Bryn Mawr-Skyway - Seattle, WA

As part of the West Hills region, Bryn Mawr-Skyway began to develop in 1941. After Empire Way opened for travel in 1936, the sparse neighborhood took on a slight Wild West feel. In the middle of World War II, young families laying down roots in Seattle helped form the hilltop bedroom community. During the Civil Rights Movement, Seattle provided more opportunities for racial equality to minorities migrating from the South. As new houses were built in the beautiful locale, diversity gradually shaped the Bryn Mawr-Skyway landscape, and still continues. Seattleites celebrate in great numbers during the Renton River Days, held every July. Travel down Renton Avenue from Skyway, drive along Airport Way, and weave over to Liberty Park on Park Avenue to join the excitement. The three-day event features a parade, arts and crafts, children’s games, and lively music.

One mile down the hill in Renton, you'll find the main gathering place for dining and nightlife with its unique small-town feel. This major suburb draws streams of locals at all times of the day by providing diverse choices for every palette, along with a host of entertainment options when the sun goes down. Aside from the usual chain restaurants dotting Ranier Avenue, the aroma coming from Royal Orchid will pull you in off the street. Voted the Best Asian Food in Renton three years in a row by the Reporter, this atmospheric Thai restaurant marries vivid Eastern decor with savory recipes. Don't miss the Pud Kee Mao noodle dish, and pair it with a nutty-flavored Thai iced tea as the perfect beverage sidekick. Two miles north along Ranier sits a neighborhood landmark with an upside-down sign hanging inside. Formerly the Lakeside Tavern, Pizzeria Pulcinella now carries the mantle of providing excellent drinks to those flocking from Bryn Mawr-Skyway, as well as the residents living on Lake Washington just across the street. With over 60 years' experience in the Italian restaurant business, Pizzeria Pulcinella knows how to serve up addicting pizzas, salads, and beer. The classic Neapolitan recipes of the Margherita and Vesuvio pies pair wondrously with the insalata misto. Just chase your meal with a fine lager or ale, and you're all set. As for exclusive nightlife, many locals try their luck at the Roman Casino located in the Skyway Park Shopping Center on the hill. During football season, boisterous "12th Man" Seahawks fans flood the Northwest Sports Bar & Grill on Park Avenue in Renton. To satisfy more than a year-round sports itch, the poppin' DJ knows how to get people out on the dance floor like nobody's business.

With the signature steep Seattle hills and common rainfall, most residents of the Bryn Mawr-Skyway neighborhood travel by car. However, Metro's 106 and 107 buses also run through Bryn Mawr and Skyway. Taxi cabs or ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft are not typical in this outlying neighborhood. Parking is free in Bryn Mawr-Skyway and on most Renton streets. It's also free for distance commuters to park and ride from the Renton Transit Center at South Second and Burnett Avenue. Residents have easy access to Interstates 5 and 405, which lie less than three miles from the hill. Rain or shine, you'll find bike commuters and recreational cyclists taking advantage of the bike lanes in this biker-friendly area. For those who want to take in the neighborhood scenery by foot, the views are spectacular, but you have to be vigilant. Many Bryn Mawr-Skyway streets do not have sidewalks, and your attention can easily be drawn away by the fragrant blackberry bushes sprouting in the summertime, or the occasional eagle soaring overhead.

In the Evergreen State, it's no surprise that so many parks surround the Bryn Mawr-Skyway neighborhood. Head to Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, only two miles northeast, for one of the best outdoor experiences. The eclectic mix of cool piers, boat launches, multicolored flowers, sporting areas and windy trails draws people in throngs. Dogs play freely, children swim in safety, and when it feels like time for a grub break, no one can resist Seattle's trademark Ivar's seafood restaurant and Kidd Valley burger joint. Even after 65 years, residents still flock to Coulon Park during the summertime Seafair event to watch the U.S. Navy Blue Angels fly overhead in mesmerizing choreography.

The cost of living differs notably between Bryn Mawr and Skyway when it comes to housing. Because of Bryn Mawr's sweeping view of Lake Washington to the east, housing costs are higher than in its neighbor, Skyway. Skyway contains more apartment complexes, with a one-bedroom averaging $900 per month to rent. By comparison, Bryn Mawr's scenic houses cost closer to $2000 per month. For commuters using the Metro bus or Light Rail systems, the base fare is $2.25, while drivers can expect to pay only about 2 percent higher than the national average for fuel. When grabbing a beer, expect to pay around $5 at a local pub.

Residents of Bryn Mawr-Skyway can do economical grocery shopping at Grocery Outlet, located on Renton Avenue in Skyway, or head to Fred Meyer and other chain stores such as Safeway or Walmart. When the shopping bug hits, visit the Landing, a popular outdoor mall set up like a miniature city just a couple miles east. At this main shopping settlement, locals go from store to store, picking up outdoor gear at Dick's Sporting Goods, sophisticated boutique items at C'est la Vie, or trendy clothing items at Rue 21 and Marshalls, to name a few. The mall features over 20 retail stores, a Regal movie theater, and ethnic restaurants to spice up every shopping experience with flair. To sample the area's renowned local fare, take a sunny walk to the farmer's market located in the Old Town Renton Piazza. Every Tuesday from June to September, master gardeners and vendors sell everything from wild Alaska salmon to exotic flowers and vegetables. Rain or shine, the market runs from 3 to 7 p.m.