Where is the best neighborhood to live in Seattle and why?

I'm kinda partial to the University of Washington area--I had a boyfriend there and I always enjoyed visiting him, but I don't really have much to compare it to. I am partial to college towns though.

My friend's sister is moving up there to go to school in the fall. Is there a good artsy neighborhood I could recommend for her?

@FlowerGirl, Fremont is the a very eclectic and artsy Seattle neighborhood. There are a number of art studios and home of the Fremont Fine Arts Foundry. Lots of young starving artists live in the area. Capitol Hill also has an artsy area along 11th Avenue.

Fremont seems nice but looking at it on a map it seems a little far from the University of Washington campus. Is the public transportation pretty good there or would my friend need a car to get to classes?

I've lived in several Seattle neighborhoods, too, and it's sometimes hard to compare them. Queen Anne is gorgeous, and right next to downtown; but it's wicked expensive. Green Lake also is beautiful, with fantastic food right there, but I don't think I could put up with all the Sunday drivers in the middle of the week. I love to visit Phinney Ridge and Broadway and Fremont, but I can't imagine actually living there. I have friends who swear by the south side neighborhoods, but I've always been a north end boy myself. I guess I'd say, it really depends on what's most important to you.

@FlowerGirl I've found Fremont to have easy access by car to the U District, either via 46th and 50th, or via 34th. Also, several bus lines run through Fremont, though they tend to go north-south rather than east-west. But Route 30 (http://metro.kingcounty.gov/tops/bus/schedules/s030_0_.html) might meet your friend's needs.

Thnx, that really helps.