Kate Pedersen

Victory Heights is bordered on the west side by 5^th Avenue, north by Northgate Way, east by Lake City Way and south by 90^th or 95th Avenue NE.

It became part of Seattle in 1954. The neighborhood was named after the Victory Highway which is now Lake City Way. Northgate Mall sits on the west side. The new Northgate Library and Community Center has its' home here as well.

There are a couple of things I love about this neighborhood:

First Thornton Creek meanders through and there are a couple of green areas designated by the city including Thornton Creek Park #2. This is a lush, cool, secluded woodsy spot with a path taking you to a surprising urban oasis.

Secondly, Victory Heights is a pretty, old-fashioned neighborhood with mid-sized one-story homes built in the 30's, 40's, and 50's. The town homes, and condos that are transforming many Seattle neighborhoods have not made it to Victory Heights yet.

It is still possible to find a nice small home on a quiet street for a great price in Victory Heights. Homes range from $400,000 - $800,000.

Ballard was settled by Danish and Finish immigrants in the mid 1800s and continues to maintain its' Scandinavian, small town qualities.

It has been one of Seattle's favorite neighborhoods for years and within the last ten years, has become a trendy, happening area for locals. It is a hot spot for restaurants, entertainment, boutiques, galleries and a monthly art walk.

Ballard is home to my favorite theater, the renovated Majestic Bay Theater; also to the Ballard Locks and Golden Gardens Park and Beach.

There are several smaller neighborhoods: Sunset Hill and Loyal Heights have Puget Sound view homes. Whittier and Salmon Bay are more affordable. In the right market condition, new listings sell quickly here. In the 20's, 30's and 40's, Ballard's homes were built to last. Currently, prices range from $200,000 to $2,000,000.

Northgate's Thornton Place is really starting to take shape as a new urban village; an enjoyable spot to get coffee, lunch or just take a walk along Thornton Creek.

The new Regal Cinema opened in May with a charity event and low priced movies for the first week.

The next business planning to open is the Jewel Box Cafe (hoping for an August 15 grand opening) serving sandwiches, crepes, yogurt and espresso.

Coming up we will have Thai Fusion, Subway and Sushi Tengu, Subway and (Obama's favorite burger) Five Guys Burger to choose from.

The condo complex is well designed with green materials, different floor plans and is situated on the meandering Thornton Creek. They are currently offering specially priced Hot Dot homes and may be worth taking a visit to!

Driving North on I-5, just before the Northeast 145th Avenue exit, you see a big green space. That's Jackson Park golf course. It is also a small neighborhood located north of NE 125^th and Roosevelt, east of I-5 (and 5^thNE), south of NE 145th and west of 15^th NE.

The 160 acre Jackson Park golf course takes up most of the neighborhood. Recently renovated in 2001, The golf course has been around since 1928 and was renovated in 2001 to allow Thornton Creek to flow through in a more environmentally friendly way. Rumor has it, that Tiger Woods has even golfed here, with a record score of 65.

Southeast of the golf course is a community p-patch garden and a couple of wooded areas with trails for walking.

The rest of the neighborhood includes single family homes, a condo next to the golf course and a couple of apartment buildings, There is a Starbucks in the neighborhood as well as a couple of other small businesses. Easy access to the express bus route and freeway make this a really easy neighborhood to commute from.

Most homes were built in the early 1950's with few newer homes sprinkled in. Homes are currently selling between $365,000 and $500,000.

This neighborhood is near and dear to my heart because as a teenager, I walked up and down the hills delivering the Lake City Journal Newspaper to the residents.

The Olympic Hills neighborhood has peaks and valleys surrounding a steeper slope north to south and is located east of 15th Avenue NE, south of NE 145^th, west of 30^th Avenue NE and north of NE 125^th.

The community is very quiet and a caring residential spot with a few businesses along the edge. On 15th Avenue northeast, across from the Jackson Park golf course is the Caroline Tavern, a friendly place to stop for after golf beverages. Other buildings include an elementary school, a church, a bank, and the library.

West of the hill sit many 1950's rambler style concrete block houses. On the hill and east are several charming homes. Built mostly in the 1950's and some as early as 1926, there are a few newly built townhouses as well.

Homes range from $260,000 to $550,000.