That was my response two years ago when I first heard the name of what would soon become our new neighborhood.
Haller Lake is wedged between I-5 and Aurora, from N Northgate Way to N 145th St. Native Seattleites might recognize the neighborhood if you told them it was where Ingraham High School is located—or maybe they would know it by the K-Mart on Aurora.
According to an article in the Seattle P-I, “Overweight? Blame Your ZIP Code,” the obesity rate is over 20% in the 98133 ZIP code (which includes both Haller Lake and part of Shoreline). Why is it 10% higher than the ZIP code just south of it? From the P-I article:
“Standing a block off Aurora Avenue near Bitter Lake, two public health employees tick off the food choices within their line of sight—doughnut shop, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Ivar’s.”
Another factor may be the lack of sidewalks—a lot of parts of Haller Lake don’t have pedestrian-friendly walkways. This contributes to the neighborhood’s poor walk score. For more on walk scores, see Tuesday’s post.)
But there are a lot of great things about the area I like to call NoNo (North of Northgate). Accessibility, for one—the I-5 express lanes off 130th, several express bus routes to choose from, two home improvement warehouse stores, and innumerable other retailers—including several nearby grocery stores with terrific produce sections.
And yes, there are opportunities for physical fitness: Northacres Park includes two play fields and a wooded off-leash area for pleasant walks with Buster; there are three major gyms within a mile of the neighborhood; and you can get your Hydrofit on at the Helene Madison Pool. (BYO bathing cap.)
Perhaps the best advantage of all for home buyers (also from the Seattle P-I article): “Median single-family home prices last year were $140,000 less than the Green Lake ZIP code directly south.” Good news during a mortgage crisis.
Today Redfin lists 25 Haller Lake homes for sale. Here are the least and most expensive:
13433 Roosevelt Way N #304
1 br/1 ba
660 sq. ft.
Built 1968
$295 sq. ft.
NWMLS#27150220
$194,999
1731 N 130th St
4 br/2.5 ba
2,250 sq. ft.
Built 2007
$252
NWMLS#27128275
$568,000
NoNo? Oh, yes.
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