West Seattle

By Caren Gussoff

In all of Seattle, West Seattle is only rivaled by Ballard for its passionate neighborhood pride. And it's not just because of the views of Elliot Bay and the skyline, the diverse communities or the volume of hip restaurants and shops in the area - it's also because of a century-old sore spot. Ask virtually any West Seattleite and inevitably they'll rail to you about forced incorporation. "We were an independent town until we were forcibly annexed by Seattle in 1907," they'll tell you, as if they were in attendance then. "And if we were to secede now," they'll continue, "we'd be the fifth largest city in Washington. Free West Seattle!"

While the fervor for emancipation can be a bit strange, this one neighborhood really runs the full gamut of moods and personalities, deserving the feeling that it truly is a "city within a city": from gorgeous Alki with its rustic beach resort feeling, to the more modest Delridge, to the rougher edges of White Center. Coldwell Banker Bain realtor Adam Weissman describes the draw: "West Seattle is a great community with a variety of restaurants, grocery stores and parks." He continues on to say that a buyer's dollar "stretches farther as compared, for example, to many North Seattle neighborhoods."

There is an eclectic variety of homes in the area; within a single block, it is possible to find a traditional mid-century bungalow standing next to an ultra-modern condominium development. Rental prices vary wildly, depending on the particulars of each area of West Seattle. For example, one could score a huge two-bedroom in White Center for less than $700 a month, while a similar two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment off Alki Beach can climb into the $900 - $1,100 range. As for owning, those buyers' dollars procure a lot. "There are many opportunities for homes with Puget Sound and Olympic Mountain views," Weissman says, "with an average sale price of $473,023 and a median price of $409,250."

Transportation is a little tricky since West Seattle isn't necessarily convenient to anything but itself. The West Seattle Bridge can get hairy during rush hour and can back up onto and off of I-5. But at most other times, it is just a quick trip to downtown. Parking is easy in all the residential areas aside from Alki, which brings hordes of Seattleites from all areas to sun on the strip of beach. Cooler months are easier there, but the restaurants and shops on Alki's main street draw crowds year-round. Numerous metro buses serve West Seattle, and May through September many commuters hop the water taxis across Elliott Bay to downtown.

For all that's available right there, however, many residents stay put for their entertainment and shopping. The beaches at Alki and Fauntleroy are among the best in the Pacific Northwest. Lincoln Park and Longfellow Creek have great trails and more amazing views. For more everyday needs, California Avenue is packed with restaurants and shops - and there are great finds all over West Seattle: the milkshakes at the Luna Park Café, the views at the decadent (and spendy) Salty's on Alki, taking a weaving class at Basic Green Box, or browsing vinyl at Easy Street Records. Summertime also brings the three-day Seattle Music Fest over to Alki, where locals muscle in next to the rest of the city residents to see world-famous acts.

With so much on hand, it's easy to see why residents have such cultish dedication to their neighborhood - and it's easier still to understand why Seattle won't let go of West Seattle anytime soon.