Ravenna / Bryant, Seattle

Named after a city in Italy, Ravenna lies to the north of the University District and Laurelhurst. It's (Ravenna/Bryant) boundaries fall on Roosevelt Way and 20th Avenue NE in the west, NE 85th Street in the north, 30th Avenue / 35th Avenue / Sandpoint Way NE in the east, and NE 45th Street in the south.

History

The Duwamish Native Americans occupied this area until white settlers arrived in the 1800's. A railroad ran through the area, much of what is now known as the Burke-Gilman Trail (http://bitly.com/b9XkAC). Cowen Park (http://bitly.com/9UlzXK) stood as an old growth forest until the early 1900's, then mysteriously was deforested.

Demographics and Income

The neighborhood is predominantly white, with much of the population comprising of university professors and graduate students. In fact, Ravenna Boulevard has been known as "Professors' Row". A small contingency of other ethnicities reside here, with Asian being the largest. Hispanics and Blacks follow with even smaller representations. Any other racial variations are just a blip on the screen for this community. Income levels, as would be expected in a mostly White area near a renown university campus, are those of middle to upper-middle class. Salaries range from around $70K to $122K, except for a the area in and around the University Village Shopping Center (www.uvillage.com). This could be due to a higher presence of apartments in this area. A friend of mine resides here, paying very affordable rent in Seattle, I might add.

Real Estate

The value of detached houses in Ravenna/Bryant ride closely with the Seattle Average. A major rift occurs when comparing townhome values, which are almost $100K apart. Homes currently on the market range in price from $250K to $1.7 million, according to Zillow (http://zillow.com).

Culture

An academic feel, no doubt. Students from the University of Washington (http://washington.edu) can be seen virtually everywhere, especially in the southern half of the neighborhood. Driving along Ravenna Boulevard brings a more distinguished, Ivy League feel. The University Village Shopping Center draws upper class patrons from all over Seattle. On football weekends, Husky fans proliferate the pubs and restaurants.

Restaurants, Pubs and Coffee Houses

Beginning in the south, with the University Village Shopping Center (http://uvillage.com), will give plenty to consider. Here are a few within the confines of the U. Village... Blue C Sushi (http://bluecsushi.com), Boom Restaurant - Japanese/Asian (http://boomnoodle.com), Starbuck's (http://starbucks.com), Delfino's Pizza (http://delfinospizza.com), Johnny Rockets - 50's diner (http://johnnyrockets.com), Pallino Pastaria - Italian (http://pallino.com), Sonrisa Modern Mex (http://sonrisamodernmex.com), Pasta & Co - Ready-to-eat meals (http://pastaco.com), and Specialty's Cafe and Bakery (http://specialtysdirect.com). Some other establishments in the southern half, not located within the shopping center, are Thai Dusit (http://thaidusit.net), The Coffee Drop Cafe - Opened June 2010 (http://coffeedropcafe.com), and Zoka Cofee Roaster & Tea Company (http://zokacoffee.com). Looking north, another list of great venues... Third Place Books (http://thirdplacebooks.com), Top Pot Doughnuts (http://toppotdoughnuts.com), Grateful Bread Baking Co. Cafe (http://gratefulbreadbaking.com), Crepe Cafe & Wine Bar (http://bitly.com/ct2YaQ), Garlic Jim's Famous Gourmet Pizza (http://garlicjims.com), Pied Piper Ale House (http://bitly.com/9vO2Ab), Casa D'Italia (http://casaditaliaseattle.com), Frank's Oyster House and Chamagne Parlor (http://franksoysterhouse.com), and Gaudi - Taste of Spain (http://gaudiseattle.com).

Shopping and other Amenities

Besides the upper echelon shops of The University Village, Ravenna and Bryant do dish up a plethora of businesses for any lifestyle. For cycling enthusiasts, try out the Bicycle Center (http://bicyclecenterofseattle.com). Convenience is the word at Counterbalance Bicycles (http://counterbalancebicycles.com), right off the Burke-Gilman Trail. For those inspiring to be chefs, there is Cook's World (http://cooksworld.net). The Acorn Street Yarn Shop (http://acornstreet.com) can help with any material sewing project. The Metropolitan Market (http://metropolitan-market.com) offers high quality food items, from A to Z. A creative spot for a special occasion, such as a birthday, is found at the Queen Mary Tea Room (http://queenmarytea.com). Hotels are not as common as the bed and breakfasts. For instance, consider Chambered Nautilus Bed and Breakfast Inn (http://chamberednautilus.com), Academe Arms Guest House (http://academearms.com), or University View House - Vacation Rental (http://universityviewhouse.com). The Travelodge Hotel (http://travelodgesseattleuniversity.com) and Silver Cloud Inn (http://silvercloud.com) are more institutional choices for accommodations.

Schools and Recreation Facilities

The most prominent natural setting within the neighborhood is Cowen Park (http://bitly.com/9UlzXK). Despite the large acreage of wooded beauty, complete with ravine, the park offers sports facilities and a play area for kids. For skating enthusiasts, Dahl Park (http://bitly.com/bxs7eH) opened for business in June 2010. A scaled down park, convenient for quick family outings, is Froula Park (http://bitly.com/9RhSUM) on the west side. Looking for more organized indoor activities for toddlers? Check out The Little Gym (http://thelittlegym.com) featuring activities like karate, cheerleading and dance for Preschool and Grade School children. Wedgwood Co-Op is a place for intellectual stimulation for preschoolers (http://wedgwoodcoop.org). University Prep (http://universityprep.org), an independent school with an attention to high-end academics via a diverse and inclusive community. Other schools include Northwest Montessori (http://northwestmontessori.org), Eckstein Middle School (http://ecksteineagles.org), Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio (http://roaringmouse.org), Roosevelt High School (http://rhsseattle.org), The Perkins School - Grade School (http://perkinsschool.com), Thrive Art School (http://drawingschool.com), Bertrand Chez Vous - Culinary Tours (http://bertrandchezvous.com), Kumon Math and Reading Center - in the University Village (http://kumon.com), Seattle Languages - Fully accredited language institute (http://seattlelanguages.com), and the Center for Yoga of Seattle (http://yogaseattle.com).

Medical Facilities

The close proximity to places like the University of Washington Medical Center (http://uwmedicine.washington.edu) and Seattle Children's Hospital (http://seattlechildrens.org) can virtually cover all health care needs. However, to name some other locations of medical-related offices... Active Foot & Ankle Clinic (http://activefootandankle.com), Rain City Rolfing (http://allankaplan.net), Sweet Skin Spa (http://sweetskinspa.com), Hawthorne Hills Veterinary Hospital (http://hhvh.net), Virginia Mason Sand Point Pediatrics (http://bitly.com/aeOwgI), and Seattle Skin & Laser (http://seattleskinandlaser.com).

Access

A number of arterials pass through Ravenna and Bryant, including 15th Avenue NE, 25th Avenue NE, NE 45th Street, Sand Point Way NE, NE Ravenna Boulevard, NE 55th Street, NE 65th Street and NE 75th Street. There is no direct access to Interstate 5 within the neighborhood, but can be indirectly reached via 45th or 70th. The location of this community is ideal to reach all areas of Seattle, and then some.

Summary

Even with the occasional headaches (Namely, traffic issues) that come with living close to a large university and popular shopping center, the Ravenna/Bryant neighborhood still delivers quality residential living. The area north of 55th Street, especially, has family-friendly housing and quiet neighborhoods. Professors and graduate students are not the only demographic finding solstice here, but singles and couples working outside the confines of public education. Whether for the purpose of locating a home or further exploring Seattle treasures, this neighborhood is sure to please.