North Seattle Neighborhoods: Bitter Lake

This small, mostly residential neighborhood is bordered by Highway 99, (Aurora) on the east, North 130th Street on south, Greenwood Avenue on the west and North 145th on the north. It is on the northern boundary of Seattle (northern boundary neighborhoods also include Broadview, Cedar Park, Haller Lake, Jackson Park and Olympic Hills).

The North Seattle lakes were all created by the vashon glacier over 50,000 years ago.  The glacier created Lake Washington, Union Lake, Green Lake and Haller Lake as well.

Bitter Lake is 19 acres and 31 feet deep.

The lake had a bitter taste and horses would not drink from it, hence it's name.  The bitter taste came from tannic acid created by a sawmill which was located on the south west corner of the lake in the early 1900s.

A piece of trivia unknown to many is that from 1930 until 1961, Bitter Lake was also home to "Playland", an amusement park.  The Seattle's World's Fair in 1962 proved to be too much competition and Playland closed.

Other than the park adjacent to the lake, Bitter Lake is mainly residential with several single family houses and a few apartments and condos.  There are several businesses lining Aurora (Highway 99): Outback Steakhouse, Rite Aid Pharmacy, Staples, LA Fitness, Kidd Valley, Hertz Rent-a-Car and many more.

Bitter Lake has very easy access is and only ten minutes to downtown via Highway 99 or I-5.

Recent sales in this North Seattle neighborhood have been: two bedrooms from $295,000 - $300,000; three bedrooms from $307,000 - $330,000.  Condominiums have been selling for $131,000 to $201,000.

Many condos have lake views and about twenty homes sit right on the lake.  It is pretty affordable lake living right in Seattle!

Bitter Lake allows you to live on a lake in Seattle affordably.

Cash and Carry

(206) 364-1733

13102 Stone Avenue North, Seattle

My wife and I like to save money on groceries when we can, but our famliy consists of just the two of us. So paying for a Costco membership doesn't make as much sense because we don't go very often. Also, my favorite thing to do for a client who's just bought a home is to help them throw a houswarming party, and this is where a bulk food store comes in handy.

Well, there's a Cash & Carry in the Bitter Lake neighborhood of North Seattle. You'll find it right behind the Albertson's off 130th and Aurora. It's been there for as long as I can remember, but I rarely carry cash with me so I didn't really go inside until recently. Guess what? They take both cash and cards! They have a pretty big selection of food items and you don't need a membership to shop there. Oh, and you don't need a business license either. Just go in, shop, and enjoy.

There is one drawback to shopping here; there seems to only be one cashier working at any given time. So try not to go if you're in a hurry.

Happy Shopping!

I've framed in the latest report from Trulia.com for those of you who live in the Bitter Lake area. Here are the stats for home sales in that area.

There are a couple great opportunities coming up in Bitter Lake if you want to get out there and make this Seattle community a better place!

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Mayor Nickels Clean & Green Seattle Work Party

This is a Clean & Green Seattle sponsored work party in Bitter Lake on 8/2/2008 - pick up trash, clean up green spaces, fluorescent bulb & battery recycling, plus climate protection education.

Where? Reservoir Park (Linden & N 143rd St.)

When? 8/2/2008 9:30-12

More info? Beth Pflug 206-684-4096 beth.pflug@seattle.gov

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Bitter Lake Community Center Monthly Neighborhood Clean Up Work Party

This is a GAIN sponsored work party to beautify and protect cedar trees - there are over 24 trees to mulch plus some weeding.

Where? Bitter lake Reservoir

When? 8/2/2008 10-12

More info? Will Murray 206-963-4330 gainthehighland@gmail.com

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Are you interested in more Seattle volunteer opportunities? ParksVolunteer@Seattle.Gov Are you interested in Seattle real estate? realestate@cooperjacobs.com