Ballard & Fremont

[motor80]

Originally Posted by got_rain?

Great tips you all, thank you. I think we'll be fine with the "Freeze" thing. We live in S.D. which has some of the most artificial people I've ever met. Besides, I don't mind people not giving you a hug every minute. It reminds me of NYC. People will help you out, they just don't hold your hand.

As far as "Ballmont" & "Frelard" go, I think along with some areas of West Seattle (thanks Ira), we'll be ok. That's our speed. The neighborhoods sound similar to where we like to live here in S.D.

About how long (traffic depending of course) does it take to get to downtown Seattle from Ballard or Fremont?

I live in "upper Fremont", between 41st and 42nd streets, and, taking the #5 or #358 bus (I am car-free now for over 3 years) takes about 10 minutes to get downtown. With a car (or cab), you can be downtown in 5 or 6 (barring traffic.)

[Wheretoland]

Im from nyc and I really do think Seattle is a much better city as a whole

[orangeblossom]

I have to say it cause no one else did....Frelard! Ok, its out of my system joke over.

No really. I live in Greenlake and its very family friendly. What about Maple Leaf or Ravenna? ( you're near U village and the B.G. Trail )

Greenwood seems to be hopping lately and then you are near the zoo,but also aren't too far from Fremont/Ballard.

To me,Fremont at least seems congested. Its not how it used to be. On the other hand,I will be making costumes this yr for the solstice parade.

My favorite neighborhood is Capital Hill. Wallingford is a very close second.

Good luck in your search.

Blessings~

[motor80]

Originally Posted by orangeblossom

I have to say it cause no one else did....Frelard! Ok, its out of my system joke over.

No really. I live in Greenlake and its very family friendly. What about Maple Leaf or Ravenna? ( you're near U village and the B.G. Trail )

Greenwood seems to be hopping lately and then you are near the zoo,but also aren't too far from Fremont/Ballard.

To me,Fremont at least seems congested. Its not how it used to be. On the other hand,I will be making costumes this yr for the solstice parade.

My favorite neighborhood is Capital Hill. Wallingford is a very close second.

Good luck in your search.

Blessings~

Not sure how Fremont would be considered "congested" while Capitol Hill is the densest neighborhood in Seattle (followed by Belltown and I would guess the U-District after that.) I feel the exact opposite: Capitol Hill is a bit too congested while Fremont and Wallingford tend to be more "residentially" and offer a bit more breathing and leg-stretching room, if you will. To each their own, I suppose.

[observer]

So if I was visiting and was staying in Ballard or Fremont, and wanted to spend the 1st few days just staying in the area where I am staying at and possibly head to downtown for a few hours each day, I may actually be OK without renting a car and just take public transportation?

Last time I was in the Seattle area I stayed in Bellevue. Good thing I had a car rental to move around especially when I wanted to go to downtown.

[Aleta Kennedy]

I'm a real estate agent, living in Green Lake, which is adjacent to Fremont and Ballard -- they are great areas I visit quite frequently, since there are lots of great restaurants there, as well as live music spots, cute stores and easy access to downtown, should you choose to head that way. You might also want to consider Green Lake -- home of Woodland Park, the zoo, a great playground for your smaller family members, indoor pool and community theatre. Also nearby is Wallingford, which also has a great variety of restaurants, independent cinemas and easy access to downtown. I've had the good fortune to live in a number of places both here and abroad and Seattle is one of my very favorite places...

[Ira500]

Also nearby is Wallingford, which also has a great variety of restaurants, independent cinemas and easy access to downtown.

The Guild 45th is Wallingford's cinema. They show a lot of independent films, and is generally a great place, but they're not "independent". They're part of the Landmark Theatre chain, which owns 54 theatres in 20 something cities, and are half owned by Mark Cuban, the colorful Dallas Mavericks basketball team owner.

[motor80]

Originally Posted by observer

So if I was visiting and was staying in Ballard or Fremont, and wanted to spend the 1st few days just staying in the area where I am staying at and possibly head to downtown for a few hours each day, I may actually be OK without renting a car and just take public transportation?

Absolutely. 100%.

When my family comes to visit me (I live in Fremont) from car-addicted southern California, I never let them rent a car. Instead, I give them a packet of pre-paid bus tickets, bus maps and schedules, and a general map of the city. The first couple days (usually the weekend), I show them which bus to hop onto in Fremont. Where to get off downtown. And, where to go ("This way to the Pike Place Market", "That way to the retail core." , "Down that street to Pioneer Square" etc.) They love it because it's "so different" for them - to be able to get around without a car, and, more importantly, actually walk places. After the weekend, I'm back to work, and they are off exploring, on their own.