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  5 1 That's a tough question. I'm a Ballard-Phinney-Green Lake-Wallingford partisan, because that's where I live and work, but plenty of other people will prefer others. You're young, so you presumably crave excitement more than you do peace and quiet. The availability of a car will also make a huge difference, as Seattle is one of the most car-dependent cities around outside of a very few central neighborhoods. If I was your age, I'd be looking at Capitol Hill, Lower Queen Anne, the University District, Ballard, Fremont, and West Seattle. Capitol Hill (including Pike/Pine) has always been the center of Seattle hipsterdom. Traditionally the "gay neighborhood" as well, it is less so today but still a lot gayer than, say, Madison Valley (Seattle's own little slice of rich suburb, but in the city). The U District is overrun with students, which can be a problem, but students do bring with them some attractions, such as the city's biggest selection of cheap eats. Lower Queen Anne has become an attractive walking neighborhood, with plenty to see and do and good city access. Ballard used to be the elderly Scandinavian ghetto, but that's pretty much all gone now, and it's a sometimes frustrating mix of hipsters, hippies, and yuppies with strollers. It's a very lively place, though. It's a bit off the beaten track, though, and takes a while to get downtown if that's something you will need to do. West Seattle is kind of in its own little world, which has its advantages; everything you need is right there, as long as you're close to "The Junction"; and you can get a bus downtown very easily (though not so easily anywhere else -- a common theme in Seattle). There are plenty of other great neighborhoods -- Greenwood is nice, with tons of apartments, Eastlake is pleasant, and there are interesting options in the CD (nearish to Seattle U) and down the Rainier Valley, especially near Columbia City or Hillman. Some people will tell you "Belltown", but I find that neighborhood absolutely terrifying, not for the drug dealers, who just remind me of the 70s there, but for the aggressive hordes of hipsters and even worse the mysterious nouveau riche who wear Armani and live in $3 million condos and drink $18 cocktails. Can't beat it for centrality and access, though. Fnarf answered in House & Home over 2 years ago | Report 4 comments by Kip Waddle, Fnarf, and Mahtli69… 0 0 Madison Valley is the central district but with flooding. You must be thinking of Madison Park where a 1000 sq/ft house is $1,000,000. Kip Waddle commented over 2 years ago | Report 0 0 Yes, of course. Fnarf commented over 2 years ago | Report 0 0 Belltown was my introduction to Seattle about 10 years ago. 1st Ave is creepy, and just as you described. The rest is a bit more gritty and definitely more interesting, though it's changed in the past few years (no more Sit'n'Spin or Speakeasy). I also liked it better when the Rendezvous and the Frontier Room were dive bars. Mahtli69 commented over 2 years ago | Report 0 0 Those nouveau riche freak me out more than any other group. Who are these people and where do they get their money? keshmeshi commented over 2 years ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  1 0 Georgetown, by far! But, I lived their for going on 7 years, so I might be slightly biased. Brian Schroeder answered in House & Home over 2 years ago | Report 2 comments by Fnarf and Brian Schroeder… 0 0 Oh, I should have mentioned Georgetown. It's pretty cool, kind of Portland-like, but with a flavor of urban pioneer, as the old light-industrial uses give way to encroaching hipsterdom. I like Georgetown a lot. Fnarf commented over 2 years ago | Report 0 0 I think I like the south side so much because I'm originally from Baltimore--reminds me of home a little bit more. Brian Schroeder commented over 2 years ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  1 0 Greenlake is one of my favorites. It's quiet, clean, safe, convenient, and has fairly cheap rent- considering all of those things. There are grocery stores, restaurants, and bars all nearby that don't suck. Wallingford, Fremont, Phinney, Greenwood (not past 75th), Ballard, and sometimes (parts of) Capitol Hill all have those going for them as well. RM answered in House & Home over 2 years ago | Report 1 comment by Nicolas George… 0 0 I second the Greenlake comment, although it would be nice to for something to get built in the massive hole in the ground at the old Vitamilk site. I can't believe we lucked out and bought a house in this neighborhood. Nicolas George commented over 2 years ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 I dig West Seattle. The Junction has the kind of nightlife that feels like a kinder, gentler Seattle. It's not convenient to ANYTHING ELSE after hours, but it's always a compromise, eh? Also: year-round farmers market. And two days ago I saw a guy walking around wearing a cape. A green and purple cape. Just sayin'. Certainly! answered in House & Home over 2 years ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 Capitol Hill! Yes it is the center of gays and hipsters in Seattle, as Fnarf mentioned, but it is so much more. Probably the best neighborhood if you don't have a car, centrally located just east of downtown and very walkable/bikable. Tons of nightlife, music, food, bars, parks, etc. Also the densest neighborhood in the city so plenty of housing options. boxofbirds answered in House & Home over 2 years ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 Leschi. Centrally located, beautiful architecture, moorage, beaches, a couple of great restaurants, relatively quite & peaceful. Bunzerelli answered in House & Home over 2 years ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 I love Madrona. Close to down town, nice houses, great lake views and access, and a nice commercial district. It would be even better if I could afford to live there. Kip Waddle answered in House & Home over 2 years ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  1 1 I really like Ravenna to be honest with you. At first I moved there for cheap rent in an MIL apartment but it's really close to U-Village, the U District and Greenlake. And just a couple of miles away you can be at Lake Washington plus it's only a 10 minute cab ride ($16.00) to downtown or Cap Hill for all my night-time fun. Finally it's really quite which is nice! Andy answered in House & Home over 2 years ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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