Seattle Condo Blog and Community Information

Feb 28 2008

West Seattle

West Seattle is located southwest of downtown on a huge hilly peninsula, bordered by the Duwamish River, Elliott Bay and Puget Sound. The area is known for its friendly commercial district, varied neighborhoods, beautifully-restored craftsman-style homes and stunning views. West Seattle is the only neighborhood where you can look eastward at the towering city skyline and its shimmering reflection in Elliott Bay. The neighborhood’s western views of Puget Sound, the snowcapped Olympics, and Bainbridge and Vashon Islands are equally gorgeous. Harbor and Alki Avenues skirt the northern shoreline along a 2.5- mile esplanade. Here, you can jog, roller blade, bicycle or stroll to Alki Beach. This sandy strip is popular with sunbathers, volleyball players, beachcombers and the occasional scuba diver. Back in 1851, the city’s original pioneers landed here. Today, a monument marks Seattle’s birthplace. Sitting on the bluffs behind the shoreline, are luxury homes and condos that showcase some of the best views in the city. At the tip of Alki Point, stands a historic lighthouse which shines a beacon for ships and offers tours for visitors.From Alki Point, Admiral Way curves up the hill past Schmitz Park, a 50-acre old-growth nature preserve, and heads eastward through the Admiral neighborhood. The area features an upscale grocery store, a charming local movie theater and diverse housing ranging from century-old cottages to ultra-modern homes.Further south, you’ll pass the Genesee neighborhood, best known for “The Junction”, a friendly shopping and business district. Further east, near the West Seattle Golf Club is the Delridge neighborhood, one of the most affordable areas of West Seattle. Delridge also features the 68-acre Camp Long, a Seattle park that offers nature and overnight camping programs.Nestled along the southwest coast, is the sleepy Fauntleroy neighborhood, where you’ll hear the occasional honk of a seagull or the toot of a ferry sailing to Vashon Island. Nearby is the 130-acre Lincoln Park, featuring wooded trails, waterfront walks, picnic areas and the only heated saltwater outdoor swimming pool in the city.

West Seattle is a neighborhood with an isolated, laid-back lifestyle. But it’s still only a quick ten to twenty-minute downtown commute via the scenic West Seattle Bridge. The areas’ ocean views, expansive parks, quaint shopping areas and charming architecture continue to attract new residents.