Where should a black lesbian, mom, live in Seattle? (Rainier: relocating, cul-de-sac)

[notswedish]

Suggestions on cool neighborhoods? I am in my mid-40's, my kids is 16. We are relocating. I am not so concerned with school district (homeschooler) but we like to be SAFE, be near organic groceries, good food, cute shopping area, arts, etc. We want a diverse neighborhood with diverse activities. Thanks for any info!

[SeattlitefromNC]

Safety is much less of an issue in Seattle proper than maybe some people are thinking; I've lived all over the East and West coasts and Seattle is far and away the safest place I have lived.

Your sexuality will also not be much of an issue.

When people refer to "diversity" in Seattle, they are primarily referring to the presence of Asians. The black population, by my estimation, is very small (less than 10% of the total population) and is about half East African (Somali, Ethiopian, etc.), a fourth West African and a fourth African-American. Most black folks live in South Seattle (Columbia City, Central District, Rainier Beach, etc.).

My question to you would be, what is your price range (Seattle is expensive)? What kind of stuff are you into? The organic food and arts and whatnot can be found all over the city; I'd need more information to begin to answer your question.

[Ira500]

A few neighborhoods come to mind that you might like:
Central District, Capitol Hill, and West Seattle. The border of the Central District and Capitol Hill has a Trader Joe's @ 17th and Madison, Capitol Hill also has the Madison Market/Central Co-op, and West Seattle has the Metropolitan market and PCC Co-op.
As far as cute shopping areas, West Seattle has a certain small town in a big city charm, and views that can't be beat. They're all fairly close to downtown.

[notswedish]

Originally Posted by SeattlitefromNC

My question to you would be, what is your price range (Seattle is expensive)? What kind of stuff are you into? The organic food and arts and whatnot can be found all over the city; I'd need more information to begin to answer your question.

Well, considering we live in the SF Bay Area, we are used to selling our soul to devil the for a studio apt. Seattle is very expensive, but it seems that we could get a pretty amazing place for the price we are paying now. I mean amazing in that I LOVE the terrain of Seattle!

I am not a city-girl at heart but I appreciate the ambiance. I am torn between wanting to be close in and able to access what a city has to offer AND wanting to live on one of the islands and growing my herbs and staring at the Sound.

What am I into to? I am a foodie, I like to grow herbs, I love to entertain. I do some ehtnic dance, I am planning to go back to grad school for public health. I am one of those women who has basically raised her kids and now is ALL ABOUT HER!!!!

Thanks

[Destructoman!]

You sound like you would fit in fine in Capitol Hill or Fremont, although Fremont is rather yuppified these days, and downtown is slowly growing up onto Capitol Hill and gentrifying the area at a very rapid rate. I strongly doubt your sexual orientation would be an issue in any Seattle neighborhood.

[tobester]

Seward Park neighborhood has a PCC (food coop) and is described as one-third black, one-third white, one-third asian, with significant Jewish and gay populations. We have two lesbian couples on our cul-de-sac (one with children).

[SeattlitefromNC]

Originally Posted by notswedish

Well, considering we live in the SF Bay Area, we are used to selling our soul to devil the for a studio apt. Seattle is very expensive, but it seems that we could get a pretty amazing place for the price we are paying now. I mean amazing in that I LOVE the terrain of Seattle!

I am not a city-girl at heart but I appreciate the ambiance. I am torn between wanting to be close in and able to access what a city has to offer AND wanting to live on one of the islands and growing my herbs and staring at the Sound.

What am I into to? I am a foodie, I like to grow herbs, I love to entertain. I do some ehtnic dance, I am planning to go back to grad school for public health. I am one of those women who has basically raised her kids and now is ALL ABOUT HER!!!!

Thanks

I'm going to give the nod to Columbia City. It's about as diverse as you'll find in the city, with good bus coverage to the rest of the city (and the UW, assuming you are going there).

What kind of dance are you into? There are tons of dance groups -- ethnic or otherwise -- in the city proper.

Have fun!