A Street on the Brink: Calling All Urban Pioneers

If you’re looking for a centrally located single family home close to Capitol Hill and Downtown, you may want to consider the 900 block of 23rd Avenue. Sure 23rd is a busy street, but if you don’t have young children or darting pets, and can tolerate a certain amount of noise, there are bargains to be had.

Single family homes in this area of Squire Park/Central District average $400 a square foot. Current listings on 23rd, between Union and E. Marion range from $172 – $232/sq. ft. That’s about 50% off for living on a busy street.

This is a block rushing toward a renaissance. With its renovated homes (two of the homes are newly renovated turn-of-the-last-century classics), a new sandwich shop, and a planned development at 23rd and Union (not to mention Garfield High’s renovation and the new project at ye olde Dilettante shop on 23rd and Cherry), the area pushes for a new identity.

To be sure, the street has issues other than noise. Recent nearby shootings illustrate the darker side of this transitional street. (My personal feeling—violence is pervasive in our society. I feel no more vulnerable at the corner of 23rd and E. Cherry than I would at a mall in Lynnwood or a classroom in Issaquah.)

Still though, I imagine these sorta places attract a certain type of urban pioneer—maybe someone cash-poor-ish (relatively speaking) with a tough skin. Actually, a couple of my friends are perfectly suited.

For consideration of those with a pioneering spirit:

915 23rd Ave Seattle, WA 98122 Price: $475,000
4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 2,701 sq. ft.

910 23rd Ave Seattle, WA 98122 Price: $449,950
5 Bedrooms 3 Baths 1,940 sq. ft.

924 23rd Ave Seattle, WA 98122 Price: $499,100
4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, 2,900 sq. ft.