Neighborhood: Green Lake VS Ravenna (Seattle: apartments, rentals, condos)

[keeney]

I am new to Seattle and I am just curious why houses in Ravenna is more expensive than Green lake area.


Which kind of people live in these neighborhood, what is the difference regarding vibes, life style, ages?

[homesinseattle]

Welcome to town! I wouldn't agree with that. Price per square footage, they are about the same. Both are coveted areas. Green Lake, with it's proximity to the lake, pubs and cafes, probably attracts more young people.

[Kayela]

They're very similar. Ravenna has a slightly better commute for most - which is usually what dictates price around here. It's also maybe a tad more family-ish, but not by much. Green Lake gets some super nasty traffic in the summer when everyone and their dog wants to go walk around it. It has a great running shop though, and some good places to eat and drink.

[homesinseattle]

Kayela, good points. Although I agree with you if someone worked at UW or on the Eastside. Green Lake would be a bit better for someone working in SLU or downtown, as it is a touch closer to I-5 and also provides the ability of accessing Hwy 99, the Fremont Bridge or even the Ballard Bridge better than Ravenna. With it's running track and walkability to many things, Green Lake would have to win the "better for younger people" contest.

[CrazyDonkey]

Northwest Green Lake, bordering Aurora (99) and 85th, could be pulling the average down.

Also, what could be driving values up in comparison is families trying to buy inside attendance areas of one of NE Seattle's "10"-ranked elementary schools that are in Ravenna and surrounding areas (Bryant ES, View Ridge ES, and Wedgwood ES), for whom avoiding the indignity of sending their runts to a mere "9"-ranked elementary is worth paying almost any price.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

Kayela, good points. Although I agree with you if someone worked at UW or on the Eastside. Green Lake would be a bit better for someone working in SLU or downtown, as it is a touch closer to I-5 and also provides the ability of accessing Hwy 99, the Fremont Bridge or even the Ballard Bridge better than Ravenna. With it's running track and walkability to many things, Green Lake would have to win the "better for younger people" contest.

I've always loved the Ravenna area! Much quieter than Greenlake; doesn't get all that traffic. Too bad the Co-op moved away, though. But the park is beautiful, and it's a great neighborhood for walking.

[homesinseattle]

Ruth, do you mean the PCC on 65th? It's alive and well! PCC | View Ridge PCC

[mkarch]

It's largely going to depend on which part of Ravenna you're comparing to which part of Greenlake. Both neighborhoods have some prime sections and both have some run down and somewhat less desirable sections, especially the areas facing the freeway, Aurora, and those bordering on the student-heavy housing near UW. Overall though similar houses on either side are priced close to one another.

To stereotype slightly, Ravenna traditionally had more of a family reputation whereas Greenlake has more singles. Although if you're looking at single family homes doubtful there's all that much demographic difference between similar streets in each neighborhood. Greenlake seems to have more older apartment buildings around it whereas Ravenna had some larger condos and apartments go in all at once a little over a decade ago.

[Gardyloo]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

Ruth, do you mean the PCC on 65th? It's alive and well! PCC | View Ridge PCC

No, she means the PCC at 20th NE and NE 65th, where the bookstore and Vios (and before Vios, the Honey Bear Bakery post-Tangletown) are now located.

As far as similarities/differences between Ravenna and Green Lake, they're not terribly dissimilar although one needs to be pretty specific as there are variations in both areas. With "Green Lake" it's quite a different vibe if you're talking about the area between Ravenna Blvd. and Tangletown, vs. the areas farther north. Similarly, Ravenna is quite different once you're north of NE 65th and east of 20th NE - smaller homes, most of them mid-century v. the 1920s bungalows closer to Ravenna Park.

It's a more diverse area then we moved here in the '80s. At that time Ravenna was emerging from transitional status - up to the 70s there were a lot of boarding houses and rentals occupied by UW students, grad students and the like. It's gentrified hugely in the past 25 years.

[homesinseattle]

I miss the Honey Bear and Luau Lounge in Tangletown.