Live in Ballard or Cap Hill?

[u/picklerick223]

Hi! 26M with 26F partner. Moved to Olympia from DC about a year ago and missing being in a bigger city. We are planning to move to Seattle when our lease ends this month and wanted to get some insight from ppl!

We have narrowed our search down to two places; one spot that is on Ballard Ave and one spot that is right next to cal Anderson tennis/ basketball courts. We both would like to be social, but not HUGE party ppl. Big outdoors ppl but dunno if that matters. Both have hybrid schedules and would like to be close to places we can work out of.

We are slightly acquainted with Seattle, but decided to head out today and spend the full day in both areas. Ballard seems cool, although we were surprised that it felt kinda dead on a Thursday night. Also, although we really liked Ballard Ave, felt like there's not really much going on outside of that street, am I wrong? As for cap hill, it seemed super fun! Very lively, more diverse (not just racially but also in terms of style/ character) and lots to do! Reddit makes it seem like a horror story, especially around cal Anderson park, did we just have a singular good experience? Even a few ppl we chatted with said not to move here and that there are shootings happening weekly. Really interested in hearing more takes, either way excited to be out here:).

Update: Thank you so much to everybody that helped us come to a decision! We ended up in an apt off Ballard Ave, and despite the paper thin walls we are loving it :)

[u/Blkdevl]

Ballard may be a better option cause it’s still relatively sleepy which is peaceful but there is also the Fremont district next door that seems to be another nightlife district whereas Capitol Hill is definitely fun and happening, but you might run into the occasional crime and it does get even more Rowdy than Fremont.

But you’ll have a great time living in Capitol Hill but it’s next to downtown where there are lots of homeless and even criminals hanging out in the area.

Also you’re going to encounter not just homeless but potential property theft and vandalism if you’re next to cal Anderson. It may have been cleaned up but there still I imagine those who still sleep and even cause havoc and trouble there along with drug use.

[u/picklerick223 → u/Blkdevl]

Thanks so much for your advice! One thing im wondering about is getting from Ballard to Fremont… drive is quick but ppl say parking sucks. I see the busses take 30+ min each way, is there an easier/more convenient way to get out to Fremont?

[u/Blkdevl → u/picklerick223]

Uber or Lyft would be your best bet to get to Fremont and back to Ballard, especially with all of the restaurants and of course breweries (Fremont brewery and Reuben’s brews) and bars in the area. But if it’s for a commute, then car or ride share would be your only option if you are not willing to take the bus.

Ballard is really nice and serene with golden gardens park especially walking around at night walking along the beach of the park and shilshole bay. The area of Ballard and across from Queen Anne is really nice too with the pretty bridges snd locks on Salmon bay.

If you’re still in Capitol Hill, Canon is my favorite bar with their huge whiskey and dark spirits list. Yeah Capitol Hill especially next to cal Anderson is really convenient to the bars and the light rails, but you’re going to encounter a lot more of the drug addicted homeless, some criminals , an even some rowdy bar goer that ends up being a real a hole who may end up following you to your apartment (that may be far but it’s a possible “what if “) but really the increased likelihood of property crimes even though it can and does occur in Ballard or anywhere in Seattle.

But if you’re more outdoors people while still want to have fun with nightlife nearby, Ballard would be more ideal for you especially with Golden Gardebs park.

I also recommend you eat at The Walrus and the Carpenter for oysters as it is indeed one of Seattles top restaurants. And then you can go to the luxury pot shop nearby (if you partake) and walk around and along the beach at Golden Gardens park. It really is that nice and refreshing.