Quiet neighborhood close to SLU (Seattle, Burien: best neighborhoods, dorm, landscaping)

[satellite779]

What would be a quiet neighborhood close to SLU? I'm concerned by traffic and airplane noise. Something walkable would be ideal, but I could accept a short bus ride.

[amaiunmei]

Most parts of Queen Anne (apart from lower Queen Anne) would fit the bill.

You should also look at Magnolia, which is a little further away but also quiet.

[satellite779]

Originally Posted by amaiunmei

Most parts of Queen Anne (apart from lower Queen Anne) would fit the bill.

You should also look at Magnolia, which is a little further away but also quiet.

What about airplane noise in both areas?

I checked some flight path maps, and it seems planes are making turns often over these two neighborhoods when landing during cloudy weather (which is probably often). Anyone actually living in these areas here who could comment?

Thanks

[SaltyDawg]

Close to the urban core, you're going to get flight noise, period. Specifically, the two major landing paths when the winds are S/SW in origin go over NE Seattle and NW Seattle - ironically, two of the wealthier enclaves in the city. In the summer they take off that way, but the landing noise is far more noticeable.

They're still fairly high up when over Magnolia or Wedgwood, though. The noise is much more overbearing in neighborhoods like Burien, Tukwila, South Park and others in the closer-in (to SeaTac) area.

You'll hear the UPS/FedEx/DHL planes early in the morning if you're listening for them, but they're not a nuisance.

[kaday]

In Queen Anne I have noticed little airplane noise from SeaTac. If you are close to Lake Union you will hear the seaplanes coming in to land and take off.

[Kayela]

I lived in Upper Queen Anne, and while noticable, it was still fairly high. I have good friends in Magnolia, and I never notice it there (by Discovery Park).

[Salmonista]

I went to SPU in the early 2000s and heard a fair amount of airplane noise from my dorm when I had the window open. But it's possible they've changed flight paths in the last 10+ years!

I know you aren't asking about Burien but just in reply to SaltyDawg's comment, the west part of Burien hardly gets any airplane noise. I lived a few blocks west of 509 and rarely heard planes.

[LM1313]

I just moved from Magnolia (there four years) and I never noticed any airplane noise. It's a very, very quiet area, both background noise and the people.

I didn't drive much so I don't know about traffic, but I can tell you the bus service on Magnolia is awful. The whole neighborhood feels very isolated and it's frustrating trying to get to anywhere in the city other than downtown. I used to call the neighborhood "the island" because it felt so cut off.

Really lovely gardening and landscaping in most of the yards.

[peequi]

Originally Posted by LM1313

I just moved from Magnolia (there four years) and I never noticed any airplane noise. It's a very, very quiet area, both background noise and the people.

I didn't drive much so I don't know about traffic, but I can tell you the bus service on Magnolia is awful. The whole neighborhood feels very isolated and it's frustrating trying to get to anywhere in the city other than downtown. I used to call the neighborhood "the island" because it felt so cut off.

Really lovely gardening and landscaping in most of the yards.

I have heard this same thing from people who live in Magnolia. I think it has lots to do with the demographics. Also looking at a map of Seattle, logistically it is out of the way from the typical straight north to south bus routes. With budget cuts, it will probably only get worse for public transportation in Magnolia. But it is still one of the best neighborhoods in my opinion.

[Pughnose]

Eastlake! You can walk to SLU.

But for most quietness: Not on Boylston (which runs along I-5). West of Eastlake Ave is quietest, but find out where the Ducks tour will be hitting Lake Union (ongoing controversy) and avoid that immediate area.