Young Female Moving to Seattle looking for Advice on Safe Places to Live

[Kennymiester]

Bah, yeah, I guess if I had to answer my own question about a place I've lived before I would say the same thing, "What the hell do you mean by full experience?" Much too broad. How far away are the mountain biking trails? Wilderness? Being in Denver for a certain amount of years I've come to expect a drive, but its always worth knowing.

Also, a friend of mine went to school up there (Seattle Pacific) and I think he lived in Ballard and I just got in touch with his dad and he said that Ballard is also another great place with a lot of younger people. Truth?

I guess it could have been Bothell as well but I'm not too sure. (Nor was his dad)

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by Kennymiester

Bah, yeah, I guess if I had to answer my own question about a place I've lived before I would say the same thing, "What the hell do you mean by full experience?" Much too broad. How far away are the mountain biking trails? Wilderness? Being in Denver for a certain amount of years I've come to expect a drive, but its always worth knowing.

Also, a friend of mine went to school up there (Seattle Pacific) and I think he lived in Ballard and I just got in touch with his dad and he said that Ballard is also another great place with a lot of younger people. Truth?

I guess it could have been Bothell as well but I'm not too sure. (Nor was his dad)

No, it's Ballard - I cannot imagine Bothell as being described as a great place for young people. Ballard has gone through a radical demographic shift in the last decade and now is full of trendy restaurants and night spots. You'd also be very close to Golden Gardens beach and a fifteen minute drive from downtown.

[Kennymiester]

^Sweet, thanks for all the helpful replies so quickly. I have been having some luck finding places in C. Hill, which I understand is more like the residential downtown. How far is Ballard from Cap. Hill. If they're in the same direction from Seattle I can assume about 10-15 minutes? I'll look out for some places in Ballard as well. I think that I've narrowed my search to those two places...

If those don't work out I can look elsewhere I guess. But I have a couple of days before I get there (plan to be there Monday).

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by Kennymiester

^Sweet, thanks for all the helpful replies so quickly. I have been having some luck finding places in C. Hill, which I understand is more like the residential downtown. How far is Ballard from Cap. Hill. If they're in the same direction from Seattle I can assume about 10-15 minutes? I'll look out for some places in Ballard as well. I think that I've narrowed my search to those two places...

If those don't work out I can look elsewhere I guess. But I have a couple of days before I get there (plan to be there Monday).

Capital hill is directly east with parts slightly northeast of downtown while Ballard is several miles North and then west. While Ballard is about a fifteen minute DRIVE from downtown, Capital Hill can be a fifteen minute WALK from downtown.

[Kennymiester]

Alright, I'm going to have to let this die sooner or later, but one more opinion question. Between C. Hill and Ballard, which is more accomodating to a 23 year old that likes going out and going to restaurants, that sort of gig? I guess I'll be out there soon but I'm just getting antsy to know what I need to know prior.

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by Kennymiester

Alright, I'm going to have to let this die sooner or later, but one more opinion question. Between C. Hill and Ballard, which is more accomodating to a 23 year old that likes going out and going to restaurants, that sort of gig? I guess I'll be out there soon but I'm just getting antsy to know what I need to know prior.

In terms of variety and being able to stagger home, I'd say Capital Hill because you are walking distance from downtown and Belltown, but Ballard has a lot going on too. So I think it comes to your personal preference. I think Ballard might be less expensive but it's been so long since I've looked for housing, I don't know. Someone else will have to chime in.

Capital Hill used to be Seattle's gay neighborhood back in the 80s although it is more diverse now. If you are the least big squeamish about watching two guys or gals walk hand in hand down the street, then it probably isn't for you. There's also a lot of street kids (somethings just haven't changed since the 80s) so theft and property crime night be higher up on the hill than in Ballard. That said, I think I'd still rather live on Capital Hill than in Ballard if I were 23, it's just so much closer to different types of action and if you work downtown or attend the UW you don't need a car living there.

[Kennymiester]

Thank you very much. Thats all the questions I'll add in for the evening.

[Ira500]

..And if you're looking for a neighborhood that's accommodating to a 23 yr old who likes to go out and go to restaurants, you have to add Fremont to the mix.