Are there *real* ghettoes in Seattle Area? (Kennewick, Burien: living, dangerous)

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by CC13

Seattle is very safe compared to most other major urban cities. As most people have said we have no real "ghetto" areas, nothing compared to California or New York. Some people tend to get scared of the poorer areas of town(mostly South Seattle) but I think this is mostly assumptions and fear of the unknown, since they're larger numbers of minorities in these neighborhoods, but these neighborhoods all have families and elder people - there is no real "danger" areas. Not to mention that gentrification is shifting the entire city anyhow. The eastside (Bellevue, Mercer Island) can be a bit pretentious and there is not much diversity (but perhaps you like that). I have 2 young kids, and I love Seattle. There are good schools if you look, and it is rich in culture, diverse, lots of things to do - community centers, childrens theatres, museums, parks, libraries, etc...
I grew up in Rainier Valley in South Seattle and the worst neighborhood I've come across is actually in the North End. I notice how no one ever mentions the north end as a bad area... I lived in Greenwood, near Aurora, for five years and never in my life have I had to call the police so many times. Lots of drug deals and prostitution. I guess it's not so scary when it's White people (no offense)... And don't simply write me off as racist - I'm half-White myself.

The Aurora area isn't good, though Greenwood has some pleasant areas. Seattle is somewhat similar to San Francisco, in that the hills, where the views are, tend to be high-end neighborhoods, and the valleys, with no views, tend to be more "iffy" areas, though this isn't a hard-and-fast rule. THere are some nice and affordable areas in the North End. I'd be interested to hear which parts of the North End are regarded as bad areas. The University District certainly has gone downhill since I was a student there. But the Pinehurst area east of Northgate mall is nice. I'm not familiar with the schools there, though. There are several neighborhoods east and west of 15th Avenue NE, an arterial with good bus service, that are good, solid family areas with parks. Laurelhurst is more expensive, but a good family area with a good school.

Has everyone forgotten the Central District? Or has it gentrified in the last decade? Not a place where I'd want to walk around at night.

Seattle has some great areas, I don't know why some people say they don't like it.

[tickyul]

Yes, this vid is from Rainer Valley, it can get kinda dicey:



Seattle Police: "You are going to die" - YouTube

[TheEternalSanctuaryMan]

Anyplace in Rainier Valley, even parts @ Seward Park & Skyway is not the peaceful neighbourhood it might look like & why live in Columbia City?

The Central District is not as bad as before but still sketchy.

Aurora Ave. but not so very bad as it is made out to be.

Lake City commercial section is sort of nasty.

Downtown can look like an undeveloped countries' open-air drug bazaar in places.

[Anders15]

Originally Posted by xxiNoah

so i actually grew up in White Center, a place where most of the people on this thread say is one of the worst parts of Seattle, which is true.
Rainier (Columbia City), Skyway, some parts of Renton, North Burien (NOT ANY OTHER PART OF BURIEN), Delridge along Delridge Way (the east side of West Seattle), South Park, some parts of Beacon Hill, and parts of the Central District are all pretty bad as well.

To the people who criticize others about how seattle ghettos and other larger cities ghettos (like LA and philly) are much tougher, it doesnt matter. I know a number of kids, some that were friends of mine, who have gotten shot, stabbed, killed or harmed in some way because of all the stereotypical problems related to ghettos (drug dealing, gangs, stuff like that). And lots of these crimes havent ever been shown on the local news or in the papers or anything. its absolutely disgusting.

Ive seen crime happen all the time, i have seen people get shot, my best friend used to be a drug dealer, ive been jumped and had the crap kicked out of me just for my shoes(!) before, but I love white center and the areas of south seattle. maybe im just weird, but i never want to move to any suburban neighborhoods or anywhere on say, the eastside (Bellevue, Mercer Island).

I always get the feeling reading these posts that people who talk about the bad parts of towns and tell people not to move there, have never actually lived there themselves, and really understood those communities.

That wasnt meant to be a bleeding-heart story of my life, but there are more to these neighborhoods, than just the crime related to them.

And for the record, Seattle ghettos are not like other major city ghettos in the sense that they are not primarily made up of one race or minority. Most of the poor areas in seattle have the most diversity of any of the neighborhoods (whites, asians, samoans, blacks, mexicans, etc.), and would surprise people from LA and philly, where black and hispanic ghettos are very common.

Thats my 3 cents.

Yeah it seems like people have not really been to some of these cities. If you guys have something to add please give experience or a reason as to why, not just "I wouldn't live in Tacoma lol". I think by now most visitors like me know that Tacoma is the butt of many jokes on here however it is rarely explained why or where.

[SeattlesFinest206]

I'm from TreyA SouthSide Genesse St Bk all day Cuz, and the opps who say that there aren't ghettos in seattle are off that. And in Seattle, that's Where funk happens it ain't even just Lakewood and Rainier Beach Valley, This the 206, not LA or NY, you guys naming off places where gangs and Sets were created, of course we aren't going to be as bad, if gangs were created in SeaTown bet we'd be having more funk happening on a daily just like California, Detroit and NY. If you guys are really from Seattle ya'll wouldn't even be saying that Seattles safe and has no Hoods what so ever.
Kent is the most whitest part of WA in my opinion and I've seen Drive-Bys and robbories happen. I was 13 when i got a gun pulled on me, for no reason. Seattles crazy, Come around South Seattle at night and watch how fast you'll feel threatned. Same in T-Town. We got the same gangs as any other area, Piru, Damus, Avenues, TreyA C's UP, South Side Locos 13, Cherry Block, West Side Street Mob, Mad Pack, Surenos 13 gangs, Holly Park Crips.

[pete98146]

Originally Posted by wythors

Seattle has nothing like the real ghettos in the Bay Area or LA. That said, I'd stay away from parts of Tacoma and the Rainier Valley and White Center areas of Seattle.

White Center has cleaned up a bit. So many wanting to move into West Seattle who can't afford to buy a house have settled in White Center and Burien so it's improved.

[Gaylord_Focker]

Is Kent really that bad? I'm considering that area?

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by Gaylord_Focker

Is Kent really that bad? I'm considering that area?

Nope, it's not so bad. General rule is that neighborhoods get nicer as you head up the hill from Downtown Kent, though the Sounder commuter Rail is in the downtown. Nothing substitutes for going there yourself and checking out the vibe in different places, come visit!

[Gaylord_Focker]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

Nope, it's not so bad. General rule is that neighborhoods get nicer as you head up the hill from Downtown Kent, though the Sounder commuter Rail is in the downtown. Nothing substitutes for going there yourself and checking out the vibe in different places, come visit!

I "think" I will in Spring break.

[Sockeye66]

Originally Posted by pete98146

White Center has cleaned up a bit. So many wanting to move into West Seattle who can't afford to buy a house have settled in White Center and Burien so it's improved.

I bought in White Center 2002, while I never had issues in my neighborhood WC in general has cleaned up a bunch, especially on the 16th Ave retail strip.



My first 12 years I rarely went down there since I had no need to pawn goods or thumb through porno mags.



Lot's of great food and beverage options there now, much cleaner in general and I rarely hear helicopters circling our neighborhoods any longer.