Beacon Hill

Photo via litlnemo

Located on the south side of Seattle, Beacon Hill is an excellent semi-suburban option for individuals and families who want the quiet of a residential neighborhood but don’t want to be too far from the city. Commuters who work downtown will enjoy a quick, 15-minute drive, a comparably swift bus or Light Rail ride. For its location, Beacon Hill is very affordable. It’s a great place for those looking to purchase their first home.

Beacon Hill has more than its fair share of parks. Dr. Jose Rizal Park is located at the very northern tip of the neighborhood, dedicated in 1979 by Seattle Parks and Recreation using the name of a Filipino  national hero. Just across 12^th avenue from Rizal Park is the international headquarters for Amazon.com. Toward the south end of Beacon Hill is Jefferson Park, a 52 acre public space which includes a lovely golf course where PGA master Fred Couples learned to swing a club. For less than $50.00, anyone can enjoy the golf course throughout the week and there are always seasonal discounts and other specials that include meals and other benefits.

If all the parks aren’t enough emerald for The Emerald City, Beacon Hill is home to two stops on the Northwest’s famous Greenbelt Path. Recently the city of Seattle has mounted a major clean-up effort for its Greenbelt sites, keeping them fresh and safe. Speaking of Green, Beacon Hill is one of the new sites for Washington’s expanded Sound Transit Light Rail line. The Light Rail will provide commuters to and from downtown, as well as Seattle/Tacoma International Airport a fast, clean and very affordable option for transportation.

For people with families, Beacon Hill is a nice place to settle down. There are a number of options for education, including the very progressive Kimball Elementary School which uses an “open” classroom plan instead of a traditional walled system for the purpose of increased student interaction and general community-building. It is known for having a modern, well-rounded curriculum including music and technology. Beacon Hill is also home to the Beacon Hill International School, a powerful immersion program for children who primarily speak Spanish or Mandarin Chinese, or for primary English-speaking students who wish to benefit from a dual-language education. The International School incorporates global cultural lessons into its main curriculum and is a great way to begin your child’s education in the 21^st century.

Photo via litlnemo

The Seattle Public Library system opened a new location in Beacon Hill in 2005 and the former Veteran’s Hospital is now the Pacific Medical Center, servicing the community with a wide range of general practitioners and specialists. Residents of Beacon Hill also enjoy a number of historical landmarks and examples of classic 20^th century architecture, such as The Beacon Hill First Baptist Church designed by Ellsworth Storey, and the Frank D. Black Property rock structure.

Beacon Hill is just south of the colorful International District where residents experience some of Seattle’s most authentic Asian cuisine and even the occasional Chinese Culture Parade. Every June residents enjoy the Beacon Hill Festival, a street fair with everything from carnival games to dazzling parade shows.

With its convenient location, classic, affordable homes and progressive cultural atmosphere, Beacon Hill is one of the many wonderful neighborhoods in the Greater Seattle area. Peaceful but not boring, it’s one of the city’s best compromises between an urban and suburban lifestyle.