News
Urban Safari: Classic Fremont
New restaurants and swanky bars are adding fresh credibility to the must-see claims of Seattle’s bel
Lower Fremont has long been a hub for bar hopping, thrift-store shopping and people-watching. Yet in the past year, a slew of bustling restaurants and swanky bars has moved in along 34th and 36th streets near Fremont Avenue, adding fresh credibility to the neighborhood’s claim of being the center of the universe. EAT + DRINK…
Great Schools Come from Great Teachers
Seattle Public School parent Alison Krupnick wonders where all the bad teachers are.
I wanted to write a blog entry about HB 1609, the “Great Schools” bill, which was debated in Olympia this week, but failed to move out of committee. A similar bill in the Senate, SB 5399, was blocked from public hearing by Senator Rosemary McAuliffe, chair of the Senate Committee on Early Learning and K-12…
Sweet Streets: Three Emerging Seattle Neighborhoods
What's new in West Seattle Triangle, White Center and Kirkland Avenue
West Seattle TriangleBordered by Fauntleroy Way SW, 35th Avenue SW and SW Alaska Street Though the area is currently as strollable as an airport runway, the chin wagging continues about plans to fashion a trendy, tree-lined “gateway” neighborhood patch out of this area east of the Junction. While signs of new life are few at…
Best Neighborhoods: 34th Avenue, Madrona
Betwen East Spring and East Pike Street lies a hidden jewel that has a habit of appearing and disapp
PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE: Well-groomed urban sophisticates The Brigadoon of Seattle neighborhoods, Madrona has a habit of appearing and disappearing from our memory radar, but it never fails to charm with the quaint-village perfection of an MGM musical. EAT/DRINK: It’s easy to imagine Gene Kelly soft-shoeing his way along sidewalks animated by family-favorite breakfast and…
Best Neighborhoods: Airport Way South, Georgetown
Between South Lucile and South Hardy streets lies our city's biker chic 'hood.
PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE: Arty singles and employed beatniks Sometimes the aircraft bound for Sea-Tac Airport and Boeing Field fly so low over Georgetown it seems you could reach out and tickle their bellies. If this isn’t stimulating enough, there are plenty of ground-bound attractions in this SoHo-style neighborhood, from the gracious Corson Building on…
Best Neighborhoods: Rainier Avenue South, Columbia City
From South Edmunds Street to South Dawson Street, a peek at a small town in the Seattle's South End.
PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE: Bike-riding, Berkeley-style globalistas If Mayberry had an urban soul, it might look like Columbia City. The high charm quotient comes from the old-style street clock and painted benches, plus cute flower shop KC’s Flowers, all-day breakfast hangout Geraldine’s Counter, butcher shop Bob’s Quality Meats, multiple-screen movie house Columbia City Cinema and…
Best Neighborhoods: Upper Fremont Avenue North
Between North 41st and North 45th streets lies Seattle nouveau hippie haven.
PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE: Low-profile singles, students and starter families The demise last fall of the much loved Buckaroo Tavern, serving suds since 1938, probably garnered Upper Fremont (also called Fremont Village) its most press ever, but this short sidewalk strip just up the hill from the main attractions of Fremont is more deserving of…
Best Neighborhoods: 24th Avenue Northwest, Ballard
From Northwest Market Street to Northwest 65th Street, a peek at the insider's Ballard.
PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE: Indie traditionalists It’s a familiar syndrome in many families: the spotlight-craving, showboat sibling versus the spotlight-dodging, quietly confident one. Just north of Ballard’s more look-at-me venues on historic Ballard Avenue NW and mainstream NW Market Street lie the subdued, tree-lined offerings of 24th Avenue NW. Here you’ll find colorful coffee shops…
Sweet Streets: An Open letter to Beacon Hill
Re: Why you aren't quite "there" yet as a neighborhood.
Dear Beacon Hill neighborhood, How are you? Seems like ages since we’ve heard from you, and I’m starting to get concerned. I mean, even though you’re basically right next door, it’s as if we’re complete strangers. And we had such high hopes for a special friendship. After all, you’ve got such potential: You’re as cute…
Best Neighborhoods: Greenwood Avenue North
From North 65th Street to North 75th Street, a look at laid-back, lived in PhinneyWood.
PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE: Modern Family-style broods and kid-free yuppies With yoga studios, day spas, hair salons, dental offices, even a DIY dog-washing joint, the overlapping, family-focused ’hoods of Phinney Ridge and Greenwood—or PhinneyWood—have the essentials and the extras covered. SHOP: There’s an old-school True Value Hardware store and a quirky new, all-vegan shoe store/chocolate…
Sweet Streets: 12th Avenue, Capitol Hill
From E Olive Street to E Marion Street, a look at our city's foodie haven.
PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE: Trend-setting hipsters It probably already held the title, but thanks to the most recent hipness outbreak along 12th Avenue, Capitol Hill is even more officially entrenched as Seattle’s capital of cool—as well as a growing foodie fave. Between the reassuring anchors of Seattle University and the Seattle Police Department’s East Precinct…
Sweet Streets: Westlake Avenue North, South Lake Union
Between Mercer and Thomas streets, lies Seattle's new pearl.
PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE: Tech-savvy, young professionals Once mostly an area passed by commuters heading to I-5, South Lake Union now boasts some of the city’s most booming blocks of shops, restaurants and urban residences. Philanthropist/entrepreneur Paul Allen, the CEO of Vulcan Inc., has made the area his own Monopoly board, with developments including the…
Seattle’s Best Neighborhoods in 2011
Seattle’s most livable, walkable destination neighborhoods. Plus, what it costs to move in now
Neighborhoods are like family members. They all have distinct personalities. Some may evince a casually cool charm, while others have a decidedly dynamic vibe. The best offer up their own compelling mix of restaurants and retail, sundries and services, daytime and nighttime diversion options. Make no mistake. We adore Ballard Avenue. Can’t get enough of…
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