| Thinking of going to the UW? |
[Dec. 17th, 2006|01:10 pm]
Dangio Aleseides
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Here is the run down
Living: It depends on what type of budget you are looking at, finding an apartment at this time of a year is very difficult in the U-district because most leases start in September (autumn quarter) and end in August (end of summer quarter). My last apartment was a two bedroom for $925/mo, with $60/mo parking. Studios are $650+ typically, and there are numerous subleted housing north, west and east of campus. Here are the main neighborhoods in the area:
U-district: the heart near UW, has wonderful bus access with 4 downtown buses (travel time: 10-20min, comes every 10 min), one bus to Seattle Center, two to Capitol Hill, two to Ballard, and the Sound Transit which goes north and southbound to the suburbs. There are a ton of bus options, so living in or near the U-district is a big plus. Crime is well enforced, especially since the UW has its own police department and Seattle police is also very responsive. Most of the bums hang out on the West side of The Ave (Univ Wy & 45th-41st St NE). Decent food choice, Safeway & Trader Joes in walking distance and the U-bookstore too. UW Medical Center is located a little south of the main campus and Hall of Health is on campus. Post office.
U-Village: East of the UW campus, more suburban like living, three main buses, more limited access to downtown, but buses will take you thru campus (MT 65, 75). The MT 25 runs downtown, but takes a long route. More apartments available, Children's hospital is nearby, along with a large QFC and Safeway back to back. There is also a mall with B&N bookstore, crate and barrel, and shopping. Good neighboorhood, but the bus access isn't as great.
Ravenna: North of the UW, mostly apartments and centered around Cowen and Ravenna Park (large forested region with trails). There are one or two buses that travel north and south to UW, but the campus is within walking distance (depending how far north you live). There isn't much in the way of food, The Ave (University Wy & 45th) is your closest bet, which is about 10-20 blocks away walking. I would stay away from the woods at night, bums and such like to hang out there frequently.
Wallingford: West of the UW, across Interstate 5 is the another sub-suburb. It is a little more quaint, with more old people and a few families. The MT 43 bus runs every 5 minutes, taking you along 15th St NE (west border of UW campus) thru Wallingford, to Ballard. There are alot of houses in this area, and a large QFC. I think crime is also low, not as many bums, but a lot of street children. My friend lives in a brand new studio for $680.
Fremont: South west of the UW / South of Wallingford, this area is suburbian in the east part and yuppie in the west part. It is nearby the famous Gas Works Park, a great place to see the fireworks, but home to a lot of bums and creepy people at night. There is one or two buses that run downtown, but only the MT 74 runs to UW.
Capitol Hill: South of UW, across the bridge is the alternative area, aka Central District. This is the best place to live if you are open/ free minded and live alternative lifestyles, very liberal. Broadway is a vast stretch of street with shops and restaurants galore. A multi-leveled QFC and Seattle Central Community College. There are 2-3 buses that run downtown, the MT 49 runs downtown AND to the UW. There are lots of apartments and houses, the prices are similiar to the UW. I would recommend living on the west side of Broadway because the crime is a lot lower than the east side. Post Office.
That covers the main area around UW. I wouldn't recommend any farther that Northgate, especially if you plan to ride the bus. Don't live in Shoreline, even Northgate is pushing it. Northgate has a transit station, but it doesn't travel any farther north, you have ride a bus back downtown or to UW before travelling north again. Shoreline has little or no access, this is the beginning of car country. Alot of commuters live in these greater suburban areas, so there are special express buses that run in the morning (7-9am) and the evening (3-6pm) to and from downtown Seattle, which isn't too bad.
East side of I-5:
Shoreline: Northwest of Northgate, very northwest of UW. Very suburban, with close access to Hwy 99 and Shoreline CC. Lot of construction on Hwy 99. Shoreline actually falls on both sides of I-5.
Northgate: suburban, close to mall and I-5. Express lanes located at Northgate, causing the traffice to bottleneck frequently. The West side of I-5 is North Seattle CC. There are two buses that run to the UW, the MT 66 runs to UW and Downtown.
Lake City: East of Shoreline, but still very north of UW. There are two buses that run to the UW (MT 74 & 372), and at least one bus that runs during morning/evening rush hour to/ from downtown. Very suburban, QFC. Post office nearby. Driving distance to Northgate, borders Northend of Ravenna and Wedgewood. sdragon and I spent a the first part of our childhood here.
Wedgewood: Southwest of Lake City, north of UW. The MT 71 runs to the UW and Downtown every 20-30min. Very much like Lake City--suburban with little bus access.
First Hill: South of Capitol Hill, this is more a elderly and quaint area (much like Wallingford). Prices for a 1bedroom or studio are much higher, $800+. Centered around Swedish Hospital, there are lots of senior housing, but not much in terms of grocery or restaurants. Crime is low near the hospital, but get shady the closer you get to I-5 (westside of First Hill).
Now to the West side of I-5:
Greenwood: South of Shoreline is another suburb. A friend of mine lives with her husband over there, she says that the bus access is good to both UW and downtown. I still need to scope the area out more first hand, but it is like Shoreline, except better bus access. Still, it is a fair distance to UW. The MT 48 runs to UW, and there are 2-3 buses that run downtown (travel time: 15-35min).
Green Lake: South of Greenwood, Northwest of UW. Suburban, but yuppie and scenic. Centered around "Green Lake", a giant lake is favored by joggers, dog owners, bicyclists and more athletic people. Good bus access and beautiful area to live. If it wasn't far from downtown, I would love to live here. The crime is low as far as I know, mostly grad students, young professionals and sparce families live here.
Ballard: West of Green Lake, another suburb with a large Norweigan population (much like Wallingford). Big Fredmeyers, a few grocery stores, two or three buses go downtown, one or two go to UW. It is a little ways out, but it is nice place to live if you aren't both students. Houses, apartments, and sublets.
Magnolia: Directly South of Ballard and stretching further west, Magnolia is more affluent. It is centered around Discovery Park, a HUGE, densely forested stretch of park. I hear that Ron Reagan Jr. lives here, a long with a one our House Representatives (I interned on her campaign a few years ago). The bus access here is very limited, but there are a lot of expensive houses here.
Queen Anne: Southeast of Magnolia, this area is divided into upper and lower Queen Anne. Upper Queen Anne is the Hill, it has more restaurants and houses, plus a Trader Joes. But the bus access isn't as great, the MT 2 and 13 run downtown. Lower Queen Anne (where my gf lives) has more apartments and is next to the Seattle Center. The bus access is GREAT if you are trying to get downtown or UW. The MT 74 runs directly to UW and comes every 30min until 7pm. There are six buses that run downtown (MT 1, 2, 13, 15, 18, 36); everything except for the 36 goes back to Queen Anne. These buses come every 5-20 mins depending. The MT 15 & 18 also run to Ballard.
Crime isn't very bad, but there are several bums. The crime gets worse the further west you live.
24-hr QFC and Bartell Drugs. Large Safeway open until 1am too. Lots of young ppl (21-32) hang around at Peso's (singles bar) and Ozzies (Karaoke bar), so the streets are alive. This is a good area to live in if you can find a place. My gf's studio is $780 and going up.
That covers that preferred areas around the UW. I strongly recommend against living south or southeast of Downtown Seattle. Crime runs a lot higher and access is poorer. Areas I recommend to stay away from, or consider cautiously:
Beacon Hill: south of Capitol Hill, east of International District.
Rainier Beach: southeast of Beacon Hill
West Seattle: very south west of Downtown seattle, 10min bus ride to Downtown (MT 120 & 125), but the on-ramp floods frequently. Cheaper housing and apartments, but lower income.
Okay, I think that covers UW and the areas surrounding Downtown Seattle. Here are some resources I recommend you look at (sorry I don't have time to hyperlink these):
craigslist seattle- jobs and housing
transit.metrokc.gov- metro buses and maps
www.facebook.com- find a UW grad student to interview
www.ischool.washington.edu- just send them an email and ask to speak with a counselor or ask what resources they have for prospective students
Good Luck! |
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