What is the real story about the University District (near University of Washington)? Safe? Sketchy? Or great walkable l (Seattle: hardwood floors)

[mamainfl]

My husband recently mentioned he might like to look in The Univ. District for housing for our family. My immediate reaction was "not my first choice". But, with no real data to back up my instinct, I turn to you!

The walkscore web site says it has a lower personal as well as property crime rate compared to the rest of Seattle. True?

The listings that I have seen on Craigslist for that area have been kind of crummy to be blunt. We like hardwood floors, and buildings with character. OR new and modern with a sleek design. I like the walk score, but wonder if it is too young and rowdy and noisy? Do the Univ. professors live in this area? We don't mind bohemian but rowdy drunks are not appealing.

I have been looking in Fremont, Ballard, Green Lake, North Capitol Hill, Upper Queen Anne, and Magnolia. Probably wouldn't mind Columbia City if it is near the light rail.

Please give me some good "real" information about the University District!

[CrazyDonkey]

Depends what he means by the "University District". Ravenna and Roosevelt (north of Ravenna Park) can be very nice. Also, the Bryant, Wedgewood, Sand Point neighborhoods. Wallingford/N. Lake Union is just to the west of the U District. You didn't say how old your children are, but Roosevelt High is generally considered to be Seattle's best high school, so it might pay to buy in a neighborhood that feeds into Roosevelt (and not into Ingraham).

[flyingsaucermom]

UDistrict as in right around the university or further up? As the above post mentioned, just a half a mile or so north of the university has quite a number of children... Bryant Ravenna, View Ridge, etc...

My biggest issue was the property crime. My second biggest issue was the very "urban" feel for raising a family. We were in N. Ravenna for our first 9 months here and it was long enough to realize that we'd all be happier on the Eastside. The schools are good in that area though.

[Ira500]

I would not live in the heart of the University district. But north of it bordering Ravenna/Roosevelt are perfectly fine, as are Montlake, North Capitol Hill, Wallingford, Wedgwood, as well as the more expensive View Ridge and Laurelhurst neighborhoods. The U District is a great place to go to the farmer's market, or to take advantage of the cultural things there( restaurants, theatre,shopping etc). I wouldn't say you'd be in danger of getting mugged, but it would just be a little uncomfortable/young rowdy for me if I lived there. Live a 15 minute walk away and you'll have the best of all worlds. All those neighborhoods mentioned are where professors live( I heard somebody refer to Wedgwood as an "academic ghetto").

[wutitiz]

It is crime-ridden and full of druggies. I lived in Wallingford (just across I-5) and Roosevelt (north of U district) about a decade ago. There are many wonderful people there but no shortage of bad apples to spoil the barrel. If you want a steady diet of vandalism, car prowls, and maybe a home invasion or two, U district is for you. Otherwise look elsewhere.

[seattlelatte]

I'd also add Green Lake (pricey) and Sandpoint (very pricey) into the mix of nearby family friendly neighborhoods with good schools.

[Gardyloo]

The U District environment for families is very street-by-street specific. I live in Ravenna, literally on the border of the U District, and I wouldn't hesitate to live there as long as I was east of 18th Avenue NE and north of NE 50th St. Even there, there are numerous big houses converted to multiple occupancy, some fraternity houses, and student apartments.

For a family with kids, I'd probably look at the edges - Ravenna, Montlake, Wallingford, Green Lake, Eastlake, etc.

[Bimmerfanboy]

The U-district is not a place I'd move my family to. It's not a super dangerous ghetto by any stretch of the imagination, but petty theft is pretty common. There are weekly reports of people getting robbed after dark, including at gun point sometimes. The majority of students will go through their UW careers without any problems, but the crime still exists. I know that things clean up well once you hit Ravenna and get near the University Village mall.