Fremont has long been a haven for arts and counterculture. Its commercial center is chock full of unique shops, studios and restaurants, bars and small concert venues, antique malls and specialty cafes.
Population: 3,960
Location: The outline of this neighborhood is not exactly smooth and has a few jagged edges, but Fremont is bordered roughly by Eighth Avenue Northwest to the west; Northwest 45th Street, then North 50th Street to the north; Aurora Avenue North, then Stone Way North to the east; and the Fremont Canal to the south.
Why people move to this neighborhood: A hip, artsy neighborhood and self-proclaimed “Center of the Universe,” Fremont has long been a haven for arts and counterculture. Its commercial center is chock full of unique shops and restaurants, bars and small concert venues, antique malls and specialty cafes. It’s also known for its public art, including a statue of Vladimir Lenin (which was salvaged from Slovakia) and the larger-than-life Fremont Troll who lives underneath the Aurora Bridge and holds a Volkswagen Beetle in one hand. It’s centrally located, close to Ballard and Wallingford on either side, and is a short drive to downtown. Fremont also hosts some notable (and fittingly quirky) events, including the annual Solstice Fair in June, complete with a parade of nude cyclists. Some big-name tech companies have also moved to the neighborhood over the past few decades.
Distance from downtown Seattle: About four miles, 15 minutes by car
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School district: Seattle Public Schools
Major employers: Tableau Software; Google; Adobe Systems
Housing: Modern, luxury apartments, condominiums and townhomes mainly near the canal and commercial hub. Single-family homes and midcentury apartment buildings throughout the rest of the neighborhood. Fremont’s housing market is very hot at the moment; home values have risen 16.5 percent over the last year and are expected to continue to rise.
Walk score (out of 100): 83
Transit score (out of 100): 58
Bike score (out of 100): 77
Historical facts: In the late 19th century, Fremont, like many other neighborhoods along the ship canal connecting Lake Union and Puget Sound, was largely industrial. But in the 1960s, the neighborhood saw a resurgence as an influx of artists, students and bohemians moved in, bringing a lively and artsy vibe that still exists today. Fremont was named after the hometown of two of its founders, which was Fremont, Neb.
Recreation: The Burke-Gilman Trail follows the neighborhood’s southern edge and is largely used by commuters on bicycles, as well as people looking for a quiet stroll along the canal. Theo Chocolate offers year-round tours of its factory, which are popular among locals and visitors alike. Shopping and dining options are plentiful and many restaurants offer outdoor seating. The neighborhood has a few small parks, including Ross Playground, BF Day Playground and the scenic Fremont Peak Park.
Zillow Home Value Index: $588,100
Zillow Rent Index: $2,553
The Zillow Home Value Index is the median Zestimate valuation for a given geographic area on a given day. The Zillow Rent Index is the monthly median rent Zestimate.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; American Planning Association; walkscore.com; zillow.com; historylink.org; city of Seattle