Wallingford - Seattle\'s Peculiar Neighborhood

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Many places have been described as quaint, but none embody the word more than Seattle's peculiar north central neighborhood of Wallingford. This attractively unusual community is a combination of Seattle's neighborly outlook and unique character.

Moving to Wallington is like moving into Seattle's historic past. The quiet neighborhood centers on the QFC Supermarket located at the corner of N 45th Street and Wallingford Ave N. The business district extends from Stone Way to Sunnyside Ave along N 45th Street and features locally-owned shops, a pharmacy, two movie theaters, two banks, and several restaurants and bars. The original Dick's Drive-In was opened in Wallingford in 1954. Living in the neighborhood is like living in the city but without the hassles of the city.

There are many neighborhood organizations in Wallingford. Sustainable Wallingford seeks to improve the self reliance of the neighborhood. Seattle Tilth educates people on how to grow local, organic foods which helps build a stronger local economy. Two other organizations, FamilyWorks and Solid Ground, provide economic support to local families in need using completely voluntary donations and volunteer workers. Wallingford is truly a self reliant neighborhood where neighbors are continually building stronger ties with each others. Wallingford is what being a neighborhood is really all about.

Like other local neighborhoods, Wallingford enjoy's being part of Seattle's famous waterfront. Gas Works Park sits on the south end of the neighborhood and along the north shore of Lake Union. The park incorporates part of the old Seattle Gas Plant and stretches over 19 acres. From the park's shore, visitors have a beautiful panoramic view of downtown Seattle. The park has been featured in movies like "10 Things I Hate About You" and in two seasons of "The Amazing Race" where it was the finishing line in Season 3 and the starting line in Season 10. Because of the park's historical gas plant display and towers, the park has been called the "strangest park in Seattle" and possibly one of the strangest in the world. Gas Works Park gives Wallingford a personality all its own.

It's not the unique sites that define Wallingford but its people. There are many single-family homes, townhouses and condos available throughout Wallingford and they all lie at the heart of the neighborhood's peculiar, yet neighborly, character. The neighborhood's slow, but steady, growth has allowed the people of Wallingford for retain their historical uniqueness while holding onto their strong neighborly ties.

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