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The fact that they have their own character and feel is good, but the fact that they are not as easily accessible as they should be from downtown is not. (i.e. compared to inner ring portland neighborhoods)
Quote:
Originally Posted by godhead
"Neighborhoods like Queen Anne and Capitol Hill are near downtown but somehow feel separated."
I always thought this was a good thing.
Others may not agree, but I actually find Capitol Hill and First Hill quite connected to downtown. I used to work downtown (Union Square) while living on Cap Hill, and I always walked to work - it's really quite accessible. Just go up Pike from the retail core, and the Hill starts right past the convention center. No more disconnected than NW23rd I'd say.
I was talking more about the vibe, nothing really tangible like particular neighborhoods, just the feeling of the nightlife. Maybe it's the strip clubs there or something else, I can't put my finger on it but i've talked about it with other people who think so too. It's not necessarily a bad thing either, just a different feel.
It feels a little seedier in Portland, I agree. I think that's what it is. Doesn't reflect the actuality of the city, but just the vibe.
Quote: "The fact that they have their own character and feel is good, but the fact that they are not as easily accessible as they should be from downtown is not. (i.e. compared to inner ring portland neighborhoods)"
It's pretty easy to get to Capitol Hill from Downtown, just cross I-5 via an overpass and presto you're there! (Are you sure you've been here before?)
Last edited by godhead; 07-21-2009 at 05:45 PM..
Reason: edited for quote
Yes, I lived in Capitol Hill. I agree it's pretty close (I walked downtown all the time) but still feels disconnected. Mostly because of the hill, and because there is a small "break in the action" on part of Pike. Queen Anne also feels somewhat disconnected although it too is a short walk.
Again, compare this to neighborhoods around downtown Portland or San Francisco (or many other large cities) where neighborhoods literally butt up against each other without any disconnect whatsoever. It may seem like a minor thing but it completely changes the feeling and convenience of the downtown area. Inner seattle neighborhoods feel more like nodes as opposed to the fluid nature of the neighborhoods in Portland, etc.
quote=godhead;9880024]Quote: "The fact that they have their own character and feel is good, but the fact that they are not as easily accessible as they should be from downtown is not. (i.e. compared to inner ring portland neighborhoods)"
It's pretty easy to get to Capitol Hill from Downtown, just cross I-5 via an overpass and presto you're there! (Are you sure you've been here before?)[/quote]
Canadian panhandlers are WAY more aggressive than American ones.
Quote:
Originally Posted by irishimm
The fact that they have their own character and feel is good, but the fact that they are not as easily accessible as they should be from downtown is not. (i.e. compared to inner ring portland neighborhoods)
I don't think Seattle has much a problem with accessibility between neighborhoods as it does with blending, particularly with large dead infill properties in between them.
By the way, getting from either Capitol Hill or First Hill to Downtown is quite fun, especially on Madison.
I agree about the walk being a pleasant one between Capitol Hill and downtown, but let me give you an example to illustrate my point.
Let's say you're bar-hopping with friends and youre in Belltown, then decide to go to Pike/Pine. Walking is possible but really not that convenient, feels like more of a "trek". You'd have to walk through a few dead areas and there arent really any other happening spots in-between. Queen Anne is similar, as is Pioneer Square.
Now let's say you're bar-hopping in Portland. You're on 2nd and Burnside, and you want to go to the Pearl District or Chinatown. You're literally a stone's throw away and the trip feels like nothing. Besides the shorter distance, there are no dead areas in-between, making it feel more fluid and connected. From the Pearl to 23rd is also fairly close without many dead areas...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Backstrom
Canadian panhandlers are WAY more aggressive than American ones.
I don't think Seattle has much a problem with accessibility between neighborhoods as it does with blending, particularly with large dead infill properties in between them.
By the way, getting from either Capitol Hill or First Hill to Downtown is quite fun, especially on Madison.
I agree about the walk being a pleasant one between Capitol Hill and downtown, but let me give you an example to illustrate my point.
Let's say you're bar-hopping with friends and youre in Belltown, then decide to go to Pike/Pine. Walking is possible but really not that convenient, feels like more of a "trek". You'd have to walk through a few dead areas and there arent really any other happening spots in-between. Queen Anne is similar, as is Pioneer Square.
Now let's say you're bar-hopping in Portland. You're on 2nd and Burnside, and you want to go to the Pearl District or Chinatown. You're literally a stone's throw away and the trip feels like nothing. Besides the shorter distance, there are no dead areas in-between, making it feel more fluid and connected. From the Pearl to 23rd is also fairly close without many dead areas...
But isn't that just because Seattle has a bigger downtown area, so your going to be walking further no matter what?
Canadian panhandlers are WAY more aggressive than American ones.
Nonsense. I've never once had a panhandler follow me and continue asking for change. And I live right downtown and walk by many panhandlers every single day. The only places I've had panhandlers follow me were in Seattle and New York.
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