Downtown kirkland vs juanita village? (Seattle, Bellevue: apartment, home, construction)

[ahs483]

Hi guys,

I am moving to the area this summer. I'm looking at an apartment in downtown kirkland and then an apartment in the juanita village area. Any thoughts on pros/cons of each area? I know they are very close but just thought I'd ask. Also is one safer than the other? I am a young single woman and will be on my own so definitely wanna be safe. Thanks!

[Kayela]

Juanita Village is not nearly as good of a commute to Seattle or most of the eastside. It is also smaller - more a shopping center than an actual core. However, most everything you would need is there, including several restaurants and the very, very nice cafe Juanita, and it's a quick drive to DT Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond or Woodinville. They have a cute farmer's market, it's a nice place to go walk, and I would certainly feel safe there. However it's relatively limited, and if you like to go out often, you may find yourself always heading somewhere else.

DT Kirkland has a lot more options for things to do, there are a lot more younger, single people there and it's a pretty quick commute to most of the Seattle and eastside area. It also has a nice waterfront and all kinds of festivals and things at Marina park. Sometimes the atmosphere gets a little bit too 'where-people-go-to-party-after-college' for me with the nightlife. However I do appreciate that they have some, and the sidewalks don't roll up after 8:30. I also feel just fine safety-wise in DT Kirkland - there'd be no difference in the level of safety (IMO) between the two.

Overall I'd just say the major differences is that DT Kirkland is better better situated to the rest of the Seattle metro area, and there's more to do. This is why it's more expensive. Personally I would rather live there because I do like going out, and I would pay more to be closer to the places I like to go. However, if you're more of a homebody, or don't mind driving a bit - Juanita is lovely, charming and less expensive. It's not totally inconvenient, just not quite as convenient as DT. They're both nice, safe places.

[RVD90277]

For a single person, I would recommend downtown Kirkland. there's just a lot more action going on and it's more convenient to just walk home after a night out, etc.

it's safe so no worries there.

[Blondebaerde]

(Chuckle): the mean streets of Kirkland. Indeed. "Not so much."

(Caveat: I live there, a mile N of downtown.)

Kirkland is a hoot in the summer, or most any weekend year 'round. Couple of gin-mills and hot-wings kind of bars, an Irish pub, and similar. Great to marginal restaurants, and good variety of-same. A men's clothier that constantly draws me in and lightens the wallet (Asher Goods). Etc.

Juanita Village, as another person mentions, is mostly a couple newer plazas that are still being completed. Lot of newer apartment construction in-progress. Nice enough, for all that, and pretty close to Juanita Beach. I like the Mexican and conveyor-sushi restaurants in-particular. The latter is "aaSushi," amusingly enough, with about the friendliest and unintentionally wackiest (in a good way) wait staff you've ever seen. Not a ton of character, but a nice place all things considered: the merging of residential with retail, not unlike Bellevue past ten years.

In my opinion, Kirkland downtown has a bit more snap and crackle. The summer mini car shows and other interesting stuff on the waterfront is always entertaining. Wouldn't go too close to it via car when the weather is nice (difficult parking), which is a bit of an issue, though I've been caught out at Juanita Village, too and walked from distance.

That part of Kirkland is a hop and skip from I-405 on via 85th/Main. Juanita Village, down 116th which is a bit tougher to navigate at-current.

[ahs483]

I found a great apartment in downtown kirkland so thats what I decided on! thanks for the help!