How are Queen Ann, Magnolia, Fremont and Ballard neighborhoods?

[leastprime]

South end of Central District. 98122
14 (jackson) with Streetcar to Broadway/firsthill and 27 (yesler) bus will get downtown in 20 minutes max.
A bouldering facility on Rainier & Dearborn (close)
Jackson st will start at the waterfront, past Century Link field, to Amtrak/Sounder station, King Street Station, Chinatown, Japantown, littleSaigon, to 23rd Paul Allen's development complex, redeveloped neighborhood restaurants at 25th then down to MontLake and Lake Washington.
New and renovated apartments. New build townhouses. Our son lives here and we bought a new build townhouse for rental in this area.

[eugene_b]

Many thanks for all the info! For the gym though I've been thinking "Vertical World Seattle" or "Stone Gardens Bellevue", they seem to be a better match for the type of climbing we are into (top roping, we don't do bouldering). Although I'll be able to tell for sure once I visit the gyms of course. Shouldn't be a big problem because in Seattle at least the two gyms seem to be almost next to each other.

[homesinseattle]

Eugene, you'll find a big climbing culture out here. I've just dabbled (a bit at Vantage, Index and Smith Rock), but there is some great rock out there.

[eugene_b]

Thanks @homes, we are definitely looking forward to joining the local climbing community, that's one of the points that attracted us to Seattle ( both my wife and I climb, in fact that's how we met )

Another quick question. When exploring, I've stumbled on the area north of Green Lake (roughly speaking between N85th and N105th St). It has a cluster of really nice apartments there that are cheaper than elsewhere. I was expecting that it's due to longer commute since that area is pretty far from DT but surprisingly google maps shows some RapidRide line that promises to take me to DT in 20 mins. What neighborhood is that and why is it so cheap? Is it because it's suburbs and there is nowhere to go other than catching a ride to Fremont/Ballard? Or is that RapidRide line rapid only during peak hours and the neighborhood falls off the grid during other times?

[homesinseattle]

Hey Eugene, That area is called Greenwood and you are right, it is pretty convenient. Just try to buffer yourself a little bit from Aurora Ave N and Greenwood Ave N. This is a neighborhood in rapid transition, for sure. There are a few dicey people/things N of 85th close to Greenwood and the same for Aurora. You should be fine though. I think this is one reason prices are a bit lower, also that there are quite a few apartment buildings in this area. Daytime it is just fine, just use common sense in the evening. Lots of cool pubs, restaurants in this area. Here are a few, I'll let you discover the rest!

Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery: https://www.flyingbike.coop
The Yard Cafe/Pub: The Yard Cafe | Seattle, Washington
Coyle's Bakery: COYLE'S BAKESHOP
Conasupo authentic mexican market and cafe: https://www.thestranger.com/location...onasupo-market
Gainsbourg Bistro: http://gainsbourglounge.com
Couth Buzzard great bookstore and live folk music scene: Couth Buzzard Books | Building Community, One Book, One Cup at a Time

[eugene_b]

Just want to say thanks for all the helpful info and quick replies! After a very intense apartment hunting session over the last three days, we ended up with a place that satisfies nearly all our criteria perfectly and is located on the top of some huge hill in Magnolia. We loved Eastside very much too and saw some very nice places there as well but after a lot of contemplation decided not to deal with that commute. Also while uber-ing to Eastside, finally saw Mt. Rainier in its full glory - it's absolutely epic and much larger than I thought!

[homesinseattle]

You're welcome, Eugene. If you have gotten out yet and hiked in Discovery Park in Magnolia, do it soon. You won't believe you are so close to Seattle. And go have drink and/or dinner at Palisade, great views: https://palisaderestaurant.com