Eastlake - Seattle, WA

North American natives roamed the Puget Sound long before Eastlake land was claimed by pioneers. These pioneering settlers began the development of the area. Growth was driven by the harvesting of natural resources, specifically timber and coal.

It wasn't until the 1960s that Eastlake began to grow with a mix of residences and offices that helped to develop the area's identity. Although several of the neighborhood's historic buildings house retail businesses and apartments that add to the eclectic mix, nearly 60 percent of residential housing went up after 1980 in this young community.

The Museum of History and Industry in South Lake Union houses a collection that details the history of Eastlake and Seattle and hosts festivals and hands-on learning activities for children and adults, often at low or no cost.

Eastlake residents enjoy the galleries, public works of art and art walk tours in nearby Capitol Hill.

Primarily along the Eastlake strip, the neighborhood supports a variety of drinking and eating establishments that allow residents to enjoy a fine dinner, a quick lunch, a smooth cup of coffee or a few drinks.

Locals will direct you to the Blind Pig Bistro. This unassuming restaurant has great service, giant flavors and reasonable prices. The menu changes, but there are some staples, including the house-made beer bread. You can choose an individual entree, or for $47, you can take on the entire menu. Highlights include the scallop crudo with almond paste and the tart and creamy panna cotta with rhubarb.

Enjoy fine Italian food accompanied by live jazz music on weekend evenings at Serafina. On the dinner menu, Plin gets top marks. Stuffed with cabbage, Parmigiano-Reggiano and richly flavored braised pork, this ravioli-like pasta in cream sauce melts in your mouth. Fast forward to the dessert menu and the cream puffs filled with hazelnut gelato and coated in chocolate sauce.

Hit the 14 Carrot Cafe for breakfast all day. With child-friendly, vegan and gluten-free options, everyone can find something on the menu. Design your own scramble, or choose a house special such as the Greek Delight, a satisfying omelet stuffed with spinach, feta, mushrooms, tomatoes and green peppers. The Sweet Tooth breakfast sets up your day with three eggs, hash browns and a giant cinnamon bun.

For drinks and snacks, stop in at Eastlake Bar & Grill. During afternoon and late-night happy hours, margaritas cost $6, a cheeseburger and fries set you back $6.75 and draft beer is $1 off. You can sit on the patio in warm weather and enjoy lake views or join the crowd in football season to cheer on the Seahawks.

For music, clubs and the bright lights of the big city, the downtown core can be reached in just five minutes by cab on I-5.

Although there are hilly areas and the land slopes downward toward the lake, the neighborhood remains walkable. The peaceful environment, lake views and historic buildings make strolls through Eastlake delightful.

With buses that travel the length of the district and connect Eastlake with northern Seattle, downtown and central transfer hubs, the community enjoys good bus service. If you'd prefer to be picked up and taken home after a night at the pub with friends, you can call Seattle Yellow Cab, or you can use your smartphone to choose and book a ride with Uber.

Students and other cyclists ride the north-south bike lanes that take them through Eastlake, across Portage Bay and into the University District.

Parking can be tight if you're driving around in Eastlake, but when you get behind the wheel to travel to any location along the west coast of the country, you'll love the close proximity of I-5.

Several small parks brighten the neighborhood and provide cost-free outdoor fun for kids, dogs and families. Green spaces range in size from the 0.25-acre Roanoke Street Mini Park to the 0.9-acre Terry Pettus Park and boat launch.

Take the kids to Rogers Playground, and let them slide, swing and climb away some of their boundless energy. You can also grab a court for some tennis or a diamond for a pick-up game of softball. If you want to set your dog loose for a romp, head to the I-5 Colonnade for some off-leash fun and doggy play-dates.

Of course, there's Lake Union. You can stroll along the shore, launch a canoe for a quiet glide or indulge in an evening champagne cruise. A few steps away at the lake's southern end, the 12-acre Lake Union Park provides ample green space, ongoing activities and seasonal special events. Decorated boats light up the lake during the Christmas season, and Seafair Summer Fourth brings a day of food booths and live music before the fireworks show over the lake.

Eastlake's cost of living comes in 16 percent higher than the Seattle average. The neighborhood equals Seattle in all aspects of cost of living except for housing costs, which are significantly higher in Eastlake.

The median rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment sits around $1,600.

A 25-minute bus trip to the city center costs $2.50 during peak travel times from 6-9 AM and from 3-6 PM weekdays. Outside of those times, you pay $2.25.

It will cost you about $6 to quench your thirst with a refreshing beer at the pub.

When you fill your tank for a road trip on I-5, you can expect the cost of gas to be about 13 percent higher than the national average.

Only a few retailers have set up shop in this neighborhood, and they can all be found along Eastlake Avenue. The unique retail mix ranges from consigned clothes for bargain shoppers to caviar for the upscale appetite.

At Current Consign, you can shop from the racks of modern and vintage as-new clothing and accessories, or you can make a few dollars by recycling your no-longer-worn garments. After three months, you have the option of donating unsold clothing to a local women's charity.

With the abundance of lakes, rivers and waterways in the Puget Sound area, it's no surprise that Seattle is home to lots of fishermen, and Patrick's Fly Shop has been outfitting them since 1946. The shop caries a wide selection of waders, boots, packs, flies and fly-tying materials, and it provides fly-casting lessons and fly-tying classes.

At the neighborhood's north end, Seattle Caviar Company carries accessories, accompaniments and an assortment of caviar for those of discriminating tastes. This high-end store sells mother-of-pearl palettes and spoons for the serving and eating pleasure of this nutty, salty delicacy.

Within the neighborhood, Pete's Wine Shop keeps residents well stocked with reds, whites, roses and an assortment of basic grocery items. For supermarket grocery shopping, locals head over to Whole Foods in South Lake Union.

From June to October, Eastlake residents do not hesitate to make the short trip to the Queen Anne Farmers Market. At this weekly event, you can enjoy live music and food-truck eats, and you can pick up herb plants, local honey, coho salmon, cheeses, fresh fruits and veggies.