Fremont

Photo via Wonderlane

Among all of Seattle’s colorful neighborhoods, the Fremont district is by far the most playfully strange. Home to everything from a salvaged Eastern European statue of Vladimir Lenin to a stunning waterfront park, Fremont continues to leave its indelible stamp on Seattle’s unique cultural flare.

Located just across Lake Union and its western canal, Fremont is the gateway to Seattle’s northern quadrant along with the University District to its east. Incorporated into the city proper in 1891, it is one of Seattle’s oldest neighborhoods. Because of this, it boasts the city’s oldest library, now a branch of the Seattle Public Library System, as well as its oldest school, now B.F. Day Elementary.

Fremont’s lively downtown surrounds Fremont Avenue. The street and its off-shoots contain a variety of unique shops and restaurants, including the friendly Dad’s Watson’s Pub and the tight-but-intriguing Wit’s End Bookstore and Tea Shop.

Fremont is also known for some curious public art. After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989, a resident reportedly mortgaged his house to procure and import a statue of the USSR’s founder Vladimir Lenin from Slovakia, lest anti-Communist locals destroy it along with other Soviet paraphernalia. The statue now stands in a fairly ironic location, in the middle of a commercial square just a few feet from a sandwich and ice cream shop. Just past the main drag in the hilly residential area of Fremont, a large statue of a troll rests under a bridge, crushing a Volkswagen in its hand.

Fremont is undeniably quirky, but it’s certainly nothing to laugh at. The schools in Fremont, both public and private, have registered improving academic performance for several years now. The district has a fairly high density of private schools, accommodating all K-12 needs. There are fewer public options, but they are considered above-average for the Seattle Public Schools system, especially B.F. Day Elementary.

Photo via ben.ramirez

Like so much of Seattle, Fremont has a variety of stunning parks. Its most famous is Gasworks Park located at the mouth of Lake Union. The park was constructed around an abandoned gas plant, the structure of which still stands though it is securely fenced-in for safety. Gasworks Park is beautiful year-round, especially its famous kite-flying hill that affords a one-of-a-kind view of the shining Seattle skyline, as well as the wonderfully green, hilly suburbs surrounding the downtown area.

One of the most active arts and culture organizations in Seattle is the Fremont Arts Council. Every year, the Council provides funding and planning for a number of festivals and community improvement projects, the most famous of which is the Fremont Solstice Parade and Fair. Held at the beginning of the Summer, the Solstice Fair is an all-weekend event with live music, art displays, unique vendors and political action projects. The 2009 Fair hosted a fundraising effort for Solid Ground, an organization that provides aid to low-income families around Seattle.

Photo via Kieran Lynam

Fremont has traditionally been home to a mix of artists, professionals and students, though recent developments have made it a draw for families as well. Several high-tech firms have opened campuses there, including Google and Adobe. Housing is frequently in high demand in Fremont considering its small size and convenient location close to downtown, the University district and the quiet North Side neighborhoods.

For those looking for a unique, friendly living experience, Fremont is an excellent choice. It has a city’s worth of character without the dense bustle of downtown and plenty to offer for a wide range of tastes.