Would you rather live in Wallingford or Queen Anne? (rentals, homes)

[DCtoSeattle]

We are down to our final two rental choices (hopefully!) Both homes are very similar, renovated craftsman types, in good school districts (we have three young kids). My husband will be working downtown. So which would you choose and why--Queen Anne or Wallingford?

[BellevueNative]

Upper Queen Anne.

[kaday]

Both are great choices. I'm in QA but would have been just as happy to be in Wallingford. That being said, at rush hour it can be a real pain to get around in Wallingford. Lots of people cut through on main roads to get to other places and also to I-5. This also happens in QA but not nearly the volume. QA has a neighborhood pool. For my kiddos this has been a blast with summer swim team, lessons, free swim on rainy winter days. Queen Anne has one main long business district and Wallingford's is a little more spread out. It's easier to navigate without a car. QA is closer to downtown.

Wallingford does have a lot going for it. Its a bit more down to earth. My older child went to school there so we have quite a few friends that live there. The schools are awesome. It is close to Greenlake which is a really fun place to take kids in summer. Wallingford has a great festival in the Fall....I think its call Wallyfest or Wurstfest. Anyway its run by a local church and we go every year. Dave Matthews lives there!

There is so much competition for rentals homes. My guess is you may only end up with one option. Either one will be great.

[CrazyDonkey]

"QA has a neighborhood pool."

Evans Pool at Green Lake is just north of Wallingford. The Ballard Pool isn't far to the west. There's also the Zoo, Gas Works Park.

[amaiunmei]

I think the main difference between Queen Anne and Wallingford is that Wallingford is between a lot of popular places (Hwy 99, I-5, the U-District, Ballard, etc.), so it has a LOT of thoroughfare traffic. Queen Anne, on the other hand, has traffic but not nearly as much through-traffic.

[kaday]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

"QA has a neighborhood pool."

Evans Pool at Green Lake is just north of Wallingford. The Ballard Pool isn't far to the west. There's also the Zoo, Gas Works Park.

Yes a "neighborhood pool". You mentioned one in Greenlake and one is Ballard. QA pool is right in the center of town and is generally only used by residents. It is walkable from most of town. So chances are your kids will see their friends there and make friends that are close by. Of course the zoo is awesome if you have small kids but I wouldn't chose Wallingford for zoo access...some people go often but most go maybe once or twice a year. Gasworks though I might be swayed by that. Great kite flying.

Lots of good options in Wallingford. QA seems more like a small town IMHO. Both are great.

[kaonevar]

Queen Anne for all the reasons already mentioned.

[Ira500]

My vote is for Wallingford, but I like upper Queen Anne too. And by Wallingford, I mean lower Wallingford, closer to Gas Works park. I like the eateries in Wallingford more, it's proximity to Ballard, Fremont, and the U District, and the fact that if it snows, you won't get stuck.