Judkins Park area (Seattle, Mercer Island, Rainier: rental, high crime, how much) - Washington (WA) -Seattle and King County Suburbs - City-Data Forum

mea-oh · 11-02-2010, 07:24 AM

In my search for a rental home, I have found a couple homes very near to Judkins Park. When I have looked for homes in the Leschi area, these homes have popped up. I haven't heard much at all about this area. Is it nice? Should I worry about anything if we were to live there?

I live in Ohio and we may need to decide on an area before we head out there, so any help would be appreciated. When we have visited, we've very much liked Leschi, Seward Park neighborhood, Columbia City, etc.

southking500 · 11-02-2010, 10:28 AM

Judkins Park is a subsection of the Central District and it's not a very good neighborhood. I definitely would not want to walk around there after dark. There is a lot of drug activity, numerous shootings, muggings etc. It's probably one of the worst areas in the city of Seattle.

Ira500 · 11-02-2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mea-oh

In my search for a rental home, I have found a couple homes very near to Judkins Park. When I have looked for homes in the Leschi area, these homes have popped up. I haven't heard much at all about this area. Is it nice? Should I worry about anything if we were to live there?

I live in Ohio and we may need to decide on an area before we head out there, so any help would be appreciated. When we have visited, we've very much liked Leschi, Seward Park neighborhood, Columbia City, etc.

Judkins is a little grittier than Leschi and Seward Park, and lacks the coolness of Columbia City. There's no retail to speak of right in Judkins other than a good hamburger place I think is called Charlies.
But..The 1-90 bicycle/pedestrian path runs through Judkins, so you can bike to Leschi/Mercer Island, and west to Rainier Avenue. It's nearby to a lot of things. Down the hill within fairly easy walking distance is 31st Ave S., with a nice and reasonably priced Italian restaurant ( That's Amore) and a bakery/cafe. Depending on where in Judkins, you could also be within walking distance of the Mt. Baker light rail station...also not far from Lake Washington neighborhoods of Mt. Baker and Leschi. Also real close to the Central District, and All Purpose Pizza ( good) at 29th and Jackson.
The Judkins area has a whole bunch of tennis courts, including the city owned indoor tennis center, and the Blue Dog Park off leash area. Also real close is the Bradner Park gardens, with is an offshoot of Wallingford's Tilth organization.

So it's kind of a tradeoff. I don't think it's dangerous except for maybe some small parts, and you'd know those when you were there. Parts of Judkins remain relatively poor and run down, and other parts are perfectly fine. It's definitely a convenient location. It's less gentrified that some neighborhoods around it. But mostly it's OK, with a few really cool old houses.

southking500 · 11-02-2010, 11:18 AM

It's a very convenient neighborhood for buying crack and picking up hookers.
Be careful on the I-90 bike path and tunnel, there have been assaults and muggings of bicyclists in broad daylight recently.

mea-oh · 11-02-2010, 01:19 PM

Hey southking500: tell me how you really feel!

southking500 · 11-02-2010, 01:38 PM

You asked for some advice and got it ...
tell me how you really feel mea-oh.
Ready to be another Central District urban pioneer and overpay for a house in an area where you will hear gunshots nearby at least once a week? Where some your neighbors have zero courtesy shouting and fighting in the middle of the street at 3 am, honking horns or blasting music. Where people throw trash in the streets and you will be panhanded right in front of your house? I could go on and on with stories I heard from a friend who lived there for years.
The CD is known as a bad area of Seattle and Judkins Park is not one of the better parts of the CD.

mea-oh · 11-02-2010, 02:46 PM

Did you not see the smiley face I put in my message?

mea-oh · 11-02-2010, 02:50 PM

I do appreciate your feedback. For someone who doesn't know Seattle very well, this is helpful.

southking500 · 11-02-2010, 03:16 PM

Sorry to be a downer about Judkins Park. I'm sure someone will post a message saying how much they love it there: the old houses, diversity, close to Capitol Hill etc.
But you should at least be aware that it is a high crime area. Someone with street smarts will most likely not be victimized but the quality of life of everyone in this neighborhood is dragged down by the behavior of a couple hundred gang members, addicts, drunks whose turf is the streets of Judkins Park.

mea-oh · 11-02-2010, 07:14 PM

No problem. I had a concern that it might be a little shady, which is why I asked the question. Where I live in Ohio now, it's not the greatest but not the worst area. I certainly understand what you're describing. Truth be told, we like Seward Park or Columbia City the best. But it's always worth seeing what is all out there. Thanks for your feedback.