Forum and Classifieds

My Ballard Forum » Open Forum

Greenwood Above 85th?

(59 posts)

Started 4 months ago by GAM
Latest reply from iPlod

GAM

offline
Member

I have a friend considering a condo on Greenwood, north of 85th. They asked me what the area is like. My take is "modest, poised to gentrify, generally crime free". Anyone have anything to add? Or outright correct?

Thanks!

Posted 4 months ago #
teigyr

offline
Member

Depends on where but there are a LOT of things going on in the neighborhood lately. Poised to gentrify is a polite way to put it :) Perhaps it's all the constructions but there have been a lot of break-ins, car prowls, and general thievery. I'd research it carefully and maybe look at the crime stats. I'm not saying it's better anywhere else lately but it's not as great as it could be.

We walk down Greenwood to 85th a lot (actually to just south of 85th) and there is also a moderately severe graffiti problem that you see more by walking than driving.

Posted 4 months ago #
Mondoman

offline
Member

With the big building project where Leilani Lanes used to be and some other smaller ones, the section up near 105th has a lot of construction going on. The area down near 85th suffers currently because bigger anchor tenants like the hair academy have moved out, and the whole Fred Meyer/Greenwood Market construction zone (ongoing for a year or two) and 85th St rebuild (done!) have really hurt business in the area.
The hope is that a nice new Fred Meyer (and hopefully some sort of grocery market, whether Fred Meyer or other) will draw shoppers to the area.

Posted 4 months ago #
pennygirl

offline
Member

Actually on Greenwood? Depending on the exact location it could be a yes or a no. As for crime, I would say that it goes in cycles.

Posted 4 months ago #
GAM

offline
Member

Well, they're considering a place at 92nd, and yes, actually on Greenwood (noisy!), so specifics about that are welcome. I thought I'd ask in a more general sense, since I have no idea if they'll get this place or instead end up nearby.

Thanks again, all!

Posted 4 months ago #
biophile87

offline
Member

I'd say don't drive a Honda. We've been broken into 4 times in the last year.

Posted 4 months ago #
Corvus

offline
Member

Damned box wine hillbillies have no respect! Can you believe breaking in to a Honda?

Posted 4 months ago #
JM

offline
Member

I'd look somewhere else because there are frequent problems of all kinds. Last September the SPD shut that area down with a swat team and road blocks.

Posted 4 months ago #
pennygirl

offline
Member

I wouldn't move into a place actually on Greenwood between 85th and 125th. But that's just me. Below 85th maybe.

Posted 4 months ago #
GAM

offline
Member

May I ask why, Penny? Noise? Riff-raff? SWAT Blockages?

(Personally I'd prefer to not live on a major arterial anywhere)

Anyone remember what the SWAT action was about? I've forgotten all about it.

Posted 4 months ago #
JM

offline
Member

Phinneywood has part of the story:
http://www.phinneywood.com/2012/09/14/swat-team-at-102nd-and-greenwood/

Posted 4 months ago #
pennygirl

offline
Member

Gam...

It's really busy all day and night long. I don't want to say riff-raff because that's kind of mean but I don't like that area. Tell your friends to walk around the area and maybe shop at Safeway or Walgreens. For some strange reason anywhere below 85th seems to be a lot better.

Posted 4 months ago #
JM

offline
Member

The new Fred Meyer is going to be great.

Posted 4 months ago #
pennygirl

offline
Member

Yes

Posted 4 months ago #
biophile87

offline
Member

Corvus, the nerve. Just because they're from the vintage 90's.

Posted 4 months ago #
JM

offline
Member

Look at the SPD Neighborhood map for a couple of weeks and sample of what gets reported.

http://web6.seattle.gov/mnm/policereports.aspx

Posted 4 months ago #
GAM

offline
Member

Thanks, all! I'm going to let my friend see this thread and follow the links.

Aside to Penny: you are echoing my perceptions (while I chose "riff raff" because I was grasping for a term that was benign, I think we're all on the same page).

Posted 4 months ago #
pennygirl

offline
Member

Yes Gam. Also, I think the ones up here in Hillbilly land aren't as benign as the Ballard crew if you know what I mean.

Posted 4 months ago #
teigyr

offline
Member

I'd almost think south of 80th. Between 85th and 80th there can be a lot of noise and a fairly (at least from what I read) vibrant homeless population. Another thing to look at is the proximity of apartment buildings to houses/condos. There's nothing wrong with most renters but there are some "pay us cash and there are no questions asked" buildings.

http://www.phinneywood.com/forum/topic.php?id=21595

Posted 4 months ago #
GAM

offline
Member

That I do, Penny.

I think the next decade is going to bring some culture shock as the area gentrifies. Should be a good show.

Edited to add: my friend is bargain shopping, which is why they are looking at that stretch. And the responses here help me understand why the prices they've found are as low as they are.

Posted 4 months ago #
pennygirl

offline
Member

Edit: When I first moved here Greenwood Ave was great. I have no idea what happened but it all went to hell when they started building (believe it or not)

That kind of leads me to believe that more people paying more money leads to more people thinking they can get a quick buck. I don't know though. But I do remember going out at night and never being bothered until the area was built up.

Posted 4 months ago #
Cheese

offline
Member

Teigyr: pooh333cats from your post is my new hero! I like the way she basically "slanders" the SLUMLORD knowing that it isn't slander when you can prove it. Go ahead and sue me, we'll see who wins from a jury trial.

Posted 4 months ago #
great idea

offline
Member

"I'd look somewhere else because there are frequent problems of all kinds. Last September the SPD shut that area down with a swat team and road blocks."

was it two years ago then that the SPD SWAT team shut down a street in Sunset Hill?
that guy was accused of robbing pharmacies, whereas the Greenwood guy was sought for domestic violence.

I knew someone that lived on 115th & Greenwood and it seemed to work fine. Easy to get to plenty of stores/services. hell, I think there's even sidewalks along that stretch (the reason I would genrally advocate South of 85th).

Posted 4 months ago #
pennygirl

offline
Member

There's also the Greenwood Bog to think about.

Posted 4 months ago #
Nora Bell

offline
Member

Depends. Have they lived on a busy city street before? If not, the traffic noise on Greenwood alone would be a reason to look elsewhere. My mom lives on 90th and there is a lot of post bar closing time noise, as well. And, yes, there is a crime problem, but there is a crime problem everywhere now. I would advise they wander around the neighborhood for a bit, get a taste of who their new neighbors will be like.
Plus side; A great antique shop called Antika, Cooth Buzzard (books, music, readings, breakfast a Baranofs, beer at Naked City, and about to get a shiny new Fred Meyer.

Posted 4 months ago #
allisonw

offline
Member

I've lived between 83rd and 84th for almost 15 years. Along the lines of what Pen and bio said (who both live near me, though not in the same direction), I would not choose to live north of about 82nd in the Green/Whittier neck of the neighborhood.

You'll note that while I'll be staying at Ballard, not interested in staying in this immediate neighborhood. Too many breakins, stolen cars, car prowls, and the odd person on my porch or outside my bedroom window. Let's not forget the guy who pooped in my alley even after I pleased with him not to. Yep, won't miss any of that.

Posted 4 months ago #
Edog

offline
Member

My grandma taught me my DNA demands quality, so I don't go to that end of the gene pool, er um... that far north.

Posted 4 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

online
Member

You busted some in your alley and told them to stop but they finished what they started anyway? Eeeewww !! Who cleaned it up?

Posted 4 months ago #
Mondoman

offline
Member

Once you cross Holman/105th northbound, the neighborhood off the west side of Greenwood seems nice, with mostly nice single-family houses. Dunno so much about the east side of Greenwood...

Posted 4 months ago #
teigyr

offline
Member

Mondo, like north of 120th or so? On Greenwood there are lots of businesses and apartments. East side of Greenwood (not on Greenwood) has a fair amount of drama going on. Aurora crime has pushed inward and there is a lot of interesting activity on the Interurban, which starts at 109th. I have a friend who lives alongside an alley up here, she has found drug interactions (along with having her place broken into) from that alley. There is a lot of prostitution problems too, then tend to leave Aurora and drive a short distance toward Greenwood to complete their transactions. Mr T quite frequently sees pimp vs. ho conversations off the Interurban while on his way to work in the a.m.

Posted 4 months ago #
Edog

offline
Member

Pimp vs. Ho thats nothing compaired to the Ho to John exchange I saw downtown this weekend. Or was it John to John? It really was not clear. Anyhow, it was so gross I went right out an updated all my vaccinations.

Posted 4 months ago #
teigyr

offline
Member

hah. I actually saw a police report on a ho v. John incident that happened (by the report) in front of our house! John picks up ho and drives her to side road for services. John pays ho, gets services. John decides services weren't up to what she charged so he demanded money back. She refused, he brought out gun. She ran away and got the police. The police came and arrested John, car was still in the same spot. This was about 20 minutes before Mr T left for work.

Good good times. We didn't witness any of it but I guess it's incentive to get security cameras that look toward the street :)

Posted 4 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

online
Member

You can sell the video to "Vivid Entertainment" and create an extra income.

Posted 4 months ago #
Edog

offline
Member

No, there is no money in porn anymore. The computer powered AV revolution has destroyed the market. There are no longer barriers to entry. Any sleazebag with a video camera, a computer, a web connection and some hoochies who badly need drugs can stand toe to toe with Larry Flynt.

Posted 4 months ago #
BuffaloHawk

online
Member

So the only way to make money in porn is to find a home tape from a celebrity?

Posted 4 months ago #
teigyr

offline
Member

BH, Edog sounds bitter. You might make more money taping a celebrity but this IS the land of opportunity. With a bit of ingenuity, I'm sure money can be made. You could do one of those "Bellingham Broads Gone Wild" videos taped at GG.

Posted 4 months ago #
Mondoman

offline
Member

Seems like our Bellingham Broad just bothers Gracie, and a Bellingham Biddy video wouldn't find any takers even at the Farmer's Market.

t - I know there are new condos just north of Holman between 3rd Ave and Greenwood, but if you keep going north a block or two, it's nice, even just a block down from Greenwood. I think Greenwood must be like Hadrian's Wall that the Romans built across Scotland to keep out the Celtic broads and biddies (though Boudicca bodaciously bested them).

Posted 4 months ago #
Mondoman

offline
Member

Threadjack: the Phinneywood blog has photos and a description of the new Fred Meyer on 85th, which is apparently opening in just 2 weeks!

Posted 4 months ago #
pennygirl

offline
Member

mondo...

Boudicca was Welsh. Nowhere near Hadrian's Wall :-)

But she did give them a sound beating...

Posted 4 months ago #
Ballardemician

offline
Member

GAM I'd be careful about buying up there from an investment perspective if better-than-market growth is what your friend is looking for. "Poised to gentrify" to me doesn't exactly express the neighborhood (that's SLU 5 years ago). I'd expect Greenwood North of 85th to be stable and do about the same as the North Seattle market in general over the next few years. In roughly the same price range I'd take a smaller place along Linden near Green Lake - nice neighborhood amenities and quick commutes from that area, and some relative bargains for condos right in that Linden strip.

Posted 4 months ago #
dizzy

offline
Member

For all you poopooing the neighborhood: all of North Seattle was like that stretch of Greenwood until the yuppies invaded so invade away yer gonna do it anyway.

Posted 4 months ago #
Edog

offline
Member

Boudicca Refused!!! Should be the name of Teigyr's and BuffHawk's film.

And for what its worth, I'm pretty sure Boudicca will kill all the yuppies before they ruin her North Seattle Bog.

Posted 4 months ago #
allisonw

offline
Member

It's been "poised to gentrify" for an awfully long time. I'm sure looking forward to getting out of the general vicinity.

Posted 4 months ago #
Corvus

offline
Member

I sure will be happy when the hill billy Fred Meyer opens again because shopping in the Frelard FM has become hazerdous. They need traffic circles at the aisle intersections!

Posted 4 months ago #
allisonw

offline
Member

FM has crap food though.

Posted 4 months ago #
bambooboy

offline
Member

Greenwood is fine. I buy all my street drugs on 89th and Greenwood. Couldn't ask for a nicer bunch of dealers. They even spotted me money when I was low and only charged me 190% interest (per day).

Posted 4 months ago #
pennygirl

offline
Member

You know what Alli? You've lived here for years. You don't need to knock it just because you are moving.

Edit: This area is weird. You can be in one location and it's great. Go a few blocks and not so much. Alli is near a major intersection that is notorious for trouble so she is bound to see it trickle to her house. If you walk around the neighborhood at all times of day and night you will soon know what is safe (nice) and what isn't.

I am a full 10 blocks north and I really don't see much of anything. Take that as you will.

Posted 4 months ago #
Mondoman

offline
Member

In fairness, though, you've got Patrick MacNee looking out for you.

Posted 4 months ago #
pennygirl

offline
Member

Actually scratch what I said. The Hillbillies were restless last night.

Posted 4 months ago #
great idea

offline
Member

it would be rather ironic if the area became really fancy and gentrified right after alli moved away.

Posted 4 months ago #
bambooboy

offline
Member

I will talk to my crack dealers and see if they can clean the area up. Surely there must be some area on Aurora that needs another prostitute or crack dealer hang out.

Posted 4 months ago #
pennygirl

offline
Member

No crack dealers bamboo. Ask the drag racers and shouters to stop. Thank you:-)

Posted 4 months ago #
allisonw

offline
Member

Pen, it's nothing personal, and I've been knocking the area for long before the possibility of getting out anytime was a possibility.

FWIW, who knows how long it's gonna take us to find a house. The only decent listing this week is 2 houses off of 8th @ 56th. Very cute place, but it's gonna be as noisy there as where I am now.

And yes, the hillbillies have been restless. Lots of drug dealing at the car wash as of late--at least that's what it looks like when there's a half-dozen cars there at 11pm and no one's washing anything.

Posted 4 months ago #
JM

offline
Member

Hillbillies? I remember people complaining about a pocket of suspicious activity around a tan colored van located near 86th and 8th NW last year.

Posted 4 months ago #
Ballardemician

offline
Member

Hey I think I get partial credit for "Hillbilly Land." I originally referred to the area as "Little Appalachia" in a post many years ago. You locals up that way found Appalachia hard to spell and so co-opted the slur in your own style. Anyway I'm both proud and kinda feel like a d*@k at the same time - so you're welcome, and sorry ;)

Posted 4 months ago #
oldguybc

offline
Member

Hey everybody! Good to see a decent thread on the forum with all of my favorite posters! Pennygirl, Teigyr, BH, GI, Mondo, Hughdog, NB (love your cat avatar btw), you all rock.
Just remember, the number of teeth in your mouth does not define your character unless it matches your spouse's age and the highest year of school you attended... ;))

Posted 4 months ago #
pennygirl

offline
Member

And that right there is why we need oldguy back in the area!

Posted 4 months ago #
Silver

offline
Member

Ahem.

Posted 4 months ago #
iPlod

offline
Member

Lets see. Uh 12, forteen an um 9. Lucky I got enuf fingers fer this, hmmm, lessee...

dagnab it! my charactur done lost agin! dadgum you oldguy!! @#^%&

Posted 4 months ago #