects will suffer. Those certain aspects happen to be public establishments such as restaurants. This is not all bad news, as a short commute to the University District (http://bitly.com/abtiNK), Green Lake (http://bitly.com/cYMKu3) or Wallingford (http://bitly.com/cO972f) enables the joint use of these neighborhoods' large variety of eating establishments. With that said, View Ridge and Wedgwood do offer a few tasty choices. Here are some of the selections... Black Pearl (http://bitly.com/9QGau9) - Chinese cuisine with delivery, I Love Bento (http://bitly.com/cFMvRL) - Inexpensive Japanese cuisine and Seven Season Cuisine (http://7seasseattle.com) - Featuring all the flavors of China with online ordering and delivery. Phayathai Cuisine (http://phayathaiseattle.com) - Family owned Thai restaurant, established in 2007. Thai of Wedgwood (http://thaiofwedgwood) - Thai food without the MSG, Wedgwood Broiler (http://wedgewoodbroiler.com) - Lounge serving up great meat dishes and sandwiches, including breakfast on the weekends. Wedgwood Ale House & Cafe (http://wedgwoodalehouse.com) - 18 draft taps, seasoned burger patties, great Philly Steak sandwiches, and even family dining with a kid-friendly menu. Cafe Javasti (http://javasti.com) - Serving up Batdorf & Broson Coffee, along with Golden Moon teas and an amazing crepe selection. Fiddler's Inn (http://3pubs.com/Fiddler.html) - Delicious pub serving appetizers, soup/salad, sandwiches and unique pizza combinations. Top Pot Doughnuts (http://toppotdoughnuts.com) - A down-to-earth coffee house, featuring their own hand-roasted coffee and in-house, hand-forged doughnut line. Grateful Bread Baking Company & Cafe (http://gratefulbreadbaking.com) - An independent bakery featuring Cafe Vita coffee.

Shopping and other Amenities

A bird's eye view of shopping and other businesses that enhance life in the neighborhood. Highlighting a few, beginning in the north, and working clockwise around the two neighborhoods... Mode Studios (http://modestudios.com) - Featuring Bob Bonniol, a video, lighting and interactive designer with world-wide acclaim. Train of Thought (http://trainofthought.net) - A graphic design, advertising and marketing communications agency. PCC Natural Markets (http://bitly.com/aXfv2j) - Natural foods grocery and more. Seattle Audubon Society (http://seattleaudubon.org/sas) - An organization dedicated to leading a community that values and protects birds and the natural environment.

Schools and Recreation Facilities

Educational institutions and recreational choices are not in short supply. Here is a sampling of schools and a few recreational centers... Sound Circle Center for Art (http://soundcircle.org) - Training of Waldorf teachers and resourcing the Waldorf communities in the Northwest. The World of Meditation Center (http://worldofmeditation.com) - A safe space to become aware of and nurture one's potential, Bob Vivant School of Cooking (http://bon-vivant.com) - Offering demonstration and hands-on classes for a wide range of interests, Our Lady of the Lake School (http://ollseattle.org), View Ridge Swim and Tennis Club (http://vrstc.org) - Large family outdoor swimming and tennis facility, and The Mountaineers (http://mountaineers.org) - An organization offering a wide range of activities like hiking, snowshoeing, climbing, backpacking and more. The Seattle Musical Theatre (http://seattlemusictheater.org), View Ridge Elementary School (http://bitly.com/d5HKJM), Thornton Creek School (http://bitly.com/ani8Rn), Concordia Lutheran School (http://concordialutheranschool.com), Eckstein Middle School (http://ecksteineagles.org) - Fostering a community of life long learners, University Prep (http://universityprep.org) - Outstanding academic programs for grades six through twelve, and Wedgwood Elementary School (http://wedgwoodelementary.org). Two major outdoor spaces to highlight are the Sand Point Country Club (http://sandpointcc.com) and View Ridge Playfield (http://bitly.com/brisO2)- Features basketball, soccer amenities, play area, and water fun for kids.

Medical Facilities

The premier institution, just blocks from the boundary of View Ridge, is Seattle Children's Hospital (http://seattlechildrens.org). Several small health offices are sprinkled throughout the two neighborhoods. Some of these include ONE Integrated Therapies (http://oneintegrated.com) - A single space in which to find multiple means of well-being, Wedgwood Center for Natural Medicine (http://wedgwoodnatural.com) - Provides a wide range of resources for holistic health, My Whole Life (http://mywholelife.net) - Life Coaching services, and Wedgwood Acupuncture & Botanical Medicine (http://wedgwoodacupuncture.com) - Complimentary and alternative health care with excellent holistic healing arts.

Communities for Seniors

The "gray-haired" residents have certainly not been overlooked, with several options for living arrangements. Here are a highlighted few... Viewhaven Homes (http://viewhavenhomes.com) - Senior care with health monitoring, Morningside Residence (http://morningsideadultfamilyhome.com) - Adult family home which provides a safe environment with supervision, and Spada Homes (http://spadahomes.com) - Assisted living care in real homes.

Access

Arterial driving is fairly good, but getting on the interstate can be a slow process for some, especially for residents on the eastern side of View Ridge. Commute times, therefore, can be up to ten minutes longer into downtown. Major streets like NE 65th, NE 75th, 35th Ave NE, Sand Point Way NE and Lake City Way are most efficient for local driving. Cycling these two neighborhoods, especially for work commutes, is a good option, but the rider must beware of very hilly terrain.

Summary

A gigantic residential setting, Wedgeview Ridge (Wedgwood + View Ridge) is a superb place to raise a family, own a home as a grad student, or retire. Close proximity to the University of Washington (http://washington.edu) and Downtown Seattle, geographically at least, enable any resident to quickly show off the well-known urban facets to visiting friends or family. Even though purchasing real estate here may not fit every wallet, the community still has much to offer visitors - especially the ability to offer an uncongested parking spot for Husky football games (http://gohuskies.com).

The Wedgeview Ridge area of Seattle is one of those great areas that is quite, cozy and lovely but also near everything without feeling like it’s in the middle of a madhouse which is how Seattle can feel most of the time. To start with the area has a great shopping area within reach - University Village Shopping Center which has everything a shopper will need without having to go to the busy mall with its overfull parking lots and busy stores.

The area is also close to the University of Washington so a lot of students frequent the Wedgeview Ridge area giving it a vibrant young feel, but again not making it feel like a madhouse of activity. The housing reminds one a little of the old-time Greek row with brick siding on a few and nice lawns, most homes are not occupied with students, but are just affordable homes from couples and families with small children to call home.

There are a good number of restaurants in the area and shops to fit everyone’s needs. The area is one of my favorites in Seattle because of its charm and vibrant feel. The area just feels alive.