Seattle is a city of neighborhoods, all with their own wonderful sense of style and flavor. This is one of the reasons that Seattle is such an excellent place to live. Here is some information on a few neighborhoods and links to information on local public and private schools.

Seattle Times School Guide
www.seattletimes.com/schoolguide

http://privateschool.about.com/

Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

www.k12.wa.us

Ballard
Historically a Scandinavian fishing and lumber town, Ballard has grown into a more multi-ethnic community. From the Locks to Old Town Ballard to the independent music scene, the marinas, the Majestic Bay movie house, the Nordic Museum, parks, Ballard Art Walk, Golden Gardens and more. Spend the day shopping and stopping for a meal at one of the many spots along Ballard Avenue and Market Street.  This is a neighborhood that combines a rich history and is a vibrant place to live. Learn more.

Beacon Hill
One of Seattle's first neighborhoods, Beacon Hill was homesteaded in the 1860's. With a great new City Library, Despi Delite Bakery, Baja Bistro, Yoga on Beacon and Sound Transit on its way, this wonderfully diverse neighborhood is quickly emerging as one of Seattle's hottest markets. North Beacon Hill is home to Jefferson Park Golf Course and Jefferson Community Center. Close to I-5, I-90, the West Seattle Bridge and downtown—talk about centrally located! Learn more.

Capitol Hill
Just east of downtown, Capitol Hill is a great mix of residential streets with turn of the century homes, classic apartments and co-ops. Also, a vibrant urban redevelopment is underway. The area is known for its widely diverse neighbors, great shopping, Cornish College of the Arts, restaurants, parks, nightlife and arts scene. Learn more.

Central Seattle
Music, people, culture and spirit describe the Central Area Community Festival, a way of life this neighborhood has always held close to the heart. The Central Area is also one of the fastest changing areas in Seattle. Once a community that was on the decline, now that couldn't be further from the truth. Home styles vary, including Tudors, Victorians, Cape Cods, Townhomes, Craftsmans and tri-levels. Close to downtown, Madrona, Leschi and Capitol Hill, the area's local landmarks include Mt Zion church, Central Cinema, coffee shops, Catfish Corner, Garfield High School and the Community Center. Learn more.

Columbia City
The people who live here take pride in their neighborhood, each year making Columbia City an even better community in which to live. Because of the shops, restaurants and many community activities like the Farmers Market and Beat Walk, live music at places including Lottie's Lounge, tutta bella and The Columbia City Theatre, this neighborhood has playfully been named "the new center of the universe". Located west of Seward Park and southeast of Beacon Hill. Learn more.

Downtown
The largest residential neighborhood downtown is Belltown. Some of the city's best restaurants, the Pike Place Market, the Piers, Seattle Center, Myrtle Edwards Park and many shops and clubs are within walking distance.  Recently the city's building height restrictions have been changed-allowing more growth.  That, along with South Lake Union

development, downtown has a quickly changing landscape.

Fremont
Fremont has many surrounding landmarks, places to be and locations of interest. Check some of the links listed. Yet perhaps the best way to get a feel for it is to go! Here are some comments from people who have: "The center of the Universe", "funky", "hip", "Fremont is a state of mind", "Quirky", "The hipness has kept pace with the yuppiness". Fremont's boundaries are Woodland Park Zoo, the Fremont bridge, Gasworks Park and Ballard. Learn more.

Georgetown
Seattle's Oldest Neighborhood. In 1871, Annie & Julius Horton plotted their land into a town & named it for their son George to honor his graduation from Medical School. Located in the Southwest part of the city, Georgetown is part industrial, part commercial and part residential.  Folks living here are some of the biggest fans, watching neglected buildings come alive again with shops, businesses and restaurants. Georgetown is flourishing as a unique, affordable close-knit neighborhood with a increasing level of desireability among buyers. It encompasses a variety of home styles, artists' studios and workshops, and a new park that features the classic Hat 'n' Boots and the Georgetown Garden Walk during the second week of July. Learn more.

Green Lake
The center of this active residential community is, of course, Green Lake. There are walkers, runners, bikes, rollerblades and skateboards. Roger Sale writes in his book Seeing Seattle, "If what I wanted was conversation ranging from casual to good, Green Lake is ideal, since others leave you alone and the scene provides fodder for the talk. It is a great city street." Surrounding the lake is an urban village including restaurants, coffee shops, soccer and softball fields, basketball and tennis courts, Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse and more. Homes in this area are predominantly single-family residences including Craftsman, Tudor and Bungalow along with a growing number of Townhomes. Learn more.

Greenwood and Phinney Ridge
Greenwood and Phinney Ridge are in close proximity and sometimes overlap commercially. Because of this, the two neighborhoods often work together when planning community strategies and events. The area is known for its pubs, cafes, Woodland Park Zoo, antique stores, art and culture. Housing styles are diverse, from Cape Cod to Tudors, 50's style to Ramblers and more. Learn more about Greenwood. Learn more about Phinney Ridge.

Laurelhurst
This is an upscale neighborhood with a strong sense of community. Located south of NE 45th Street to Webster point and east of the UW, it is known for its quiet streets, parks, University Village, views and well-cared for homes, some of which line the shores of Lake Washington. Learn more.

Madison Park
The main street of Madison Park is a bit like a resort town. Quaint little shops and sidewalk restaurants, a park with a beach house where you can take in Lake Washington, this is one of the most desireable locations in the city. Everything from bungalows to lakeside mansions, condos to craftsmans. A quick drive to Capitol Hill, downtown, and SR520, yet still tucked away from it all. Learn more.

Madrona
Just North of Leschi and South of Denny Blaine, with views to the East, of Lake Washington, the Cascades and Bellevue and to the West, views of downtown and the Olympic Mountains, lives "The Peaceful Kingdom". In a livable city, this is one of the most livable neighborhoods. 34th and Union is its junction, with the High Spot, St. Clouds, Fetch and Woodridge Winery being just a few of the businesses that line the meeting place of Madrona. This is a community persons community, something that is true of many Seattle neighborhoods. In Madrona there's the "Madrona Moms", a strong community council that produces a web site and newsletter of goings-ons, and including people banding together to develop parks and playgrounds. Learn more.

Magnolia
With its natural boundaries, Magnolia has an island-like feel. It has many parks to explore, the largest is Discovery Park. With 534 acres, Discovery Park supports four habitats, a forest, meadows, saltwater and fresh water. The business district at the top of the hill has a small town feel with shops, restaurants and conveniences.  On the Westside is Fisherman's Terminal, a marina with shops and restaurants. Magnolia has homes in a wide range of prices depending on your needs. Learn more.

Maple Leaf
In 1986 Maple Leaf was voted "U.S. Neighborhood of the Year". Located NE of Green Lake, it offers views of the Olympics and the Cascades Mountains, a puppet museum, good restaurants and pubs, and thriving businesses. Learn more.

Mt. Baker
Just south of Leschi and north of Seward Park, Mt. Baker's location has much to offer. Great homes, Mt Baker Park and beach, its popular "Day in the Park" event, the Mt Baker Community Club, Mioposto pizzeria, Crew Club and more. Home styles in this neighborhood include embassy-style homes, modern, Tudor, Craftsman, mid-century and modest bungalows along with post-war architecture. Mt. Baker is close to downtown and I-90, yet very much a residential neighborhood. Learn more.

Ravenna
North of the University District and South of Maple Leaf, Ravenna was founded in 1887 and named for a seaside district in northeast Italy. Ravenna has had a strong Community Association since the 1920's, big support of schools and boasts one of the oldest parks in the city. Ravenna residents are working to bring Ravenna Creek to the surface after being underground for 50 years. Learn more.

Queen Anne
One of the highest points in the city and the fact that it is so close to Downtown, Queen Anne occupies some amazing views of the city, water and mountains. Check out the Kinnear Park lookout! The homes in this neighborhood are beautiful, offering great charm and original character. Many of them are artistically painted to add accent to the gardens and tree lined streets. Queen Anne Avenue runs the length of this community from lower to upper, lower having the Seattle Center, many theaters and concert Halls, the Uptown Movie House, restaurants and markets. This very urban part of the neighborhood is mostly made up of condos and townhouses. Upper Queen Anne has a more residential texture and a still vivacious community core. Learn more.

Seward Park /Lakewood
Just south of Mt. Baker, this neighborhood is filled with sites that make Seattle a very livable city. Beautiful Seward Park, a woody peninsula that is home to bald eagles, herons and owls.  It also encompasses swimming and picnic areas, tennis courts and fishing docks. Other neighborhood features include picturesque beaches along Lake Washington and one of the loveliest drives in the city—Lake Washington Boulevard. Along 50th, there is a community of business that include the PCC, 4 Paws Veterinarian Clinic, restaurants, cafes and more. Learn more.

Upper Rainier Beach
O.K., I'm letting the word out, this place is amazing! Affordable homes, some of them with breathtaking views of Lake Washington, which if just a bit further north would be 100's of thousands more in price. A quiet neighborhood with many long time residents who love it. A Seattle homebuyer's surprise. Learn more.

View Ridge
A small neighborhood located north of NE 65th, east of 40th Avenue NE, and west of Sandpoint Point Way NE. Obviously by the name, View Ridge sports some great views of Mt. Rainier and Lake Washington. In the late 60's, the utility poles and power lines were buried, leaving just neatly-groomed yards and homes, quiet streets and sidewalks. View Ridge is located near the UW, Husky Stadium, University Village, Magnusson Park and Lake Washington. Learn more.

Wallingford
Bordered by Lake Union and Woodland Park, I-5 and Aurora, Wallingford is known for its tree lined streets, The Guild 45th movie house, a diverse collection of restaurants, shops, book stores and more. In 1956, a local energy plant closed and Wallingford became the first neighborhood in the world to recycle an industrial factory into a public park. Today, people enjoy the grassy hilled Gasworks Park for its views, kite flying, July 4th fireworks and proximity to the Burke-Gilman Trail. Wallingford is a wonderful neighborhood in which to live. Close to most everything and most of what you need is right in the hood. Learn more.

Wedgwood
Homesteaded in 1900, Wedgwood is mainly a single family residential community. Close to University Village Shopping Center, the Burke-Gilman Trail, the UW and 35th Avenue NE.  Home styles vary from Craftsman, Tudor, post-war, mid century and modern. Here is a very well established, sleepy feeling, community with the pulse of activity nearby. This neighborhood is known for supporting community-established ventures. Learn more.

West Seattle
When people haven't spent much time in West Seattle, they tend to think of Alki Beach. Not at all a bad thing to think about with a beachfront promenade, views of the Olympic Mountains as well as downtown Seattle. At Alki Avenue SW and 63rd Avenue SW is a monument where settlers first landed in 1851. There is so much to West Seattle. The Admiral District with its beautiful homes, California Street Business District, Fauntleroy ferry, Lincoln Park, amazing Sound properties and many distinctive other neighborhoods. West Seattle homes vary in cost greatly from around $200k to $3,000,000. Learn more.