Much of the area to the south and west of downtown Seattle is industrial, but spectacular views translate into high-priced living along the shores of Puget Sound and Elliott Bay. The upscale Alki area in West Seattle is the birthplace of Seattle.

 

• Boulevard Park/Riverton
• Burien
• Georgetown
• South Park
• West Seattle
• White Center

 

All descriptions are from the Seattle PI

Locals work to turn things around

Boulevard Park and Riverton are forgotten neighborhoods. The area is dominated by noise from Sea-Tac Airport and freeway sounds from every direction. Home prices are among the cheapest in King County. There are no sidewalks, and the area has been plagued by crime. But some area residents are fighting to make things better.

Burien boasts recreation, culture
In 1876, German-born Gottlieb Van Boorian arrived and built a cabin on the southeastern edge of Lake Burien. He later founded the town bearing his name. It was incorporated in 1993. Today its 172-acre Seahurst Park draws visitors from throughout the region. Surrounding the city are wide views of Puget Sound and long walking and jogging trails tucked among residential neighborhoods.

Lots of Seattle "firsts" here
Historic Georgetown is a high-octane blend of commerce, industry, vigilant homeowners and a growing number of artists.

A neighborhood on the upswing

Although industrial development tarnished South Park's reputation, it is on the upswing. Merchants say crime is down,streets are cleaner and new businesses are popping up.

Birthplace of Seattle still vital
The founders of Seattle landed at Alki Point in 1851. Today the peninsula is across Elliott Bay from Seattle is made up of four distinct neighborhoods: Admiral, Alki, Fauntleroy and Delridge, plus a "downtown" that's a remnant of the days a century ago when West Seattle was briefly its own town.

Cultural diversity, civic pride
Though not a city itself, White Center feels like an extension of its big-city neighbor to the north, Seattle. A diverse part of urban Seattle, residents and businesses have worked hard to improve aging school facilities and drive out drugs, crime and noise. And they helped fight to mitigate noise from nearby Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.