Magnolia

By Caren Gussoff

If "Magnolia" has struck you as a bit too Dixieland a name for a neighborhood set on the windy banks of Elliott Bay, you'd be correct. Captain Vancouver was a few letters off when he noted the burly Madrona trees atop the area's bluffs as southern Magnolias. However, the name stuck, and residents agree that the moniker gives the area the kind of exotic mystique it deserves.

Magnolia is unique. As you drive across one of the three bridges that it's accessible by, the scenic four-square-mile peninsula feels like a secluded island community - yet it is directly adjacent to the Ballard Locks and Queen Anne Hill.

The natural beauty of the area is astounding. The city's largest park remains the greatest draw: Discovery Park offers virtually untouched forest, 534 acres of trails, and views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Birdwatchers flock there to spy the families of rare eagles, falcons, and herons that make their homes in the forested areas. The park also contains two historic landmarks: the oldest lighthouse in Puget Sound, West Point Lighthouse; and Fort Lawton, one of the busiest staging areas for WWII soldiers headed to the Pacific, and a former prisoner of war camp. Residents, however, tend to flock to the south end for the smaller Magnolia Park, where they play tennis and have picnics against postcard worthy backdrops.

Given all these natural amenities, it's no small wonder that Magnolia homes are among the most expensive in Seattle. As agent Joseph L. Platz with Covenant Real Estate, Incorporated, says, "There are homes listed for as high as $8.9 million in the area." These homes, usually posh Tudor-style houses with breathtaking views, are worth every penny to buyers who can foot that bill. Platz adds that on average, "the median price is about $800,000." Rentals, however, are on par with the city at large - expect to pay between $900 and $1,100 for a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment averaging 1,000 square feet. No matter what price paid, the residents love the small-town feel of Magnolia, where neighbors know neighbors, and community spirit runs rampant.

Magnolia residents show this community spirit by serving, in droves, on local committees and conservation boards, as well as attending the special events which happen regularly throughout the year. Gearheads adore the Magnolia Village Auto Show, which brings numerous collector cars to the area in the early spring. The Magnolia SummerFest and Art Show showcases local artisans and vendors in a festival setting. And the holidays are a treat - neighborhood businesses throw an open house party for residents the Friday evening before Thanksgiving, with refreshments and general revelry, and there is an annual lighting ceremony for the neighborhood tree.

Residents also spend time wandering McGraw Street, the main drag, and the retail portions of Fisherman's Terminal (the marina home of the Alaska Fishing Fleet) - both of which provide the neighborhood with fabulous restaurants with even more fabulous waterfront views: the pricey Palisade, known for its Sunday brunches; tasty burgers at Maggie Bluffs, and fresh nigiri at Sanmi. The area also provides basic necessities-although most residents have to go outside the neighborhood, to Ballard or Queen Anne, for groceries, hardware, and the like.

The area has slightly limited bus services, but there is easy access to Ballard, Queen Anne, and downtown. Once there, you'll have to transfer to get anywhere else in the city. Commuting can be difficult; residents have to drive through downtown to catch I-5 or through Ballard to get access to Highway 99, which can add as much as 30 minutes to a rush hour drive.

Still, most residents wouldn't trade anything for the camaraderie and vistas of Magnolia, understanding full well that their island getaway home comes at a price - that of convenience.