Place for Young Guy (Seattle, Bellevue: neighborhood, movie theaters, college)

[MarcusR]

Okay, I have not been to Seattle since I was really young, so I do not remember it that much. I am 21, college educated, and affluent. I do not really care how affluent the area I live in is as long as there is not a ton of crime.

I want to live in a place that is fun. I want to live by coffee shops, bars, movie theaters, restaurants, and cultural things. I don't really want to drive 20 minutes to do something fun. I also want to live where other people live because I date a lot and I want to make a few friends.

I was thinking of living in one of the downtown (Bellevue?) towers. However, that may not be the best. It would be by all the action, but I could not invite people over because of parking restrictions or is it not that big of a deal? I assume parking is a huge problem seeing as how I would have to pay a couple hundred bucks a month for a parking space.

So, does anyone know of any fun areas of Seattle is for a younger male? Or how living in one of the towers is?

[jabm67]

In Seattle proper, this sounds like Belltown (just north of downtown). I admit not knowing much about downtown Bellevue.

[FistFightingHairdresser]

Originally Posted by MarcusR

Okay, I have not been to Seattle since I was really young, so I do not remember it that much. I am 21, college educated, and affluent. I do not really care how affluent the area I live in is as long as there is not a ton of crime.

I want to live in a place that is fun. I want to live by coffee shops, bars, movie theaters, restaurants, and cultural things. I don't really want to drive 20 minutes to do something fun. I also want to live where other people live because I date a lot and I want to make a few friends.

I was thinking of living in one of the downtown (Bellevue?) towers. However, that may not be the best. It would be by all the action, but I could not invite people over because of parking restrictions or is it not that big of a deal? I assume parking is a huge problem seeing as how I would have to pay a couple hundred bucks a month for a parking space.

So, does anyone know of any fun areas of Seattle is for a younger male? Or how living in one of the towers is?

Oh Marcus! You are so in luck!

Almost anywhere in Seattle has what you're after. Downtown in the Belltown area is quite nice, was a real artist's area but has gone upscale in recent years. There's still some bohemian leftover, though. Capitol Hill is also a great area. Very hip, easy to downtown, lots of cafes, music venues, you name it.

North of downtown is Queen Anne. The strip down the middle, Queen Anne Ave., has some good restaurants (my fave is the 5 Spot for brekkie) cafes and pubs. A bit farther north is Fremont, which also has all the nightlife and daylife you'd need -- all accessible by foot. If you're going to work at Adobe or Getty Images, then your commute will be an absolute laugh.

Another place to look at is Ballard. It's a bit more neighborhoody than the other areas, but is very walkable the amenities are fantastic. Two of my favorite bars in all Seattle -- The Tractor Tavern and Conor Byrne are all right there. And right near by is a tiny French restaurant called Le Gourmand that you absolutely must not miss.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but I hope this gives you some ideas. You should also look at the Stranger http://www.thestranger.com, it's the guide for local hipsters.

CAUTION: I don't think Bellevue is where you want to be, however. It's officepark surrounded by suburb surrounded by officepark.