Seattle Neighborhoods: Phinney Ridge

Spine-like Phinney Ridge runs along Phinney Avenue while  it steeply slopes away towards Ballard to the west and Green Lake to the east. Homes cling to both slopes but are rewarded with excellent views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains to the west or Lake Washington, Cascade Mountains and downtown to the east. Driving down these slopes, you’ll feel like you are in a car chase form the movie Bullet. Just once, I’d like to have westbound 65^th Street cleared so I could free-wheel all the way down.

Phinney Ridge was names after Guy Phinney, who was a lumber mill owner and real estate developer. His estate was bought by the city in 1899, which became Woodland Park. His collection of exotic animals was the precursor for what is now Woodland Park Zoo.

The glue that holds the neighborhood together is The Phinney Neighborhood Center who’s mission statement is “to build community by providing and promoting programs, services and activities aimed at connecting neighbors and fostering civic involvement in our diverse neighborhood”. The association is located in an old school house and if you move to this neighborhood, you will probably end up in this building sooner or later.The border between Phinney Ridge and its northern neighbor, Greenwood, is fairly fluid with both neighborhoods sharing a chamber of commerce and cooperating on joint planning of events. The junction between the two is right around where Red Mill burgers is located, where both sets of residents can meet over, what are generally considered, Seattle’s best burgers.

The neighborhood is pretty light on commerce with most business situated along Phinney Avenue. However, since Phinney Ridge is a smallish neighborhood, Greenwood’s attractions are just a few blocks away. The majority of the businesses along Phinney Ave are either bars and restaurants. Check out Sully’s Pub, which is nice ‘n’ cozy with loud drinkers, Zeeks Pizza and Santa Fe Café.

Phinney Ridge Real Estate

As mentioned previously, many properties in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood have great views east or west or for some, both directions, which may explain the higher median prices for all property types in this area (see data table below). This area is dominated by older homes built between 1900 and 1925 once the forested slopes were cleared and access to these steep slopes were added. Phinney Ridge properties are dominated single family homes with many beautiful craftsman and bungalows. The majority of the condos are located along Phinney Avenue mixed in with the commerce. Phinney Ridge has relatively few townhomes compared to other Seattle neighborhoods.

Please see the tables below for data on Phinney Ridge home sales, which will give you an overview of how this neighborhood is priced.

Median* home prices Phinney Ridge single family homes, Phinney Ridge townhomes and Phinney Ridge condos for the last six months of 2009 (data will be updated quarterly).

*Where median price is the price at which half the homes sold for below that price and half the homes sold for above that price

Price ranges for Phinney Ridge single family homes, Phinney Ridge townhomes and Phinney Ridge condos for the last six months of 2009 (will be updated quarterly).

If you would like more information or have any questions regarding Phinney Ridge real estate, please contact a Phinney Ridge real estate agent.

Phinney Ridge Real Estate Map

Best of Phinney Ridge

City Search guide to Phinney Ridge

Seattle Weekly guide to Phinney Ridge dining