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!

I saw one of my favorite performers, at one of my favorite venues last night: Michael Sicoly at the Triple Door  - it was a fantastic evening!

The first time I met Michael was in Whistler at the Chateau.  I was skiing with a group of friends that knew Michael and they took me out for a fun night of dancing and listening to good music.  Michael really knows how to engage the crowd and create a fun atmosphere. 

This was the first time I saw Michael more as a true showman rather than playing music to dance to.  (He is excellent at both!).  He always entertains and was definitely in his zone, not only playing but impersonating Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart and Bob Dylan to name a few.  I was super impressed with his three Italian songs, even though I didn't understand the words, the performance was so moving, it brought a tear to my eye.  There were also fun sing-along songs.  I loved it all but what I think I loved the best were his original songs.  I hope to hear them all again, maybe on the radio one of these days soon! 

If you ever get the chance to see Michael Sicoly perform, take the opportunity!

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.

As I was recently jogging around Green Lake in the last couple of weeks, I've noticed the work being done around the inner jogging trail and the new benches installed.  Then I noticed the beginnings of a new arch and trail leading to the eastside pool area. 

I always like to know what's going on and figure others do too so I did some research: 

The project replaces existing asphalt paving with new compacted crushed rock paths and concrete paved focal areas. The project will also include the restoration and relocation of an arch from the demolished Martha Washington School.  This project was originally due to complete in 2008 and then the Parks Department was shooting for this March.  Still not quite done but the progress can easily be seen.

Where is it:

Like all Seattle neighborhoods, Wedgwood has no official agreed-upon borders.  The unofficial boundaries are: 

North - NE 95th Street; East - 45th Avenue NE; South - NE 75th Street; and West - by a route coming north from NE 75th Street along 25th Avenue NE, then jogging west along NE 85th Street and winding up Lake City Way NE to NE 95th Street.

Why it is a Great Neighborhood:

• It is a pocket of affordability among more expensive neigborhoods.  Single family residences are currently selling from $283,000 to $1,050,000.
• The schools have a good reputation for high academics and parent involvement.
• Easy access to I-5 and the 520 Bridge make it within minutes to Downtown Seattle and Bellevue.

• Dahl Park is on the western border; The Burke-Gilman Trail and Magnuson Park are just a few blocks east.  "Downtown" Wedgwood has all the necessary amenities and more: Two grocery stores, a Post Office, banks, gas stations, a Seattle Public Library, a dry cleaner, yoga and dance studios, hair salons, a variety of churches, a bakery, a community p-patch garden and even Seattle-based Top Pot Doughnuts. The Fiddlers Inn, a cozy, live music venue sits near the Northern boundary.

Neighborhood Trivia:

The Wedgwood neighborhood is named after the English bone china-maker of the same name.

Started sometime in the 1960's, the P-patch garden is the oldest community garden in Seattle.

The Wedgwood neighborhood branch library is the largest branch library and the 2nd busiest public library in the city.

When the neighborhood was developed during the 1940's, many of the large trees were preserved. 

Another north Seattle neighborhood not well known is Pinehurst. 

Determined by the very active Pinehurst Community Council the boundaries are NE 130th Street to the north, NE Northgate Way to the south, I-5 to the west, and Lake City Way to the east.   

Geographically, the eastern area slopes east and many homes enjoy a great territorial view.  East of 15^th NE, is the Pinehurst Green Grid  with a model natural drainage system.  The grid is 12 beautiful, meandering, tree-lined streets and the project incorporates new sidewalks, roadways, and landscaping with native and non-native plants to enhance the pedestrian experience.  

The western area of Pinehurst borders Northgate Mall on the north boundary and many businesses outline the arterials. 

Homes are currently selling from $288,000 to $625,000.

Okay, I didn't even know about this neighborhood before I became a Realtor.

Cedar Park is a hill rolling up from Lake City Way (west) down to Lake Washington (east).  The southern boundary is NE 125^th and the northern boundary is NE 145^th.  The steep hills and very little traffic toward the lake make for excellent bicycle hill training! 

This residential area has no retail or business except on the border of Lake City Way.

The Burke Gilman trail runs through Cedar Park, although there are no entrances to the trail available from this neighborhood.  East of the trail are waterfront homes. 

The two plus acre park in this neighborhood, appropriately named, Cedar Park, was created with the help of several neighborhood volunteers.

This neighborhood has the most affordable, nice water view homes in North Seattle.  Prices currently range from $360,000 to over 2 million.