Ideal Neighborhoods for Seattle's Young and Restless

Are you twenty-something, on the lookout for a great neighborhood with other young people, but refuse to live in the U-District? Don't worry: there are plenty of great neighborhoods in Seattle for the young, the single and the childless. Try looking into some of the ones I've picked, as many cater to specific needs like low income and prime location.

Lower Queen Anne- It doesn't get any more "Seattle" than living in the backyard of the Space Needle! Lower QA is a great place for first apartments: it is near downtown, but residential enough to make you feel at home. There are plenty of great restaurants and cafés. Tower records and Experience Music Project are in the vicinity, as well as all the events hosted at Key Arena. There are also parks, and exquisite Puget Sound views. The neighborhood has a young, artistic vibe to it, and there are quite a few affordable studios in the vicinity. There are also major several major bus lines that pass through the area, not to mention the Seattle Monorail, which takes you right downtown.

Eastlake- I've had quite a few friends get apartments in the Eastlake district, mainly due to its proximity to University of Washington without the dreaded U-District location. It is a really clean, beautiful neighborhood, with fantastic views of Lake Union. You'll find a lot of joggers and bikers exercising along the water. Commuting to downtown is easy with the buses that pass through the Eastlake strip, and there are a few popular bars nearby, as well as some great cafés. It really has more of a neighborhood feel than a commercial feel, which is nice, although new businesses seem to spring up everyday.

Ballard- Ballard is just one of Seattle's most unique and eclectic neighborhoods. Old Ballard has some of Seattle's greatest bars, and the Market strip has great shops. There is a movie theatre, a rock climbing wall, and beautiful views of Shilshole Bay at Golden Gardens, where young people flock to the beach. The Sunday morning Ballard is market is one of my favorite ones in the city. This is a neighborhood with a great mix of people: a lot of families, but a lot of young, single people, too. There is a real sense of community in Ballard which you can feel when you go there. It is a great place to buy your first home, especially if you are a free spirit that will add to Ballard's creative identity.

West Seattle- West Seattle is a great place to live. It is relaxed, beautiful, and perfect for those that aren't necessarily into big cities. You'll find a lot of chill younger people here, and Alki Beach is a coveted spot in the summer. The rents over in West Seattle also get you more for your money - however, the West Seattle bridge can be pretty stop and go during rush hour, and has been the scene of more than one accident.

First Hill- Yes, Capital Hill is the hip and trendy neighborhood for Seattle's "artistes." But First Hill is so close, you can hardly even distinguish between the two. Except that in First Hill, you'll find cheaper rents, better apartments, less noise, and less drugs. Parking is pretty much impossible; luckily, there are plenty of buses coming through this hospital neighborhood. It is a step away from downtown, which is fun when you're young and want to be in the thick of things. For some reason, there are tons of dog friendly apartments in this area, and Freeway Park is a cool little walk for you and your dog. There isn't much in the way of grocery stores, but you're young and single: you don't cook anyway. I lived here for a few years, and had a blast. The studios here are some of the cheapest in the city.