Leschi

POPULATION: 1,250
DEMOGRAPHICS: Upperclass families, couples, singles
TYPES OF HOMES: Condominiums, Bungalows, Craftsman, Contemporary Styles, Bricks, Tudors and Mid-century Ramblers
COMMUNITY BLOG: Central District News
LIBRARY: Madrona-Sally Goldmark Library, located at 1134 34th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122, Tel. (206) 684-4705
FARMERS MARKET: Madrona Farmers Market, open every Friday from  3-7 p.m., from May 20 to September 30, 2011, located in the parking lot of the Madrona Grocery Outlet at the corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. Way and E. Union Street.
FAVORITE RESTAURANTS: Bottle House, St. Clouds, Bistro Turkuaz
FAVORITE COFFEE SHOPS: The Hi Spot Cafe, Verite Coffee

Lake Washington’s marina community, Leschi is settled along the lake and up into the windy forested hills to the west. Another revitalized community, it still offers a diverse neighborhood mix, but the closer you get to the water, the pricier and fancier the real estate.

Residences in Leschi include condominiums (especially along the lake), refurbished bungalows and craftsman, contemporary styles, bricks, Tudors and mid-century ramblers. Curvy streets wind away from the lakefront, which means many residences get at least a partial lake view. There are parks too-from a popular lakeside park to pocket parks sprinkled up in the slopes. Don’t miss the community pea patch, the tennis courts and the historical beach cottages.

Leschi town center is about two blocks long and vacation-esque. Set off the marina, there’s a local grocery store, restaurants, small businesses, condos, a deli and a Starbucks.  On the weekends, Leschi is a resting stop and watering hole for peletons of recreational and competitive cyclists.