Reader Recommendation Request: Neighborhood opinions, plus …

We seem to have a geographically specific theme going so far today — North Delridge — so we’re adding this Reader Recommendation Request e-mailed the other day by WSB reader “Coffee Geek“:

We are pondering a move to the north Delridge neighborhood … somewhere between Delridge and Avalon. I’m curious what people in the area have to say about living in the neighborhood. How are the neighbors? How “safe” is it relative to the rest of West Seattle? I’d like to move and not be any more worried about break-ins, vandalism, or getting harassed while walking the dogs at night …. all of which happened in a sketchy ‘hood in Chicago. Having said that, we do appreciate and enjoy the diversity West Seattle offers. Thanks!

Post your thoughts in the comments. Also relevant to this topic – just heard this morning about neighborhood info on yet another real-estate website, neighborhoods.realtor.com — Grazing through its list of 400-plus Seattle neighborhoods, we found Delridge, North Delridge, and South Delridge, as well as Alki, Fairmount Park, Fauntleroy, Gatewood, High Point, North Admiral, Westwood Village, and the basic West Seattle. (Those links will take you to the “setting and lifestyle” info that the site lists for each neighborhood — with cutesy names to describe the demographics, such as, for North Delridge, “Home Sweet Home,” “Young Influentials,” and “Suburban Sprawl.”)

chroni November 15, 2007 (12:45 pm)

I live on Pigeon Point. Great neighborhood. Safe as any neighborhood.

Bill Barna November 15, 2007 (12:54 pm)

Another good site (more data driven) is neighboroo.com

Meghan November 15, 2007 (1:26 pm)

My husband and I moved just off Delridge and Genessee this summer. So far we have loved the area. We have been to a couple of neighborhood block parties and couldn’t be happier with our neighbors. I feel completely safe walking my dog alone in the evenings/nights, and really hope to see the area continue to improve (with more little coffee shops, like Bubbles, and what not). My only complaint about the area is that it is not really a “walking” neighborhood (we moved to WS from Capitol Hill) so we need the car to get the groceries and run other errands, BUT there are fantastic little parks, the community center, Longfellow Walking Trail, etc. in the area so that makes up for it! Two thumbs up for North Delridge I say!

Kath November 15, 2007 (1:37 pm)

I live right adjacent to Avalon, north of 35th. I feel completely safe walking the dog alone at night (and YES I wear bright clothing). My car has been broken into once, but other than that I’ve had no issues.
I think it’s a great place to live!

Diana November 15, 2007 (1:37 pm)

I would encourage you to consider moving into the north Delridge neighborhood. This is a neighborhood in transition and the property values continue to increase. I purchased a fixer there in 2000 and have not regretted the decision. It’s ethnically and socially diverse and this makes it wonderful. There are many new businesses and you can access anywhere from here. The playfield is great and lights up the neighborhood in the fall and winter with soccer games. There are great things happening at the Youngstown Art Center too. In seven years I have not had any serious problems though there continues to be minor issues; thrown trash, wrecks on Delridge from speeders, an occassional errant youth that misbehaves, one “problem” neighbor, etc. Nothing more than what one would expect in any urban setting. The worst problem, and this is my personal opinion, is that the little houses are falling to development so the neighborhood is losing a lot of it’s history and working class atmosphere. So…I hope I can welcome you to “the ‘hood” and if I see you out walking your dog I might offer you something from my garden and perhaps some fresh eggs from hens!

Ken in West Seattle November 15, 2007 (2:02 pm)

Map of area considered by Seattle Clerk to be “North Delridge”

http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/public/nmaps/S/NN-1555S.htm

For the most part an old fashioned working class neighborhood that has seen only a little of the yuppification and added density off of the Delridge main street. But that is probably going to change. The map includes quite a bit of industrial and office area that is probably not useful to consider as part of the neighborhood.

Note, make sure your on high ground as there are parts of the neighborhood that abut longfellow creek where it has overflowed in the past. I expect some more commercial development soon since many of the older houses are being bought up for subdividing. Don’t consider either the golf course, Camp Long or the green space as “good neighbors” since they apparently don’t count as landowners when it comes to paying for sidewalks, street lights, drainage, weed clearing or street maintenance.

However if you’re a golfer, hiker or interested in some very nice parks your mileage may vary.

It is considered “safer” than south Delridge but it is still part of a city so don’t expect an absolutely knucklehead free existence.

Anna November 15, 2007 (2:09 pm)

I love living in the North Delridge area. I grew up just off Delridge and just bought my first house about a mile away from my parents home a few months ago. I have not had any bad experiences so far. The neighbors are great and very diverse in all senses of the word. You have older couples, young couples, families, neighbors who are new to the area and those who have lived there for decades.

ABC November 15, 2007 (2:32 pm)

We’ve lived here for 3 years and are excited to be leaving soon! I know the neighborhood is changing but it’s still not a good one. I live very near the community center and we’ve had a drive-by shooting at the corner house, caught an armed bank robber two doors down. This is a neighborhood where investors can still buy inexpensive houses and rent them out. Our street is filled with renters. I’d prefer to live in a neighborhood with more owner occupied houses. Pride of ownership shows then. Good luck with your decision and if you’re in the market for a townhouse let me know!

Mickymse November 15, 2007 (2:45 pm)

I live right there on 26th & Nevada and I LOVE our neighborhood! Walk down by the creek or the golf course. Easy walk to Skylark or Luna Park Cafe or Chelan Cafe. Several bus routes providing quick access into Downtown. Several townhomes for sale or being built right now around us if you’re looking for “affordable.”

What more do you need to know?

matthew November 15, 2007 (4:22 pm)

hey …
i live 28th and nevada…work at the skylark and absolutely love the neighborhood. had more problems when i lived nearer the junction…this area is just plain folks. i like that.

T. De November 15, 2007 (6:03 pm)

My stepson and family lived for a few months in 2006 on a dead end street in lower Pigeon Point -first street east of Delridge – cross street Andover. His car was broken into twice. People in general didn’t seem very friendly, which was so contrary to most of West Seattle. There was one fellow on the north end of the street who would smile and wave, but most folks encountered on the street seemed grumpy or stressed. The house was adorable, but he gave that up to move to the other side of 35th.

Karen November 15, 2007 (6:05 pm)

I have lived@ 26th & Hudson since 1979 and love my neighborhood. Only thing missing is a grocery store.

IsleWrite November 15, 2007 (6:25 pm)

For whatever reason, there is a lot of domestic violence in the apartment-heavy area of Avalon from 35th to Spokane, so if you’re in that end you might experience loud voices, police calls, etc. That said, I’d expect you’ll get a good return on your investment. The Youngstown Arts Center is fab, and it’s nice to have easy bicycle/bus access to Alki and the little ferry! Great vet and staff (dr. pamparo at the Pet Care Center), and I’m sure you’re already familiar with the milkshakes at the Luna Park….

Agen November 15, 2007 (10:07 pm)

Well, aside from the occasional errant car, North Delridge is a great place to be. My family lives just a few blocks south of the Playfield and our neighborhood is full of diverse, friendly folk, the majority of whom are homeowners (yes, there are a few renting ne’erdowells, but they are in the vast minority). The big complaint that we have, echoing the comment above, is that there aren’t a lot of amenities that are walkable. But that’s changing. DNDA has played a big part in bringing the library and Youngstown Cultural Arts Center to the ‘hood, and with all the townhouse density being added, new businesses are starting to pop up (we’re big fans of the new Bubbles Coffee). I’m really looking forward to playing my part as a neighbor in the growing of this neighborhood in the coming years.

Mike Dady November 16, 2007 (6:57 am)

The North Delridge Neighborhood Council will be having its quarterly Adopt-A-Street clean-up on December 8th and will be focusing effort in the Avalon Way and Youngstown neighborhoods. For folks currently living in the area – or contemplating moving to it – please spread the word and meet at the Delridge Community Center at 10:00 on the 8th to sign-in and have some fun. Rain or shine:-) PS – The NDNC meets the first Wednesday of each month at the Delridge Library at 6:30.

coffee geek November 16, 2007 (8:49 am)

Thanks everyone for the comments! We really appreciate you taking the time to answer our questions. We may have missed out on the place we were looking at, but we’ll still keep an eye out in the area based on your opiniions….thanks again!!

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