University District - Family Friendly? (home, living in, professionals)

[sofia76]

Just a quick question: how is the University District for living in with a small child (toddler)? Are there parks in that area? Other young families? Or is it pretty much just students and medical professionals? Thanks!

p.s. I'm talking about the area north of 45th and S of Ravenna; west of 25th and east of the 5.

[SaltyDawg]

It really varies by street - generally, the closer you are to Ravenna the more family-friendly. Cowen and Ravenna parks are both great for families.

In general though, it is absolutely a dense 'university district' in the most literal sense of the term.

[eskercurve]

I agree, the closer to Ravenna, the better. From 45th to about 60th are almost strictly UW housing and all that entails (garbage strewn about, loud, noisy parties, bums, and cars). Traffic during football season will be atrocious too, so the further away the better.

Yeah, in general, the further away from the UW campus, the better, insofar as living in the U District is concerned. I used to live there and simply couldn't stand it any longer and didn't want my new wife to be stalked on her way home from the bus stop by shifty bums.

[sofia76]

Okay, thanks. I figured as much ... I am okay with city life and not worried about or afraid of bums, but it's just not what I want at this point in my life with a small child. I definitely don't want the noise and car traffic.

[lovingthegreen]

Originally Posted by eskercurve

I agree, the closer to Ravenna, the better. From 45th to about 60th are almost strictly UW housing and all that entails (garbage strewn about, loud, noisy parties, bums, and cars). Traffic during football season will be atrocious too, so the further away the better.

Yeah, in general, the further away from the UW campus, the better, insofar as living in the U District is concerned. I used to live there and simply couldn't stand it any longer and didn't want my new wife to be stalked on her way home from the bus stop by shifty bums.

In my opinion, it's more 45th to 50th that fit that description. Once you get above 50th, it's a lot better (quieter). At least east of 15th it is.

Personally I wouldn't worry much about football traffic as that entrails approximately 6-7 days out of 365, all on Saturdays (well, one Thursday this coming year, but you get the point).

Originally Posted by sofia76

Okay, thanks. I figured as much ... I am okay with city life and not worried about or afraid of bums, but it's just not what I want at this point in my life with a small child. I definitely don't want the noise and car traffic.

The bum aspect is also a lot better once you get north of 50th. Noise and car traffic is pretty much nil around where I described in my first paragraph above.

[iskray917]

I would steer clear of anything south of 52nd or 55th.

[lovingthegreen]

Originally Posted by iskray917

I would steer clear of anything south of 52nd or 55th.

I respectfully disagree. I live below 52nd and it is really quiet and relaxed here (on 17th).

[iskray917]

Originally Posted by lovingthegreen

I respectfully disagree. I live below 52nd and it is really quiet and relaxed here (on 17th).

funny you say 17th because its intersection with 47th was the location of a rather particularly noisy affair with the greeks a month or so ago around midnight. i'd just prefer to give the greeks as much of a buffer zone as possible.

[lovingthegreen]

Originally Posted by iskray917

funny you say 17th because its intersection with 47th was the location of a rather particularly noisy affair with the greeks a month or so ago around midnight. i'd just prefer to give the greeks as much of a buffer zone as possible.

lol - true.

However, towards the north end of the 50th-52nd block is actually really quiet. I would say anything mid-way through that block and to the north is fine, noise-wise.