Bryant neighborhood (Starbuck: buying a house, buying, public schools)

[Cinema Cat]

Any thoughts on Bryant? Is it safe at night? Is its vibe similar to that of Ravenna? Is it a nice, quiet place to live, with convenient stores -- Starbucks, supermarkets -- within walking distance?

[Hemlock140]

I have a couple of friends that live in that area, and it's a safe, quiet residential area. Though there are businesses nearby, it seems to me that it's nothing like Ravenna, more of a suburb. You would have to walk a ways toward Sand Point or Northwest toward 75th.

[mkarch]

There is the strip of stores/restaurants on 35th and another small supermarket further south on 40th. If you're near either of those it's walkable enough. University Village isn't too far either, but not in the neighborhood. Bryant is a safe, quiet area without much going on. Ravenna has much bigger entertainment districts.

[Ira500]

Bryant is safe and quiet. In Bryant itself there's not a ton to walk to, but there's lots to walk to that's technically outside of the Bryant borders, like the PCC supermarket at 65th and NE 40th, or Top Pot Donuts at 68th and 35th, or the Grateful Bread Bakery, and the library.

[GoBlueInSeattle]

Is it safe? Jeebus - its so safe I sometimes wish for a little more excitement. (I live in Bryant.)

Its vibe is similar to Ravenna, if a bit sleepier. But personally, as someone who prior to this has lived in VERY urban areas, I find it hard to distinguish between the sleepiness levels of Ravenna vs Bryant. (Put it this way, I lived in Capitol Hill prior to buying a house in Bryant, and Capitol Hill for me was the lowest density, most sedate area I had lived in to date at the time).

As for the walking distance question, it really depends on exactly where in Bryant you are living. If its in the center of the neighborhood, its a bit of a schlep to stuff. If near the periphery, you will be within walking distance of SOME amenities. For example, I own a home near the 55th Street, near the western border of the neighborhood. This puts me about a 10 minute walk to the U-Village mall - which has all the services/amenities I'd need, but is, at the end of the day...a mall. However, it also puts me near the small collection of shops on 55th - a couple of nice, urban feeling restaurants (Frank's Oyster House & Champagne Bar, and Pair) and a middle of the road restaurant as well (Gaudi) and some fast food (Krua Thai & Kidd Valley), and a dive bar (Duchess Tavern). So an ok mix, but nothing special. I'd kill for a cafe around the corner closer than Zoka.

It all depends on what you are looking for. If you are used to the suburbs, than Bryant will feel like there are lot of amenities nearby. If you are used to more urban living, then Bryant will feel a bit suburban.

The public schools in the area are good though. Its why half my neighbors live here. (who all seem to work at either Amazon, Microsoft or UW)