Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill is Seattle at its most eclectic. Its first residents who built the mansions in the 1900′s might be shocked to see the range of people walking down Broadway now. Most residents of Seattle revel in the liveliness of this neighborhood. Gay couples hold hands; young people sport Mohawks; and, street musicians strum guitars or beat homemade drums.

However, drive north on Federal Avenue to Boston and then to 14th Avenue E and you are on “Millionaires’ Row.” For all of its diversity and youthful culture, Capitol Hill is one of the must expensive areas to purchase property.  An easy commute – you can literally walk downtown to work on nice days – has put new apartments and condo developments in high demand.

The price of that convenience results in homes that range from $400,000 for a modest 1 or 2-bedroom to over $5,000,000 for a mansion with a view. The majority of homes in this neighborhood are 1920′s 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 average more than $300,000 and numerous vintage brick apartment buildings are converted to co-ops every year. There are also many new loft style condos on the corridors of Pike & Pine streets, where views and good restaurants abound. Apartments (most date back from the 1920′s &1940′s) range from $600 for a small studio to $700 and $1,000 for a 1-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.