One of the most delightful things about Seattle is the abundance of nature surrounding us.  Although this is a large metropolitan city, I appreciate the fact that you can escape to nature at any time.  Big or large, we have parks situated in every neighborhood and convenient access to rivers, lakes, and vast ocean.  However, with the rapid development and higher cost of real estate, many Seattleites resorted to condos and townhomes that did not leave much space for those with green thumbs.  So, when I noticed community gardens or patches popping up everywhere, I wasn’t surprised at all.

Community gardens are simply a piece of land gardened by a group of people.  The neat thing about them is that not only it provides a mean for people to garden and produce fresh produce, it also promotes sense of community, healthier urban environment, and pride of ownership.  People can experience both the joy of growing and being in touch with the source of their food.

In Seattle, the city began the non-profit organization P-Patch Trust 35 years ago.  According to the City of Seattle website, the organization acquires, builds and protects community gardens in Seattle.  Most of the supplies are provided at the sites, such as water and tools.  Your responsibility as a community gardener is to care for your plot.

Interesting facts about P-Patch:

- The “P” originally stood for “Picardo”, after the family who owned Picardo Farm, part of which became the original P-Patch.

-The P-Patch program only allows organic farming techniques to be used on these plots.

-The P-Patch community gardeners give back to the city by supplying 7 to 10 tons of produce to Seattle food banks each year.

-You are not allowed to sell what you grow, only share it or donate it.

As the broadening interest in organic food source and gardening increases, you will see the demand for community gardens increase.  The city currently has 55 patches in the city but most of them do have a waiting list.  If you are interested in starting your own Community Patch or for more information, check out City of Seattle website!

Community Patch in Seattle Neighborhoods

20th Century Architecture across from Moore Theater

Got the sunshine bug?  Pulled out your shorts and sneaks yet?  Here’s something you might enjoy on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday (Apr-Dec).  For inquiring minds: when you notice fern motifs on the interior of Macy’s downtown or stone eagles perched on top of the Seattle Athletic Club’s building; and for guests who are visiting our city and wanting to explore ~ Seattle Architecture Foundation (SAF) offers an array of city tours highlighting architecture, details, design and art!  Moving out and about to experience urban Seattle and our neighborhoods enlightens participants and sparks conversation.  Here are some that you can discuss afterward over an outdoor dinner and a glass of fine NW wine:  Green Building Tours (The Cobb and Skinner Buildings tour.  Or The Starbucks Center tour.); Art Deco Diamonds and Gold; Design Details Lions, Griffins and Walruses; Harvard Belmont District historic millions and quite a few more.  See you around town…looking up!

Marybeth Cicirello * 206.214.6556 * marybeth.cicirello@exprealty.com * Downtown Seattle Real Estate

Seattle Neighborhood market data is unique to each...

As of April 25, 2010, the statistic is that a median single-family home in “The Seattle Market” is $392,731.00 and I can say confidently right now, there is no move-in ready 3-bedroom house on Montlake, Capitol Hill, Mount Baker or Queen Anne for this price.  But in Maple Leaf?  Yes this price point will buy a house and yard, maybe a nice 2-bedroom mid-century home.  In West Seattle?  Yes definitely in some micro-neighborhoods in West Seattle this is possible.  In Beacon Hill?  Yes again, a mid-century or Craftsman bungalow at $392,731.00 is definitely possible.  So for buyers, it quickly becomes clear what neighborhoods your price point allows and this makes your search constructive and efficient.  And for sellers, be the best option in a certain bracket within your neighborhood, because even in this economy, we still see multiple offer situations if you’re priced right.  Buyers know a good residence when they see it!

Marybeth Cicirello * 206.214.6556 * marybeth.cicirello@exprealty.com * Downtown Seattle Real Estate

One of Seattle’s oldest neighborhoods, the International District was at first Seattle’s Chinatown, which emerged at the edge of Pioneer Square in the 1880′s as Chinese immigrant workers arrived to work on the city’s emerging railroads, coal mines, and salmon harvests.  Now over 100 years later it has matured into the only neighborhood in America where Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Vietnamese and Southeast Asians live and work together, side-by-side.  For Seattlites, the bounty of authentic and diverse asian cuisines is first rate.  But as I said, my family can’t resist the dim sum.  The restaurant we went to has a long history in Seattle, not to mention it’s own parking lot which is important in the crowded area where parking is at a premium and the lot charges are pretty high.  Inside are tanks with live fish, shrimp, crabs and lobster, and a row of roast ducks hangs invitingly behind glass as well.

You can also take a Chinatown Tour, and there is the yearly Seattle’s Chinatown-International District Summer Festival 2009 taking place on July 11 and 12 at Hing Hay Park! There are dancing dragons and lion dances, firecrackers popping, taiko drumming and a whirl of food and treats.  There is also a special kid’s activity corner where the whole family will find enjoyable themed activities.

605 Seventh Ave. S.
Seattle, WA
Phone: 206-623-1670

by Edy Kizaki,
Realtor & Team Leader