Best Neighborhood... (Seattle, Roosevelt: neighborhoods, high schools, living in)

[lbev]

...for teenager
My husband has been living in Belltown- which has been perfect for us alone. But this summer I will be moving up permanently with our 16 yo daughter who will be starting her Jr year in H.S. Should we stay in Belltown or move? If we should move where would be a good neighborhood for her. My husband doesn't want a long commute to DT Seattle but I need a good, safe school for my daughter.
Thanks.

[BB_206]

QA or Magnolia

[Ira500]

I wouldn't stay in Belltown with a sixteen year old daughter, but some people are more comfortable with living downtown. I don't consider it especially safe, and it's not "neighborhoody" enough for me.
But if you want a smaller commute to downtown Seattle, Queen Anne is fine. I think Ballard is the high school where Queen Anne kids go, and it's considered pretty good. Ballard itself is a popular neighborhood with lots of stuff to do. Ravenna/Roosevelt/Bryant and other nearby neighborhoods would send their kids to Roosevelt High School, generally recognized as Seattle's best.
And if you're child has a free spirit, creative bent, consider living on Capitol Hill and sending your daughter to NOVA. My son went there and loved it. It's kind of a crazy place, but the students there consistently get the highest SAT scores in the district. It's far less regimented than other high schools. While there are some things that are required, classes are small, there's a lot of individual attention, students get to make a lot of decisions, including sharing in designing and teaching classes.
You can be within walking distance of the school and be in a nice neighborhood, and also be a very quick bus ride from downtown, or a not impossible downhill walk ( take the bus home).