Seattle has buses. So does Renton. Use them In which case you might as well find a place to live along a line. One line at a time. Here's the next one, selected at random for the fun of it.
Does Route number 2 try harder? It certainly has more hills to climb than most buses. Up and down Queen Anne and First Hill, passing by Seattle Center and through downtown, eventually ending at Madrona Park. A convenient way to get from views of the Olympics and an historic neighborhood to Lake Washington's shoreline and views of the Cascades.
↑ Somehow, someone managed to top off an extraordinary Queen Anne house with a swimming pool, and still fit it and a 5,540 square foot, 6 bedroom, 5 bath house onto a 7,199 square foot lot. As if that wasn't impressive enough, it also has marvelous views, a sunroom, a kitchen with appliances worthy of a restaurant, and a design that won it awards after it was built in 1909. This house has been impressive for over a hundred years, and still is. That's why they're asking $2,795,000.
↑ How about older and more affordable? Back in 1907, this 4 bedroom, 1.75 bath, 1,920 square foot house was built for far less than the $835,000 that is today's price. Some things are just natural for a house of that time: fireplaces that work, pantries that are useful, nine foot ceilings because they could. Since then the view has probably changed as other house and trees grew. The intricate brick patio may be new, but it could also have a long history. Bricks survive Seattle's weather nicely. Low maintenance is a good thing.
↑ New, relatively, houses exist on Queen Anne, but this one is wedged into a lot that is smaller than the house. For $729,000 they are selling a 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 1,850 square foot house that fits onto a 1,672 square foot lot. Stories help. Stacking the house on top of the garage helps too. The house has "only" been around since 2005. A young pup. The advantages are modern appliances, materials, and style. Just because you want to live on Queen Anne doesn't mean you want to live with hundred year old wiring.
↑ A 1,900 square foot bungalow takes it back a few years more to 1904. Back then, a carriage house wasn't just a quaint name for an outbuilding, it was where you parked your carriage because you probably didn't own a car. Even if you did, horses probably had an easier time climbing Queen Anne than a Model T did. Now, $599,000 makes this house of 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths and stories a home for someone who wants to live on the hill along route 2 or even near the Microsoft Connector. A lot has changed since 1904. Back then, a computer was a person.
↑ Cottage has a nice sound to it, especially when it is large enough to have storage too. Another home that has a history, this one was built in 1907. They understood Seattle's weather and built in a sunroom. Why don't more Seattle homes have them? As a cottage it is somewhat large, 1,840 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 1 bath. One bath is all you needed in 1907, right? Now, $519,000 gets you a cottage with details that would difficult to replicate in 2014. Some styles are best enjoyed the way they originated. The window treatments alone are impressive, especially considering the fact that they were probably built by hand by a true craftsman.
· Route 2 [Metro]
· All Bus Tours coverage [CS]
Written by Tom Trimbath