University District - Seattle, WA

Although the nomadic Native American Duwamish were the first to occupy the land that has become the University District, settlers arrived 1867 and laid claim to the land. It was originally called the Brooklyn Addition, and in 1991, it officially became part of the city of Seattle.

Construction of the University of Washington began in 1895 and planted the seeds of the neighborhood's identity. The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo hosted by the university in the early 1900s spurred the development and beautification of the campus.

As the university grew and the trolley line developed, Brooklyn became University Station because of the location of the trolley stop. The isolation of the area and the limited transportation options for travel to downtown forced the neighborhood to be independent and self-sustaining. The community developed into the current University District as a small city inside a big city with the University of Washington at its heart.

With roughly 300 dining and drinking establishments in the U District, residents have the luxury of choice. Restaurants, coffee bars and pubs concoct a variety of foods and drinks to compete for the attentions of the local socializing consumers. As a self-respecting Seattle neighborhood, the U District has its share of great coffee shops. The Ugly Mug Cafe at University Way and N Brooklyn serves scrumptious food and beverages, but more importantly, it roasts its own coffee beans. Enjoy the full, rich flavor of fresh-roasted espresso, or for an exotic change, try the green tea latte or lavender spiced chai.

For drinks, late night and dive-bar experience, nothing beats the Blue Moon Tavern. In its heyday, this iconic bar hosted famous poets and painters, and although the place is dingy, it retains a hip vibe. Join the crowd for live music, brews and a taste of nostalgia.

Getting around in the U District couldn't be easier. Well-serviced with various forms of public transportation, the neighborhood features bike lanes that facilitate safe cycling and green spaces that make walking pleasant. Public bus routes intersect the area with stops that are easy to access throughout the community.

Call Yellow Cab after a late night of pubbing and clubbing, or use your smartphone to arrange a pick-up with Uber. For commutes, try RelayRides for ridesharing, or for road trips, pick up a Zipcar at the campus location.

Stay fit, stay green and leave a small footprint with Pronto Cycle Share. Pick up and drop off your bike at any of the stations, and make an unlimited number of 30-minute bike trips for an annual fee of $85.

Hop on the I-5 for express trips south to San Francisco or north to Vancouver across the Canadian border.

The University District does its part to keep the Emerald City lush and green. Large and small parks break up residential areas with the peaceful beauty of natural greenery. Introduced as a means of strengthening community bonds, several P-patch community gardens bloom with plots of flowers, vegetables, and herbs.

Following an old railway corridor, the Burke-Gilman Trail passes through the U District on its way from Ballard to Kenmore. The scenic beauty of this well-maintained pathway draws cyclists, joggers, dog-walkers and commuters to this long, skinny park.

The public grounds of the University of Washington are among the most gorgeous green spaces in the district. Grassy fields, horticultural landscaping, serene walkways and a variety of trees brighten the wide open spaces between the school's buildings. In Spring, cherry blossom trees flower with dense clusters of pale pink petals to create a stunning and magical natural display.

In Seattle, 52 percent of residents are renters, but in the U District where many residents move on after the completion of school programs, rent-paying residents make up a whopping 72 percent of the population. Rental rates for one-bedroom apartments range from $600 for a basic unit with a shared bath and kitchen to $1,785 for a modern apartment with a communal fitness center and rooftop lounge. Expect an average rate of approximately $1,150 per month.

At the heart of the U-District, NE University Way, known as the Ave, is the area's primary commercial corridor. Clothing stores, specialty stores, restaurants and more restaurants line the street and feed the retail hunger.

Artist and Craftsman Supply outfits fine arts students with a wide selection of paints, brushes, canvases, and printmaking supplies. For budding artists, kids' supplies encourage creativity and make artwork fun.

With more than 120,000 titles in stock, Scarecrow Video on Roosevelt Way NE looks after your entertainment needs from television series to obscure fan favorites and classic blockbusters.

Trader Joe's is an on-campus grocery favorite, especially for frozen convenience food. Whole Foods takes the popular vote for produce from a grocery store, but it comes in second the to weekly U-District Farmer's Market. There are also a couple of major grocers in the area.