I recently moved from Seattle but spent 34 years there. So, unlike many of these posters, I know the city very, very well. Belltown is a great location just north of the "downtown" with great transportation. It's also blocks from the waterfront, perfect for a runner. There are coffee shops and restaurants everywhere though you need to drive to a large grocery store (or take the bus). If you're quite close to the main downtown, you can walk down to the Pike Place market to buy most of what you need. Plus, Pike Place is a wonderful atmosphere of artists and hawkers, alike. And, of course, fresh seafood is ALWAYS available.
Two things to consider, however: A fair amount of low life comes alive at night, so this is NOT a safe place for walking after dark. , It also tends to be a pretty young area (20-30). My daughter is 35 and when she returned to Seattle she initially wanted to be in Belltown but decided it was a little too young for her.
And, of course, living "in" the city, near the market, water and downtown, comes with a hefty price tag. Just know that you will be trading up, probably way up, moving from Mn.
You might consider Greenlake, a few miles north of the city. It won't give you the walk downtown access but Greenlake itself is a fantastic place to walk or run. It's safer there but, of course, is not cheap. Wallingford (on 45th) has great bus access and, if you live nearer the water, offers a great area to run on the Burke Gilman Trail.
Finally, do understand that the gray and rain cannot be overstated. In all my years in Seattle (and I love the city and area), I never fully acclimated to the steady dreariness. Many years, summers are shorter than two months. The rains and gray come back in mid-Sept. and last many times until July. A lot of people feel they're fine with rain but few true Seattlites would not admit that it is oppressive.
Denis |
Carlsbad, CA |
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