Georgetown

POPULATION: 2,000
DEMOGRAPHICS: Families, artist community
TYPES OF HOMES: Bungalows, Small Box Homes, Brick, Tudor/Victorian
COMMUNITY BLOG: Blogging Georgetown
LIBRARY: See Columbia City Library
FARMERS MARKET: Georgetown Farmers Market, open Saturdays from  10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., from May 21 to October 15, 2011, located on the grounds of the original Rainier Brewery, 6000 Airport Way S, 
FAVORITE RESTAURANTS: Kauai Family Restaurant, Stellar Pizza & Ale, The Cutting Board
FAVORITE COFFEE SHOPS: Hangar Cafe, All City Coffee, Fonte Coffee

This historic neighborhood is located south of the city. Georgetown bristles with industry, commerce and charming tree-lined streets tucked in between old brick factories, artist lofts, Seattle’s first railroad and office parks. This area, which runs along the Duwamish River, has enjoyed an upswing over the recent years.

Living in Georgetown means living among families, shared occupancies, some new condos, and a growing artist population that is taking advantage of the affordable studio space. The neighborhood is quaint and colorful: huge trees tower over the streets and two-story roofs. Residences range from bungalows and small box homes to brick houses and Tudor/Victorian styles. They come in all colors down here: bright green, robin’s egg blue and one yellow house with a bright orange door.  Despite the industrial surrounding, the streets are quiet with a mix of neatly mowed lawns and bursting English-style gardens. On a recent visit, one enthusiastic fan cried “This is a fun block!”

Residents here are strong on local pride. They’ve watched their abandoned historic buildings bloom into a revival of restaurants and shops. There is a local park, of course, and ball field included.

If you have an artistic or urban-industrial bent and like the idea of getting in on an upstart neighborhood and enjoy a fixer-upper home, Georgetown could be your place.