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This part of 8th Ave NE is one-way going north. Not very many people know that. When I lived there, it was me and four other people renting a house so if you're a student looking for a house for you and a bunch of roommates, it's a good place to look.

On this section of 8th Ave, not only are you right in the U-District, you're also close to the Burke-Gilman trail so if you have a bike, it's really easy to get to Fremont or Ballard. Plus, you can walk to a bus stop at the north end of the University Bridge if you want to go to Capitol Hill or downtown.

As you drive north across Ballard Bridge, it turns into 15th Ave NW. It's not pretty, but if you're looking for Schuck's, Wendy's, McDonald's, Safeway, Jiffy Lube, or a gas station...you'll find it.

I personally recommend Ballard Market (just past Market Street) if you need anything you can find in a grocery store. They have a great organic selection and bulk bins!

If you're craving Italian food, go to Pasta Bella (across the street from Ballard Market)...yum!

Ballard High School can also be seen on your right as you pass the corner of 15th & 65th.

This street is more utilitarian than residential.

This quiet street in the Sunset Hill area of Ballard is just up the hill from the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks along 32nd Ave NW. The homes here are well-cared for and many families have been here for years. As you walk along the streets in this area, if you look west, you'll be treated to a great view of Puget Sound.

If you want to stay out of the busy "downtown" Ballard area, you can take a nice walk to Rain City Video and the Sunset Hill Greenmarket at the corner of 32nd and 65th. Or hop on your bike and ride to Golden Gardens for a bonfire or just to look at the water and watch the sunset.

This is a great neighborhood!

A couple of my favorite places to eat in Seattle are on 45th Street in Wallingford:

Tilth - innovative, fresh, local, organic food that you can sample in small tasting portions. The servers are friendly & fun. It's a high-end restaurant in an unpretentious atmosphere. The experience is worth every penny.

Musashi's - large portions of fish, homestyle service, tiny space. Very good bang for your buck.

There are lots of other great places to check out on 45th:
- The Guild Theatre
- Teahouse Kuan Yin
- Kabul
- Patty's Eggnest
- The Erotic Bakery

This is the main thoroughfare through Wallingford so it can get congested sometimes traffic-wise. But it's still a great place to eat & shop!

If you're on 1st Ave NE in Wallingford, you'll be very close to Dick's Drive In and Kabul...two very different meat-eater havens. (To be fair, Kabul does have vegetarian options, it's just that the lamb is SO GOOD!)

The houses are modest and very cute. The neighborhood is very safe and quiet. You are just around the corner from all that 45th Street has to offer (restaurants, shops, movie theaters) and you are walking distance to a big playground - Meridian Playground. Plus, you have easy access to I-5. Not much to complain about here!

If you live on 26th Ave NW just above NW 65th St, you're far enough away from the hubbub of "downtown" Ballard but still close enough to walk to everything (if you don't mind walking in the rain). You're also very close to Salmon Bay Park...and who doesn’t like having a park to go to?

I lived at Carolina Court, the brick building with a little courtyard at the corner of Eastlake & Mercer. It's a nice building, well-maintained. The apartments are spacious. I had a one-bedroom with two walk-in closets and a walk-in pantry! The downsides to living there were: the noise from the street & the freeway, parallel parking on a one-way street (Mercer) on a hill, and it's a little isolated at night.

BUT, there are lots of upsides too:
- you can get to Capitol Hill or to downtown really quickly
- stumbling distance to the Lobo Saloon, Cafe Venus & The Mars Bar, and LoFi
- easy walk to REI & the ATM at the Evergreen Bank
- very close to I LOVE SUSHI and BluWater Bistro at the south end of Lake Union
- the buses run right along Eastlake Avenue
- it's easy to shoot right over the University Bridge to go to the U-District
- yummy places like Serafina, 14 Carrot Cafe, Louisa's Bakery, and Pazzo's are just a hop & a skip away
- if you row with Pocock Rowing Center or Lake Union Crew or go to school at Cortiva - Seattle (formerly Brian Utting School of Massage & Brenneke), they're all really close
- also very close to El Corazon (live music!)

Pilgrim's Natureway is great for all your herbal health supplement needs. They also have a decent selection of soups & juices & frozen foods.

U-Frame-It is laid back...you can drop stuff off here for them to frame or you can do it yourself (with their help) right in the store!

Ballard ExPress is great for quick, clean copies.

I've heard Scream is a good place to get your hair cut. And they're also known for doing wild colors, if that's your thing.

Golden City does serve Chinese food but the food isn't that great and the people hanging around out front are probably there for something else entirely. Beware!

This street has everything. Majestic Bay Theatre for movies (and real buttered popcorn!), Hazelwood for cocktails, Epilogue Books for a great used book selection, Ben & Jerry’s for ice cream, Pho Than Brothers for a good fast pho fix (with cream puff, of course), Cupcake Royale for the best cupcakes in town (and good coffee), Radio Shack in case you need a battery or some CD-Rs, Archie McFee for everything else under the sun. Need more??

Want a good place for happy hour drinks & appetizers? Check out Matador. Want some good (if a bit pricey) Italian food? Go to Lombardi’s. Of course, there are the requisite Starbucks and Tully’s – right across the street from each other! Want to pick up the latest album by your favorite band or check out some used vinyl? Go to Sonic Boom. Indian food craving? India Bistro is right there.

Oh, there are so many places I’m sure I’ve left out…just go check it out for yourself.

P.S. On Halloween, it’s a great place to take your kids, the shop owners give out candy.

Ballard Ave is the cobble stone street tucked just south of Market in "downtown" Ballard. Sundays the street is blocked off for a great little farmers market. The farmers market is a great place to get your fresh fruit & veggies. And if you like to eat while you shop, you're in luck too...yummy organic baked goods, crepes made on the spot, fresh juices and homemade caramel popcorn are all available! Plus it's fun to people watch. Lots of families with dogs and people out enjoying their day.

During the rest of the week, there are also plenty of places to eat, including The Other Coast Cafe which has my favorite sandwich - The Rajun Cajun. It's a hot, sloppy, spicy mess of turkey & mayo & tomatoes & cheese on toasted bread. Yum! If you want your pizza served up with some sass, go to Madame K's. Thaiku has pretty decent Thai food but it's their drinks (especially the Oolong-tini and the Yohimbe drinks) that keep me coming back! Hattie's Hat is great for food that will stick to your ribs. Whether it's a hearty breakfast/brunch or a bowl of salmon chowder or sweet potato fries, you won't be leaving hungry. Plus they have two bars!

Speaking of bars, Ballard Ave has many to choose from...among them Sunset Tavern & Tractor Tavern where you can get your fill of live music along with your beer (or wine or liquor). Or if an Irish pub is more your scene, go down to Conor Byrne and The Lock & Keel.

If you're looking for outdoor gear - there's a KAVU store and Second Ascent. The guys at Second Ascent also do good work if you need your bike fixed up.

There are also lots of cute little boutique shops selling clothes and plants and furniture. And maybe an art gallery or two. If you've been to Ballard but you haven't hung out on Ballard Ave, you're missing out!