Fairmount Park - Seattle, WA

This community's namesake, Fairmount Park, originated from the filing of a plat of land in the beginning of the 20th century, and the neighborhood was officially named in the Recreation Report of 1954. Development occurred during World War II and the culture has remained largely unchanged over time.

Take your little ones to a scheduled or drop-in art class designed especially for children at The Little Artist, located in the loft above the shop, Curious Kidstuff. For adults, ArtsWest has both an intimate live theater and an art gallery. Catch a musical, such as "Evil Dead," or converse over the pieces of contemporary art from the Pacific Northwest region in the unique exhibition space.

Residents of Fairmount Park have an array of choices for dining and entertainment without having to head downtown. Stroll along California Avenue, Fauntleroy Way and 35th Avenue to grab a much-needed caffeine fix, an organic lunch or an international dinner dish followed with a pint of local ale.

Renowned for its superb variety and quality of coffee, this western Seattle community will not disappoint when you step foot inside Cupcake Royale and Verite Coffee. This independent coffee shop showcases local art and provides a bright, trendy atmosphere with leather couches and a number of younger customers there for the free WiFi, fresh coffee and a sugar rush from the cupcakes.

Find brunch, lunch and dinner dishes with fresh, local ingredients at Fresh Bistro. Fill up on the loaded northwest seafood chowder, uniquely flavored truffle-smashed fried potatoes or a perfectly seasoned grilled bistro steak.

Expand your international palette by sampling Mediterranean food such as lamb kabob or exotically spiced, Turkish-style ravioli at Ephesus Restaurant. Just make sure you try the hummus.

When the sun sets, couples and singles hole up in a booth at Elliott Bay Brewery & Pub to dig into the Luna Weizen fish and chips and the pulled pork nachos. Wash it down with a pint of the home-brewed organic Ellott Bay IPA as you catch the football game on one of many television screens.

For a calmer scene, take your pick of caffeine, beer or wine at the C & P Coffee Company. This joint is cozy and hip, with several rooms and a variety of seating options, from wing-backed chairs and comfy sofas to individual tables. Head there on a Friday or Saturday evening to enjoy live music with your drink.

Grab a made to order 14-inch slice of pizza and enjoy an ice cold beer at Talarico's Pizzeria & Lounge with karaoke on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, as well as trivia on Wednesdays.

Residents in Fairmount Park have several choices for getting around in the neighborhood and accessing other areas of Seattle. Walkablility within the area ranks high, allowing most errands and more recreational activities to be done on foot. Some choose to employ the use of a bicycle, as some streets have bike lanes, but walking is easier.

Fauntleroy Way, California Ave and 35th Ave SW provide easy driving access to any point in the city. You can also drive down Faleroy Way to the Washington County Ferries dock, park and take the passenger-only water taxi to other areas, including downtown Seattle.

Hop on any number of public bus routes that run through Fairmount Park, courtesy of King County Metro transit system. Alternatively, participate in car-sharing with RelayRides and Zipcar. While there's not really any taxi-hailing going on in this area, several cab services and Uber can be scheduled ahead of time for rides.

Neighborhood street parking costs a moderate fee in the busier districts, but in the more residential areas, public parking can be found for free.

Fairmount Park provides outdoor activities for both young and old. Just off of Fauntleroy Ave and next to Fairmount Park Elementary, this space contains fields for baseball, softball and soccer, as well as a playground. Proud of its pesticide-free quality, the park also boasts a Native American mural created by local teenagers.

Support a charitable cause every year at the Evolution Running Fund Run, held with the assistance of Fairmount Park Elementary PTA. Each year a different non-profit organization is chosen to support. Held toward the end of summer, a wide range of runs include a 5K, 10K, half marathon and 26K.

For more casual use, Fairmount Park is great for jogging, biking, picnicking with the kids or tossing a tennis ball with your dog in the open fields, all free of charge.

Residents of the Fairmount Park pay a decent amount for livability and proximity to Seattle's center. The average cost of living basically equals the average for Seattle. Community members take residence in a one-bedroom unit for right around $1,167 per month.

Taking a public transit commute into Seattle's center runs a bit high at $4.75 per one-way bus ticket from the King County Transit. Car travellers will pay nine percent above the national average to fill the tank. After a grueling day at work, locals wind down with a cold brew at about $5 per pint.

Whether running everyday errands, bargain hunting or searching for unique, high-end accessories, Fairmount Park has everything a shopper needs. The central hub of stores and shops lines major thoroughfares Fauntleroy Ave, California Ave and 35th Ave SW. Locals take their kids to California Ave for the independent toy store Curious Kidstuff, which provides unique, non-violent and environmentally friendly toys, as well as a party room for rent. Upstairs, kids can explore their artistic creativity with children's art classes.

Those with extra money to spend browse upscale boutiques such as Carmilia's Boutique for one-of-a-kind women's ensembles, stylish shoes and quality makeup. Peruse the independent shoe shop The Sneakery for a good selection of shoes and the widest selection of quirky socks to go with your new footwear. Choose from an endless range of knitting materials and tools from Seattle Yarn to make that scarf and protect yourself against cold Seattle winters.

Residents head to Safeway, QFC and Trader Joe's for typical grocery trips. The West Seattle Farmers Market provides fresh, local produce along with live entertainment and chef demos on Sunday mornings just next to Fairmount Park in Junction.