Fremont / Phinney Ridge

By Jasmine Moir

Fremont's pet name for itself - "The Center of the Universe" - should indicate something of its flair. Once a hippie haven and 1960s-era countercultural hotspot, this bohemian "People's Republic" may have mellowed with age, but proudly retains its sense of individuality. Although some decry the neighborhood's recent gentrification, most can't help but be charmed by a place where chic cocktail lounges cozy up to funky galleries, public art is avowedly unconventional and the most important local holiday is the Summer Solstice.

Nestled just north of Queen Anne Hill at the edge of the Lake Washington Ship Canal and Burke-Gilman Trail, the heart of Fremont is its pedestrian-friendly retail core. Recent development has ushered in a surprisingly upscale shopping scene, as well as a lively collection of options for dinner and drinks. The neighborhood's independent streak stays strong, however, and you'll have to look hard to find national chains like Starbucks and Baja Fresh, which are far outnumbered by independent shops like Sonic Boom Records, Les Amis and Bitters Co. as well as lively nightlife magnets The Red Door and ToST.

With its clearly-defined center and 10-minute-by-car access to downtown, it's little wonder that Fremont is one of Seattle's more desirable addresses. More laid-back than Belltown and less edgy than Capitol Hill, the neighborhood attracts a range of residents with its large numbers of apartments, townhomes and duplexes and select few early 1900s Craftsman-style homes. A slew of events and festivals such as Oktoberfest, the Fremont Fair, outdoor summer movies and the weekly European-style Fremont Sunday Market help foster the area's free-spirited community culture.

"It's been a hot area for a long time," says John L. Scott Real Estate agent Linda Dorgan, who adds that properties rarely stay on the market for more than 30 days. "It's artsy and it's funky and people are attracted to that." According to Dorgan, prices for a two-bed, two-bath home range from $400,000 to $760,000, with townhomes and condos selling at only slightly less. Average rentals hover in the $800 to $1,500 range.

For those craving slightly less eccentricity, there's Phinney Ridge, extending north from Fremont along a 350-foot ridge with views of water and mountains on either side. Mellower and less self-consciously hip, the area has been slower to gentrify than its southerly sister and answers Fremont's zany energy with a sleepy charm.

If you own a dog, love dogs, or think you might enjoy gazing at other peoples' dogs, Phinney Ridge is the neighborhood for you. Retailers like Herkimer Coffee, gift shop Allusia and hip Mexican restaurant El Chupacabra that line Phinney Avenue (the 'hood's main commercial stretch) often leave bowls of water on the sidewalk year-round and hand out treats to visiting canines. This casual, relaxed atmosphere also makes the ridge family-friendly - a designation reinforced by amenities like the Woodland Park Zoo, beloved burger joint Red Mill Burgers and easy proximity to Green Lake.

Although mixed-use developments, condos and brick-faced apartment buildings stud the top of the hill, Phinney's slopes are dominated by 1940s and '50s-era bungalows and Craftsman-style residential homes, says Steven Brown, an associate broker with Windermere. Residences here often boast spectacular views of the Olympics and Cascades and - with a median sales price of $424,000 - can be had for slightly less than in trendier neighboring areas. Rentals are relatively reasonable too, averaging $650 to $1,200.

Both Fremont and Phinney Ridge are centrally located and served by the route 5 bus, which goes straight downtown. Fremont residents can take bus routes 28, 26, and 74 to Seattle Center. Aurora Avenue is easily accessible to both areas, although I-5 can be a longer haul, especially during rush hour and on weekends, when street traffic can stall the two-mile trek along 45th or 50th streets.