| Bastyr University » Student Housing » Neighborhoods | May 16, 2008 |
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NeighborhoodsHere is some information on the neighborhoods surrounding the campus and extending outwards. The campus is located at the very north end of the east side of Lake Washington. If you have an idea about a neighborhood where you may want to live, walk, bike or drive around the neighborhood and look for "FOR RENT" signs. Talk to managers of any apartment buildings that catch your eye. Put in an application even if there are not any vacancies at the time. Bring along someone who is living off campus and ask a lot of questions. This may be time-consuming, but many believe it is well worth the effort. West side of the lake Lake City is very commercial with a lot of car dealers and businesses, but a block off the major road it is residential and housing tends to be more affordable in this area. There are many apartments in the area, and, if you stay away from the lake views, rents tend to be cheaper. Bus service along Lake City Way is very good. North of Lake Washington are Kenmore and Bothell. The cost of housing in these areas varies significantly from very expensive homes to older cottages and apartments that are moderately priced. Both areas offer more reasonably-priced housing than other Eastside areas (east of Lake Washington), are closest to campus and have a bus line that runs directly to the university. Wonderful biking and hiking trails provide excellent recreational opportunities along the Sammamish River. You'll find lots of neighborhoods just south and west of the campus: Lake Forest Park, Shoreline, Bitter Lake and Mountlake Terrace. These areas may seem far from the city, but they offer a suburban feel. With the campus ten miles away from Seattle and its congestion, it is very possible to live further "out," such as in Snohomish County, and feel it's more than worth it to live "out in the country" where living is easy and cheaper. The Green Lake area is defined by the lake bearing this name. With a nearly three-mile path around the lake, it is almost always crowded with runners, bicyclists, baby strollers, roller skaters and dogs. At Green Lake you'll find a community center with a swimming pool and gymnasium, lots of playing fields, the Bathhouse Theater and a boathouse as well as plenty of restaurants surrounding the lake. Rents are a bit higher in this area. There have been a number of new apartment buildings built in the past few years and several students live here in shared housing situations. Next to Green Lake is Wallingford, a cozy area with many shops and restaurants as well as the Bastyr Center for Natural Health, the teaching clinic for the university's students. The housing consists mostly of private homes and older, quaint apartment buildings. Rent is moderate, but it increases as you get closer to Lake Union, which borders on the south. To the west of Wallingford is Fremont, an artsy, bohemian district filled with interesting public artwork and monuments such as "Waiting For the Interurban" and the "Aurora Troll." Other finds include the Sunday Flea Market, the summer outdoor movies, the statue of Lenin and lots of hip stores. The University District is the major neighborhood east of I-5, featuring the University of Washington, an incredible business district, and tons of student housing and businesses that cater to students. It is a busy area with a lot of activity and noise. Wedgewood, View Ridge, Bryant, Ravenna and Roosevelt are just north of this area, featuring nice parks and two of the PCC stores -- Ravenna & View Ridge. Housing is generally cheaper the farther north you travel, with smaller houses and yards, and some apartments. Ravenna has a splendid park, community center and an interesting mix of homes and people, ranging from UW professors to student renters. Bryant is very similar to Ravenna, except the homes and yards are bigger and there are more single-family residences and fewer rentals. View Ridge is much the same and also has a PCC. Wedgewood is very similar to View Ridge, except that it has a little more of a defined business area. Further north and west, of Green Lake area lay Greenwood, Phinney Ridge, Crown Hill and North Park, which offer more affordable housing for students. To the northeast of Green Lake is Northgate, mostly noted for the very first enclosed shopping mall (1950). It is still a major shopping district combined with office and apartment complexes, and housing prices that, though increasing, are currently moderate. There is now a major Metro (bus service) transfer station located just south of the mall. East side of the lake The city of Kirkland lies to the south. Kirkland has a great variety of commercial activity, with some excellent restaurants and shopping and very nice parks along the lake. PCC has a store at Houghton Village (NE 70th St.) and one of the busiest Costco stores is just east of I-405. As always, housing near the lake, or with decent views, is very expensive. However, there are some moderately priced apartments and rentals in the area. Bellevue, Washington's fifth largest city is south of Kirkland. Bellevue experienced a tremendous growth spurt the past ten years. Some areas of Bellevue offer some of the more expensive places to live on the eastside, but some rentals exist in the area. In general, it will take 20-25 minutes to get to campus, depending upon on the Bellevue subsection you are in, the time of day, and the traffic. Redmond is east of Kirkland and Bellevue, and perhaps most noted for being the home of Microsoft Corporation. Housing costs are more reasonable and the commute averages 25-30 minutes. 
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