Greenwood Seattle: Hard Work Pays Off

You wouldn’t know it now, but at one time the Greenwood Seattle area was in danger of turning into a marshland. It was also more known for its large cemetery than its appeal as a retail or residential area. These shaky roots made the future of Greenwood tenuous in its early years at the beginning of last century, but once it was annexed to the rest of the city of Seattle in 1954, positive change took hold.

Greenwood Seattle: Tenuous Past, Bright Future

Built on a peat deposit (also known as a bog), the marshy nature of the land at one time threatened numerous houses and other structures in Greenwood. However, revenues from greater Seattle assisted with infrastructure changes to make the whole area stable and secure for future development. As the Seattle trolley lines expanded throughout the city, the need for viable land grew. The Greenwood cemetery was moved to the Crown Hill area, paving the way for even more positive land development. It’s taken hard work, but the Greenwood area today is on solid ground. It has become a thriving retail and residential area with affordable homes and rental options as well as just about anything residents might need. Greenwood Avenue is at the heart of the neighborhood and today is a bustling hub of activity, with restaurants, specialty stores and coffee houses. Greenwood Avenue has been called “The Miracle Mile,” and based upon the story of Greenwood’s shaky past; it is indeed somewhat of a miracle that this neighborhood is doing so well today.

Home Buying Values in a Vibrant Community

These days, the Greenwood Seattle area offers affordable home buying options in an up and coming neighborhood that continues to grow, improve and thrive. There are already a multitude of coffee shops, cafes and restaurants to choose from at the main intersection of 85th and Greenwood Ave., and the intriguing retail and dining choices radiate out in all directions from there. Cuisine in the Greenwood Seattle area includes several Mexican restaurants as well as Italian, Indian, pizza, Asian, Greek, pub fare, and more. Coffee joints and bakeries are abundant; with the community-oriented Green Bean Coffeehouse a favorite for Moms who want to take their kids somewhere to play (it has a designated play area for youngsters.)

Cultural Activities in Greenwood Seattle for the Whole Family

The Taproot Theater in Greenwood is one of the largest in Seattle and offers a range of plays and entertainment options throughout the year. The theater chooses productions with a positive and uplifting focus, making it a great entertainment option for the whole family. They also offer classes to both kids and adults and have a café on the premises for sipping a latte before or after a performance. Other enriching cultural features of the Greenwood area include an excellent branch of the King County Library system in a large, inviting building. Greenwood also features an Art Walk every month so that you can see the work of area artists as well as have a sort of “open house” experience with the local businesses. The result is a very positive community vibe as Greenwood continues to build on their past success and create a positive and uplifting future. This is all thanks to conscientious residents, artists, patrons of the arts, and business owners.

Shopping and Special Events in Greenwood Seattle

Greenwood Seattle also has an abundance of shopping options both standard and specialty. The department store Fred Meyer was recently renovated and offers just about everything you might need for daily living. There are also compelling specialty shops in the area that sell things like toys, vintage clothing and spiritual-themed gifts and accessories. The Space Travel Supply Store is located in Greenwood, as well as The Bureau of Fearless Ideas. Want to learn more about these compellingly-named organizations? You’ll just have to visit Greenwood! Greenwood Seattle also hosts a major car show in the area every June. Dubbed The Greenwood Classic Car Show, it draws huge interest from all around the Seattle area. Greenwood also participates in the Seafair activities in Seattle every year, a several-months-long celebration featuring parades, specials and events throughout the city honoring Seattle’s connection with boating and all things nautical. Greenwood has its own neighborhood Seafair parade, celebrating and underscoring its connection with greater Seattle.

Attractive Homes in an Appealing Area

The Greenwood area offers a variety of living options for those who want to own their own home in the area. Architecture styles include bungalows, Cape Cod, craftsman and rambler styles as well as duplexes, townhomes and condominiums. There are numerous apartment options for those who would rather rent and some single family homes offered for rent as well. Greenwood is also conveniently close to Seattle’s two main transportation routes: Interstate 5 and Aurora Avenue (Highway 99). It’s also tantalizingly close to the urban oasis of Green Lake, one of the favorite parks and outdoor recreation hangouts in Seattle. Green Lake features a 2.8 mile paved walking and biking path around its perimeter as well as acres of parkland and sports fields to enjoy. When you need a break from the bustle of Greenwood’s traffic and retail energy, a trip to Green Lake offers the perfect respite. The Greenwood area may have had a tenuous past, but today it's thriving and improving. Greenwood is on firm footing and the future looks bright. It offers a variety of affordable living options for those who wish to buy property in the Seattle area, and more and more residents and transplants are awakening to the appeal of Greenwood. From families to active singles, there’s something for everyone in the area. It’s also an ideal jumping off point for exploring the rest of what the city of Seattle has to offer.