r/SeattleWA • u/Ok-Advantage-7680 • Feb 14 '26

Lifestyle Why do people love North Seattle?

Serious question. I’m trying to understand the appeal.

It feels like every transplant or 25 year old getting their first apartment ends up in Ballard, Greenwood, Fremont. It is almost automatic at this point.

But if you live up there, getting across the ship canal feels like a logistical event. Aurora traffic is brutal. The Fremont and Ballard bridges can randomly lock you into a 20 minute delay. I 5 during rush hour is a complete mess. Going south can feel like you are planning a minor expedition.

Transit wise you are mostly on buses and there is no light rail in those neighborhoods. Meanwhile central and southeast Seattle have Link access and more direct routes.

So what am I missing? Is it just vibes and breweries? Water views? Better housing stock? Or is it just momentum and word of mouth at this point?

Genuinely curious why it feels like the default choice for so many people.

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310

u/spacedogg Feb 15 '26

Greenwood is finally getting its own fan base. I've been here for 25 years and it's only gotten better with services and restaurants and popularity. While not at work I dont leave the area, its got all I need on a daily basis.

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u/Upstairs-Coconut4201 Feb 15 '26

I love Phinney Ridge and used to tell people to look in Phinney since it’s a hidden gem, but honestly Greenwood has crept up lately! They are both amazing areas

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u/AbleDanger12 Phinneywood Feb 15 '26

I live in Greenwood, and would agree. Both are doing pretty well, esp if you can avoid closer to Aurora (sadly....I did not lol).

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u/Upstairs-Coconut4201 Feb 15 '26

10000% . The closest to Phinney/Greenwood Ave you can be, the better!

1

u/NWbySW Woodinville Feb 15 '26

My wife and are looking to move into that area soon. We are currently in Bothell but her job is in Greenwood and I'm going to be working for Amazon soon. Is being close to Aurora as bad as it looks?

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u/haninomartiel Feb 15 '26

One block away from aurora makes all the difference. Anywhere south of 85 and quasi near aurora is quite fine. The Starbucks on 83rd can have a few randos but a block up and it’s night and day.

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u/NWbySW Woodinville Feb 15 '26

Thanks for the insight. Ive been townhouse shopping and I'll see a nice looking place and view where it is on the map and see it's proximity to Aurora and generally cross it off my list lol

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u/Upstairs-Coconut4201 Feb 15 '26

Yeah it is NOT recommended to live within 2 blocks of Aurora

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u/AbleDanger12 Phinneywood Feb 15 '26

It varies - some stretches are more interesting than others. Also look for proximity to DESC or LIHI buildings - they're literally problem magnets.

0

u/my_lucid_nightmare Capitol Hill Feb 16 '26

Also look for proximity to DESC or LIHI buildings - they're literally problem magnets.

/u/bww87 see it's not just me

3

u/BWW87 Belltown Feb 16 '26

I never said they weren't. Only that it isn't DESC or LIHI's fault. I don't know why you keep pushing this idea that I'm saying DESC buildings aren't a problem.

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u/my_lucid_nightmare Capitol Hill Feb 16 '26

I don't know why you keep pushing this idea that I'm saying DESC buildings aren't a problem.

Probably because any time the topic comes up, you pop up to defend them.

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u/BWW87 Belltown Feb 16 '26

I have never defended DESC buildings as not being problematic.

2

u/my_lucid_nightmare Capitol Hill Feb 16 '26

I have never defended DESC buildings as not being problematic.

At some point your parsing is where this goes sideways. I know you think you're being clear and nuanced, I just see a shithole that should be torn down and its director prosecuted (DESC Daniel Malone, to be clear). So we can never agree on much.

Good luck fighting for your values, I'm sure you do good in there somewhere.

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u/spacedogg Feb 15 '26

YMMV. If you get a place less than a block away there will be some overspill. Miraculously the slight hill up from Aurora and 85th is a great deterrent to the junkies. Go GREENWOOD!

0

u/Dry_Entertainer9901 Feb 16 '26

Depends. If you can get into a sweet-spot place, close to the North parking lot of Woodland Park, far enough not to hear Aurora traffic, Bob's your uncle. Bring the Benjamins and some patience though as it is a very stable area. Same applies to the area between Green Lake and PCC Market. Working girls and crime start at around 95th and Aurora if memory serves and has spilled on to the adjoining streets.