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South Delridge is not one of those neighborhoods where you’re going to boost about your views, amenities or the fact that you have more Starbucks in your area than any other area of Seattle. No South Delridge is an industrial area with homes scattered in between cabinet makers and granite counter top businesses. However the area is not without its attractions – one of them being that the housing is pretty affordable and ranges from single family homes to condos to apartment buildings ranging in luxury and expense.

Because the area is industrial in nature not a lot of restaurants and boutiques call the area home so residence do have to travel out of their neighborhoods in order to go out to dinner or shop for a needed pair of jeans.

The best thing about the area is that it’s an affordable, clean, safe place to live in Seattle and that is what most people in the area want – a nice place to live that’s affordable. That being said this is a nice area to start your Seattle living experience in, it might not be the fanciest but it is in Seattle.

Everyone wants to live in the forest, well everyone who lives in the Northwest anyway – ok a lot of us who live in the Northwest want to live in the forest and also have the perks of living in a city. North Delridge is one of these neighborhoods – it’s a residential area that feels like an outdoors experience. The housing ranges from small bungalows to condos to nice apartment buildings. The area boosts the Seattle Golf Course and Camp Long which is the go-to place for all those outdoorsy Northwest people. If fact Camp Long even has cabins in it that you can rent. The area also has an impressive artificial climbing rock called Schuman Rock where you can often find climbers perfecting their skills.

The North Delridge area of Seattle isn’t a one-stop shopping areas where everything you may ever need converges in one spot. In order to get necessities like groceries or your shopping fix you will have to venture over to one of the bordering areas.

West Quenn Anne is a liviler section of Queen Anne with great resturants and nightspots. Known as the area that everyone visits for good food and entertainment, but make a reservation because otherwise you’ll be waiting for a table at most of the hotspots because of their popularity.

This area of Queen Anne is defiantly more of a neighborhood than the other sections of Queen Anne, more greeniery is in the area and there are more small parks and greenbelts in the area, but watch out for dog droppings in some of these greener parts of West Queen Anne.

All-in-all this area is perfect for young couples. It has a great nightlife, but also has a nice residential feel. The area has a lot of eateries and shopping but it’s not overwhelmed with them. But most importantly the area has some great views of the city, Lake Union and the Olympic Mountains.

Queen Anne is one of the largest areas in Seattle broken into directional sections of North, South, East and West. The north Queen Anne section is unlike its other points. This area of Queen Anne isn’t known for its shops with mostly cleaners and like businesses in the north area.

Two of the best bars in my opinion are The Dubliner on Fremont Ave N and Nickerson Street Saloon on interestingly enough Nickerson Street. Although not the most happening places in the area they have great drinks and aren’t so hip you feeling like your undressed when you visit them. North Queen Anne also has one of the best taco shops called Melena’s which is a small, mostly take out restaurant that serves some of the best tacos in Seattle. It’s worth the trip to area just for one.

The housing market in the area is all over the place with the dwellings currently available being condos and apartments. The pricing is all over the place with some homes starting in the $250,000 range and others over $900,000 thousand. The cheaper homes are defiantly serious fixer uppers or units taken in foreclosure.

If you’re looking for a neighborhood that has charm, diversity than Madrona is the neighborhood you want to live in. This Seattle neighborhood is full of charm and has a small down feel, as if you are not in a burrow of a large metropolitan city but as if you are in a small town.

Union and Cherry street are the main roads in Madrona with Leschi just a short distant away giving the area a lot of avenues for exploration outside of its confines. Lining Madrona’s streets are tons of shops which a variety of themes, it’s more like a wharf town when you walk down the Avenue, with small bookstores, cafes and clothing boutiques that tempt a person to linger in the area.

I-90 is accessible from the area and a few area parks allow for hiking and picnics with Lake Washington view to keep you company on your outing. All-in-all the area is more like a small town than a small neighborhood in Seattle.

There’s nowhere in Seattle that is as nice, as fancy or as desired as the North Beach Blue Ridge area in Seattle. One of the perks of living in the area is not only the atmosphere, but the sheer beauty of the views. You’re not going to be disturbed in the area but cars driving too fast or radios blaring from car stereos as they drive by, instead you’re just greeted with the sounds of peaceful streets and a quiet atmosphere.

But it’s just not the homeowners that have amazing views; North Beach Blue Ridge is home to a pedestrian park called Carkeek Park which boosts 216-acres of hiking trails, picnic areas and play areas for kids of all ages. It also has a great sandy beach for those rare warm beach bathing days. The park also is home to an environmental center that holds a variety of program activities.

The North Beach Blue Ridge area is a wonderful place to call home but paradise does have its drawbacks. Because it’s so secluded homeowners have to drive fairly fare to run errands and the eateries are not plentiful in the area so venturing out is recommended for those dinners out.

Not a lot of areas in Seattle feel like their own little world like Montlake does, one of the nicest areas in Seattle it’s not a place that everyone can afford, but the ones that can are treated to pristine streets with trees lining the roads, great small cafes that sell sandwiches and soups or more exotic fares. The area is also the home of MOHAI (Museum of History & Industry) which is rich in Seattle history and on the verge of closing it[s doors if funding doesn’t come through.

The Seattle Yacht Club is also located in the Montlake area, one of the nicest moorage areas in Seattle the Yacht Club has a great dining areas for a quick, although not affordable, lunch or dinner. Because of the proximity of the University of Washington the Montlake area can get really crowded on game day making it a difficult place to live if you want to make a quick trip to the store.

Traffic or not the area is still one of the more desirable areas in Seattle to live.

The greatest thing about the Olympia Hills | Victory Heights area in Seattle is that everything you could ever need is in the area so you don’t have to drive all around the city just to run errands. More than four grocery stores are in the area including two QFC’s, a super Fred Meyers and a Safeway. The housing prices vary to affordable to expensive depending on the area you’re looking to buy in. A lot of apartment buildings in the area have been converted to condos so the market its filled with people who have purchased their first homes which helps to make the area pretty diverse and vibrant.

Parts of the Olympia Hills | Victory Heights area can be slightly sketchy and there tends to be a lot of police presences in certain areas especially near small parks or streets with several apartment buildings but other than load radios and teenagers driving just a little too fast down some side streets the area is a great place to call home. It’s also brimming with a nice selection of restaurants and small shops so it’s an area that truly has everything.

North Beacon Hill is another section of the larger Beacon Hill area. It’s one of many municipal government subdivides of affordable housing. Even though the area is a little off the beaten path from downtown Seattle and other hot shots of the area it is a pretty nice place to call home. Small bungalow type houses line the streets in the area; although small the homes are perfect for small families and people looking to move into smaller homes once their children fly the coop.

Because North Beacon Hill is far from downtown a lot of eateries are in the area with a good deal of Asian restaurants to choice from as well as hamburger joints and other ethnic flared restaurants.
The area doesn’t have a lot of clubs or night spots so you’ll have to travel elsewhere for evening entertainment, but the area does have a great community feel and is perfect to raise families at.

North Beacon Hill is another section of the larger Beacon Hill area. It’s one of many municipal government subdivides of affordable housing. Even though the area is a little off the beaten path from downtown Seattle and other hot shots of the area it is a pretty nice place to call home. Small bungalow type houses line the streets in the area; although small the homes are perfect for small families and people looking to move into smaller homes once their children fly the coop.

Because North Beacon Hill is far from downtown a lot of eateries are in the area with a good deal of Asian restaurants to choice from as well as hamburger joints and other ethnic flared restaurants.
The area doesn’t have a lot of clubs or night spots so you’ll have to travel elsewhere for evening entertainment, but the area does have a great community feel and is perfect to raise families at.

Beacon Hill is a pretty large neighborhood in Seattle that is split up into North and South it’s a diverse area that is a great place to live when you want the full Seattle experience. The neighborhood is a virtual melting pot of different races and a person can find a variety or shops and restaurants that cater to all the different tastes in the area.

Thai Palms is a great way to spend a lunch time but it can get really crowded so go there if you have time to wait for a table; you won’t be disappointed if you do. Other ethnic cuisine is found in the area as well. The housing marketing isn’t very expensive and the neighborhoods can be hit and miss, but tend to reflect a sense of pride the community takes in their little part of Seattle. The Light Rail is big in the area with a really clean and impressive system running through the neighborhood. The neighborhood is really growing and is a great way to get into the Seattle homeowners market.

Beacon Hill is a pretty large neighborhood in Seattle that is split up into North and South it’s a diverse area that is a great place to live when you want the full Seattle experience. The neighborhood is a virtual melting pot of different races and a person can find a variety or shops and restaurants that cater to all the different tastes in the area.

Thai Palms is a great way to spend a lunch time but it can get really crowded so go there if you have time to wait for a table; you won’t be disappointed if you do. Other ethnic cuisine is found in the area as well. The housing marketing isn’t very expensive and the neighborhoods can be hit and miss, but tend to reflect a sense of pride the community takes in their little part of Seattle. The Light Rail is big in the area with a really clean and impressive system running through the neighborhood. The neighborhood is really growing and is a great way to get into the Seattle homeowners market.

Not many places can truly be said to live up to its name like Sunset Hill lives up to its name. If you just visit in the daylight hours you miss out on the amazing sunsets that the residences of the area get to call their own. The views aren’t bad either with some impressing views of the Puget Sound.
The housing marketing is higher than some areas but that just means that the neighborhoods are established with families and commuter looking for a residential feel in a big city. Downtown Seattle is really close so entertainment and food options are many once you leave the Sunset Hill area that is.

Sunset Hill Park is a must visit. It’s got all the beauty of the area without having to navigate the streets or sit in someone’s yard to admire the sunset or views of the sound. It’s got plenty of benches for sitting and reading and most mornings you can find a jogger or two in the park.

Depending on the time of day Whittier Heights can be quite and serene or busy and crowded, but either busy or slow it’s a great neighborhood in Seattle that provides ample opportunities for recreation and play. Loyal Heights Playground is usually bursting with moms with their little ones and even thought it’s not an elaborate play area it’s clean and has enough equipment so that a playground brawl doesn’t break out over the swings.

Because the traffic can be unbearable at times not a lot of front yard dwellers are in the area, but the houses are all well kept and the noise of a busy street isn’t causing a lot of for-sale signs to pop up in yards. This area is really close to the Ballard neighborhood so a lot of eateries and shops are close by, but the Whittier Heights Neighborhood isn’t without its restaurants, the Original Pancake House is in the area and it’s always a great place to stop by on a weekend morning. If you’re in the mood for a little more of a flair in your meal try Kasbah Authentic Moroccan Restaurant which is the best Moroccan food in all of Seattle.

Depending on the time of day Whittier Heights can be quite and serene or busy and crowded, but either busy or slow it’s a great neighborhood in Seattle that provides ample opportunities for recreation and play. Loyal Heights Playground is usually bursting with moms with their little ones and even thought it’s not an elaborate play area it’s clean and has enough equipment so that a playground brawl doesn’t break out over the swings.

Because the traffic can be unbearable at times not a lot of front yard dwellers are in the area, but the houses are all well kept and the noise of a busy street isn’t causing a lot of for-sale signs to pop up in yards. This area is really close to the Ballard neighborhood so a lot of eateries and shops are close by, but the Whittier Heights Neighborhood isn’t without its restaurants, the Original Pancake House is in the area and it’s always a great place to stop by on a weekend morning. If you’re in the mood for a little more of a flair in your meal try Kasbah Authentic Moroccan Restaurant which is the best Moroccan food in all of Seattle.

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.

The first notice thing about this area I noticed was the traffic and having to weave through it all to get anywhere. The next thing I noticed is that the area is all the construction of condo buildings most of them started before the real estate market crashed. There is a lot of construction in various stages of development. The area also has a lot of apartments, some really nice with rec rooms and club houses and others that are just average is size, look and price. The area isn’t the nicest in Seattle, but it’s not the worst either.

The “town” part of South Park reminds me of the towns throughout Ireland; they’re colorfully painted and make the area look more like a village then a random street in Seattle, which alone gives the area a unique feel, like they aren’t about being a “Seattle” neighborhood, but just a community of their own.

Food is easy to find, but not one eatery really stood out against the rest of them. It’s a great area that is starting to flourish with its uniqueness.

The Laurelhurst area is even more upscale and has a much higher priced housing market; it’s also rumored to be the home of many stars and one cartoonist. There’s a great Beach Club names after the area and a park that has an amazing water view and it perfect for a day of reading in the sun.

For families with small children Laurelhurst Elementary School as well as a private grade school called Villa Academy. The area also boasts a Midwife school. The Community center is one of the biggest draws in the area with activities and programs going on all the time which makes this neighborhood much more a community that knows each other than most Seattle neighborhoods.

Living in the Laurelhurst area of Seattle isn’t for everyone because of the housing prices, but it’s a great area to visit if you just want to check out the scenery and dream.

As a former military brat the Sand Point neighborhood in Seattle is a place after my own heart – as the former home of a Naval Air base. The area itself is another suburb based on the shore of Lake Washington and is therefore has a slightly elevated real estate market with homes being priced out of the average Seattleite’s budget.

Even with this neighborhood being a little off the beating path of Seattle’s more vibrant areas where restaurants and bars are on every corner or block, the Sand Point area is relatively close to Lake City, which isn’t as hip as downtown Seattle, but it does offer up a lot of places to dine and get all your basic life needs met.

Besides the Lake Washington views and the expensive homes the area doesn’t really offer a lot of nightlife options, it’s defiantly an area for the more low-key Seattle resident, one that likes to have quite after 1opm, enjoy their views and all their hard work.

There are a lot of neighborhoods that line Lake Washington but the Harrison | Denny Blaine area of Seattle is probably the one considered the most affluent. This high-end area of Seattle boost some of the loveliest homes in the Seattle area and is a sought after place to live if you can afford the hefty housing market price tags.

The area is also where a memorial to the late Kurt Cobain is located as this was the place where he died in 1994. Other than that sad part of history the area is pretty tranquil and doesn’t have a lot of that normal Seattle gridlock, just a quite area where kids ride bikes and the neighborhood is clean and mostly crime free.

A two acre park named after the area – Denny-Blaine Park is modest, but frequented park for the beach access where a great volley-ball pit & picnic area lives. It’s a great spot to have a summer BBQ.

The area has some nice restaurants, but not a lot that causes an increase of traffic to the area. All-in-all it’s a great place to raise a family but not for people looking to have nights on the town within walking distance of their homes.

Portarage Bay is a little out of the way even by Seattle terms. Totally out of the way and with not a lot of Seattle-like stuff to do Portarage Bay is a great place to live if you want to have great seaside views and none of the Seattle craziness.

Housing is not cheap in the area but the neighborhoods are nice, well maintained and not quite cookie cut outs of each other, but some of the neighborhoods seem like they were done as a huge development where you just got to pick your color and landscape patterns. Because the area is away for it all, families can flourish here because the city crime and hostility doesn’t bleed over into the area.

However, being so secluded does have its disadvantages because you have to drive a fairly long distance to find decent restaurants and shopping outlets. A few restaurants are in the area, but they tend to be more convention food than a great sit down restaurant aimed at families and people wanting a nice night out.

You can never beat an area in Seattle that has an ocean view. A lot of the city has them, or is close to them or is in driving distance of one, but the Seaview Area actually lives up to its name of having the Seattle Ocean view.

The area is in several stages of development with condo buildings in different stages of construction, but no new ones have popped up recently and the construction isn’t distracting or causing the area to lose its charm.

Seaview has a great boatyard named after the area that handles all types of repairs. The neighborhood is relatively quiet even with some of the ongoing construction and it tends to be a low key area with kind of a beach town feel, the community is friendly and accommodating and it seemed that everyone knew at least every other person that passed them on the street. Over all it’s a sleep-kind of small town feel that seems more like a fishing village then a neighborhood in Seattle

There’s really no place in Seattle that truly feels like Seattle seems in the movies than North Admiral. This neighborhood is the home of Alki Beach with its amazing coastline, great eateries and stunning views. On a sunny Seattle day you can take an Alki Kayak Tours and explore the waterways and then eat at Salties or Admiral’s Pub, Circa or even Mission.

But Alki isn’t the only attraction of the area, the homes in the area range in price and can be affordable bungalows to sprawling mason but it seems that almost every price range is represented in the area.

North Admiral has some great grocery stores like Metropolitan Market with its great wine selections and organic treats. Safeway and QFC also are in or close to the area. The traffic in the neighborhood can often be a bear and it’s recommended that one plan extra time in their day to travel around the area. Parking isn’t really great when venturing out to eat either so it’s defiantly a place to live if time isn’t a huge concern of yours.

Mann is a pretty croweded area of Seattle with a lot of small modest homes, apartments and some condo buildings. Considered part of central Seattle the Mann area is close to everything but doesn’t really have a lot of stand out resturants and or businesses in the area.

The neighboorhood area is fairly quiet and there seem to be a lot of one income homes with a lot of single mothers. The age in the area is fairly young, but even that doesn’t seem to draw a big night life scene to the district. The area has a fairly decent transit system with the buses being enough to get a person here to there without much of a wait in between buses, but not so many that traffic is a nightmare.

The activities on a rainy Sunday afternoon were slow paced. Mann High School is in the area and a few eatiers like Assimba Ethiopian Cuisine, Crush and CC Burgers can makea visit to Seattle district of Mann enjoyable.

There’s not many places in Seattle that seem truly kid friendly, but the Fairmount Park area in Seattle is as about as close as possible to the perfect place to raise a family. The area is filled with homes of small to medium size, condos in various sizes and prices and pretty decent apartment buildings that also won’t cost a paycheck or two to rent.

The homes are perfect for small families just starting out or for couples wanting to downgrade when their grown children go away to college. The best thing about the area is the fact that Fairmount Park, West Seattle Recreation Center. Although nothing is truly perfect the elementary school in the area is a waste land so children will have to be go elsewhere for education.

Since Fairmount Park is part of the West Seattle area there are a lot of grocery stores and retail stores in every direction so there is no need to venture to far from the area in order to dine or buy a new pair of socks.

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.

In order to call Interbay home you have to be a person who doesn’t mind noise because in order to live in Interbay, you have to enjoy hearing the trains. Because of the heavy train traffic, Interbay is a noisy place to call home and the trains don’t abide by a 10pm quiet time. The area is fairly industrial because of the trains and so it’s not a lot to look at when you travel through.

Like most Seattle neighborhoods the place has its uses, once marshland it’s now a place where commerce thrives by the way of the rail. However, unlike most industrial areas Interbay have many neighborhoods with homes that are modestly prices and well kept up. The area is pretty hilly, and you need to watch out for the occasional kind on a skateboard taking advantage of the steep inclines, but the area is a good place to call home, especially if you’re not put off by the noise from the railroad tracks.

The great thing about Seattle is that it has a mix of everything in every area. Some areas have more homes than other, some or more restaurant and storefront heavy. The Roxhill area of Seattle is a little bit of both with homes, apartments and condos as well as a great shopping center – Westwood Village – where you can get your shopping needs met and not have to venture outside of the area to hunt up that treasure you’ve been seeking. Jamba Juice is the place I visit when in the area and a lot of other mall-type fare is in this shopping village. Parking is not that great so plan to hike it from your car to the store you’re hoping to visit.

Not all the homes and apartments are topnotch but that helps make them affordable and accessible to all Seattle residence, helping to make the neighborhood a nice place to call home. It’s a great place to live in Seattle especially if you have small children because Roxhill Elementary is a great school that looks new and boost good class size. All-in-all Roxhill is a good place to hang your hat.

The Riverview area is a neighborhood with amazing open spaced that is the home to Puget Park, Riverview Playfield and South Seattle Community College. The neighborhood is mostly residential with homes that are well out of most people’s price range. The great thing about the area is that it is filled with children’s laughter as they play and ride their bikes; it has a really great community feel, like they’ll be setting up the neighborhood block party any minute.

Puget Park is a 158 acreage hot spot and is part of the West Duwamish Greenbelt. The biggest greenbelt in Seattle a lot of small four-legged animals call it home as well as bald eagles and hawks. It’s a great place for bird watching and enjoying nature in a city setting.

One of the most frequented establishments in the area, however, is South Seattle Community College which is one of the many braches of Seattle’s two-year accredited colleges it’s a popular destination for people wanting to transfer to a four-year school or to just obtain a two-year degree.
The Riverview area is a great area to raise a family in, it’s safe and has a greenbelt, what more could a person ask for in a place to live?

Considered the Yesler Terrace area the lower income area of Seattle, harsh to say but this area is not a neighborhood drenched in high quality housing and safe spaces. Originally an area build in 1939 as a subsidized housing development so people of all economic levels could afford housing the area has had no growth and is more known for its 911 calls than its community spirit. However, don’t count this neighborhood out it has a great community center where people can gather for community events as well as classes.

Other than the community center the area doesn’t have a lot to do it, but the transit system that runs through the area is great and can get you anywhere in Seattle. The restaurants are few and far between but they do have some great eateries that mostly have an Asian flare. Seattle University is adjacent to the Yesler Terrace area but most of the students from Seattle U don’t live in the Yesler Terrace area. Harbor View Medical center calls this area home as well.

The Yesler Terrace area is staging itself for a comeback with a neighborhood council that is proposing to redo the area and bring the subsidized housing up in the ranks of valued properties. It’s not the place to live now, but if the council succeeds it one day will be.

You drive around the High Point neighborhood and Seattle and you don’t really notice that it’s a neighborhood as it blends in with the surrounding areas. Lots of condos and townhomes are mixed in with older World War style homes. The standard mixture of apartments and cars parked along the street don’t help to distinguish the area for any other residential area in Seattle.

Being that it’s named because it’s the highest point in the Seattle area doesn’t give the neighborhood any other allure. It’s sure to have snow when Mother Nature decides to drop some on the area. It’s a great place for families especially since the housing prices are really affordable and that the Seattle Council has decided to take an interest in redeveloping the area. It’s got a few restaurants and coffee shops in the area but it’s really not a nightlife destination. It’s not the place to live if you feel like you need adventure and easy to access clubs and eateries but it’s a great neighborhood to raise kids in.

Proximity is key when living in Seattle. The city is a busy place so you want to be able to venture out, get stuff done and then get home in a reasonable amount of time. Licton Springs is that place. It’s by everything and still has a neighborhood charm.

On one side you have the Northgate area which host the Northgate Mall and all it’[s shops and restaurants. Then on another side you have Aurora Avenue or Highway 99 whichever its preferred name is. This Avenue also contains shops, chain stores and restaurants, more than anyone person would need.

But the area isn’t just some spot you cross through to get to Northgate or to Aurora Ave. Licton Springs is also known for being a natural spring which in itself is pretty cool. The area is also the home to North Seattle Community College which is a popular 2-year school with an impressive extended learn program. The houses in the Licton Spring area are nice and semi-affordable for Seattle and with its nearness to Northgate and Aurora it’s not a bad place to call home.

Sadly most people visit Minor area of Seattle because they are either in or visiting someone who is at the Swedish Medical Center. The main destination of the area is either the hospital or the Seattle University Campus. Because of these two businesses there are more than enough coffee shops and restaurants to go around and to keep anyone busy while they are in the area.

It’s not an area with much to look at thought, no really great parks are in the neighborhood and the coffee shops are a mixture of locally owned haunts and chains like Starbucks, Tully’s and Seattle’s Best. You’ll always find parking when in the area, but it’ll cost you and there is a lot of pedestrian traffic because of the hospital and school. Traffic is a nightmare in the area no matter what the time so save ample time when you head to this neighborhood because it’ll take you good 15-minutes longer than you though it would.

There is a time for everything. Rainier’s Beach time is here. The area is still known for its crummy past but with such a long stretch of shoreline that helps to increase the value of waterfront property.

The area has one of the new light rail stations which connect the area to downtown so the neighborhood is booming for those commuters who don’t want to take an hour or more to get home at night. But the real draw of the area is the Kubota Gardens. Walking into this stunning public garden is like walking into another world and you forget that the area is still sadly known for past violence. The gardens take up about 20 acres and the landscaped grounds host waterfalls, a great planet variety, streams and ponds. The gardens are the best part of the area and are a must visit destination when in the area.

One of the advantages of living in Seattle is that most anywhere you go you can see water, which is why it’s known as a port city. The Steven’s area is one of the areas that sees no water, but doesn’t lack the charm of a Seattle neighborhood; its charm is why it’s such a great place to visits. Who needs water when you have restaurants galore and funky and fun shops?

Coastal Kitchen is a must when you are in the Steven’s area. Known for fish this restaurant has a home kitchen feel with its old tables and friendly wait staff, the food is to die for and the service is the best. It blows away any of the other area restaurants.

Interlaken Park is a must when in the area, it’s over 51 acres of wooded area it’s a little piece of wilderness in Steven’s backyard. It’s not much of a place to have a picnic or to play catch with the dog, but there are great hiking and biking trails for those people in the city who want to get away without getting away.

Highland Park is considered a middle class neighborhood. The biggest draw to the area is Westcrest Park, which is especially great if you happen to be a dog owner as the park has a huge off-leash area. The area offers about four acres of green grass with paths and open spaces with a great view of the wonderfully spectacular Seattle skyline which you can enjoy as your dog takes a drink for the dog drinking fountain. There are plenty of trees in the park and the time spent there can be relaxing since no sporting facilities are on ground. There’s also a smaller park, more of a playground named after the area. Highland Park Playground has some great picnic tables a wading pool and a pretty cool children play area.

There is plenty of shopping in the area with a Starbucks, Tully’s, QFC, Safeway and a Barnes and Noble all chain stores are represented. It might be considered a middle class neighborhood but it’s also one of the cleanest neighborhoods I’ve visited lately.

The store of Seattle is simple. It’s built on sand and its harbors are somewhat manufactured so as to take away the booming cargo business from Tacoma. This is one of the reasons people dread earthquakes because nothing here is built on solid ground. Harbor Island has the same history as it’s an island completely manmade. Stretching 400 acres it’s not the biggest island in the area and it’s not the liveliest either. In fact no one lives there the only people who visit are there to work on unloading cargo ships. Several shipyards are located on the island, Todd Pacific Shipyards and the Port of Seattle terminals.

Harbor Island isn’t alone in its manmade-ness the much frequented sports stadiums Safeco Field and Qwest Field now sit on land that was built up the same time Harbor Island was. A favorite for Seattle based fishermen the island is a hot bed for crabbing.

Fauntleroy is somewhere I’d live in a heartbeat, if I could afford it. It’s quiet, near downtown and has awesome views of both Vashon and Bainbridge Island. In fact the Vashon Ferry terminal is in this area so if you want to visit the Island it’s where you go to get there. It’s like sitting in the cheap seats and seeing the show better than the high-paid tickets. Not that homes in the area or cheap, they will cost a pretty penny but the location is totally worth the cost. This area of Seattle is also really close to West Seattle so you’ll never be at a loss for stuff to do because West Seattle is packed with stores and shops and restaurants.

The area has an impressive YMCA and provides one of the entrances to Lincoln Park which is a great open spaced park, which provides trails and hiking for those wanting a little exercise. This area is the perfect place to have a family and is near enough to downtown to make life full of activity and peace.

Lake City has some junky parts, where you drive down a street and you’re not sure if the business is condemned or just closed, but that’s just a small part of this fairly big area and when you wonder into the Cedar Park and/or the Meadowbrook Head part of Lake City you realize that there is more to this area than originally meets the eyes. The area seems like it’s off the beaten-path, like the city and all its distractions hasn’t yet touched it.

The Meadowbrook area circles a pretty big open space which hosts an amazing community center which allows the residence to enjoy activities and classes – a place that helps build community. The area is chain-store free and has some great little eateries, but for a fancy sit-down dinner you’ll need to venture out of the area. Cedar Park that adjoins Lake Washington a lot of single family homes are in the area, if you head over onto 145th Avenue NE you’ll be able to find some restaurants and stores and but it’s like Meadowbrook – quiet and off the traveled path.

Be careful in these areas though, even with all the main roads and close proximity to the freeway it is very easy to get lost in the area because it lacks noticeable landmarks.

The Atlantic neighborhood in Seattle is one of those areas that are sandwiched between more happening areas like Beacon Hill and Mt. Baker Ridge. The area is full on residential with modest old homes. It’s one of the more diverse areas in Seattle and it boasts a large number of Asian Cuisine themed restaurants. The area is close to I-90 so the traffic noise is sometimes unbearable. Mixed in with a lot of the homes you’ll find small businesses like daycares and small non-profits that have taken residence in homes. It’s not rare to see a house next to a house converted into a business and then another residential house. It makes the area feel more community-friendly, like the businesses are really part of the area not just some chain store in a strip mall.

There’s a great park called Judkins Park in the area which has a soccer field, two baseball fields, and a playground it’s the perfect epicenter for the area and is often full of people playing on a sports team or just hanging out with the family.

It’s an eyesore with all the cranes and metal container – barges and trains are always in the area loading and unloading cargo to take it to and from the city. The landscape is that of tracks and steel, it’s where all the bad guys go in the movies. However, without this area of Seattle we wouldn’t be Seattle.

The area isn’t void of life, and the people who go there daily to work aren’t the only people who frequent the area. Some apartment buildings are in the area and a restaurant or two have cropped up. Some artists use some of the warehouse spaces as studios and the vibe isn’t just commerce.
It’s not the cleanest part of Seattle and it’s not for those people who like peace and quiet, to live here is to live surround by nose which sounds like a construction site on overdrive. But it’s a thriving area that helps make Seattle a thriving city.

I ended up here by accident, trying for another destination and getting terribly lost in the process, but it was worth it because this area hosts some of the nicest people who got me un-lost and back to exploring the city.

The one thing everyone knows or should know about the Haller Lake area is that it’s named after a lake which adds nicely to the scenery of the neighborhood. Public access to the lake is tricky and you may need a detective or a search and rescue dog with you in order to actually find it but your detective work will be all worth it when you find what you’re looking for. The surrounding park with its trees and trails is a great way to spend some time and the off leash area makes walking your dog a little more enjoyable.

A small residential area is nestled in the Haller Lake neighborhood and local eateries and small shops are shattered here and there for a person’s buying pleasure. It’s a great place to end up when you get lost, kind of a surprising destination that was worth the blindfold.

When you think of Seattle you think thriving nightlife, exciting action and the movie Singles, but Broadview Bitter Lake is none of those assumptions – it a quiet suburb with a community vibe and little to do outside of working on your yard or having BBQ’s in the back. That’s not to say that the area isn’t quite lovely it’s just not a Mecca for those who want fast pasted action and a big city feel.

Contributing to the low key lifestyle reflected in the area is the recreational area known as Llandover Woods which is a massive green space spanning 9.1 acres where nature enthusiast can really get out into the forest without having to travel to the Olympics or travel across the Deception Pass Bridge. The area is relatively unspoiled and is great for wildlife watching if you’re a birder or if you just like to get away for the city and enjoy the outdoors.

There are a few locally owned eateries but the area is really a residential one and to really dine in style one would have to venture away for this oasis.

Everyone has been to the Queen Anne area, even if you didn’t know it. East Queen Anne isn’t the party capital of the entire Queen Anne area – it’s the offshoot with a calmer vibe and a good stretch of Lake Union to call its own.

Nestled in the area is Anne Playfield which is also referred to as Little Howe Park, this area of East Queen Anne provides a space for the residents of the area to enjoy the neighborhood. It has a half basketball court, a wading pool (which looked kind of dirty when I was there so I do not recommend dipping one or all of your toes in it. There’s also a play area, space for soccer as well as baseball and restrooms so you don’t have to run junior home in between sliding and swinging.

Public transportation is the area is great and any of the buses in the area can get you all around Seattle. This little piece of Queen Anne is pretty cool to visit.

Arbor Heights is where you want to live if you work in Seattle; want an easy commute and a community to call home. It’s defiantly not where you go to shop or to have a night out on the town but the area has a great feel with nice homes and those streets where kids play basketball on the weekends.

The area also borders one side of Fauntleroy Park so you’re not at a loss on what to do once the lawn is mowed and you want to enjoy a nice Seattle day outdoors. The best thing about the Arbor Heights area is that although it’s a neighborhood for single family homes the fact that it’s in Seattle allows people to have a lot of entertainment mere blocks away so the big city is still really accessible.

The area is more suitable for families with younger children since the only school in the area is a primary school, but several good high schools are just outside of the area. All-in-all the area is great for families who want to stay in the city and still have a calm home life.

Amply named after a pretty spectacular park, the Madison Park is that it’s an area actually named for the park it borders. The whole feel of the area is a short getaway from downtown, it lacks the hustle and bustle of the city and yet it’s a mere moment from all the action.

The park for which the area is named is about 8 acres and has water front shores as it overlooks the western part of the widely popular Lake Washington where in the warm weather swimming often takes place.

The people who live in the area are pretty nice as if the buffer from the city slowed them down a little bit. The area is very upscale with a lot of business and eateries of its own, so no need to venture back downtown to dine or experience the city’s offerings. Cactus is a great place for good Mexican food and the Harvest Vine is also a great place to eat. It’s worth the trip away from downtown.

The international district isn’t just ethnic stores and businesses; it’s a vibrant diverse section of Seattle in its people and their incomes. Recently, I even noticed that some spaces are being converted into art spaces. When visiting the area I stopped by to see friends, who had with other like-minded artist, renovated a warehouse in the area and converted it into living and art spaces. However, it’s unlikely that the area will move from the international district into a thriving arts only community anytime soon.

Although it would be nice not to stick this district into a box the majority of the shops and restaurants cater to the international “feel” and you can often find spices and other items not readily available in a normal super market. In fact Uwajimaya, is a much sought after and visited market in the area and probably the single largest business in the area which spawned the Uwajimaya Village, which is a really clean and newer looking office building that host shops and office in equal share.

Of course you can’t mention the International District without mentioning Wing Luke Museum, which celebrates the ethnic diversity of the area. It’s a must see when in the area.

There seem to be a lots of fairly affordable housing in the Gatewood area of Seattle as this area makes up a smaller part of the much larger neighborhood – West Seattle. The area honestly doesn’t have much going on in it and even after a visit it’s hard to go on and on about all the possibilities that lie within its streets.

Not a lot of restaurants are in the area but with this being so close to West Seattle, you won’t have far to travel to find a place to dine. Besides the nice homes there seems to be lots of condos in the area. While visiting this part of Seattle I got the feeling like I was in a suburb that’s enclosed by another city, a city other than Seattle. It just feels disconnected in Gatewood. It feels really far away even though it’s actually really easy to get to downtown from it. Not sure I’d live here, but lots of people seem just fine with it. And it’s all about individual tastes.

This encompasses a very large area and is very different depending on where you end up. Pike/Pine is super hip but a pretty busy area with clubs, restaurants and lots of condos; it also has a slightly older crowd than Broadway area. Where Pike/Pine is hip, Broadway is kind of crappy and the weirdoes tend to hang out there, however, the North end is getting nicer and eventually there will be a light rail station near Broadway and Denny so it will be really convenient to get all kinds of places.

But for now that intersection is under massive construction that I think goes until 2016 – doesn’t affect traffic yet, but an eye sore and a pain to deal with all the same. Summit also has a little area with a coffee shop and bar that’s pretty cute and a little further from the business and there are a lot of condos near there. When you get to be around 15th Street it gets really nice and has everything you could need. The people are more our age and it’s busy, but not in the same way that Broadway and Pike/Pine are. There are some condos but they are pricier since there are less of them. And there are lots of families and giant beautiful houses in that area.

There’s a small area on 19th with a coffee shop and a few other. Safety-wise Broadway is the worst, with Pike/Pine next, 19th then 15th the safest. It is incredibly easy to get everywhere from Capitol Hill, and really this area has a lot of diversity in a small space.

Crepes. The Ravenna/Bryant area of Seattle has a crepe shop that is small and filled with some of the best crepes I’ve ever had. Now this isn’t the crepe district or people would be in dietary trouble, but this small café, Crepe Cafe, is an example what kind of businesses that are in the area – small, funky businesses that call the Ravenna/Bryant area home. It’s the one are of Seattle that you can walk around in and not feel like you’re in Seattle, but feel like you’ve taken the ferry to a smaller seaside town where the parking is easy and the vibe is slow and easy.

An easily accessible Whole Foods is in the area and shares space with a furniture store and several other businesses. It also has a park, which makes it an even more family friendly area. In fact Ravenna Park is just like this fun section of Seattle, it feels like its own non-Seattle oasis, like you’ve left the city to camp or enjoy nature uninterrupted.

All-in-all the area is absolutely uncongested and user friendly, it’s the kind of area where you can run your errands and still make it home in a good mood.

I feel like there’s always a lot of people riding bikes in Wallingford. I’m not sure if it’s because I tend to visit on nice days or because the people of Wallingford prefer to stay fit and protect the environment at the same time. Either way watch for the bikers while you drive through the area because they demand their share of the road. The area is lined with smaller businesses and shops, with more of a pub feel for its nightlife.

Gasworks Park is in the area so Wallingford is hopping during the 4th of July as this is the place to be during our nations holiday. However, my favorite destination in Wallingford is it's closeness to Woodland Park Zoo where for a small admission fee you can wonder around and view wildlife like a flock of Flamencos, African wildlife and so much more. Overall, Wallingford is a really fun place to visit, but bring your bike if you want to be able to blend in with the locals.

Hello Westlake. Shopping, shopping, shopping. However, being the park freak I am I had to check out the Westlake Park which unlike the lush, green parks of other areas is a concrete treat for families and visitors alike. This area host a carousel and a shopping center that has everything a mall dweller would need without having to make the trip out of the city limits to visit a strip mall or one of those other shopping centers that has no parking and too many people milling around. NOT that the Westlake center is void of people, the area boost a good number of visitors, but it has a different feel than the normal mall.

The famous the Monorail is also in the area and is a fun ride if you’re looking for an adventure. All-in-all the Westlake area is a fun place to visit when you’re looking for a lot to do in a small area of space.

It’s never a good sign when you visit an area and all you notice is the “night out against crime” signs. Yikes. Besides the crime signs the park in the area Woodlawn Park is known to be the home of some packs of coyote’s so don’t leave your children or pets unattended when visiting the park. Phinney Ridge has a farmer’s market which is okay, but not as spectacular as some that other Seattle neighborhoods have to offer.

Take a step to the right over into the Greenwood part of the area and things are a little bit more interesting, but with a rash of arsons that took place a while ago it’s still not one of the safest parts of Seattle. Tons of restaurants, coffee shops and bars are in the area and the night time action is pretty busy with 85th Street being the place to be seen.

I was completely underwhelmed on my visit, and left after two hours having not found anything to drawn me in further.

You want big, then you want Magnolia the home of Discovery Park, which is one of the largest parks in the City and is the home of many Seattle based festivals. To truly take in the wonder of the park though, I recommend acquiring Seattle Audubon Society’s species checklist as it gives you a ton of species to be on the lookout for and I’s a great way to make sure that your taking in all the scenery while you’re walking the numerous walking trails, like the Loop Trail, which the park has. The shoreline is also a great destination on your visit.

Magnolia Park is also a great destination while in the area, this park has tennis, picnic tables and less of a wilderness hike feel. Although the Magnolia area is large it’s not the easiest part of Seattle to access as visitors need to travel over the Magnolia Bridge to get there. Some great, expensive, homes line the water though. It’s a nice area to visit and not just because of the two parks. Shopping, food and businesses - large and small - call the Magnolia area home too. And because this area covers a lot of Seattle more than one trip is recommended, because believe me you can’t pack it all in a 4-hour visit.

Seattle as a city has always been into revitalization and the Georgetown area is a standing testament to that. The neighborhood host a good number of bars, clubs and the ever present Seattle staple – coffeehouses. This industrial area has grown from a transportation hub into a place where artist and residence have embraced the grittiness of warehouse buildings and train tracks and have turned the area into a place they can be proud of.

A lot of companies have taken up residence in the area, from spas to small businesses the warehouses are being utilized for more than storage and auto shops. The biggest draw of the area though is the art scene, artist seem to have flocked to the area for the big space warehouses that have now become artist work spaces, art shows and its own “Georgetown” art walk take place to showcase this unique artist community. The Museum of Flight is close to the area and Georgetown also has a park with a giant pair of cowboy boots in it – how can you go wrong with a visit here?

Pioneer Square is essentially a tiny plaza that packs in a lot to do and see. A great retro clothing store called Diva Dolls lives on Cherry St & Yesler Way where the staff treats you like you’re the most important customer they’ve ever had and the clothes look like you can step out in them and head straight to a USO dance or at least head over to the Last Supper Club, a hot nightlife spot.
Walk a little ways down 1st street and you can browse a multi-level antique store which has so many items and rooms you feel like you’ll never see everything before they close for the night. A lot of tourist attractions call the Square home and this is where you can take in the Underground Seattle tour which shows the left over dwellings of the original Seattle before a big earthquake buried it.

For those of people looking for more than a historic tour Pioneer Square the nightlife is big and bold. There’s a host of bars and nightclubs to choose from like Trinity Night club with its three different dance rooms, the Triangle Pub and Tiki Bobs Cantina, to name only a few. You’ll defiantly never be bored at Pioneer Square.

Pike Place Market is not for the weak, it’s a huge tourist attraction that is a feat into itself to cover in a day. The Market is always crowded, but on a nice day the area is wall-to-wall people especially in the summer when the tourist are around. With over 100 years of history the market has vendors of all types – crafts, art, locally owned boutiques and stores.

The multi-level market also has one of the most popular attractions in Seattle, which tends to be the Fish market which is always used in tourist commercials or movies to place the setting in Seattle, but there’s nothing like seeing those fish fly around in person. The market itself is pretty hilly and the bricked lined streets are not for walking if you don’t have on comfortable shoes. Oh and Pike Place Market also houses the first Starbucks, so it’s where history was made.

It’s also the place for serious people watching. On my visit I watched a man with a guitar, playing a tune for his kitten co-workers as they did tricks. There’s always something to see, something that you’re not going to believe at Pike Place Market.

Lower Queen Anne or Uptown is pretty bustling although not as much now that the Sonics are gone. You have to fight the traffic for any event happening at Seattle Center. Seattle Center itself is a Mecca of tourist attractions and things to do. It houses KeyArena and Mc Caw Hall which presents the Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Seattle Opera, both great options when they’re season is running which is September through June. Two major playhouses are also in Seattle Center – Intiman and Seattle Repertory Theater, both of which are revamping the shared common area so that it becomes a more attractive area for patrons to congregate. The Ride the Ducks is the area also and you can often see it drive by with its hosts in costume.

There’s a bit of a clubbing meat market thing that happens on the weekends. There are a lot of condos and it’s very close to downtown. There’s an area that’s to the Northeast of Seattle Center that has a few things going for it that could be nice, but nothing that blows the mind. Queen Anne is very close to downtown. I couldn’t get a read on the safety of the area in my short visit, but upper is going to be safer than lower since there’s just so much happening on Lower Queen Anne.

From the moment I moved to Washington State I wanted to live in the U District, but as I grew mature that dream changed. The area has a lot of college kids, duh, I mean it is where the University of Washington’s main branch is located and the reason the area is called the amply named U District. The down side of an area housing a campus and its young students and the fact that the average age is around 20 and that will never change. So if you’re past those college days you feel old walking the streets after a while.

There aren’t a lot of condos in the area; in fact the area mostly has apartments and houses that are used as rentals for the students. The Ave area is kind of rundown and that’s where the crime seems to be happening these days. There’s the U-village area that’s newer and safer but probably pretty boring. And the U-village area can have terrible traffic through Montlake. I would probably advise staying away from the U-district.

South Lake Union is kind of an odd area that’s forcing itself into existence. Right now the big “new” thing is a lot of construction, with lots of condos and office buildings going up, with the economy the way it is the condos just might be an affordable real estate option, so probably a ton of deals are currently to be had. Thankfully with the some restaurants and other shops are popping up along with all the new constriction. The only close grocery store is Whole Foods, which is nice if you want to spend your whole paycheck on groceries.

The University of Washington Campus has a branch in the area as well for the School of Medicine and a lot of other medical type buildings line the area. Although once the Amazon compound is finished and occupied it might liven up the area. However, with all the tons of construction still going on, it’s an area that needs to develop past just residential & real estate. The area seems safe, but perhaps a bit boring.

Eastlake gains its name due to the fact that it lines the eastern area of the Lake Union. Sandwiched between the lake and I5 this area is becoming known more for its atmosphere, than its lake side dwelling. If you’re in the market for an affordable yummy breakfast visit 14 Carrot Café which serves great cinnamon rolls and other breakfast favorites, it’s not four star cuisines but it was hearty and doesn’t break the pocket book.

If you’re in the mood for something a little fancier Serafina’s Italian flare might be more of what you’re looking for, the bar is a great place to hang out when wanting a snug drink for two, it was my favorite part about visiting Eastlake. But no visit to Eastlake is complete without a visit to the famous Eastlake Zoo Tavern where you can play pool, waste quarters in the pinball machine as well as sit and chat with friends.

The area of Eastlake is like most of Seattle’s burrows with a mixture of apartments, condos and house with the occasional building housing small business like tax accountants and dress shops. It’s proximity to the University of Washington allows the area to have a very diverse feel with students and professionals alike. A good number of houseboats live on the lake in this area mixing the dwelling selection even more.

Ballard is a nice area of Seattle that overlooks Salmon Bay and is known as the home of the Ballard Locks, which is a great place to go boating or take an afternoon stroll when the weather is nice. There’s also a variety of restaurants to choice from ethnic popular cuisine like Thai and upscale eateries.

Trendy is the word that comes to mind when describing Ballard with its cafes, shops and pubs there is always something to do and see when in the area. The great thing about this area is that it really has something for everyone here Classic Consignment is just that “classic” with a variety of items and if you’re looking for a rare or used book John Michael Lang Fine Books is the perfect, spot to visit.

But, by far, since I’m a park person the coolest place is Ballard Marvin's Garden, with patio lined with trees and the Ballard Centennial Bell Tower, which marks the beginning of Ballard Avenue Historic District. Or if the historical aspect of this park doesn’t please you Golden Garden Park with its sandy beaches and view of the Olympic Mountains might better suit an afternoon or early evening walk. And for dog lovers the off-leash area is a must visit. There’s also a boat launch and a pier to fish from. All-in-all not a bad place to visit.

I spent most of my visit to Mt. Baker driving through neighborhoods looking at all the houses that border Lake Washington and dreaming of one day owning one of them. The housing in the area is some of my favorite and goes from lakeside to wooden in mere blocks. It’s defiantly a neighborhood of homes with some restaurants and shops tossed in; it’s not a big nightlife area. However, every summer is its one of the hottest destinations when it host Seafair.

The Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center which is located on Lake Washington and in Stan Sayres Park where people come to see the Hydroplane Races. It’s a great place to hang out of a nice sunny Seattle day to take in the sail boats or just sun worship. There’s also Mount Baker Park where picnic tables are plentiful and tennis is the afternoon game and the courts are in great shape. Lots of paths run through the park for those wanting to explore while taking in the views.

Not a lot of fancy restaurants are in the area but there are some as well as a few great wine shops and smaller retailers in the area. Overall it’s a great place to own a nice home and to visit when the pirates are in town.

Columbia City is a diverse section of Seattle in its people and their incomes. But Rainier Ave is the place to be when visiting Columbia City, the Columbia City Cinema is pretty spectacular, once a lodge it’s been refurbished into something more than the multi-plexes you can find at any and all strip malls.

Also on Rainier Ave is the Columbia City Gallery which host works my local Seattle artists. The collection is diverse, like the area, and doesn’t limit its displays to those just into canvas arts. Some great jewelry can be purchased here so that you can wear a one-of-a-kind piece by a local. Once you’re done drooling over all the great art your pick of entertainment is just down the street or next door. Columbia City Theater host live music and cabaret shows on Friday nights, big in Seattle, this act is pretty up there with the best the city has to offer.

But the greatest event in Columbia City happens of the second Friday of every month with BeatWalk where for a small fee you can visit several area locations to watch several bands performing.

I was underwhelmed by the selection of eateries in the areas, with the one’s I visited looking more like cafes. But all-in-all it’s a nice place to visit, just bring a sandwich with you.

Some part of Seattle are vibrate with too much to do and see, Beacon Hill is a nice mix, so as you stroll down the streets taking in the scenery you don’t fill rushed to see all you can in your visit. On my Sunday visit I took in the Beacon Rocks festivities on Lander Festival Street which featured rock band performances, from what I found out for the guy next to me this happens a few times during the summer months on Sundays.

Jefferson Park is the spot for golf in the area, it also features a community center and I watched a lively game of lawn bowling when I visited. There’s also Rizal Park which has an off-leash area for dogs, grassy areas with picnic tables and amazing views of Downtown Seattle & Elliot Bay.

The coolest neighborhood hang out to me was the Rockit space which is an art and music space where open night mics and poetry readings take place; it’s a great place to partake local music & art. For yummy cheap eats try the Dim Sum House It’s my favorite in all of Seattle or you can take in the atmosphere of the Beacon Pub which is a great place to go where mostly regulars hang out at the bar and the atmosphere is quiet.

Most people associate Northgate with Seattle’s Northgate Mall, and although the mall is the primary focus of people visiting the Northgate area it’s not the only thing this area of Seattle has to offer. Northgate is the host to several neighborhoods with houses, condos and apartment buildings mixed in throughout the area. Condos are reasonably price in the area as well as the smaller homes, like all areas the real estate market was hit hard in this area so the housing is less expensive than it once was.

North Seattle Community College also calls the Northgate area home, with its 2-year degree programs, as well as one of the many branches of the Seattle Public Library. Because the Northgate Mall is in the area of Seattle restaurants are plentiful with big named chain restaurants like Red Robin, the Ram and California Pizza Kitchen are always busy but have familiar fare. My personal preference is Bluefin with its Japanese fair and wonderful sushi. Although whenever I’m in the Northgate area I’m sure to be found wondering for hours in the two-story Target.

The Northgate area isn’t really a place to find nightlife, parks or unique boutiques and restaurants, but it does have all the chain stores, outlets and eateries that a person is familiar with.

Seattle is known for it’s funky off-beat boroughs, but none seems to compare to the pulsating scene that is Fremont. This hip, funky and often jumping area is famously known for many things from the Fremont Troll to the Statue of Lenin to the nude cyclists who appear during the Summer Solstice Parade.

Sunday’s can be best spent at the outdoor Fremont Market. This market hosts blocks of items like fresh vegitables and fruits, antigues, crafts and food vendors selling gyros and other street fair type items. It’s best to get their early, right at 10am, so you can avoid the huge after church crowds and find the best deals and items. Homemade soaps are my favroites to buy from the craft vendors. After checking out the market I recomment the independantly owned Fremont Book Shop, located on 35th Street it holds treasures both new and used and all at affordable prices.

However, Fremont isn’t just about the weird and unusual it actually has something for everyone, with everything at your finger tips from an electric arts scene, locally owned coffee shops, some of the best beer in the area and it’s home to the Adobe Campus and summertime outdoor cinemas.

I find Leschi to be one of those unique areas that’s host both expensive waterfront homes, high and low priced apartments/condos and smaller homes with a diverse culture of people. Several restaurants, markets and shops are in the area, everything from fast food to the popular Daniel’s Broiler can satisfy your dining needs and Leschi Market is one of the oldest family-owned markets with an impressive wine sections.

Leschi is not like other Seattle neighborhoods, hopping with people out on the town; instead it’s more of a hang out area as it borders Lake Washington. Home to two parks Leschi Park & Frink Park. Unlike most parks in Seattle, Leschi Park is busy on a nice day but doesn’t seem to be overrun with walkers, joggers and other’s trying to burn off calories while taking some sun, at least it wasn’t on my recent visit. It’s really grassy with several picnic tables, a playground and tennis courts, it was also the home of the first Seattle Zoo before it moved to its current location. A small marina with about 200 slips is located near the park for small boats who want to cruise Lake Washington.

Where Leschi Park is grassy Frink Park is more like a wilderness oasis with Frink Creek and some ravines. Frink Park is going through some renovations with re-forestation projects taking place by a group of volunteers trying to protect the wetlands and trails of the Park. Volunteer work groups can often be found restoring trails.

One of the two Parks in the Leschi neighborhood is a nice way to spend some time, but not a lot seems to be happening in this area of Seattle.

If you want nightlife, than you want to be in Belltown. Considered one of the “hotspots” in nightlife this area is always jumping when the sun goes down. Home of the famous Crocodile, after a short closure this venue helped launched some of the most famous grunge bands around like Pearl Jam and Nirvana. But if live music isn’t your scene Belltown Billiards & Lounge or Re-bar are great places to hang out with friends or dance the night away at. Belltown also hosts some great restaurants like Wasabi Bistro and Mama’ Mexican Kitchen or have a drink at Tiki Bobs Cantina or go to all of them in one evening, as they are all within easy walking distance from each other.

Belltown is just a nightlife area though, it also hosts to some interesting, if not odd, public sculptures like the windswept umbrella at Lenora Street or the head scratching Beckoning Cistern at Western Avenue. Also the Olympic Sculpture Park calls Belltown home, owned by the Seattle Art Museum this park host a variety of sculptures and it’s free for everyone to enjoy.

As of late, Belltown has been getting a reputation of being a little sketchy at night so don’t be alarmed if you see more Seattle Police roaming the streets than usual, this is in an effort to keep Belltown a happening, safer place to be and be seen.

Alki is a very popular destination for Seattleites and tourist alike – especially when the weather is sunny and warm. Its beach stretched about 2 ½ miles running from Alki Point, which is the home of Alki’s very own lighthouse, to Elliott Bay’s Duwamish Head. Alki is a popular destination for sun worshipers and those wising to stretch their legs. On a summer evening you can find more than one group huddled around a bonfire in one of the many fire pits on its surprisingly sandy coast.

Alki is also the proud home of a miniature version of the Statue of Liberty, which has become a popular landmark. Like many outdoor hotspots Alki’s paved path is often the home of roller bladders, joggers and dog walkers out for a stroll. The park offers a boat launch for smaller hand carried crafts and a rental facility where kayaks and other water bound vessels can be discovered.

The real estate market in the area is mixed with beautiful homes, small bungalows and condo and apartment buildings all mixed in together. The area offers some of the best views, especially on a clear day of the Olympic Mountains and downtown Seattle.

Alki also host a variety of restaurants where visitors and residence alike can dine. The award-wining Salty’s is a popular dining location, though it can be expensive. If you’re looking for a more affordable dining out adventure Alki Café Beach Bistro is also a good choice.

Downtown Seattle is always jumping no matter what the time of day with so much activity always taking place it’s hard to know what to do once you get there. If you’re an Art lover than Seattle Art Museum with its permanent and traveling exhibits is the way to go, recently expanding SAM had floors of art to keep one busy. A day can easily be spent within its walls with nourishment coming from its in-house restaurant Taste. If visual art isn’t your scene than I recommended you just cross Second Avenue and head into Benaroya Hall where you can take in any number of shows from Seattle Arts & Lecture presentations, to National Geography Live speakers, or the famous Seattle Symphony which calls the walls of Benaroya Hall home.

Dining options are numerous with Purple Café & Wine Bar on Fourth Avenue, Wild Ginger on the Third and Triple Door just halfway down the block where good food and entertainment is happening seven days a week. But no visit is complete of downtown Seattle without stopping by Pike Place Market – world famous for fish throwing and ambiance, Pikes Place is an adventure unto itself.

Something like 72 languages are spoken in the Seward Park area, this ethnically diverse area is home one of the oldest synagogues in the state and host a remarkable cultural diversity. It’s one of the only places I’ve been in Seattle that seems truly diverse. However, one of its greatest treasures is the park which in 277-acres host a range of animal and plant species including an area of old-growth forests, active bald eagle nests and the barely two-year old Audubon Center.

The Audubon Center makes Seward Park not only an ethnically diverse neighborhood, but an environmental Mecca. Finished in 2008 the Tudor-style house at the entrance of Seward Park features a nature and education center that holds environmental classes for schools and underserved youths, adult bird-watching activities and a variety of other environmental projects and classes. The center itself is stunning and a great addition to the park and its many trails and paths. In almost any kind of weather you can find people walking or jogging around the paved loop which is about 2.4 miles through wilderness and by part of Lake Washington. And if after taking in all that nature wasn’t enough I recommend dining at the Flying Squirrel Pizza Company, which is a funky and fun pizza place that has a true neighborhood pub feel.

It’s considered somewhat cliché to walk around Green Lake’s lake on a nice day as it seems like everyone is strolling around it the minute the sun comes out from behind the clouds. But where else can you find such a tranquil setting on a nice Seattle day? Green lake and it’s lush country atmosphere is only minutes from the hustle-and-bustle of downtown Seattle and it’s the perfect place to take a stroll, ride your bike or skate around for some exercise or just to stretch your legs in an outdoor setting.

The lake area has more to offer than a walking path though, a rental center can get you on the lake for a fee where you can rent a kayak, canoe or paddle boat, and you can often see the rowing crew on the lake during any type of weather.

After a stroll around the lake pedestrians can find anything they need at their finger tips, just mere blocks away. One favorite is Café Lulu on Latona Ave where you can never go wrong when seeking a caffeinated beverage or the many pubs and cafes, many with outside seating when the weathers nice. Green Lake is the place to be on a nice day, and oasis away in the city.