Finally out of the dorms...where should I live? (Seattle: condo, homes)

[allgoodchildren11]

Hi all...I'll keep this to the point.

-I work downtown
-I'd rather not drive myself to work every day
-I'm young and single
-I like restaurants and music venues
-I wouldn't mind a condo, at least this early in life
-I'd rather not rent
-I could afford anything up to $350k, really, but any higher than that would be stretching it. That seems to price me out of most single-family homes, but I don't think I'd want one of those close to downtown anyway.

So far, people I know have been recommending

-Lower Queen Anne
-Capitol Hill
-Fremont
-Downtown itself

Could anyone give me the rundown on these neighborhoods, and possibly name any others? I have to admit that, until recently, I've been a sheltered person, so I don't know my own city very well

[Inkpoe]

West Seattle should be included in on the list too.

I think the best thing you can do is get a list of cities, spend a couple days in each of the city and see if it vibes with you. If it doesn't, then cancel it-- if you still have questions, I'm sure there are others here who can give you their experience. I mean, who knows, maybe DT Edmonds will be the jackpot.

[svartkatt]

Hi, I lived in Capitol Hill and several other neighborhoods. I posted previously about them here:
//www.city-data.com/forum/12400404-post189.html.

Based on your list, any of the neighborhoods you mention might do, but downtown can mean a lot of things (i.e. Pioneer Square or Belltown) that present their own unique issues. After college, most of my friends and I settled on Capitol Hill or Queen Anne. You might also check out First Hill, which is close (walking distance) to downtown and CH, but is a bit quieter than CH in my opinion.

[Ira500]

I'd look at Columbia City too.

[tobester]

I second Columbia City - great neighborhood, 5-10 minute walk to light rail.