Buying in West Seattle

[yeah-me]

Views!?! I could not resist. I purchased my house in 1996 and across the street (between me and the sound and mountains) was a cute one story house (which I could see over from my kitchen) and three huge pine trees that blocked everything from the dining and living rooms.

Then someone bought the cute house across the street and added a second story and planted another big old tree (alas deciduous so I still had a view from the kitchen in the winter).

Then the big wind storms came a few years ago and tilted the big pine trees across the street and now they are gone and I have a sound and mountain view from my living room.

So I started with a little view. Lost it. And then gained a better view. Views are not protected in Seattle. Buy a house you can grow with in a neighborhood that you love.

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[Ken]

Before they rebuilt Highpoint, we had a view of the cascades and Mt Rainier, the city and the space needle.

Now all I can see is the space needle from the front porch but trees in the City right-of-Way for 31st ave are taking that out.

We are going to have to reframe the 5 x 7 windows since they now look out on the mchouse next door.

(9 feet away)

Views change.

and the more expensive of the Highpoint properties have that view now :)

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[JoB]

Ken..

according to your link i don’t live in West Seattle at all.. i live in the Roxbury area of Delridge :)

who knew.

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[anonyme]

Thanks for the neighborhood links! I’m still confused by “Fauntlee Hills”…?

As to views, I agree that this is a very subjective area. Personally, I think trees ARE a view; lots of people seem to think they are something you chop down to get one. The sky presents an ever-changing view, one that is accessible from virtually any location. I feel sorry for those who think of beauty in terms of commercial value rather than intrinsic pleasure.

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[Leah P]

KTaylor,

Just a quick vote +1 for the WESTWOOD Neighborhood. I live near EC Huges Park, and love love love the walk-ability of my neighborhood. The park is awesome! We also have the SW Community Center 1 block away – with a pool, and a computer lab, and classes. The SW Library is a short stroll. But best of all is Westwood Village (which was designed by the same guy who did U Village). It’s so convenient to have a post office, grocery store, starbucks, and bookstore all in one place.

I would recommend doing a little door knocking once you find the right house, just knock on the neighbors door and see if they answer. Neighbors will always tell you the “skinny” about their neighborhood! It’s a nice way to introduce yourself as their potential neighbor, and to get info about the area.

I also found this chart helpful in comparing the different areas: http://www.seattlemet.com/real-estate/articles/neighborhoods-by-the-numbers/

Good luck! And WELCOME!

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[BookGal]

I am still a newcomer to West Seattle (we bought a house 3+ years ago in the Fairmount Springs area). No view – but one only needs to walk up the hill towards 35th to enjoy the Sound view! :) We love our neighborhood – its family friendly, animal friendly, there are trees, and friendly neighbors. We walk to all the Junctions; yes, even to the Admiral District!

The only complaint has to do with the increase of high speed drivers (short-cutting through the neighborhoods)…on Fauntleroy and 35th. Especially those who do not come to a full stop at the marked pedestrian walkways. But that’s for the forum rant section…

If you take the bus, its pretty easy to get to/from downtown especially during commute times. If you work later (past 6:00 pm) the routes don’t run as frequently (every 30 minutes), some stop running and some routes arrive within minutes of one another. As usual, the East/West bus routes lack in frequency, especially on off-peak times. So, timing is everything… otherwise you’ll find yourself running to catch your connecting bus.

Missing the bus and waiting a half hour isn’t bad in the spring/summer months, but when its cold, wet, raining, and windy… not so fun.

There’s also the water taxi during commute times (currently on winter schedule). The downtown dock is much further south (Pioneer Square area) than when it was run by Argosy (near Pike Place Market/Waterfront). So if you work in Belltown or the Financial District, it might be too far and take too much time to consider taking. But do take it on a day off – its so relaxing and enjoyable! More water taxi riders, the better.

Its also fairly safe to walk around in West Seattle, even at night – at least on the California Ave corridor and its surrounding neighborhoods. There are areas in WS I would consider as risky to walk alone, especially after dusk.

Do check the King County Sex (registered) Offenders page too. By doing so it doesn’t mean you are being paranoid – but it does mean you will be better informed.

What I especially like about living in West Seattle: Its a REAL community. There are single family homes. It is NOT Belltown, Fremont, Ballard, nor Capitol HIll. People move here to stay – its not a transitional neighborhood… even though there has been a lot of new (homogenous) townhouse/condo construction within the past few years.

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[WorldCitizen]

You know, in this economy it may be best to buy a house with the most options. One you may live in now and rent out later. Or a duplex you may live in now and rent out part of at the same time (If you’re willing to do the landlord thing…I hear the rental market is becoming more lucrative for landlords these days). At any rate, options seem to be the smartest way to go these days. I wish I was a buyer in this market. Multi family housing in good walking neighborhoods seem like a gold-mine right now.

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