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[sunqist]

Pretty much all my internet time since Christmas has been spent looking at Seattle apartments for rent.  This is stupid because a) I don't know when I'm moving, but it's not going to be until this summer for sure, b) I may or may not have a roommate depending on whether my friend gets into UW, and c) I may or may not have cats depending on whether my ex-husband continues to pretend to be allergic to them.  So everything is up in the air right now at least until about April.  Nevertheless, I'm probably going to keep fucking around on these apartment sites, so I may as well narrow down my search a little. 

What neighborhoods do you live in? Do you like it there?  Make a case! Convince me!  Tell me where to live!

I have friends who live in Capitol Hill and friends who live in Northgate, all of whom like their current neighborhoods, but they're recent transplants with no experience of the rest of the city.  I've gotten a little bit of a feel for different neighborhoods with all the apartment hunting, but many of you seem to be natives or long time residents, and your insights would be appreciated.  Note: I don't have a car, so living outside the city is not really an option.

Go!

[Sifl]

I too am interested in this.  I would like to move very soon and it's probably gonna be to Seattle.  Although Minneapolis is looking pretty good. 

[ChrisCrusher]

My experiences with neighborhoods:
Downtown: too expensive, don't bother
Capital Hill/First Hill area: High paced, loud, full of 21 year old kids who think they are better than you in every way.  If you like to party fucking hard, don't mind assholes, and don't mind it being loud ALL the time, then this is cool.  Most people who live here, do it for 6 months then move on.
U District: Super Cheap, you get what you pay for.  Cheap eats, cheap booze, not as loud and active as Capital Hill, but it has it's nights.  I lived there for 9 years and enjoyed it for the most part.  It's close to everything for busses and whatnot.
Northgate:  Where I live now.  It's quiet, and about as cheap as the U district.  Most of the people up here are in their late 20's/early 30's, still a bit of partying, but not too bad.  Low crime, but theres plenty of seedy characters hanging around (see: Bobcat and I)

I would gladly live in the Ballard area, although it seems like it's kind of becoming the new hip place of town for meatheads to hang out.  It's still really nice through most of it.  Scandanavian culture, cheap drinks, plenty of places to eat and hang out.  Mostly quiet!

[sunqist]

Sifl: We could be roommates! You know, if my current possible roommate thing doesn't work out, and if you don't mind living with a pregnant chick.

Chris: Excellent, thank you!  Good to know about Capitol Hill, I was considering it based on convenience, but it looks too expensive to fuck around with.  U District was also on the list, despite the fact that my Northgate friends said it was "full of gangs". Northgate... makes a certain amount of sense based on my mental comparisons to Chicago neighborhoods, but I don't want to live in my friends' back pocket, they'd be on my case all the time.  Ballard is an interesting suggestion; It doesn't look super convenient, but I still have no idea how the bus routes work.  I shall put it on the list!

[ChrisCrusher]

Chris: Excellent, thank you!  Good to know about Capitol Hill, I was considering it based on convenience, but it looks too expensive to fuck around with.  U District was also on the list, despite the fact that my Northgate friends said it was "full of gangs". Northgate... makes a certain amount of sense based on my mental comparisons to Chicago neighborhoods, but I don't want to live in my friends' back pocket, they'd be on my case all the time.  Ballard is an interesting suggestion; It doesn't look super convenient, but I still have no idea how the bus routes work.  I shall put it on the list!

HAHA!!  Gangs???  What the fuck???  The Busses only run until about midnight, but they are great for getting around anywhere.  As long as you're in Seattle proper, you'll be able to get wherever you need by public transit between the hours of 6AM and midnight!

[bobcat]

the last bus from the funhouse northbound is the number 16 and it runs right by around 1:20am.  The 66 also runs from downtown up eastlake to the UW to northgate and leaves downtown around 1:11 and the UW (Galway,etc) at 1:30AM.

The more ya know.

as for the Gangs, it's just a bunch of little shits selling crap weed.  I'd be more afraid of the drunk frat assholes though.  Either way, use your judgement.

[bunnypuncher]

I never had a problem with noise living in Capitol Hill. If I were to move back to Seattle it would be my first choice, as I like walking to band practice/shows/bars/restaurants/etc. It's also super-close to downtown so basically any major bus line is either on Capitol Hill or within walking distance.

I lived in Lower Queen Anne for a long time and it was great. Lots of bus lines, a really great record store, a decent amount of places to eat. You have to hunt for a cheap place, but when you find one it's worth it.

The Central District is the next neighborhood South of Capitol Hill. It's nice that it's really close, and it's also a lot cheaper. Depending on how deep you get into the CD there might be some shady characters, but I have lots of friends who have lived in the neighborhood for years with no problems.

U-District is like Crusher said: fun to party in, lots of college kids that act stupid. Lots of cheap eats.

Ballard is a fun neighborhood but it's really out of the way. I would often not be able to attend shows in Ballard because the buses don't run after midnight, and I would have no way to get home.

Georgetown is cheap and lots of punks live there. Very "blue collar," lots of bars and stuff. It's close to the airport so you have to deal with the noise of planes flying overhead.

[sunqist]

Chris: Yeah. The Northgate guys are from Oklahoma, so I just sort of assume they don't actually know what gangs are.  Between that and the fact that, from the name, I assumed it was full of college kids, I sort of stopped paying attention to their recommendations.  The Capitol Hill folks are from Chicago and know what bad neighborhoods look like, but they also think I should live in Fremont.  From what I've seen, it looks like Fremont is like living at Burning Man 24/7, so I'm skipping that one, too.

Bobcat: That is very specific and helpful!

Bunnypuncher: If my friend gets into UW, I'm probably going to end up living in Capitol Hill whether I like it or not, so it's good to know that it's not all that bad.  I will be honest, the thing that scares me most about Seattle right now is the hills, so I've been avoiding looking at any of the Queen Ann areas because it looks really steep. I'll think about it, but I think I need to ease into that shit.  Central District and Georgetown have not really had any vacancies since I've been looking, but if they do I will keep them in mind.  Thank you!

[BremertonShawn]

I've only ever lived in Capitol Hill in Seattle. I've been there for 6 months and love it. My experience living 4 blocks down from the busy Broadway is that it's not THAT expensive, you can sometimes get great views of downtown, space needle, and mountains, there's a lot of hustle and bustle going on with bars, venues, and great restaurants, it's not too loud(unless you live ON  broadway), and I have never had a problem with ANYONE around there. People usually mind to themselves unless you are at a bar and they are drunk and being social like anywhere else in the world. I LOVE it up here. It's easy to get to downtown(like 10 minute walk away from where I'm at to the free bus which takes you all around downtown)and it's really easy to get to anywhere else in town because of being so close to downtown. I mean the High Line is on Broadway. End of story.

[bobcat]

get ready to blast me:


Capitol Hill (west side) - you are in your 20s.  you are drunk at least 6 nights of the week.  your place is really expensive and tiny.  you usually cannot sleep because of outside noise.  there is usually vomit on your outside doorstep

Capitol Hill (top/east side) - you are a bit older or have lived on the other side.  you will be drunk at least 4 nights of the week.  you live in a nicer apt or have a room in a big old house that is always freezing.  it's a bit quieter.

Beacon Hill - You live a nice older house, you can take the bus to capitol hill to party or stagger home.   There is light rail now, so you can get downtown super easy too. 

Columbia City / Rainier Valley - you live in an OK area, but the street next to you is sketchy as fuck.   The 7 bus runs often, so you can get into town fairly easy - or take the light rail.

Georgetown - you live in a communal dive.  your neighbors are either steel workers, displaced hipsters or vegan squeegee punx.  it's a pain in the ass to get into town.

West Seattle - you are either married or dont want to live in Seattle.  It's a seperate world.

Queen Anne (lower) - OK sized apt, probably own a couple cats.  it's easy to get around but parking sucks. 

Queen Anne (upper) - you are high-ballin' makin' scrilla.

Fremont - yuppie scum

UW - pretty poor, but there's plenty of cheap places to eat.  just lock your doors.

Ballard - tired of living on capitol hill but still want some to live like a rebel when you can.  Good bars easy to get downtown and to the UW.  watch out for old people driving.

Northgate - walk in public wearing sweatpants.

[GeorgeLiquor]

OK so Bobcat hit the nail RIGHT on the head. Best description I've ever heard of Seattle neighborhoods.

This is mine:
Capitol Hill (top/east side) - you are a bit older or have lived on the other side.  you will be drunk at least 4 nights of the week.  you live in a nicer apt or have a room in a big old house that is always freezing.  it's a bit quieter.

(Our apartment is always fucking freezing..HOW DOES HE KNOW?!)

[Dougie Felchtone]

Being a life long Seattle resident I have to say that Bobcat nailed it pretty good. I wouold only add

Wallingford - Expnsive. You're either a UW prof or a white liberal who likes to think of themselves as ethnic but would never live anywhere near any actual ethnic people. Nice neighborhood with plenty of stuff within walking distance.

Magnolia - You're either rich, old or both. Inaccesible after 11:00pm.

Green Lake - If you rent you're doing very well. If you own you're doing a whole lot better. Nice neighborhood with plenty of stuff within walking distance.

Greenwood (aka Ballard north) - Not as expensive or "hip" as Ballard. A cool neighborhood with easy accesibility.

Rainier Valley should also include - Home to the most diverse zip code in the nation and some of the best food in the city. Also includes actual gang activity performed by actual gangs.

[Ceej]

Bremerton is cheaper than ANY place in Seattle. Just a ferry ride away.

[ChrisCrusher]

Bremerton is cheaper than ANY place in Seattle. Just a ferry ride away.

When you include a $40 toll round trip to go TO seattle with a car, it ends up cheaper to live in Seattle.  Hell, if you just walk on every weekend, it's probably still cheaper to live in Seattle after time wasted.

[Ceej]

When you include a $40 toll round trip to go TO seattle with a car, it ends up cheaper to live in Seattle.  Hell, if you just walk on every weekend, it's probably still cheaper to live in Seattle after time wasted.

I'm guessing youre including gas with that $40 toll? cuz its like $4 one way....for the toll.

[Kayla]

I'm thinking about moving to Seattle too.
Next month. To Northgate.
I might as well right?

[Ceej]

I'm thinking about moving to Seattle too.
Next month. To Northgate.
I might as well right?

All the cool people are doing it.

[Kayla]

All the cool people are doing it.

I'm seriously going up there every weekend as it is. Or to Bremerton here and there. Plus, I just got out of a long term relationship and really wouldn't mind putting some distance between the two of us. Compounded with the fact that my friend Brad needs a room mate next month and that I've started seeing a guy in Seattle. It just all makes sense to move.
So don't you ever call me a cool kid!!! 

[ChrisCrusher]

I'm guessing youre including gas with that $40 toll? cuz its like $4 one way....for the toll.

To drive.  I'm talking about the ferry.  Living in seattle, driving around isn't an option without taking a half day off from work.  Which would cost $40 anyways.

[bobcat]

if people think i'm cool, then they should go find better role models

[Sifl]

If peeing your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis.

[Dougie Felchtone]

If peeing your pants is cool, consider me Miles Davis.

BAM!

[sunqist]

Lots of great information, thank you everybody!

Per Bobcat, I think I'm best suited to Lower Queen Anne, assuming I can afford it.  Capitol Hill is still up in the air, with many strong opinions on both side.  Bremerton is out since I don't have a car and also don't want to spend an hour twice a day on a boat.  I would totally not mind Rainer Valley area, but so far all the available apartments look like shittily rehabbed condos that the developers are having trouble unloading, so if I can find a real apartment in that area I'll consider it.  This is exactly what I was looking for!

[bunnypuncher]

Bobcat is pretty right on. Beacon Hill is a neighborhood I forgot to mention, it's pretty cheap and this is where a large amount of the delicious food is (real ethnic food, etc.). The only thing I kind of disagree with is Ballard - it's not exactly easy to get to from most of the city. There are buses that run straight there from downtown, but they take a long time and are always PACKED during peak hours and they quit running after midnight.

If you're afraid of hills though, you might reconsider moving to Seattle. It's ALL hills.

[bobcat]

north seattle rules!

http://www.seattlecrime.com/2011/03/02/naked-man-hopped-up-on-goofballs-growls-at-officers-gets-tased