by Bill Zoellner '93

Washington

Overview

The Seattle area is the gateway to the Pacific Northwest and home to over three million people. Living in Seattle provides views of the Puget Sound, Lake Washington, Lake Union, the majestic peak of Mt. Rainier, or two different mountain ranges. Seattle also provides access to a wide variety of outdoor activities and a wealth of great restaurants, events, and music. Although it is relatively young and homogenous, Seattle has blended its Native American and frontier-town roots with the culture of its sizable Asian immigrant population and the technology and aerospace economies to create a unique, dynamic city that buzzes with activity. Even as Seattle has grown into a large city, its diverse neighborhoods have allowed it to retain the feel of a small town.

The City of Seattle's official website contains helpful information on just about everything you might want to know.

Seattle, like the rest of the Pacific Northwest, enjoys a very mild climate. Although everyone believes that Seattle is very rainy, it is actually not that wet. In an average year, Seattle receives about as much rain as Chicago and Washington, D.C., and it is rarely a heavy downpour. Even though it is not always raining, the area is frequently overcast and damp, especially in the winter when you can go long periods of time (weeks) without seeing the sun. This is compounded by the fact that Seattle's days are quite short in the winter, due to its latitude. The flip-side of this is that the days are longer in the summer. Many newbies (and quite a few natives) have difficulty adjusting to the absence of day light during the winter months, but everyone enjoys the mild weather and long days brought by the summer.

The easiest way to get a handle on what is currently happening and any upcoming special events is through the local papers. Seattle has two major daily newspapers (Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Seattle Times) and two weekly alternative newspapers (Seattle Weekly and The Stranger, The Stranger being more alternative). The Weekly and Stranger are the best sources for current club schedules and special events.

Seattle Magazine also provides information regarding shopping, restaurants, and events.

If you notice any updates that need to be made, or have anything to add to any of the city guides, feel free to contact us.

Index

Neighborhoods

There are dozens of neighborhoods in Seattle, each with its own flavor. Below are some thumbnail descriptions of a handful of the more notable neighborhoods. All of the neighborhoods described below have a significant residential area, except for Pioneer Square and Downtown.

Downtown - The shopping, hotel, and business center of Seattle. Highlights include Pike Place Market and the waterfront piers along Alaskan Way. Parking can be expensive during the day.

Pioneer Square - Just south of downtown, it is known mostly for its shopping and art galleries during the day and its bar scene at night. Just south of Pioneer Square are Safeco Field (home of the Seattle Mariners) and Qwest Field (home of the Seattle Seahawks). Quite a few homeless people congregate here.

Capitol Hill - Very popular with young people because of its plethora of bars, music clubs, restaurants, and unique shops. This is also a residential neighborhood and offers an easy commute to downtown. It is also the center of Seattle's gay community.

Belltown - Just north of downtown, this enclave is home to upscale eateries, bars, and nightclubs. This is a mixed neighborhood with some aggressive panhandling that used to be quite indigent but is quickly becoming more upscale. At the very north end of Belltown is Seattle Center.

Fremont - Self-described as "the center of the universe." This neighborhood has been described as "bohemian" and has been losing its hippie image as yuppies have started moving in. The most notable elements of this neighborhood are its restaurants and bars, huge statue of Lenin, and annual Solstice Parade (hippies on bikes, many in costume, some nude).

Wallingford - Next to the University District, this neighborhood is rich in restaurants and bars, as well as expensive homes and yuppies. Parking can be difficult.

Ballard - An old, traditionally Scandinavian part of town. It has lost some of its original heritage over the years because it has seen a recent influx of younger families.

Queen Anne - Near downtown, this is the highest part of Seattle with great views and expensive homes.

West Seattle - A large and diverse neighborhood containing a two-mile beach, Lincoln Park, and several smaller sub-neighborhoods.

University District - Home to the University of Washington. The main area is similar to what you would find near any large university - apartments and houses populated by college students and shops, restaurants, and bars that cater to students.

Eastside - Home to Microsoft and dozens of technology companies, this area has seen rapid growth and wealth accumulation over the past 20 years.

Back to top


Where to Live

Deciding where to live is not an easy choice. Renting is still relatively affordable in many parts of the city, where studio and 1-bedroom apartments can run anywhere between $600 - $1200 per month. However, home prices have recently been spiraling upwards, and the median home price in King County hit $425,000 in April of 2006.

Generally speaking, the neighborhoods nearest downtown (Belltown, Wallingford, Queen Anne, Eastlake, and Fremont) or offering the best views of the water or mountains (part of West Seattle, Queen Anne, Magnolia) are the most expensive. Most of the less-expensive neighborhoods are becoming more desirable as affordable housing becomes more scarce. The suburbs tend to offer more affordable housing in exchange for a longer commute.

Violent crime is generally not a problem, though it is a big city and you need to be careful and lock your doors. The major issues are car theft and car break-ins. The latest crime statistics can be found at the following site: www.seattle.gov/police/crime/default.htm

There are very few large apartment complexes in Seattle (more than 50 units), so most of the apartment options are in smaller buildings that are scattered through the neighborhoods. The Apartment Insider website offers a variety of listings and resources.

Back to top


Getting Around Town

Public transportation within the city is limited to bus service. The buses are reliable and affordable ($1.50 for peak hours), and there is a free-ride zone around downtown between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Although there are quite a few rush-hour express routes, the system is generally designed to move people from downtown out to the various neighborhoods (and vice versa): it is not proficient at shuttling people among and between the city's neighborhoods. Consequently, commuting to work downtown is not that difficult, but getting out and about to different parts of town (and out of town) can be cumbersome.

For those living outside the city, there is express bus service from suburban "Park and Ride" stations to downtown. Train service is also available between Seattle and some of the suburbs to the south and north. The State of Washington has an extensive ferry system connecting the city with the Kitsap Peninsula and islands in the Puget Sound.

A fair number of people use their bicycles for commuting purposes, and the city has taken steps to make this more practical (bike lanes, installing bike racks at Park and Ride stations, and allowing bikes to be placed on a bus).

The Flexcar program is also available in Seattle and can provide you with access to a vehicle on an occasional basis.

As a side note, Seattle has some of the worst traffic in the nation. It can be especially difficult when commuting between the Eastside and Seattle. Because of the current traffic patterns and expected growth, Seattle is in the process of discussing public transportation options, but so far, only a light rail system is being constructed. Right now, light rail is an option for people who live north and south of Seattle. Parking can be difficult to find in certain neighborhoods (Eastlake, Wallingford, Pioneer Square, University District, Capitol Hill). Few areas outside of Downtown, Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, and Pioneer Square use parking meters.

The Seatac airport is located, as one may guess, halfway between Seattle and Tacoma. Flights to and from Seattle can be expensive, especially in the summer, because Seattle is a tourist destination.

Seattle also has train service from the downtown Amtrak station, including relatively inexpensive routes to Vancouver, B.C., and Portland, OR.

Back to top


Dining Out

Seattle has phenomenal restaurants. The cuisine is influenced by both the abundance of seafood and infusion of Asian culture. Dining out is slightly more expensive in Seattle than most other cities, but there are an abundant number of restaurants to fit any budget or taste. The local papers include recent restaurant reviews, and the links below contain descriptions of many local restaurants.

Brew Pubs - Almost every neighborhood has at least one pub, and several are connected to breweries. They are moderately-priced, friendly places (not single's bars) that offer good food and good beer. Your best bets are Elliott Bay Brewery (West Seattle), Hale's Ales (Fremont), Pyramid Alehouse (across the street from Safeco Field), Big Time Brewery (University District), Blue Star Café (Green Lake), Brouwer's (Fremont) and Hoyt's Pub (Queen Anne).

Asian cuisine - You can find pho and teriyaki just about everywhere in the city. The International District is the center of Asian culture and includes many small, authentic restaurants. My personal favorites are Judy Fu's Snappy Dragon (Chinese, Maple Leaf), Pandasia (Chinese, Magnolia), and Mashiko's (Sushi, West Seattle).

Hip, upscale dining - There are many fine restaurants that cater to Seattle's young crowds. While these places can be crowded, many offer a full menu at the bar. My favorites are Icon Grill and Palace Kitchen, both of which are in Belltown.

Cheap eats - Try one of the plentiful Thai restaurants or Dick's Drive-in for burgers. Also, twice a year (March and November), twenty-five local restaurants participate in a dining program offering a fixed price dinner for $25 at some of Seattle's premiere restaurants.

Other favorites

Back to top


Night Life

Most of the trendy night life is centered around Belltown, lower Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, and Pioneer Square. Pioneer Square offers a one-time cover charge for many of its bars. For something quieter, try one of the many neighborhood bars or brew pubs.

Music - Although Grunge is over, Seattle is home to many local bands. Check out the current concert schedules at the Seattle Weekly website and catch a rising star or local band at a place like Experience Music Project (Seattle Center), The Triple Door (Downtown), Chop Suey (Capitol Hill), the Crocodile (Belltown), the Tractor Tavern (Ballard), or The Phoenix (Pioneer Square). Larger, national acts perform at The Paramount, White River Ampitheater (30 minutes outside of town), Key Arena, The Tacoma Dome (Tacoma), or the Gorge (about two hours east of Seattle).

Back to top


Arts and Culture

Seattle Center - The cultural hub of Seattle, it is host to many of Seattle's seasonal activities from Irish Week to TibetFest to the Northwest FolkLife Festival to Bumbershoot. It is also permanent home to many local attractions: the Space Needle, a small amusement park, the Pacific Science Center, Key Arena (home of the Sonics and concert venue), McCaw Hall (home of the Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Opera), Experience Music Project, the Intiman Theater, and the Seattle Repertory Theater.

Theater - Seattle's theater community is very active. It runs the gamut from traditional Shakespeare productions to some very alternative/fringe theater. There is always something worth watching.

Art - The Seattle Art Museum provides a large art venue like most large cities. The collection has been relocated to the Seattle Asian Art Museum until Spring 2007 during construction of an expanded SAM. Pioneer Square hosts a monthly Art Walk in its many galleries featuring local artists. Seattle is the world's center for glass-blowing, and there are several studios dedicated to this form of art, as well as the Museum of Glass in nearby Tacoma.

Some of the annual Seattle highlights are Seafair (month-long annual summer festival), Seattle International Film Festival, Seattle Fringe Theater Festival, and Bumbershoot (annual music festival held over Labor Day weekend).

The Woodland Park Zoo (Green Lake) and Seattle Aquarium (Downtown) offer great attractions for animal lovers. Benaroya Hall (Downtown) is home to the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and hosts a variety of musical events.

Local colleges, organizations, and book stores offer frequent lectures, talks, and other special events. Check the Seattle Weekly for current and upcoming events.

Back to top


Shopping

Clothes
Downtown Seattle boasts the swankiest shops. Most are within several blocks of each other and are centered around the Pacific Place Mall and Westlake Center (about a four or five block radius). In addition to Downtown, most of the other larger shopping areas are malls - Northgate, University Village, Southcenter (near the airport), Alderwood Mall (north suburbs), Bellevue Square (east suburbs), and Factoria (east suburbs). If malls and swanky Seattle shops don't float your boat, each neighborhood has its own quirky places. Eddie Bauer and REI are two of the area's oldest and most beloved stores.

Home
There are several home improvement stores in Seattle, including Lowe's and Home Depot. The SoDo area is home to a congregation of home stores that market recycled building materials, environmental building supplies, and chic home décor.

Furniture
There are a variety of furniture stores at or near the local malls. There are quite a few upscale furniture stores along Western Avenue (one block east of Alaskan Way) near the downtown waterfront. Ikea can be found in suburban Renton, and Crate & Barrel has opened a store in Bellevue Square and University Village.

Other
Neighborhoods are pocketed with Safeway, Albertson's, QFC, Fred Meyer, Trader Joe's, Larry's Markets, and Thriftway for your grocery needs. A Whole Foods has opened in Roosevelt, and it is fabulous, but it has earned the nickname "whole paycheck." Many neighborhoods host farmers' markets on summer weekends, which is a good way to get local organic and other fresh produce.

Back to top


Recreation

The Great Outdoors
Seattle's biggest asset is its geography. The mountains, ocean, and mild weather make the Pacific Northwest a popular destination for those who enjoy the great outdoors. There is almost no limit to what you can do around Seattle: kayaking, hiking, biking, mountain climbing, camping, or fishing. Read some descriptions of some popular hikes.

Several ski slopes in the Cascades open up in the winter. Whale watching in the nearby San Juan Islands is best during late spring and summer.

If you are into a more "urban" outdoors setting, Seattle has an extensive parks system that offers a variety of these activities within the city limits. Green Lake, Lincoln Park, and Discovery Park are three of the best parks.

While there are quite a few beaches in the area, don't expect to spend much time swimming because the water is cold.

If indoor activities are more to your liking, there are numerous yoga studios and athletic clubs. Read reviews of some local facilities.

If you are a more passive sports enthusiast, Seattle is also home to many sports teams.

Baseball

Football

Soccer

Basketball

Hockey

Back to top


Best Bets/Personal Recommendations

Take a bicycle ride (or drive) with friends up the Burke-Gilman trail to the Red Hook Brewery, Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, and Columbia Winery. All three are across the street from each other in Woodinville.

Meet some friends for a sunset picnic on the beach at Golden Gardens or Alki Beach.

Enjoy a three-mile walk (or run) around Green Lake amid joggers, families, and people just hanging out in the grass.

Cross the world's longest peaceful border and take a day trip to Canada. The drive to Vancouver/Victoria, B.C. is about three hours.

Spend an afternoon strolling along the waterfront and through Pike Place Market where you can buy local produce, flowers, seafood, and crafts.

Visit Mt. Rainier and climb on a glacier or check out Mt. St. Helens and witness the devastation from the 1980 eruption.

Spend a day at Seattle Center, run through the International Fountain, ride to the top of the Space Needle, and visit the one-of-a-kind Experience Music Project.

Enjoy the great outdoors - head out in any direction for a hike or go to Lake Union to kayak. Stop by the REI store near Lake Union to get outfitted for gear and take a turn on its giant climbing wall.

Take a ferry to Vashon Island for its annual Strawberry Festival.

Go skiing or snowboarding in the Cascades at Stevens or Snoqualmie Pass.

Feel free to contact me directly if you have any specific questions.

Back to top

Back to City Guides index