Commute Time: Downtown to UW (Seattle: transfer, neighborhoods, university)

[sweetessie]

I'm sorry if this thread has been posted a million times, but I'm going to be moving to Seattle (from Los Angeles) in the very near future to attend a graduate program at UW. I've done some initial research and have come to the conclusion that I may have already "aged out" of the University District. A friend advised me to look at a few different close by neighborhoods (i.e., Wallingford, Fremont, and Ballard) all of which look nice. I've also looked [online] at some places in Queen Anne and Capitol Hill. I was just curious if anyone has an idea of the commute time from any of these places (either driving or taking public transit). Thanks in advance for your help!

[Hemlock140]

Wallingford is closest and might suit you, 5 minutes by bus or car, just across I5 on 45th.

Ballard is another 15-25 minutes depending on where in Ballard, the others are going to involve the freeway or lots of lights and may take 1/2 hour. Look at maple leaf, it's east of I5 between Northgate and Lake City Way, that's 5 minutes and you might like it. Sort of the outskirts of Greenlake.

[ryanmm]

If I were in your situation I'd want to be on the north side of the ship canal, which would rule out Queen Anne and Capitol Hill. Depending on the exact address, you could certainly get a livable commute from those neighborhoods though.

A lot depends on whether you will commute by car or bus, and if by bus whether you live near a convenient line that doesn't require transferring.

[SitoUK]

I live in Capitol Hill and sometimes go to the Henry Art Gallery or or one of the shops/restaurants in the University district. If you live anywhere close to the No 43 bus line on Capitol Hill the trip should not take more than 15 min, at least on a weekend. I am not sure what it's like on a weekday morning. Btw google maps is an excellent tool for looking at public transport scenarios.

[iskray917]

Ballard via 44, 20-25 min
Fremont via 30, 31, ~15 min
Wallingford via 30,31, 5-10 min depending on how far away from campus. also, if you're close enough why not walk? i grow weary of able people who get on a crowded bus 8 blocks from campus. seriously, they probably waited longer for the bus than it would have taken them to walk.
QA via 31 (SPU) ~ 20 min. (other ways require transfer)
CH via 43 ~15 min. (don't go this way often so not entirely sure of the time)
Downtown ~15-30 min depending on express

all are nice areas with easy bus rides to campus.

[Vinylly]

It all depends on your mode of commuting. All of these communities are quite close. Ballard being the farthest. If your driving by car, allow 15 minutes for Ballard or Queen Anne. All the other Communities will take you about 10 min., and from Wallingford, you just as well just bike it or walk. If you take a bus, only God knows how long it will take, but you can safely say at least twice as long as by car or bike.