Capitol Hill / First Hill
By Jason Verlinde
Capitol Hill is Seattle at its most eclectic. On one hand, some of the city's largest mansions can be found here, skirting the sides of massive, bucolic Volunteer Park. Down on the western side of the hill, towards the city and I-5, new condos sprout up monthly, with great city views and high prices to match. But drive down Broadway Avenue on any given night and you'll see what gives this neighborhood its young reputation: throngs of partiers, a bevy of tattoo parlors and record stores, the bulk of the city's gay and lesbian community, and plenty of college students and musicians waiting in line until the wee hours for a burger at Dick's Drive-In.
For all of its diversity and youthful culture, Capitol Hill isn't necessarily the cheapest area to live in. An easy commute - you can literally walk downtown to work on nice days - has put new apartment and condo developments in high demand. Glenn Roberts of Lake & Company Real Estate says, "Almost anybody working who doesn't want to depend on a car likes Capitol Hill. With its proximity to downtown and a vibrant local nightlife, it has a lot to offer."
The price of that convenience results in homes that range from $400,000 for a modest one- or two-bedroom to over $5,000,000 for a mansion with a view. The majority of homes in this neighborhood are 1920s Craftsman models, all requiring varying degrees of maintenance depending on the previous owner's upkeep. With prices on the high side, it's hard to find rough gems that haven't already been updated.
Condos on Capitol Hill average just more than $300,000 and numerous vintage brick apartment buildings are converted to co-ops every year. There are also many new loft style condominiums on the corridors of Pike and Pine streets, where views and good restaurants abound. Meanwhile, apartments (most date back from the 1920s to the 1940s) range from around $600 for a studio to between $700 and $1,000 for a one-bedroom. Car owners should check into the local parking situation. Overnight parking anywhere on the hill can be difficult, and local resident permits are needed. Get a garage space if it's offered to you.
Even without a car, there's no shortage of ways to get into the city from Capitol Hill, and bus routes abound -- the popular 8, 11 and 43 routes all run frequently. A common form of commuting for those on the western flank of the hill is to walk downhill to work downtown in the mornings and then take the bus back up in the evenings. On rainy days, the buses become exponentially busier.
Families tend to settle on the northern or eastern sides of the hill, where the views are good and the streets are much quieter. Lowell Elementary is the nearby public school, and older students will have a short commute to Garfield High School. Two popular colleges on Capitol Hill help give this neighborhood its youthful vibe: Seattle Central Community College and the Cornish College of the Arts.
Amidst all the urban energy, there are some quiet spots on Capitol Hill well worth seeking. If Broadway's bars and tattoo parlors aren't your scene, head to Volunteer Park, a 48-acre jewel that features tennis courts, plenty of open grassy meadows, the Seattle Asian Art Museum and much more. Nearby, the shopping district on 15th Avenue will charm you with its relaxed cafes and restaurants. That said, it's worth braving Broadway for a taste what is arguably Seattle's finest crafted cup of coffee at Vivace or just to see the latest and greatest bands at Neumos.
