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The Westhill area is located on the west side of Bothell. The majority of the neighborhood is located in King County, with a small portion of the Subarea located in Snohomish County. Westhill comprises approximately 701 acres. The Subarea comprises the upland portion of the Westhill land mass, except at its southern end where it descends to meet SR-522.

Westhill contains extensive residential development at varying densities. The commercial activity is confined by topography to the street frontage, since the southern end of Westhill rises immediately behind the commercial properties.

There are three schools within the neighborhood: Bothell High School, located on 92nd Avenue NE and NE 180th Street; Westhill Elementary School, located on 88th Avenue NE; and Sorenson Early Childhood Center immediately north of Westhill Elementary on 88th Avenue NE.

Two neighborhood parks are located within Westhill. Conifer View Park (1.5 acres) is located at the end of NE 195th Street and Conifer View IV Park (1.0 acre), which is also known by the community as Tall Tree Park, is located at 19630 89th Place NE. These neighborhood parks contain open areas, play structures, and a sport court.

The Meridian neighborhood is characterized by a bustling economy. The Bellis Fair Mall spurred most of this growth with its development several years ago.

Many visitors are drawn from around the region, especially across the Canadian border, to shop in the Meridian neighborhood. The mall leases to larger retailers such as Macy's, Target, JC Penny, Kohl's, and Sears. Inside you'll find dozens and dozens of stores, including Build-a-Bear Workshop, Abercrombie and Fitch, and Hot Topic. The food court is usually busy as shoppers take advantage of the numerous restaurants, including Kojo of Japan, Ivar's, Cinnabon, and more.

The fun doesn't stop once you leave the mall doors, however. Red Robin, McDonalds, and the new Boston Pizza reside on the outskirts of the parking lot, and the food attracts more than just mall-goers. These restaurants are favorites for those who stop in from their commute on Meridian, and other customers drive from other neighborhoods in town to order that special meal.

With easy access to shopping, jobs, and I-5, the Meridian neighborhood is a smart place to live. The City of Bellingham has already recognized the need to create housing options in the Meridian neighborhood, and developers have already built comfortable apartment complexes and condominiums in the southern part of the neighborhood. However, there is still room for more.

The Mount Baker neighborhood has everything a person could need. Located in the northeastern part of Bellingham, homes are well-built, the commercial areas are attractive, and there is plenty of space to get outside and enjoy nature. Visitors from around the country have discovered this neighborhood and promptly moved here, making it one of the fastest growing areas in the city.

The area, labeled as a "priority urban village" by the City of Bellingham, contains offices, retailers, medical facilities, condominiums, and town homes. Unlike most "urban villages," the architecture in Barkley Village was carefully planned, thus making it a positive atmosphere for working, shopping and living.

Sunset Drive is a convenient source for Bellingham residents. Lowe's, Sunset Theater, and the Slo Pitch Pub are just a few of the dozens of shopping and entertainment spots in the Mount Baker neighborhood.

Avid skiers and snowboarders would be wise to live in the Mount Baker neighborhood. As the name suggests, the area offers Bellingham's most convenient route to Mount Baker. After passing through the commercial areas, Sunset Drive turns into the Mount Baker Highway, and it's a curvy road to Mount Baker from there.

Adolescents in the Mount Baker neighborhood attend Squalicum High School, the third and newest high school in the Bellingham School District. Opened in 1998, the school is successfully pushing its students to take more classes, complete a culminating project, and pass the state required WASL (Washington Assessment of Student Learning) before graduating. The new building helps them achieve this goal through the most modern facilities in the district.

Edgemoor boasts some of the finest living in Washington. Located in the southernmost area of Bellingham, most homes have a view of sparkling Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands.

Fairhaven Middle School, built as a high school in 1903, welcomes you to the neighborhood with its noble, grand charm. It is one of the best middle schools in the district, and its well-landscaped lawn give you a taste of the rest of the Edgemoor neighborhood.

Much of the neighborhood lies on Chuckanut Drive, arguably the most beautiful road in the state. Built before I-5, it is still a lovely alternative to driving from Bellingham to Skagit County. On the way, you will discover restaurants, shops, hikes, and beaches. It is always fun to travel in a car as the passenger and see all of the many sights along the way.

Many of these beaches are directly in the Edgemoor neighborhood. One particularly notable spot is Clark's Point. Here, hikers can get an incredible view of the San Juan Islands and the Canadian Cascades or take a stroll to the small beaches below. One short trail leads to the Chuckanut Creek Estuary. Both the forest and tidelands are protected, promising decades more of accessible, healthy nature.

The Columbia Neighborhood is one of the oldest, most sought-after residential neighborhoods in Bellingham. Located in Northwest Bellingham near Bellingham Bay, it is quiet, classy, and convenient.

Certain homes in the Columbia Neighborhood are fortunate to have an impressive view of Bellingham Bay. Those who don't are in close proximity to the water, allowing for a quick stroll to the beach at Zuanich Park. Maritime Heritage Park, just outside the Columbia border, offers open space to picnic, read, or walk your dog.

Cornwall Park is just a crosswalk away from the Columbia Neighborhood. There you will find the only frisbee golf course in the area, Squalicum Creek, and acres of open space to do as you please. Elizabeth Park, Carl Lobe Park, and Lorraine Ellis Park are smaller but just as peaceful, and are bordered conveniently in the Columbia Neighborhood.

The Alabama Hill neighborhood in Bellingham has every type of home you could hope for. From large, extravagant houses with million-dollar views to cozy, efficient studios within walking distance of shopping, Alabama Hill can be anyone's ideal place to live.

Residents of the Alabama Hill neighborhood are never at a shortage of activities. The ever-popular Bloedel-Donovan Park, located on the west side of Lake Whatcom, can keep visitors entertained from dawn to dusk (though you may have to swat a mosquito or two during those later hours). On hot days, the park is filled with sunbathers, swimmers, and water-sport enthusiasts. Throughout the year, Bloedel-Donovan is a perfect place to walk your dog or simply relax.

Just across the street, miles of trails await runners, walkers, or park-goers who simply want to stroll from Bloedel-Donovan to Whatcom Falls Park. Bird watchers can take advantage of Scudder Pond, a preserved wetland always bustling with wildlife. Some backyards are simply a gate away from this wildlife, essentially having an entire park behind the house. In addition to these larger parks, the Alabama Hill neighborhood provides even more valued green space at St. Clair Park, Highland Heights Park and Big Rock Garden Park.

No commercial areas exist on Alabama Hill, allowing residents a peaceful escape from the daily rat race. However, Downtown Bellingham, Barkley Village, and the Guide Meridian are just a short trip away, providing easy access to every type of shopping.

Western Washington University (also referred to as WWU or Western) is one of six state-funded four-year universities of higher education in the state of Washington. With 12,000 undergraduates and nearly 1,000 graduate students, the school is large enough to offer many, diverse programs, while still maintaining an intimate atmosphere.

The university is broken up into seven different colleges – Business and Economics, Fine and Performing Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Huxley College of the Environment, Science and Technology, Woodring College of Education, and Fairhaven College (where students organize their own major). All are well-respected departments that produce highly qualified graduates, many of whom stay in the Bellingham area.

In addition to the many strong academic programs, Western Washington University also offers hundreds of other activities for students and community members alike. A Division II school, WWU sports teams travel across the nation to compete in sports. Home football games played at Civic Field are always a fun event, as are men's and women's basketball games in Carver Gym. The school also offers golf, softball, soccer, and much more. Western made national news in May 2007 when its Women's Crew (rowing) team won the NCAA Division II title for the third year in a row.

Music lovers will feel right at home at Western Washington University. KUGS, the school's local radio station, features student DJs, news, and a variety of musical genres. The school frequently hosts concerts and shows, ranging from local, student musicians playing in the Underground Coffee House, to more well-known bands such as Death Cab for Cutie, Andrew Byrd, and others.

Whether you intend to enroll in the university or simply live near it, Western Washington University is an incredible resource for the community. It is an integral part of Bellingham's constant growth, progress, and unique culture.

The Sunnyland neighborhood is a diverse mix of residential and commercial developments. The southern end of the neighborhood is home to several local businesses and restaurants lining busy James Street, from hardware and tire stores to an open-air market. Shopping is easy, with downtown to the south, Sunset Square to the north and a host of businesses along James Street.

Moving north, businesses and warehouses give way to quaint houses on the typical small lots found in the center of Bellingham. The homes vary between rentals and permanent residences, and the condition of the old homes also varies. Lots and homes become larger toward the northwestern side of the neighborhood.

Popular shopping areas include:

Groceries are available at Red Apple Market at James and Alabama streets. A bit farther away is Haggen supermarket, to the northwest on Meridian Street.

A short drive to the southeast is Fred Meyer Shopping Center. Across Lincoln Street from Freddy's is Lakeway Center, containing Ennen Foods, another supermarket.

Sunset Square, which features a K-Mart Discount Store, Rite Aid pharmacy, multiplex theater and several other stores, lies to the west across Interstate 5.

Schools in the area include:

Sunnyland Elementary School
Parkview Elementary School
Lowell Elementary School
Whatcom Middle School
Kulshan Middle School
Bellingham High School

Ferndale is a small town with big potential. Centered between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., and just minutes away from the larger city of Bellingham, Ferndale offers easy access to big, urban areas while still maintaining the tight-knit community feel of a rural town. I

f you search for real estate in Ferndale you will find that most properties are surrounded by natural beauty, as well as a stunning view of Mt. Baker to the east, the San Juan Islands to the west, and the Nooksack river flowing through lush farmland. Ferndale sits in one of the most enviable locations in Whatcom County.

The city of Ferndale is also home to an award-winning school system, numerous cultural events, and a newly developed downtown area. Come to Ferndale for its friendly community, affordable living, and the opportunity to find just what you're looking for in a wonderful Northwest town.

Two local favorites in Ferndale for a drink are Frank-n-Stein Brewing Company and the Main Street Bar and Grill, both located along Main Street. Bob's Burgers and Brew is also a local favorite for lunch and dinner offering gourmet burgers and specialty salads.

Haller Lake is a small residential neighborhood located in north central Seattle. It is also the name of a lake that is planted among the community as well. The lake covers about 15 acres and it has a private shoreline with only two public access points.

Within the neighborhood are Northacres Park, a large, forested public park just east of the lake along 1st Avenue N.E., Ingraham High School, just north of the lake on N. 130th Street, Lakeside School, the alma mater of Bill Gates, Paul Allen, and Adam West in the northeast corner of the neighborhood just west of I-5, and Northwest Hospital and Medical Center, which occupies a 33 acre campus southwest of the lake on N. 115th Street. The area may be small but it is jam packed with schools and the like.

The Haller Lake Community Club is just northwest of the lake at 12579 Densmore Avenue N. The Club was formed in 1922 as the Haller Lake Improvement Club. It features a Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ installed in 1969.

The neighborhood of Whittier Heights Seattle is located north of Ballard. The neighborhood is a small, square area that is made up mostly of residential homes and small businesses. It is very quiet and offers quick access to other neighborhoods, Interstate 5 and Highway 99. To the south of this area is the West Woodland neighborhood. Loyal Heights is to the west. Phinney Ridge and Greenwood to the east. Crown Hill is to the north.

There are over 1770 homes in the Whittier Heights Seattle neighborhood with the average price per square foot resting at over $250.

Schools in the area include Ballard High School and Whittier Elementary School on 75th Street. Whittier Elementary is a great school with a long waiting list. It is known as one of the best schools in the district.

The Bear Creek neighborhood is bounded generally on the west by 196th Ave NE, Avondale Road NE and 180th Ave NE; on the north by NE 145th Street, if extended; on the east by the west crest of the Snoqualmie River Valley (Patterson Creek and approximately 150th Ave NE, if extended), and on the south by Redmond-Fall City Road (SR 202).

Low-moderate density residential uses are located along Avondale and Novelty Hill Roads within Redmond.

The Bear Creek and Evans Creek valleys are reserved for recreational, open space, equestrian and other rural uses. The fish and wildlife habitat in the streams and along the banks has been enhanced. The wetlands in the valleys remain intact and productive.

Situated on a hillside overlooking Redmond's Sammamish Valley and the Cascade Mountains to the north and east, Grass Lawn neighborhood is located on the west side of Redmond. Neighborhood boundaries are: north, Redmond Way; south, NE 60th Street; east, SR 520 and West Lake Sammamish Parkway; west, 132nd Ave NE.

The Grass Lawn neighborhood consists of several smaller neighborhoods with similarities in character and needs as well as unique differences. The majority of the neighborhood is zoned for residential uses, with two small commercially zoned areas. The majority of the houses are built at a low-to-moderate density, with the exception of a fair amount of apartment and condominium developments in the eastern part of the neighborhood.

Grass Lawn is a mature neighborhood with established character and includes Grass Lawn Park, a facility highly valued by the neighborhood as a community gathering place. Many neighborhood residents cherish the walkability of their neighborhood and friendliness of neighbors who look out for each other.

Denny-Blaine is a neighborhood in east central Seattle, Washington. It is bounded on the east by Lake Washington; on the south by E. Howell Street, beyond which is Madrona; on the west by 34th Avenue, beyond which is Madison Valley; and on the north by Lake Washington Boulevard E. and E. Prospect Street, beyond which are Washington Park and Madison Park.

The neighborhood's main thoroughfares are E. Denny Way and E. Harrison Street (east- and westbound) and Dorffel Drive E. and Lake Washington and McGilvra Boulevards E. (north- and southbound). Denny-Blaine Park is on the Lake Washington waterfront at the foot of E. Denny-Blaine Place.

A little history concludes that the neighborhood is named after its developers, Elbert F. Blaine and Charles L. Denny, who began subdividing the area in 1910. Denny was the son of Seattle pioneer Arthur Denny.

It was his greenhouse at 171 Lake Washington Blvd. E. where Kurt Cobain killed himself in 1994. The greenhouse was razed by his wife, Courtney Love, shortly thereafter and the house and property were subsequently sold to a private party. A poignant memorial to the influential and troubled rocker can be found next door in Viretta Park, where messages and dedications have been carved into wooden benches.

The South Rose Hill and Bridle Trails neighborhoods include an area in Kirkland bordered by NE 85th street to the north, Interstate 405 to the west, the Kirkland-Redmond city border to the east, and the Kirkland-Bellevue border to the south. It offers a 481 acre park as well as homes on 3/4 acre-plus lots.

Bridle Trails is only five minutes from downtown Bellevue and downtown Kirkland and just a few minutes more to Hwy 520 and I-405. The park has show arenas for horses and 28 miles of trails that can be enjoyed by equestrians and pedestrians alike. Bridle Trails offers a rural atmosphere with many homes bordering the park for added privacy. This superb equestrian community is last of its kind in Bellevue and Kirkland.

North Rose Hill is the area lying between Interstate 405 and 132nd Avenue NE. It is bounded by NE 85th Street on the south and NE 116th Street, Slater Avenue NE, and NE 123rd Street on the north.

Most of the area is developed, but there remain significant tracts of undeveloped land. The land use pattern is relatively well established. Low-density residential uses are predominant in the North Rose Hill neighborhood, while commercial uses are concentrated along its north and south boundaries in the North Rose Hill Commercial District and the NE 85th Street Subarea.

Managed growth continues to strengthen the unique residential character by preserving established low-density residential areas and by promoting a variety of housing alternatives and styles. No matter what type of home you are looking for, North Rose Hill probably has it or something very similar.

This neighborhood is bounded on the west by Lake Washington and on the east by the railroad tracks. Lakeview Drive and Lake Washington Boulevard are both a focus or seam for activities in this neighborhood.

The neighborhood west of Lake Washington Boulevard includes parks, single and multifamily dwellings, commercial uses, and marinas. The primary policy direction for the area, including the Houghton Slope and east of Lakeview Drive, would be to continue the primarily low-density residential uses. However, between Lakeview Drive and Lake Washington Boulevard, medium-density residential uses would be permitted, as well as limited offices. Offices and limited freeway commercial would also be allowed at the southern end of the neighborhood near Yarrow Bay.

There is much development ongoing and in the works in Lakewood. We will see what happens in the future.

Sandwiched between mountains and a lake to the southeast of Seattle, Newcastle is one of the oldest communities in its area. Due to the presence of coal, Newcastle developed quickly in the 1800s but has undergone a significant transformation from those rough beginnings.

What was once the Newcastle dump is now the site of the popular and pristine Golf Club at Newcastle. The Golf Club features two 18-hole public courses (Coal Creek and China Creek), extensive practice facilities, and a 44,000 square foot clubhouse (the most important thing about golf). The Calcutta Grill is located here and offers one of the Pacific Northwest's favorite eateries. Scottish bagpipe entertainment is also common.

Like many suburbs in the area, Newcastle is largely a prosperous, residential community providing access to downtown Seattle, but maintaining its own pace as well. The area is quiet and peaceful despite being close to the city. It is truly a suburb all its own.

Bridle Trails is a tranquil neighborhood at the north end of Bellevue. It offers a 481 acre park as well as many residential homes on 3/4 acre-plus lots. There is a lot of room to spread out and not feel so cramped and close to your neighbors as in the city.

Bridle Trails is only five minutes from downtown Bellevue and downtown Kirkland and just a few minutes more to Hwy 520 and I-405.

The park itself has show arenas for horses and 28 miles of trails that can be enjoyed by equestrians and pedestrians alike. Bridle Trails offers a rural atmosphere with many homes bordering the park for added privacy. This superb equestrian community is last of its kind in Bellevue and Kirkland.

The Sammamish/East Lake Hills neighborhood is on the east side of Bellevue and is adjacent to Lake Sammamish. Due to its proximity, it offers views of Lake Sammamish and Phantom Lake, and is centrally located between the Crossroads and Factoria neighborhoods.

There is also ready access to the Lake Hills Greenbelt, a large wetland area with an extensive trail system ideal for viewing local wildlife. If you like living close to nature, without being away from the city amenities, then you will take a liking to Sammamish.

I have friends who live in the area, and although I am very much a city girl, I do enjoy taking my daughter to view some of the local wildlife, pick wildflowers, and hike along endless trails. The lake is beautiful and a nice place to enjoy on weekends in the summer, or if you are fortunate to live there, all year around.

Newport is something of a residential Mecca for much of King County. The neighborhood comprises the southwest corner of Bellevue and is lined by Lake Washington on its west side, giving Newport ready access to some of the finest vistas, schools, and open spaces in the state.

Despite its close proximity to bustling downtown Bellevue, Newport still prides itself on maintaining a small, tight-knit neighborhood with a character of its own. Homes in Newport range from modest to extravagant, and from affordable to astronomical. There is something for everyone looking to enjoy the amenities of this suburban gem.

Newport High School was listed in Newsweek as one of five Bellevue School District High Schools in the top 200. The Newport High School goal is to prepare all students for the rigors of college and they recently passed an initiative on high school accountability. You could not ask for a better high school and it is known all over the country.

Factoria is in the southern region of Bellevue and is one of the city's major commercial centers. Factoria's commercial development is largely centered around the existence of the Factoria Mall and its eight-theater cinema. Numerous office buildings of various size are scattered in the area, most significantly the 5-tower Newport Corporate Center which is prominently visible from the junction of I-5 and I-405. Typical to a business district, Factoria is dotted with shops, business services, fast food, and theme restaurants. There are numerous chain restaurants scattered throughout.

Factoria does not have a significant residential community of its own, though a few condominium and apartment complexes have recently been built. The area is instead used by surrounding neighborhoods as a shopping and business center. If you are looking for a home with front and backyard, this is not your area of Bellevue.

This lively, trendy downtown neighborhood offers the best in condo living and artist lofts. It sits over Elliot Bay and is home to the splashiest sunset views over the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Belltown is also a hop skip and a jump from Pike Place Market, and walking distance to the downtown business district, Seattle Center, and the foot of Queen Anne Hill.

A Belltown residence’s backyard has the most up-to-date nightlife alongside some of Seattle’s old faithful venues. The Moore Theatre, for example, is a historic concert hall on Second Avenue. A lively array of boutiques, galleries, cafes, thrift stores, salons and restaurants are all within a stone’s throw. Dining options range from thrifty international fare to high-end Seattle cuisine. Sidewalk dining springs to life during fair weather months.

Belltown is bonafide city living. Everything here is within walking distance. Which means locals can keep their cars parked for days, or not even own one. One added bonus of cosmopolitan living is access to many bus lines, and a lot of Belltown is in the city’s free bus zone. If you live in Belltown and work in a different neighborhood, you will have quick access to Interstate 5, Highway 99, and a the Seattle Metro bus system.

If you want to get out of Belltown, you can hop in a cab and take a five dollar cab ride to a different neighborhood. Belltown is just minutes from Capitol Hill, Uptown, Downtown, and Denny Triangle.

Seattle's downtown, including the neighborhoods of Belltown and the Denny Regrade, features a smorgasbord of activities for locals and tourists alike, from visiting parks to dining at the area's superb restaurants.

The waterfront activities have always been popular with both locals and visitors alike. Pike Place Market is known around the world for its colorful produce and flying fish, fresh from the day's catch and tossed for packaging. The Piers and the Washington State Ferries both provide afternoons of enjoyment, from shops and restaurants, to the lazy ferry runs across Puget Sound to the nearby islands.

In the Denny Regrade neighborhood you'll find the Seattle Center, where over 9 million people come each year to ride the elevator up the famous Space Needle, or to watch concerts, plays and sporting events at any one of the venues, including the Key Arena, the Mercer Center, Seattle Repertory Theatre, and Opera House. If walking around the Seattle Center isn't enough exercise for you, nearby Myrtle Edwards Park is a great place to walk or jog.

If it's food you're after, you will find excellent restaurants in nearby Belltown, right downtown. El Gaucho, Axis, Brasa, and the Flying Fish are just a few for starters. For hamburgers and beer, try the Two Bells Tavern; for coffee and light fare, look up La Vita e Bella.

The neighborhood of Westlake Seattle is a narrow strip of land along the western edge of Lake Union. The Westlake community is largely commercial with a little bit of residential running through it. It is home to many large companies, and nicer chain style restaurants such as McCormick’s and Outback.

Living in Westlake gives you very quick access to South Lake Union, Uptown, Denny Triangle, and Fremont.

This is also the neighborhood in which Tom Hanks’ character in Sleepless in Seattle had a houseboat. Of course, when in the area, seeing the houseboat is a must. I have only been in this area once, saw the houseboat and ate at McCormick’s, then it was off to shop at Pike Market.

One of the defining characteristics for Phinney Ridge residents is their backyard: Woodland Park Zoo. You might hear locals complain about sleepless nights—waking up to monkey hoots, elephant blares or wolves howling at the full moon. But Phinney Ridge draws animal lovers. One estimate says there are three dogs for every fire hydrant! Phinney Ridge even has a do-it-yourself Dog Wash.

Homes are large bungalows and single-family styles. They’re often perched on steep streets and come in a range of colors and designs. Homeownership pride shows itself in the well maintained and tended landscapes, lush gardens, and home improvement projects. This is the kind of neighborhood where everyone knows each other’s names, and kids gather in the streets to play. Over the years, Phinney Ridge has attracted many first-time home buyers and new families.

Phinney’s ridge is on the east side of one of Seattle’s many slopes, giving this neighborhood beautiful views to the Olympic Mountains and over the Puget Sound.

One of the top spots to visit while in Phinney Ridge is Red Mill Burgers, where they serve some of the best burgers in Seattle.

The neighborhood of Admiral is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Seattle. In the early days of Admiral, the only way to reach this neighborhood was by cable car or water ferry. Today, Admiral is easily accessible by the West Seattle Bridge.

Admiral is full of various kinds of real estate. The neighborhood offers homes and condos for sale that are in high demand.

Admiral offers views of Downtown, Belltown, the Space Needle. Admiral also offers views of Elliott Bay and Mount Rainier. The closest neighborhoods around The Admiral District are Alki Beach, West Seattle, and Fauntleroy.

From Admiral, you’re able to quickly access highway 509 that runs to South Seattle. You also have quick access to highway 99 just over the West Seattle Bridge. Highway 99 runs north and south and gives you the ability to be anywhere in Seattle very easily.

The neighborhood of Laurelhurst is located just north east of the University District along the edge of Lake Washington. The majority of homes in this neighborhood are as beautiful as the views. There is quick access to Interstate 5, which will get you into Downtown within minutes.

Laurelhurst is a very upscale neighborhood with strong roots. It's not uncommon for people to continue living in this same neighborhood that they grew up in. You may even find several generations all living in the same area. Laurelhurst is known for its well-kept lawns, views, schools, and beautiful and peaceful streets. There is a strong pride of ownership in this neighborhood. The residents are largely professional, and you may have doctors and lawyers living right next to each other.

On the shores of this peninsula jutting out into Lake Washington you'll find the local private waterfront park, referred to by residents simply as "the Beach Club." This is a popular place among locals.

The Laurelhurst Elementary School is just one of the fine schools this neighborhood boasts about. It is located on 4530 46th Ave N.E.

Sunset Hill is located north of Ballard. This neighborhood is beautiful. There are some very impressive views of the Puget Sound. As the name suggests, this neighborhood provides some of the best sunsets in Seattle.

Sunset Hill is close to other Seattle neighborhoods such as Ballard, Loyal Heights, and North Beach. Sunset Hill residents enjoy the expansive views of Shilshole Bay and the Olympic Mountains, as well as the enjoyment of living in a relatively peaceful area. Downtown Seattle is close by, but the pace is a little slower here. It is quiet in the neighborhood and instead of the residents listening to the humming of traffic on I-5, they savor the sounds of marine animals and animals barking in the distance. Interestingly, the barking sound comes from seals and sea lions nearby rather than dogs.

There is a small business district at the intersection of 32nd Avenue Northwest and Northwest 65th Street. Several commercial storefronts have evolved slowly over the years. For major retail therapy, head into the downtown area - you just won’t find it in Sunset Hill.

Yesler Terrace is a large public housing development in Seattle and is located on the southernmost part of First Hill, along Yesler Way immediately east of downtown Seattle. Uphill across Interstate 5 from Pioneer Square and the International District, it consists of several hundred two-story rowhouses and a small number of community buildings. Unlike most public housing developments, residents have their own private yards.

Plans are still evolving to turn this public housing district into a mixed-income neighborhood, but it is still considered one of the poorest communities in Seattle. It is difficult to find residents who really care and want to fight for their neighborhood’s betterment, because most either have given up hope or are trying to get out.

The main thoroughfare in Yesler Terrace is Yesler Way, which cuts right through the neighborhood. There is no shopping, restaurants worth eating at, or galleries in the area. This is a public housing neighborhood exclusively.

Located between the University District, Fremont and north of Lake Union and downtown, Wallingford is known for its gorgeous bungalows and craftsman-style homes. There are also condominiums, modern designs and apartment buildings sprinkled amidst the early- to mid-century houses. Corners seem to sprout some enormous magnificent houses and a few Victorians were spotted as well. The new construction is tasteful, and respects the going style.

Many of the homes are propped up off the street, seeming to reach for views that can go east or west, north and south: to Lake Union, Green Lake, or to either of the mountain ranges. Steep and curved cement stairways run up to porch entrances.

Two main arteries run through Wallingford: 45th Street and 50th Street. The main downtown district is the always-bustling 45th Street, a busy thoroughfare that runs east-west and is filled with pedestrians. People from all over the city come here for the wide array of restaurants, coffee shops, a tea house, movie theaters and funky retail stores.

Wallingford is packed with good schools, and has been a tight-knit community for years. Another main thoroughfare is the Burke-Gilman Trail, a paved recreational path for bicyclists, runners and walkers. The trail begins at the nearby Gas Works Park, off Lake Union. And the zoo, in nearby Woodland Park is a short drive or manageable walk for those north of 45th.

This is a community that is always in motion, just like any college town. The residents here, for the most part, are a lively mix of students, faculty, and employees of the University of Washington.

Life in the U-District (as it’s commonly called) ranges from multi-story gracious homes on shaded avenues with green meridians, to condominiums, apartments, and well-worn bungalow homes that are temporary residents to cycles of students. There is also a Greek system here, nestled in across the street from the north entrance of campus.

The University District is flanked by the greenbelt of Ravenna and the open shopping center of the University Village. The main collegiate attraction here is University Way, aka, The Ave, which has the standard-issue array of cheap eats and international fare, used bookstores, unique boutiques, cafes, music stores and plenty of curiosity shops.

Students stock up at the University Book Store, which is also a popular venue for author readings. From spring through fall, there’s a Farmer’s Market on the north end of University Way.

The U-District is beautiful and bucolic in the fall, and famous for its cherry blossoms in the spring.

The neighborhood of Magnolia is beautiful. It is like entering another world, like a fairy tale on an island, almost. While it’s actually a peninsula, Magnolia is located minutes from downtown, but set off from the rest of Seattle by three bridges.

Magnolia feels so serene because of the pristine landscaping along with an almost nonexistent presence of any construction. Even though it’s tucked away from the rest of Seattle, people make the trip here on gorgeous evenings for front-row views of the sunset, Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands and the Olympic mountain range. Nothing beats it.

On top of the views offered by the neighborhood of Magnolia Seattle, there is a small neighborhood feel due to the great little restaurants and shops in the middle of Magnolia. Magnolia is a great self-contained neighborhood. If you ever want to venture out of Magnolia, you can be in the neighborhoods of Downtown, Belltown, Queen Anne, and Uptown in less than 10 minutes.

Many different styles of houses abound in Magnolia, from Tudor-style homes, mid-century charmers and contemporary styles, to bungalows, small brick and box houses. Gardens are well-manicured with sculpted trees and bushes. Mixed in with a predominance of homes are condos and a few rental properties, which can keep a pricey neighborhood slightly more balanced.

Magnolia’s business district is along McGraw Street. The area has a sweet selection of shops and restaurants, with all the mainstream amenities. Another popular spot is Fisherman’s Terminal, a marina with restaurants and retail that also houses the Alaska Fishing Fleet.

Magnolia’s jewel is Discovery Park, the Seattle’s largest park. There are over 530 acres that include seven miles of trails winding along a cliff and down to the beach. Its inhabitants are eagles, herons, falcons, seals, owls; visitors include dogs, joggers and walkers. Paths also run along tall-grassy bluffs that look over Puget Sound. If this isn’t enough, there are historical homes above these bluffs, remnants from an old naval base, Fort Lawton; and there’s Daybreak Star Cultural Center, a cultural center for the United Indians of all Tribes Foundation.

Lake Washington’s marina community, Leschi is settled along the lake and up into the windy forested hills to the west. Another revitalized community, it still offers a diverse neighborhood mix, but the closer you get to the water, the pricier and fancier the real estate.

Residences in Leschi include condominiums (especially along the lake), refurbished bungalows and craftsman, contemporary styles, bricks, Tudors and mid-century ramblers. Curvy streets wind away from the lakefront, which means many residences get at least a partial lake view. There are parks too—from a popular lakeside park to pocket parks sprinkled up in the slopes. Don’t miss the community pea patch, the tennis courts and the historical beach cottages.

Leschi town center is about two blocks long and vacation-esque. Set off the marina, there’s a local grocery store, restaurants, small businesses, condos, a deli and a Starbucks. On the weekends, Leschi is a resting stop and watering hole for tribes of recreational and competitive cyclists.

The neighborhood of Maple Leaf is in the North Seattle area. Maple Leaf is located east of Interstate 5 and north of the neighborhood of Roosevelt. Maple Leaf is located just west of Lake City and Highway 522 serves as the border between Lake City and Maple Leaf.

Maple Leaf is a quiet, charming community, chock full of mid-century homes, brick houses, ramblers and two-story houses that cozy up with blackberry bushes, flocks of giant trees and memories of childhood. A row of condominiums stands at the edge of the neighborhood and appears to be a barricade into the community.

The yards are small but pulsing with personality—not just in the free-spirited rose gardens and flowers, but the lawn décor as well. There is virtually no noise from the busier surrounding sections of town. Maple Leaf has views going east and west, to the Cascade Mountain range and Olympic Mountains.

Between Northgate Mall and Roosevelt, there are plenty of stores, entertainment offerings, and business sections to choose from. This is a well lived-in community and the residents seem very happy and well-established here.

Beacon Hill is one of Seattle’s oldest and largest neighborhoods. Beacon Hill is not only a neighborhood but also one of the many hills in Seattle. The neighborhood of Beacon Hill Seattle is quite large. Due to its size, the city of Seattle has subdivided Beacon Hill into North Beacon Hill, Mid Beacon Hill, Holly Park and South Beacon Hill. Beacon Hill begins close to the southern border of Interstate 90 and runs along Interstate 5. The eastern border of Beacon Hill is about half way between Interstate 5 and Lake Washington. The remaining area between the eastern border is taken up by the neighborhoods of Mount Baker, Columbia City, Rainier Beach, and Seward Park.

There are close to 5000 homes in Beacon Hill and the average selling price is a reasonable $360,000. There are also over 400 condos available with an average selling price of just under $300,000.

The area is highly residential and most commercial stops take place outside of the area. When living in Beacon Hill and working somewhere else, you will have quick access to Rainier Avenue, Martin Luther King Way, Interstate 5 and Highway 900.

Pioneer Square is located at the south end of Downtown Seattle and just north of Safeco Field and the Qwest Field. The area is home to many of Seattle’s oldest historic buildings and hosts many of Seattle’s best art galleries, nightclubs, and restaurants. There are so many unique and eclectic shops in the area, that you can easily lose a day just snooping around the boutiques. Pioneer Square is an urban explorer’s dream.

Of course, when in Seattle it is a must to drink coffee and you will never run out of your share of places to find a cup a java. From Tully’s Coffee at 408 2nd Avenue or 625 5th Avenue South, to numerous Starbucks’ on 1st, 2nd, and 5th Avenues, to my personal favorite Seattle’s Best at 621 2nd Avenue, Seattle boasts java. Since it does rain nearly everyday, coffee is a must on the dark and blustery morning commute to work.

Pioneer Square contains only condos, so if you are in the market for a home with a front yard, move on and out. There are approximately 175 condos in Pioneer Square with more potentially being built. The average selling price for a condo in Pioneer Square is approximately $485,000. The average price per square foot was $386.

Pioneer Place Park is at the corner of James Street and 1st Avenue. The iron pergola that sits in this brick park is a landmark in Seattle. It was originally built to greet visitors to the 1909 World’s Fair, and heralded the way into a public comfort station. The park is also home to a Tlingit totem pole. Just behind the park is the Pioneer Building, headquarters of the Underground Tour.

Alki Beach is a beautiful part of Seattle located on the western peninsula. The neighborhood offers stunning views of Elliott Bay and the entire Seattle skyline. At the very tip of Alki Point you are able to witness Qwest Stadium and Safeco Field, and if you look to the north, you are able to gaze at the Space Needle, Key Arena, and Queen Anne Hill.

There is just one main drag through Alki Beach named Alki Drive. On sunny weekends, Alki Drive is flooded with cars, motorcycles, and bicyclists. While driving down Alki Drive, plan on seeing a whole lot of condos. Some of the newer condos are very nice and have replaced most of the historic homes that had been in the area for decades. Some residents were disheartened at the disappearance of history but there is quite a demand for housing in Seattle, especially Alki Beach. Most of the condos do, however, offer great views of the city, Elliott Bay, and the skyline at night.

For the best seafood and steakhouse in the greater Seattle area, come to Salty’s on Alki Beach located at 1936 Harbor Avenue. Once you are on the West Seattle Bridge, take the Harbor Avenue Exit (do not take the Harbor Island exit). Turn right onto Harbor Avenue and follow it for one mile. Salty’s is on the right side of the street, on the waterfront. There is plenty of free parking in their parking lot or on the street. They offer award-winning cuisine, wine bar, and live music. The view from Salty’s is priceless.

Alki Beach Park offers 2.5 miles of sandy beach, with a great seawall for walking and people watching. The park runs from Duwamish Head to Alki Point. Next to Green Lake, Alki Beach Park is known as the place to see and be seen participating in something athletic. The water is cold, but on an exceptionally hot August afternoon, this place can’t be beat.

Bayside is a community located in northeastern Queens and is bordered by neighboring areas like Auburndale to the west, Douglaston/Little Neck to the east, and Oakland Gardens to the south.

Bayside is a relatively affluent suburban/urban neighborhood and offers some interesting tidbits of news. The neighborhood has been included in CNN Money's list of Most Expensive Housing Markets, and was also a contender for CNN Money's ranking of Best Places to Live 2005, and Best Places to Retire 2005.

Bayside's major highways include the Long Island Expressway, Clearview Expressway, and the Cross Island Parkway. Bayside is well connected to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan and Long Island by the Long Island Rail Road's Port Washington Branch at the Bayside station.

Forest Park is really a park within a neighborhood, or perhaps more notably, a neighborhood within a park. Forest Park is an urban forest that spans approximately 538 acres. The area offers a wide variety of recreational activities and facilities including tennis courts and playgrounds, as well as The Carousel, George Seuffert, Sr., Bandshell, the Bridle Path, and Victory Field.

Many annual events in the park neighborhood include the Halloween Walk, the Victorian Christmas, Nature Trails Day, and much more. These annual events draw residents from many neighboring communities.

Forest Hills Gardens is the residential area of Forest Park and provides a lush environment for some of the neighborhood’s wealthier crowd. Apartments and co-ops are also located among the area. Austin Street is where you will find a few shops and restaurants.

East Flushing is a different kind of area than its neighbor, Flushing, in Queens. East Flushing at first glance is much more congested and populated. There is a high density of bars in East Flushing, which makes me more concerned for the residents. Lots of locals frequent the bars on more than just the weekends. The pub-bars can get very busy with residents filling them up after work hours Monday-Friday.

The area is highly residential and most people who live in East Flushing work outside of the neighborhood. There are not a large number of restaurants in the neighborhood, but a few pizza joints are popular among locals. Daro’s is a place of choice for many.

Most people travel to nearby Flushing for shopping and schools, as choices are limited in East Flushing.

Brookville is a neighborhood in Queens that borders the John F. Kennedy International Airport. Due to its proximity to the airport, noise is a bit of an issue. Continuous air traffic makes it difficult to enjoy an outdoor barbeque with friends during the summer months. Trees are a big help in the area, blocking some of the noice, but success is limited.

Why would people want to live in this area, so close to the constant air travel? The park. Brookville Park is located nearby and quite a draw for residents and tourists passing through while traveling. The park is located on Brookville Boulevard and South Conduit Avenue and is a great place to bring your guests for a labor day weekend bbq.

Arvene Edgemere is a neighborhood in Queens along the Rockaway Peninsula sandwiched in by Rockaway Park and Bayswater/Far Rockaway. In the past, the area was a haven for inexpensive beach front hotels but over time became barren land. In the 1990s restoration began to take placed the beachfront neighborhood is beginning to take shape once again.

There is not much here, but barren land and weeds that have been growing for years. There are a few bungalows on the unmapped Marvin Street near Beach 28th. The boardwalk stretches from Beach 9th Street in the east to Beach 126th Street in the west, making it among the longest boardwalks on the east coast. This area is officially known as Ocean Promenade. The beaches are barren with signs indicating “closed.”

Plans are in the works but the area still remains barren. The only signs that there were once piers are the stones from the jettys that still remain. There is subway service and a few trend setters hoping for the next big thing - a big comeback. Time will tell.

Astoria is a popular neighborhood in northwest Queens bounded to the north and west by the East River. The area has kept its longtime residents happy while attracting many new ones.

It boast a convenient trip to Manhattan, urban but with space and greenery, and decent, but appreciating real estate prices. Once known only as a hub of Greek life, Astoria is home to immigrants from around the world, and young people who have fled pricey Manhattan and Brooklyn. Eating and cultural options have grown, earning it a reputation as a gem of Queens. Astoria has always been known for Greek food (it is the Greek capital of NYC), and lately it has gained a reputation for fine dining and innovative cooking.

Astoria Park is smack on the East River with gorgeous views of Upper Manhattan and the Queensboro and Hellgate Bridges. The arts are picking up steam in Astoria. Local culture is led by the innovative American Museum of the Moving Image. It is one of the finest museums in New York City for kids, for adults, and definitely for movie aficionados.

Elmhurst is a northwestern Queens neighborhood that is surrounded by Jackson Heights to the north, Maspeth to the west, Middle Village and Rego Park to the south, and Corona and North Corona to the east.

Elmhurst is home to two urban shopping malls. The recently expanded Queens Center Mall, the most profitable mall per square foot in the United States, and the recently renovated and expanded Queens Place Mall, a smaller round shopping center originally built as a Macy's branch.

Accessible subway stations are Woodhaven Boulevard, Grand Avenue–Newtown and Elmhurst Avenue, all served by the G, R, and V trains of the IND Queens Boulevard Line. In addition, the IRT Flushing Line, served by the 7 train, runs along Roosevelt Avenue, the north border of Elmhurst, with stations at 74th Street–Broadway, 82nd Street-Jackson Heights and 90th Street-Elmhurst Avenue.

Rosedale is a neighborhood in the southeastern portion of Queens and is bordered to the north by Cambria Heights, to the east by Valley Stream (portion of Nassau County), to the west by Laurelton and Brookville Park, and to the south by John F. Kennedy International Airport. Rosedale lies at the eastern edge New York City and forms part of the boundary between Queens and Nassau County.

As you can imagine, due to the neighborhood’s proximity to JFK International Airport, there is a lot of air traffic noise. In some areas, residents cannot and will not sit in their back yards due to the heavy noise. Most of the area, however, is clustered by trees which make these portions of the neighborhood quiet. I suppose you must be choosey when selecting a place to live.

The area’s architecture is mostly a sprawl of suburban 1950s and 1960s construction. It closely resembles its neighbor, Nassau, and is only a part of Queens by its political considerations.

Brookville Park encompasses 90 acres, and most of it, the portion south of 149th Avenue, is undeveloped and wild. The cultivated section is generally between South Conduit Avenue, 147th Avenue, 232nd Street and Brookville Boulevard. A natural stream divides that section in two, punctuated by Conselyea's Pond just north of 147th. Many residents of Rosedale frequent the park on weekends.

Meiers Corners is a neighborhood in New York City’s Staten Island borough that is sometimes mistaken for Westerleigh, an adjacent community. Meiers Corners comes from the commercial district where Watchogue Road, Jewett Avenue, Victory Boulevard, and Bradley Avenue all meet.

The south end of the neighborhood sits high above on a plateau where the elevation has increased. The Susan Wagner High School can be found in this area.

The area is highly residential and does not offer the five-star dining you find in Manhattan, but there are a few eateries within the commercial district. All of your retail needs and services can be found along Victory Boulevard and Bradley.

Corona is a neighborhood located in north central Queens and is surrounded Rego Park and Forest Hills to the south, Flushing Meadow Corona Park to the east, North Corona to the north, and Elmhurst to the east.

Corona's main thoroughfares include Corona Avenue, Roosevelt Avenue, Northern Boulevard, Junction Boulevard, and 108th Street. Most commercial businesses and shopping can be found in this area. The 7 train runs through the neighborhood with stops at 111th Street, 103rd Street-Corona Plaza and Junction Boulevard.

Today, Corona is very diverse with residents from all over the world. As a result, the attractions in the neighborhood area just as diverse. Corona is bordered on the east by Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, one of the largest parks in New York City and the site of the 1939 and 1964 World's Fairs. Located within the park are Shea Stadium, home of the New York Mets, and the USTA National Tennis Center, where the U.S. Open in tennis is held annually. Corona was the home of famous jazz musician Louis Armstrong, whose house is now a museum. The popular Lemon Ice King of Corona is located on the intersection of 108th Street and Corona Avenue.

Clearview is a neighborhood in Queens that is surrounded by water on its north and east frontages. The area also has a golf course situated among its resident’s dwellings. The neighborhood is costly due to both of these reasons in terms of real estate. Although, I am not a golfer, I have always lived on or near a golf course and thus understand the appeal. The homes on the golf course in Clearview are quite costly.

The Clearview Park Golf Course is located at the foot of the Throgs Neck Bridge in Queens. The golf course is noted a “top choice” for golf by many golfers all over the state. There is a newly renovated clubhouse, including a bar and grill, banquet rooms, and of course, 18 holes of fine golf.

Aside from the Golf Course eateries, there is nothing else but some chain restaurants in the neighborhood. For something a bit more local and traditional you have to travel into the city.

Clifton is a northeastern Staten Island neighborhood that faces Upper New York Bay on the east. The area is bordered on the north by Stapleton, on the south by Rosebank, and on the southwest by Concord.

Clifton has the largest Liberian population outside of Africa, with an estimated 8,000 strong and growing. Housing prices are some of the lowest in the borough as a result of the immigrant population and overall neighborhood vibe.

The Park Hill Apartments are a privately owned and federally subsidized low income housing complex that is located on Vanderbilt Avenue and Park Hill Avenue. The complex was formerly nicknamed “Crack Hill” due to the many arrests for possession and sale of crack cocaine. The crime in this area has greatly decreased over the past few years

Bloomfield is a neighborhood on the west shore of Staten Island that lies immediately to the north of Travis.

Commercial development in the area has increased since the early 2000s, when large office complexes were built. The establishment of other businesses in Bloomfield occurred including a Hilton Hotel in 2003. Due to the vast areas of open space in Bloomfield the community has caught the eye from many developers.

The area of Bloomfield is serviced by the S46/S96 bus along South Avenue. The bus service makes travel more efficient in the area.

Annadale is a neighborhood located on the south shore of Staten Island. Annadale was once an over-abundant woodland but much of the area has been cleared to make room for new homes. A 222-acre park known as Blue Heron Park, is located in the heart of the city was converted into a wildlife preserve. Much of the park area consists of ponds, swamps, and small streams which empty into the nearby Raritan Bay.

The northwestern portion of Annadale is often regarded as a separate neighborhood called Arden Heights. The area overall is highly residential and there is not a lot of commercial fare in the neighborhood. Shopping and dining out should be done elsewhere.

Silver Lake is a neighborhood in Staten Island that has both a residential area of living as well as a huge park. Silver Lake Park was the first city park to be established on the borough of Staten Island. There is a large reservoir within the park along with its own public golf course. The Silver Lake Golf Course is located along Victoria Boulevard and provides entertainment all through the spring to autumn seasons. Concerts and onsite dining are a popular summertime hobby for many residents of Silver Lake.

The neighborhood also features several large and privately owned apartment buildings and three cemeteries along Victoria Boulevard. The Silver Lake Soccer Club is also in the area and has provided seventy-five years of soccer to the neighborhood.

Much of the rest of the area is residential with very limited retail shops and dining. The Golf Course is where you will find nicer dining options. There is not a lot to comment in this realm.

Port Ivory is a neighborhood in the northwestern corner of Staten Island. Procter & Gamble once manufactured the famous ivory soap in this area, hence the name “Port Ivory.” The factory closed in about 1991, and the area remains a freighting and industrial scene.

There is no ambience in the area, at least that I can find. On the weekend, there is limited noise which does have an appealing draw - but, clearly at the expense of your sightly senses. Let’s face it, this area is not pretty.

There are no café’s, boutiques, even mom-and-pop shops. Restaurants are limited and there is absolutely no nightlife. Residents must travel to nearby neighborhoods to find any signs of life.

There are homes scattered throughout, but you will primarily find industrial buildings and freight gateways. Limited trees and brush give you that manufacturing feel.

Randall Manor is another one of Staten Island hidden towns, and I think the local residents like it that way. Old Cottages, Colonials, and most of all Tudors are found here. As a matter a fact there is more Tudor style homes in this community than anywhere on Staten Island.

Much of Randall Manor is compromised of tree lined streets. There are quite a few homes that feature very unique architecture, which gives this neighborhood a very European feel. However, the unique feature that stands out most in this neighborhood is the amount of slate roof homes, which just adds to the allure of this area.

If you’re looking for a unique home with old world charm, Randall Manor on Staten Island’s North Shore is a place to look. There are not any retail shops, at least in the direct Randall Manor area. As with most Staten Island hidden neighborhoods, you must go elsewhere to get your shopping done.

If you wanted to get a feel for the way things once were in Staten Island, Tottenville is a good place to start. While the housing stock has changed over the years, the history of this town still retains quite a bit of yesteryear. Surrounding this community’s waterfront you will find classic Victorians, Colonials, Second Empire, and Cottage homes.

The Conference House, a National Historic Landmark is located in Tottenville. Nearly two months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, The British Peace Commissioner the Admiral Lord Howe invited American delegates Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Edward Rutledge to a Peace Conference, which was held almost 232 years ago on September 11, 1776, at the home of Captain Christopher Billopp. The conference house is fully restored and if you are looking for a place to visit on Staten Island, this national treasure is worth seeing.

The area is removed from the big city, not just geographically. Tottenville in general feels like Smalltwon America. Let’s put it this way, if you were driving to a friend’s home in Tottenville and lost their address, you could stop and ask anyone along the way and they would be happy to help - a rarity in New York.

When it comes to New York City real estate, St. George Staten Island is usually not one of those neighborhoods people consider as the new “place to be.” Areas like Fort Green, Williamsburg, Long Island City, and even Bedford Stuyvesant seemingly became the neighborhoods of choice. And, when it came to finding an alternative to the high cost living in some of New York City’s more expensive neighborhoods, St. George was left out in the cold.

A trip down to St. George reveals some of the unique character of this community - and it truly is a great place to live. Colonials, Tudors, art deco apartments, and newly constructed condos are part of the housing stock here. However, the one advantage over many communities (yes, even those new “in places” around town), is the panoramic view afforded to the residents of whom have taken residence here. Quite frankly, there is no single community within the city limits that can afford someone the ability to take in the skyline from Bayonne New Jersey, past Jersey City and lower Manhattan, right down to the mouth of New York Harbor, all standing at ground level.

The commercial area lies along Hyatt Avenue and here you will also find the St. George Theater. From Belmont Place there is an extraordinary view of the St. Peters Church and almost reminds me of Vatican City on a much smaller scale.

Years ago South Beach, Staten Island was quite a bit different than it is today. Going back to the 1980’s, the boardwalk was literally nothing more than a skeleton of its former self. Today, the boardwalk and everything surrounding it has changed for the better.

The construction of the Vanderbilt Catering facility and the South Fin Grill were part of a public and private partnership between the New York City Parks Department and restaurant developers to create a new more attractive South Beach.

The revitalization of this neighborhood also produced a new fishing pier, which made its début in 2005. The area also features regularly scheduled community events, which send visitors back to the area by the thousands. South Beach is now a kid friendly community with city parks, athletic fields, and picnic areas that stretch over 2.5 miles along Farther Capodanno Boulevard. This is a great vacation spot!

It is hard to imagine being so close to New York City and yet have a home nestled in such a rustic setting. Yet standing at the lighthouse gives you a backdrop of Staten Islands waterfront, and views of the world beyond. The ambiance of Lighthouse Hill is unique, there is a peaceful quiet that surrounds this neighborhood. The best part is that this community’s sound proofing is provided via century old oak trees that dominate the neighborhood.

Let me give you a little history of Lighthouse Hill. Lighthouse Hill was given it name for obvious reasons. The area was formerly known as Richmond Hill until approximately 1912 when the lighthouse began operation, at which time the hill became known as Lighthouse Hill. Frank Lloyd-Wright the famous architect also shares a bit of history in this neighborhood, as his prefabricated “Cass house” sits in this community. On the cultural end, the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art makes Lighthouse Hill its home.

If you’re thinking of moving to Lighthouse Hill, think tranquility with a view. There are few, if any places in New York City that have the natural features that grace this wonderful neighborhood.

When it comes to turn of the century architecture, not this century, the prior one, there are not many communities that feature as many homes that are reminiscent of the early days of Staten Island as West Brighton.

While driving the streets in West Brighton, you may come across an occasional pothole in your travels. However, what it reveals is the cobble stone roadways that used to be the material of choice when roads were developed in this area. The cobble stone roadway was probably a significant upgrade to Staten Island roadways, which were mostly dirt when these streets were first developed.

Richmond University Medical Center, formerly St. Vincent’s Hospital, calls West Brighton its home. Some of West Brighton’s more prominent homes are situated around the hospital.

Grymes Hill is located on Staten Island’s north shore and sits just across from Emerson Hill. The Staten Island Expressway divides the neighborhood. Sunnyside sits in the valley just west of Grymes Hill and borders the neighborhood of Castleton Corners.

Grymes Hill is largely considered a high end to luxury home markets on Staten Island, with some of the homes easily exceeding the 2 million dollar mark. This is a very upscale neighborhood and has a few upscale places to shop. As with most Staten Island neighborhoods, you will need to frequent your five star restaurants and couture shops in the Manhattan area. The neighborhoods in Staten Island, like Grymes Hill, just don’t have a lot to offer in terms of shopping and dining.

For those looking for one of New York City’s best vistas, there aren’t many competitors. Yes, holding the title as the highest point on the United States East Coast has its advantages. The best view street is Sunrise Terrace and is an appropriately named street, offering an awe-inspiring look of the sunrise over New York harbor.

It is a bit strange that the town of Grant City, which is no different than any other Staten Island town, adopted “City” as part of its name. Sometimes I think that the “City” in Grant City gives people the impression that this area may be more urban than suburban. So let’s put that theory to bed now, it’s not urban at all. Tree lined streets are the norm, not the exception, and quite simply the area affords a great quality of life.

From a development standpoint, Grant City stands at the hallmark of what a well planed town should look like and work like, because you can practically do everything there is to do without a car. Most of your essential shopping is within walking distance from anywhere in this neighborhood.

Grant City is also home to a mid rise condo complex on Lincoln and South Railroad Avenues, and from a pricing standpoint it makes a good alternative to renting. Commuting to Manhattan is also a relative breeze from here, as the SIRT (Train) has a stop in Grant City. Grant City’s proximity to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge makes express bus service extremely efficient.

Graniteville is a Staten Island neighborhood known for its quality and affordable housing. Most of the area is comprised of newer construction homes. The neighborhood primarily consists of semi-attached homes and town homes, and a few spots in the area have clusters of fully detached homes. This is a great area for young marrieds and singles in terms of real estate pricing. Graniteville is the perfect neighborhood for new homebuyers seeking affordable options for their first home.

Graniteville is located just north of the Staten Island Expressway and its proximity to both the Goethals Bridge and Bayonne Bridge make for an easy commute if you work in the New Jersey City area.

The neighborhood lies just north of a very busy commercial strip along Richmond Avenue. The strip extends all the way to the Staten Island Mall which is approximately four miles away. This strip boasts some of the heaviest and congested traffic on Staten Island.

Jamaica Estates is a neighborhood in Queens that is surrounded by other areas such as Fresh Meadows to the north, Hillcrest and Jamaica Hills to the west, Jamaica and Hollis to the south, and Cunningham Park to the east and northeast. Located in the eastern area of Queens Jamaica Estates is at first glance is a pretty area filled with larger trees and lots of hills. The streets are lined with huge oak trees, maples, elm and chestnut trees, making Jamaica Estates a great shaded area.

Eclectic housing in the community offer something to suit almost everyone’s taste. From slate-roofed 100 year old Tudors to 1960 split-levels, this area has it all and then some. The homes overall are beautifully kept and homeowners take meticulous care of details, right down to the flowers. The area is known for the home that Donald Trump grew up in along with his four siblings. The larger home can be found along Midland Parkway.

With a well-kept neighborhood come some good schools, and Jamaica Estates has both. There are several public elementary and junior high schools within the area. Many of the primary school’s graduates go one to the city’s elite high schools.

Stores and restaurants along Union Turnpike, the neighborhood’s shopping district, include Vogue & Vintage Grandma’s Attic, which sells antique and contemporary jewelry as well as gifts. There are also shoe stores, boutiques, baby stores, a Rite-Aid, and much more.

Hammels is a neighborhood in Queens that was named after a local landowner named Louis Hammel. This southeast section of Queens used to be a summer destination based on the serious of boardwalks that ran between the Bay and Ocean shores. Hammels is located on the Rockaway Peninsula and is a portion of Rockaway Beach.

Hammels was considered a fairly rough neighborhood in the past, always mentioned in the news were bodies floating ashore and stray bullets hitting ten year old kids. But, the area has improved over the years. The housing in the area is provided by Hammel Houses, a public housing project that was built in the 1950s. The community watch program has cleaned the area up quite a bit, but there still remains much of what comes from a low income housing project.

Hammels does have its draw with it residing along the beach. The area is far away from Manhattan and thus crowds are limited. The distance provides a long train ride into the city, but living outward has benefits, less traffic, more space, and lovely beach views.

Woodhaven is a southwestern Queens neighborhood surrounded by other communities such as Forest Park to the north, Cypress Hills to the west, Ozone Park to the south, and Richmond Hill to the east. The area is bordered to the west by the Brooklyn line and its major thoroughfares include Jamaica Avenue which runs east and west, and Woodhaven Boulevard which runs north and south.

The main hub for commerce and retail shops is centered on Jamaica Avenue, which essentially bisects the neighborhood. Along this avenue, from Brooklyn to Richmond Hill, there is a number of small and locally owned shops.

To the north of Woodhaven is Forest Park, one of the largest public parks in the Queens borough. There are many outdoor activities to be enjoyed at this large park and it is a major draw to the neighborhood of Woodhaven.

The residents of Woodhaven are rich in culture and demonstrate a wide variety of ethnicities. Local residents boast that Woodhaven lies in the most diverse county in the United States.

Hunters Point is a neighborhood located in northwestern Queens and lies within Long Island City. In fact, Hunters Point is the area most people mean when they refer to Long Island City. The area is bounded to the north by 45th Avenue and is surrounded but the East River and Newton Creek. Astoria/Long Island City and Sunnyside are nearby neighbors to Hunters Point.

The main commercial strip in the area is Vernon Boulevard, and is covered in restaurants, bars, and shops. Traveling along Vernon Boulevard to about 47th Avenue, the scene changes to warehouses and industrial shops. Jackson Avenue is a wide thoroughfare in the neighborhood and leads all the way to Court Square. The thoroughfare boasts and industrial and commercial feel.

Subway lines in the area make Hunters Point quite accessible and it is just one subway stop from Midtown. The G line carries residents between Queens and Brooklyn, and the E and V lines meet at Court Square. The LIRR has limited service in the area, but does serve Borden Avenue and 2nd Street from nearby Queens Plaza. Also, the Queensboro or 59th Street Bridge offers a free alternative route to Manhattan.

Hunters Point is clearly a working-class and industrial neighborhood that has transformed itself into a premier residential enclave. The East River waterfront provides beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline and is the prime area for future condo development. The neighborhood is in constant motion and ever-changing.

Pomonok is a neighborhood in Queens that is located in the center of surrounding areas like Fresh Meadows, Queensbororo Hill, Hillcrest, and Kew Gardens Hills. The name of the community comes from a Native American word for eastern Long Island, meaning either “land of tribute” or “land where there is traveling water.” In 1949 this neighborhood was developed as a large housing area built on the site of a golf course.

Within the boundaries of Pomonok are major educational facilities like Queens College, CUNY Law School, St. John’s University, Touro College, and Rabbinical Seminary of America. There are also many public and private schools located in the neighborhood. If you are in needs of healthcare, Queens Hospital Center is found nearby. Cunningham Park provides a wonderful outdoor adventure for the residents of Pomonok.

Among locals, Pomonok is described as a small village, where everybody knows everybody. A sense of stability and security has endured in this neighborhood for years. Many of the residents are elderly and have lived in Pomonok since the beginning.

There are some bad sides to Pomonok, although the neighborhood has cleaned itself up over the years. It is generally safe, but you will find a small gang problem along with a few prostitution rings.

The neighborhood of Flatlands is located in southeastern Brooklyn and is surrounded by Midwood, Marine Park, and Bergen Beach to name a few. Flatlands was one of the original five Dutch towns founded on Long Island. This neighborhood was originally named Nieuw Amersfoot after the Dutch city of Amersfoot. I have always found it interesting that settlers who were trying to escape the confounds of one community, settle in another and name the new area after the old. When the Brits captured the area, the name was promptly changed to Flatlands - and that name stuck. Flatlands was a flat area used for farming tobacco, squash, and beans.

A lot has changed to date in Flatlands. Shopping can be done at the Kings Plaza Shopping Center where you can pull up in car or boat. The mall offers many retail stores, eateries, and some service centers like banks/ATM machines, nearby laundry facilities, and the like.

Transportation in the area can be done best by car, but there are local buses servicing the area as well. The nearest subway stations are the 2 and 5 lines in the Flatbush Junction area near Brooklyn College. The city and private buses will get you anywhere if you don’t have your own transportation.

Several historic landmarks the very old Hendricks Lott House (built in 1720, give or take a year) and the Wyckoff House Museum (the oldest building still standing in New York City). Expect a lot of culture and diversity in the Flatlands, and if that is the scene you are looking for, this is your neighborhood. Home prices are more than reasonable and rent can’t be beat!

Gravesend is located in southwestern Brooklyn, just north of Coney Island and sandwiched between Sheepshead and Bath Beach. Similar to some of the other neighborhoods in this area, Gravesend was one of the original towns in the Dutch colony. The name is in fact derived from the Dutch “grafe ende” or “the end of the grove.”

What was once a space of salt marsh wetlands and sand hill dunes has been developed into a nice residential community. There is a wide mix of high end apartments and modern homes as well as more affordably priced residences. Gravesend was once home to the Gravesend Race Track, known for its Thoroughbred horse racing, a popular hobby for the residents of this neighborhood. Once it closed, it was never reopened and then sold to developers. Similar in nature are Gravesend monuments and landmarks treated. Locals complain about the neglect and lack of upkeep on most of the neighborhood’s history.

Transportation in the area is by car but also serviced by the Avenue U station of the IND Culver Line (New York City subway system). It seems fairly easy to get around the area and congestion is minimal except on main thoroughfares. The neighborhood is busier on summer weekends when New Yorker’s are heading to the beach.

Tourists will enjoy the beach front shops and cafés centrally located along the beachfront. From kite shops to fish and chips, you will enjoy the ocean air and friendly nature of resident shop owners.

Brownsville is located in southeastern Brooklyn and is named for Charles S. Brown who built over 250 homes in the neighborhood back in 1865. Since then, considerable improvements to the area have taken place - especially in recent years. Private developers are doing some serious work in this community and giving it a complete overhaul. Some vacant sites that have been around for years are now being transformed into attractive community gardens.

Brownsville’s main drag is Pitkin Avenue and there is much transportation available to the neighborhood’s residents. Subway stations at Sutter Avenue-Rutland Road, Saratoga Avenue, Rockaway Avenue, and Junius Street all exist. There is also an A and C line station at Broadway Junction and L Stations at Atlantic Avenue. The Long Island Railroad also services the area with its station at East New York (Broadway Junction). Numerous bus lines also service Brownsville.

Although Brownsville is being constantly renovated, it is still not the best place to live. Lots of crime, gangs, and thuggery still exist in the area. Cosmetic rejuvenation can occur, but the City needs to get to the root of the problem.

Fine restaurants are limited and shopping is done best elsewhere. There are the necessities that are provided for in Brownsville, but if you are looking for boutiques and café’s, you need to travel outside of this neighborhood. The New York Fish and Chips Corp on Rockaway Avenue has good reviews, but if you want real fish and chips travel more seaward. Most shops and diners are located along Rockaway and you are sure to find some sort of grub, and if you don’t care about the atmosphere you will be in luck.

Bushwick is located in northeastern Brooklyn just south of the Cemetery of the Evergreens. It is a residential area that has seen an influx of young resident artists moving into the plethora of converted warehouse lofts, brownstones, and other renovated buildings in the area. Over the past few years, property values have increased from the influx and gentrification.

Subway, train access, and buses service the area of Bushwick. The J, L, M, and Z subway lines are all quite helpful in getting to and from Bushwick. Local buses make traveling to the market and shopping destinations a breeze. The Myrtle Avenue/Wyckoff Avenue bus and subway hub was recently renovated in 2007 and now provides a state of the art transportation center.

If you have a little adventure in your heart, cross over Flushing Avenue and take a stroll down Knickerbocker Avenue. Here you can take in the sights at Maria Hernandez Park or continue on through this shopping district. Fine shopping can be done all along Knickerbocker Avenue , where you will find higher-end clothing boutiques, appliance stores, and gourmet food shops.

Once you travel away from the shopping district, you will find the housing stock improve dramatically. Bushwick’s neighborhood charm and character becomes like its adjacent partners Bed-Stuy and Brownsville.

In southwestern Brooklyn, lying on a peninsula at the eastern end of Coney Island you will find the neighborhood of Manhattan Beach. The area is bounded to the north by Sheepshead Bay and to the east and south by none other than the Atlantic Ocean.

Manhattan Beach is a residential neighborhood with few commercial businesses, although it does provide the essential service for its wealthy residents.

Manhattan Beach is known for being one of Brooklyn’s wealthiest neighborhoods and is home to some of the most expensive real estate in the borough. Homes are easily being sold for several million dollars, in part because of the neighborhood’s grand location - right on the beach.

The area is also served by the New York City of Education, like all of New York City, and boasts some really great schools. The Eileen E. Zaglin School for grades 6-8 can be found here. The area is not zoned for any high schools, and as a result the high school students are required to apply to their high school of choice.

Gowanus is a neighborhood in northwestern Brooklyn that is situated between Red Hook and Carroll Gardens on the west side and Park Slope on the east. The neighborhood is not a widely known area, because most of the few residents acknowledge themselves as living in other areas that border the community. The area is also dwarfed by the Smith-Ninth subway station and the Gowanus Expressway. Over the last ten years some urban chic resident artists attempted to reclaim Gowanus with a new name, “G-Slope.” To locals, the term has stuck, but to the rest of us it will always be Gowanus.

Artists seeking affordable housing and loft style studio spaces have discovered Gowanus. The area mostly consists of framed housing in contrast to the brownstones found in the neighboring Park Slope. Due to the influx of artists, the housing development board is busy creating new designs. More housing and retail centers are in the works.

Subway and train access is plentiful including F and G stations at Carroll Street and Smith Street, and M and R stations at Union Street and 9th Street. Numerous bus lines also service Gowanus.

Not a lot of shopping or eating out should be done in Gowanus, there just isn't enough for anyone to be satified. There are, however, a lot of pollution and rats feasting on some mounds of trash.

Sheepshead Bay is named for the sheepshead fish that was once found in the bay’s waters. Although, when you meet locals in the area and ask, “why sheepshead” they will convincingly respond that Sheepshead was named due to the area’s shape - the shape of a sheep’s head.

What remains factual is that Sheepshead Bay is a bay that separates Brooklyn’s mainland, and New York City (from the eastern portion of Coney Island). At the western end of the bay is a Holocaust memorial park that is used all year long for commemorative events.

Subway service is throughout Sheepshead Bay and provided by BMT Brighton Line, with many local stops. There are several public schools that serve the community, including Sheepshead Bay High School, Bay Academy, and Shell Bank Intermediate. Private schools in the area include St. Mark’s, St. Edmond’s, Kingsborough Community College, and part of CUNY or City University of New York.

The waterfront area provides much of the areas condominium developments. Along Emmons Avenue is where you will find many of the restaurants. The piers in this area have active seafood markets and tour boats.

Brooklyn Heights is a popular neighborhood in part because of its proximity to Manhattan, and also for its brownstones and tree-lined streets. Brooklyn Heights sits high above the East River waterfront and is bordered by Atlantic Avenue, Cadman Park, East River, and Old Fulton Street. Buses and public transportation abound in the area as well as many public and private schools. From Brooklyn Heights Montessori School to St. Francis College, this neighborhood has it all.

Brooklyn Heights has prime real estate mostly in part because it is just ten minutes from away from Manhattan via subway. Apartment rentals start at $2000 per month for a one-bedroom and a one-bedroom apartments sells for $500,000 starting price.

The neighborhood is home to the Brooklyn Historical Society Museum, the St. George Hotel, and a large open green market at Borough Hall. Stroll down the waterfront for an amazing view of the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge, it will take your breath away.

The famous Grimaldi’s pizza place is located in Brooklyn Heights and is known by locals as Brooklyn’s best pizza. You will not be disappointed by Grimaldi’s even if you are not a pizza lover. The restaurant is located at 19 Old Fulton Street. Also worth noting is the Chip Shop, serving up award winning fish and chips, and Tazza, a great little coffee shop that serves panini and baked goods.

Shopping can be found along Montague Street. Whether you are looking for vintage books (Heights Bookstore) or vintage clothing and furniture (Housing Works Thrift Store) Brooklyn Heights will deliver. Ricky’s and M.A.C. are also in the area and offer an array of beauty necessities.

The most famous and legendary neighborhood in all of Brooklyn is Coney Island. From the historic amusement park, the boardwalk, the annual Mermaid Parade, and the original “Nathan’s Famous” hot dogs make this wild neighborhood in Brooklyn a place worth visiting.

Coney Island is located in south Brooklyn and bordered on the south by the Atlantic Ocean. On the west Coney Island is bordered by the gated community known as “Sea Gate.” Transportation is good, but there is a lot of traffic as this is a definite tourist attraction. The Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station is the last stop on the Q, D, F, and N subway lines. Altogether, it is about an hours away from Manhattan via subway.

To those who don’t mind the commute, Coney Island offers competitive prices with apartments starting at just $350,000 and studios renting for a mere $1000-$1500. Affordable prices and numerous Coney Island Schools, make this neighborhood great for those on a tight budget.

Coney Island bars and restaurants include the original hot dog stand, Nathan’s Famous, opened in 1916. Every year this hot dog haven hosts a now famous hot dog eating competition. Becoming equally famous as of late, is Totonno’s. Tourists and locals flock to this place for their delicious thin-crust pizza.

There are a lot of fun things to do in Coney Island, tourist or not. Visit the 14-acre New York Aquarium, see a baseball game at Keyspan Park, head over to New York City’s largest amusement park and ride the Wonder Wheel or Cyclone, or just spend the day relaxing at the beach. It is always a pleasure to stroll the boardwalk that stretches three miles. Coney Island truly has something for everyone.

Hamilton Heights is a neighborhood located in upper Manhattan and extends from 140th to 145th Streets and sandwiched between St. Nicholas Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue East and West. This exclusively residential area was once owned by General Alexander Hamilton. In fact, one of the neighborhoods most distinct and historic landmarks is the summer home of Alexander Hamilton. Also land marked is St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and the Covenant Avenue Baptist Church.

The neighborhood has beautifully maintained townhouses along streets lined with trees. Most of the homes contain gardens separating them from the street, which give residential living a unique look. The styles of the homes differ from Flemish to Tudor and new renaissance, while others exude a more classic look. In addition to the magnificent homes (most constructed by famous architects), the City College Campus of the City University New York is situated around St. Nicholas Park.

Nearby café’s and restaurants include Maui Wowi on Fort Washington Avenue, a Hawaiian-themed chain known for its smoothies and gourmet coffee and Dallas BBQ along Broadway, where table manners are optional but appetites are big. Retail stores in the area include Foot Locker, Vinegar Hill, and Sweet Chef Southern Styles Bakery (an all from scratch pie shop).

The neighborhood of Turtle Bay extends from 43rd to 53rd Streets, and along the East River from Lexington Avenue. The forty acre area once known as Turtle Bay Farm has evolved into an urban landscape and the United Nations now stands where the actual bay once was. There are many landmarks from the past remaining in Turtle Bay and add to the neighborhoods colorful history.

Grocery stores in Turtle Bay include Ceriello of Manhattan, Boi to Go, and The Amish Market - all within walking distance. Also nearby are some fairly decent restaurants like Keats Restaurant, Palm Too, Grifone Restaurant. Schools in the area include Cornell’s Alumni Affairs Office, The Beekman School, the Kabbalah Learning Center, and many more.

Libraries and bookstores, café’s and movie theaters provide entertainment during the cold winter New York season. Turtle Bay is on its way to becoming a great community with much more to be developed.

Manhattan’s Bowery is a small neighborhood in the southern region of the Manhattan borough. This community has come full circle. By the end of the 18th century, Bowery was recognized as being one of the most fashionable and elegant neighborhoods in all of Manhattan, but by the time of the Civil War, the boutiques and mansions had given way to brothels and beer gardens. One of the first American street gangs, the Bowery Boys, evolved here. By the 1940s-1970s Bowery became known as New York’s skid row. However, by the 1990s and early 2000s, a gentrification project has completely turned this neighborhood around. Now there are luxury lofts competing for space with a few soup kitchens. Avalon Bowery Place is just one of the many new luxury developments located on the Bowery.

For a night out in Bowery, check out the Bowery Poetry Club located at Bowery Street and Bleecker Street. The BPC is known for its regular shows by Jim Carroll and Anne Waldman. They also have open mic nights, weekly poetry slams, and an Emily Dickinson Marathon that is quite an even. There is a great music venue at 6 Delancey Street known as the Bowery Ballroom. Directly in front of the Ballroom’s entrance is the Bowery Station on the J line of the New York Subway, making the venue a great location.

There are not a lot of restaurants in Bowery worth noting, and shopping is minimal, but Bowery is a good place to get a feel for “old-school” New York. The Bowery Savings Bank of 1893 still remains a Bowery landmark and is worth a stop-by.

Manhattan's Times Square is exclusively for tourists; nobody else could be that deranged, right? Think again, there are many who call Times Square their home and live among the throngs of photo snapping crowds that move at a snail's pace along the sidewalk. Personally, you could not pay me enough to live in this neighborhood. If you hate peace, love ear buzzing and neon lights, this could be your haven.

The area is packed with theaters, tourist "traps," and glowing neon signs. More than one visit is one too many, but you should visit at least once in your lifetime. The Broadway marquees and MTV studio are fun to see, but again, get me out of here soon! I won't even return on New Year's Eve.

There is plenty to do and plenty to see. If you must, take the Big Onion Walking Tour and explore the history, architecture, and the "underworld" of Times Square. This will give you all you need to satisfy that touristy desire, then you can skip over to Fifth Avenue for some real shopping and retail therapy. "Therapy" being the operative word.

Roosevelt Island is a quiet, safe, and beautiful residential neighborhood that offers great views, many spacious parks, historic landmarks, and limited traffic. The clean and secretive neighborhood is a 150-acre strip of land along the East River that is beginning to really get noticed.

In the past, Roosevelt Island was known as Welfare Island and spent much of its time as a place for prisons and insane asylums. Prisons are now a thing of the past, and Starbucks is a thing of the future.

The neighborhood is still growing and residents are feeling slightly congested and a bit over-crowded, but the neighborhood is still nothing like the rest of Manhattan. Here it is not uncommon to find a nine-building residential town with manicured lawns, sports fields, and some decent retail shopping. Pizza shops are moving in and real estate prices are ever-increasing. A three-bedroom is going for about $1.5 million and a one-bedroom is teetering around $600,000. Still affordable, yes, but not for long!

Washington Heights is one of the northernmost sections of Manhattan. It is a hilly neighborhood that has spectacular views of the Hudson River and the Palisades. You will find lots of parks in this community. Stroll through the shady Fort Tryon Park, a 67-acre park designed by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., with its very own 3-acre Heather garden. The park is home to a very well known attraction, the Cloisters.

You will not find many hotel accommodations in Washington Heights. If you need a place to stay, try neighboring communities like Upper West Side, where you will find Hotel Belleclaire or Excelsior.

Stop by my favorite Cajun and Creole restaurant this side of New Orleans, the Baton Rouge. The seafood dishes are mouth watering and they even cater to your adventurous side – yes, they serve alligator!

For arts and entertainment, stop by the historic United Palace at 4140 Broadway offering a variety of theater events, live music, lectures and workshops.

Murray Hill is sometimes referred to as Lower Midtown East, and expands from Fifth Avenue to the United Nations. There is so much traffic and pedestrian congestion in Murray Hill that it is a constant source of contention among locals. The Queens-Midtown Tunnel is also unbearable to drive. To escape the hubbub, you must take a walk around some of the quieter residential streets (they are few and far between).

Architectural highlights and attractions include Grand Central Station and the Chrysler Building. Check out the impressive railroads at Grand Central, along with the grand staircases, brass clock, and celestial ceiling. Grand Central Station also boasts three famous restaurants: the Oyster Bar, Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse, and Metrazur.

Murray Hill is a great place to stay while visiting New York City. It is close to many Midtown attractions and offers numerous hotels. Moderately priced hotels include the Ramada Inn Midtown as well as the stylish Park South Hotel. For something a little more upscale, stay at the Affinia Dumont all suite hotel. Just a block north on Park Avenue, take a stroll through the gardens of tulips in the spring or begonias and cherry blossoms in the summer.

NoLita stands for North of Little Italy, and like many neighborhoods in Manhattan is undergoing some serious evolution. In the past, NoLita was recognized as a seedy place to live, but now boasts some of Manhattan’s hippest boutiques, restaurants, and cafés.

NoLita is adjacent to SoHo and due to its proximity reaps the benefit of great vintage shopping and luxurious hotel options, like the Mercer Hotel and SoHo Grand Hotel. If you want expensive and tony boutiques, NoLita is your neighborhood! Sigerson Morrison is an upscale shop known for its handbags and accessories. If you are searching for that perfect vintage, check out Resurrection at 217 Mott Street. Resurrection’s celebrity clients include Paris Hilton, Victoria Beckham, Anna Sui, and Chloe Sevigny.

After a hard day of shopping, stop by the famous Lombardi’s on Spring Street. Continue on Spring Street toward Rice to Riches for some amazing rice pudding – they have some very creative flavors that I love, and I am not a rice pudding fanatic by any means.

NoHo is a quiet and small neighborhood that assists SoHo in sandwiching in Greenwich Village. NoHo is a lot different in regards to tranquility than its southern neighbor, despite its closeness to New York University (NYU).

NoHo used to be nothing but farmland, but now is a fashionable and hip commodity in Manhattan. The neighborhood is also home to many historic and early nineteenth century architecture, including Colonnade Row, the Cable Building, Joseph Papp Public Theater, and Merchant’s House Museum (a home dating back to the 1800s).

Retail stores can be located on Broadway, where you will find the local favorite Andy’s Chee-Pees. Andy’s features the largest selection of vintage tees and punk leather jackets in NYC. Here you will never spend too much money and always leave happy!

NoHo offers many residential lofts that have become quite popular among local artists and writers. As a result, the neighborhood boasts many bookstores like Shakespeare & Co. and Mercer Street Books. Several theaters are spread throughout the area too, like Angelika Film Center located on Houston and Mercer.

Every August, NoHo partakes in Summer Streets, where major city streets are turned into pedestrian walkways. NoHo is getting more and more “green” with every passing year.

The Lower East Side community continues to change as time goes on. Rental prices are five to eight times higher than they were five years ago due to major renovations the neighborhood has undergone. Surprisingly, the Lower East Side is no longer populated by lower income immigrants, but now flooded with dot com gurus and the downtown crowd. There is an influx of new boutiques, restaurants, bars and music clubs that are now in run with the area’s long-established fabric dealers, button wholesalers, old-school tailors, and pickle vendors.

Nightlife is pumping on the weekends in Lower East Side. New up and coming local rock bands play at the Bowery Ballroom (a former vaudeville hall) on Delancey Street and at the Mercury Lounge on East Houston Street. Other performance venues, albeit much smaller, are the Pianos and the Living Room on Ludlow Street.

Hungry? Grab a bite to eat before concert hopping at Prune – known for its fine American cuisine. They offer very interesting appetizers like sardines and triscuits, or beef marrow. Be sure to call for reservations ahead of time and show up early!

East Village lies east of Greenwich Village and NoHo, and south of Stuyvesant Town. East Village is known for its striking architecture, hip and trendy cafés, museums, art galleries, and fashion boutiques.

On East 4th Street you will find Theatre Row, displaying buildings that house eight theaters and twelve plus dance companies, as well as a few other community groups. Here you will find the New York Theater Workshop and WOW Café Theater.

Home of East Village’s Nuyorican Poets Café – this place is wild! It has been going strong since 1973 and its mission has prevailed – to create a multicultural venue of poetry slams, open jam hip-hop, jazz, and occasional screenplay. Definitely worth a visit.

If you prefer to be outdoors, venture over to Tompkins Square Park, and shoot hoops on one of the many basketball courts. This beautiful park has something for everyone, including a weekly market, outdoor concerts and events, dog runs, and if you are lucky – an occasional brawl in the late evening hours.

While in New York City on vacation or business, stay at the ever so trendy Cooper Square Hotel (designed by architect Carlos Zapata) at 25 Cooper Square, or the charming Gem Hotel (within walking distance to SoHo).

The Flatiron District was named after its most historic landmark, the Flatiron Building (located at 23rd Street, Broadway and Fifth Avenue). History is home in this small and congested neighborhood. The area boasts the oldest New York skyscrapers (the Met Life Tower at 1 Madison Avenue) built in 1909.

There is an eclectic group of businesses and residents among the Flatiron District. From advertising agencies and publishers to Internet upstarts, this neighborhood has it all. Due to this mix of businesses, you find a wide variety of residents.

The area has two large parks, Madison Square Park and Union Square Park. Madison Square Park is lovely. It is about 6 acres of flowering plants and lush lawns, something New Yorkers never take for granted. There is a contemporary reflecting pool, restored fountains, ornamental lighting, and lots of new benches to sit and gaze. Danny Meyer’s famous Shake Shack is a must when in Madison Square Park. They have the thickest shakes in the nation, as well as top-rated burgers and fries. Kids love this place and swarm in droves around the lunch hour.

Union Square Park is a little more upscale in terms of find dining locales and nearby retailers. There is an amazing greenmarket selling fresh produce and baked goods every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. There is also an enormous Whole Foods Market at 4 Union Square South, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the park.

This small district is barely one square mile, but has big attractions for all to enjoy. Anchored in by the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, Penn Station, and the General Post Office, you feel very secure and surrounded.

The community remains to be the fashion capital of the world for many designers, couture houses and showrooms. The area is not what it used to be since the flood of the sweatshops spewing out clothes has now infiltrated many areas of Chinatown, rather than being primarily based in the Garment District.

Nearby restaurants and bars to check out, in Garment District and neighboring districts, are the Falai Restaurant and Radegast (ultra chic American Bohemian beer hall). The lobby of the Empire State Building is also worth a peek. The gorgeous art deco and marble bring “old-school” back to life. Ride up the elevator to the 86th floor observatory and gaze at the lights of the Chrysler Building. This experience can be very romantic at night, as the last elevator leaves at 11:15 PM. You can also step inside the NY Skyride, a huge flight simulator that takes you and about 50 guests on a trip around NYC.

Bring your keys to Gramercy Park, and if you don’t have one, don’t plan on getting in. Gramercy Park is a smaller, fenced-in private park in the Gramercy neighborhood of Manhattan. The park is only accessible to the residents of particular townhouses in the area. Some nearby residents can purchase privileges to the park, but for the most part it is for local town home residents.

I once had a friend stay at the Gramercy Park Hotel, and due to her residency, we gained access to the park. I felt uber chic when we strolled in with our bagels and coffee to sit on one of the benches and read the newspaper. I savored the time, because I didn’t know if and when I would ever be allowed back in.

The neighborhood is isolated from the subway which makes the rent a bit more affordable. Since there is quite a presence of college students in the area, lower rent prices are helpful. The Fordham Graduate School Housing buildings are located along the West side and 81st Street. Some of the locals call the area between 1st Avenue and East End Avenue the “Dorm District.” Since there is low rent in this safe neighborhood, students from nearby Hunter College, New York Film Academy, and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts also migrate this way.

Battery Park is just that, a very park-like neighborhood. Combining urban with suburban is just about the only way to describe this ninety plus acre community. It is located on the lower west side of Manhattan, and just a stone’s throw from the Financial District and Wall Street. Most of the neighborhood is residential; yet home to great parks like Battery Park and the Hudson River Park.

The southern portion of Battery Park City is where you will find most of the residential areas and many building complexes. But, you won’t see those “hard to find” moms or nannies out taking baby for a walk in this neighborhood. I always found it odd that in a great area like Battery Park, no one seems to walk – or at least so much less than in other areas of the city.

There are many attractions that catch the tourists’ eyes in Battery Park, including the World Trade Center – Ground Zero, TRIBECA Performing Arts Center, as well as the World Financial Center and Winter Garden. You won’t grow bored

You won’t find world-class cuisine in Battery Park City, as you would in other New York City neighborhoods, but the World Financial Center and Winter Garden does have a selection of top-notch restaurants. Nobu (Japanese cuisine) is just up the street on Hudson if you don’t find what you are looking for elsewhere. If you can get by with the snooty service, you will enjoy a lovely meal. Then, check yourself into the world class Ritz-Carlton New York Battery Park hotel for some real service.

Anza Vista is not my favorite neighborhood in San Francisco. It is located atop an old cemetery, the former San Francisco Calvary Cemetery. It can also pose a challenge to get around. As Anza is referenced among locals as "The Hill." The semi-arid neighborhood does sit at approximately 1250 meters above sea level.

Schools are rated at about a 6 out of 10, commute time to the city is about 30 minutes, and the air quality is fairly good when there's no fog. Overall I rate Anza Vista 3 stars. There just isn't anything great about it. I hate to be blunt, but sometimes there's no other way.

Shopping must be done at adjacent neighborhoods. Geary Blvd and Divisadero Street make for an easy commute to a great restaurant and club.

Monterey Heights neighborhoods feel very suburban as the homes are stately and boast nice big front and back yards. It is a comfortable community with average home sales starting at a whopping three million. Lots of big homes with big dogs and big cars parked in the drive.

Be sure to check out Masa's Restaurant on Bush Street for a romantic night out. This restaurant features award winning cuisine from a world-renowned chef. They offer a private wine cellar and no detail left behind. On every corner get your caffeine fix at Starbucks.

If you have lots of money and want a great view, Monterey Heights is your community. The adjacent neighborhood of St. Elmo boasts the home of the People's Republic of China Residence of the Consul General to say the least. Stunning views with room to stretch your wings. What more could one ask for.

Of note in Bayview Heights is Monster Park and Bayview Park, and neither one make for a real draw in this community. Bayview Park is a neglected park that sits among a low income residential area. The park is virtually abandoned, which makes for a safe visit. Nothing here to lure in the tourists or entertain the locals. The park does offer a panoramic view and parking is never a problem.

Monster Park, formerly Candlestick Park, is an outdoor sports and entertainment stadium that was home to the SF Giants, but now home to the SF 49ers NFL team. This park is anything but abandoned. The stadium is on the western shore which makes it a very windy place.

Not much to do in this neighborhood unless you like football. Best to venture into the City for good food, fine art, and swanky nightclubs. Now if you are into hot dogs and beer, then head on over to Monster Park.

Even if you don't golf, you can still enjoy this neighborhood. Lake Merced is smack dab in the middle of three different golf courses, including San Francisco Golf Course. The lake is freshwater and fed by an underground spring and there is active recreational fishing here - so get your pole.

A lot of trees and greenery make this community a great place to walk, jog, and bicycle. So many paths around the golf course as well as the lake, make for an enjoyable and relaxing ride. Be sure to take your dog or a friend, as some of the trails get a bit quiet.

Also nearby are Lowell High School and San Francisco State University.

One piece of advice, don't park your car by the lake next to SFSU at night - have seen many a car broken into.

As a whole Westwood Park is a nice quiet neighborhood to live. The "upper" areas, north of Wildwood, are less dense and have fewer cars parked along the street. The homes near Miramar are larger and the area itself is very quiet. The neighborhood has tons of trees, nicely manicured front yards, and feels very suburban.

The commercial areas on Ocean Boulevard (to the south) and Monterey (to the north and east) are within walking distance. There are also great shops in nearby West Portal. I

The neighborhood is very hilly, and if you don't care for hills this area is not for you. Due to the hilly terrain, most homes have great views. The two flat streets in the area are Southwood and Greenwood. The flat area also boasts San Francisco City College, and with it brings increased traffic and some parking issues.

On the west side of the neighborhood there are great views to the north and south, and on the east, there are great views toward downtown and the rising condominium towers. Most of the homes in the area are Victorians and Edwardians and tend to be rather large and grandiose. The streets are relatively quiet and the neighborhood is kept up. There can be a little commotion and riff raff from the nearby neighborhood at Haight Street.

Buena Vista is close to just about everything San Francisco has to offer. Castro and Haight Street are a stone's throw away, as well as Divasadero (which leads to NOPA). Be sure to check out Randall Museum at 199 Museum Way. A great place for your kids to discover and learn.

If you prefer lots of trees, lots of hills, and really great homes - Buena Vista just might be for you. The area does get very windy but overall is a very nice neighborhood to live.

Waterfront is a great neighborhood for jogging, walking, skateboarding, and just being outdoors. The Embarcadero is to the east with Fisherman’s Wharf and other busy commercial areas along the way, making for some fairly heavy traffic in this area.

If you are entertaining guests from out of town, a short jaunt to the Wharf is ideal. Yes, it is a love hate relationship for most local San Franciscans, but you must admit, it’s a little fun. Throngs of tourists blocking views of Alcatraz, cheesy novelty shops, and fresh Dungeness crab. Be sure to take your guests out to a nice dinner at A. Sabella’s. No wharf-dredging jogging suits allowed. This restaurant features the best crab cocktail on the wharf and will satisfy your sweet tooth with Blum’s Coffee Crunch cake (a well known dessert in San Francisco).

Great paths for running and strolling are all around the neighborhood. Parking can be bad and it’s not unusual to spend thirty minutes trying to find a parking spot blocks and blocks away from your destination. Waterfront is a great place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.

North Park neighborhood is home of a little café favorite of mine on 30th Street just before Upas Avenue called Commonwealth Café. Lots of down home favorites like bacon and eggs, omelets, hormone and antibiotic free burgers, homemade pies and brownies. Prices are cheap but the food is great.

Homes in North Park are standard and average for the San Francisco area. The average home price is well under a million, so if you are on a budget in the Bay Area, this might be your community.

There is a highly esteemed private school on Masonic called the San Francisco Day School. The school is for K-8 and boasts one of the most impressive libraries I have ever seen in an elementary school. Parents are down to earth, especially for an urban private school. Great teachers and parent body alike. The program is rigorous and impressive.

Central Waterfront is a transforming neighborhood that over time has developed from vacant lots to scattered housing clusters. The community boasts plenty of residential lofts and work-lofts throughout.

The boundary around Central Waterfront neighborhood is Mariposa Street to Islais Creek and then from I-280 east to the Bay. Some decent transit systems do operate in the area, but there is much more planning on the way and the transit stops, including the Caltrain station, provide an uninviting waiting environment. Journey by foot or bike pedal is also a rough experience and not recommended.

The community is working together to develop Central Waterfront even more, but as of today, it’s best to journey out of the neighborhood to find your best eateries, salons, and boutiques.

Silver Terrace has a large multi-sport park nestled near Highway 101 within the neighborhood, at Thornton and Bayshore. The recreation area includes an artificial turf athletic field, tennis courts, slides, and climbing walls/structures.

The Upper Crust Deli & Grill is the best deli I have ever been to, and my friend’s call me a “deli snob” – so what does that tell you? Offering up great sandwiches and great service, this deli is a must. You probably don’t want to venture around here alone at night though.

Something interesting and unique about Silver Terrace is that there is a California commuter rail line (Caltrain) that runs directly under the neighborhood. Efficient transportation to any other community you want to travel to.

The best thing about Parkside Panhandle is its proximity to everywhere else. The closeness to Golden Gate Park is great. The terrain is flat and there is not the heavy traffic congestion that you find in some of the other San Francisco neighborhoods.

Most of the restaurants and nightlife hotspots are nearby as well. Places like Club Waziema (Ethiopian cuisine) and the Page (a local and tourist favorite if you like ski-cabin feeling bars that are a overly crammed).

Panhandle neighborhood parking is pretty good. There is lots of room and it doesn’t take thirty or more minutes to locate a spot within walking distance of your destination. The fog does set in during summer. My advice is to head east!

The San Francisco State University neighborhood boasts lots of great stores and eateries. The entire community is buzzing with a young urban vibe due to the University. Lots of apartments and off-campus living nearby the college.

Stonestown Galleria is a suburban style shopping center directly in the city. Stonestown traffic can get heavy at times, but is a great place to shop and eat. The “mall” includes larger department stores like Nordstrom and Macy’s, as well as smaller boutiques including Coach, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Metropark, and much more.

Stonestown Galleria also has a movie theater and lots of eateries. A large food court is located at the shopping center with too many places to list, but if in the neighborhood don’t pass up the San Francisco Soup Company. Bakeries, cafes, and chocolatiers are also located here.

Ingleside Heights much like its counterpart neighborhood Ingleside is a little rough around the edges. You won’t find palatial mansions here. What you will find is a neighborhood full of people who care more about their cars than their homes. With metal bars covering most windows, you catch the spirit that crime may be a possibility.

There are a few pockets of decent homes. The area between Brotherhood Way and Alemany is nice and the homes are cared for. Saint Charles Street would also get a nod from a city inspector. But, for the most part you will find dilapidated cars parked in driveways amongst other rusted modes of transportation.

The other side of Alemany reveals some of your strip mall favorites like Rite Aid and Hollywood Video. The Daly City BART station is also located nearby.

Sherwood Forest is located near the top of Mt. Davidson and looks down over St. Francis Wood. The homes in this neighborhood are very nice and provide great views. The area has one of the steepest streets in San Francisco -- Dalewood Street. A few sprints up this hill will put you in fine form for ski season.

The entire neighborhood is very quiet and feels very distant from all the hustle and bustle of the City. If you are looking for a condo, don’t bother in Sherwood Forest, there are hardly any to speak of, only houses. In fact, there just isn't much in Sherwood.

Sherwood Forest does boast one of the finest paintball fields in the Bay area. This could be due to the amazing woods that surround the community.

My first and last impressions of Ingleside Terrace is too much dead grass! Not sure if it is a water shortage thing or a yard is too big to water thing. Either way, the dead grass is a common thread in this community and can become an eye sore.

The homes are large but the area overall is a little run down. With a little restoration, a standard home could prove quite the investment as well taken care of homes sell quickly when priced right.

Ingleside Terrace does have a lot to offer in terms of eateries. You will want to hit Ocean Avenue for all the restaurants. Stonestown Galleria is nearby should you decide to shop in some great retail stores. You are also close enough to the ocean that you may hear the waves at night. An easy escape route out of Ingleside Terrace is along Junipero Serra, which will take you onto I-280 and to all points south in just a matter of minutes.

This neighborhood is home to Stonestown Galleria, a conveniently located shopping center with over 130 sought after retailers. Stonestown Galleria boasts stores such as Williams-Sonoma, Nordstrom, Macy's, Banana Republic, and an Apple Computer store. The UA Stonestown Twin Theater is also located here, where you can take in some of the industries latest movies. Dine with friends or entertain your out-of-town guests at Chevy's Fresh Mex.

Stonestown is also home to San Francisco State University, which gives this community an extreme campus vibe. You can find just about anthing to do around the "State."

Overall, Stonestown is a very nice and clean neighborhood. People are friendly and they keep their outdoor spaces in order. There are wide streats and lots of places to roam.

Inner Parkside is a well taken care of neighborhood that doesn't live up to its name. While living there, in no way does it feel like you are in a park. It does sit in the shadow of Golden Gate Heights, but has its own spectacular view homes.

Inner Parkside is home of the Stern Grove Music Festival, featuring the best in performing arts and completely admission free. The venue is a beautiful outdoor amphitheater located at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard. Former performers include Booker T. Jones, Trombone Shorty, and the San Francisco Symphony.

The community doesn't have a great deal to offer in terms of taste defying restaurants, but you do have an easy drive to West Portal and Stonestown for restaurants and shops. There are a few patches of shops along Noreiga Street but for the most part they are scarce.

Only a few hundred people are lucky enough to live in The Presidio neighborhood that sports its own golf course, post office, and bowling alley. It is a real treasure overflowing with San Francisco history.

Almost like one very big park, Presidio offers an area of outstanding natural beauty that will take your breath away. The park is accessible from the Outer Richmond at either 25th Avenue (easily found) or Park Presidio Boulevard. Presidio is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is home to wild plant and animal species, hiking trails, and waterfront habitat. Oh, to live in a park!

There are a lot of nice and elegant restaurants in this location as well as businesses, all accessible by foot, car, or public transport.

Portola is a great neighborhood for kids and adults alike. Hilly streets, although not too hilly, make for a fun and energetic walk or jog. Our dog used to love to run her short little legs up and down these streets.

Have only eaten at one restaurant in Portola and would never return. Stay away from Wing Hing Restaurant – bad service and equally bad food. The food is cheap though, and they hang the meat in the window like most places in Chinatown storefronts.

The Portola Library is a great place to browse for those research books. Previously located on San Bruno, the library just moved into its new building this year (2009) and celebrated a grand opening in late February. Dana Zed, renowned artist, created art glass shutters near the entrance and the look is stunning.

The best thing about Telegraph Hill is Coit Tower. It is an easily recognized landmark that is visible from many areas of San Francisco. Coit Tower itself has spectacular views of Alcatraz Island, the Financial District, the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, and Pier 39. The Tower reveals several Diego Rivera inspired murals, which are a joy to see.

If you take the Filbert Street steps down the east side of Telegraph Hill to Montgomery Street, you can enjoy the beautiful views of private cottages and exotic gardens. Homes are well kept in this neighborhood and there are even wild parrots! Yes, the parrots are renowned residents of Telegraph Hill and while working your way up Filbert Street you may hear them squawking and see them swooping from tree to tree.

Be sure and dine like a king at Julius' Castle located on Telegraph Hill, adjacent to Coit Tower, in a cul-de-sac on Montgomery Street that can only be accessed by Union Street from the west side. Their Lombata Milanese is indescribable. Pure luxury at this restaurant.

Within the boundaries of Geary, Fillmore, Pine and Octavia Streets, lies Lower Pacific Heights, often still referred to as part of the Fillmore or Western Addition. This community also includes Japantown. Redevelopment in the 1970s has made this neighborhood a thriving residential and business center with a diverse urban population.

I have spent so much time in this community and absolutely love it. Restored Victorians on
Pine Street, new condos on Fillmore, and upscale apartments on California are among the housing options. Japantown, an enclave originally settled by Japanese immigrants after the 1906 quake, offers countless attractions for tourists and locals alike. Communal Japanese baths, flower arranging and martial arts are just some of the cultural activities available.

Eat in one of many Japanese restaurants, shop for treasures at the Japan Center Mall, or catch the latest flick at the Kabuki movie theatre.

The neighborhood also boast many private schools for parents wanting to pay for a good education. It is home to the Stuart Hall High School for boys.

You will never get bored in Lower Pacific Heights, there is just too much culture here.

I am trying to rack my brain for something good to report about the Hunters Point neighborhood and am at a block other than affordability. There is just not a lot in this community other than a shipping yard, the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, and lots and lots of warehouses.

There is a revitalization program going on and the people living in this community are committed to making a positive difference. In coordination with the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency and local residents, a series of programs to support economic development and create positive, long-term benefits for area residents and businesses are in the works.

Due to these efforts, there is a great home buyer's assistance package for homeownership on the Shipyard. I guess if you want urban industrial, this is your place.

Shopping is limited as well as dining, but have heard rumors of great underground dance parties in the midst of the warehouses. Keep your ears open!

The area west of Twin Peaks that stretches west to 19th Avenue and Highway 1 is made up of Forest Knolls, Midtown Terrace, West Portal, and Forest Hill. The Forest Hill community enjoys cool breezes from the Pacific and spectacular sunsets year round.

Though primarily residential, the neighborhood is also the home of Laguna Honda hospital, a public long-term care facility. Midtown Terrace Park, Sunset Heights and Hawk Hill Park are a few of the outdoors public areas. Not a lot of shopping immediately in Forrest Hill, but The West Portal commercial district is a thriving shopping and dining hub considered this area's centerpiece. The streets have a distinctively small town convenience on the K or the M Muni lines. Take Muni going south to get to San Francisco State University or Stonestown Shopping Center.

Forest Hill's lush landscaping, curving lanes and thousands of trees make it a highly desirable residential area. Most of the large, detached Arts and Crafts, Edwardian, and Mediterranean style houses, built in the early 1900s, have ample yards. Noted architect Bernard Maybeck designed several Forest Hill residences as well as the Forest Hill Clubhouse, which is available to rent for weddings and other special occasions.

Wedged behind the Southern Freeway (U.S. 280) and City College and directly below the ridge that connects Mt. Davidson with Diamond Heights is the neighborhood of Sunnyside, that seems apart from urban bustle. Its hills provide interesting sights, such as a row or steeply terraced front gardens on Staples Street and a street turned stairway on Detroit.

The Sunnyside Conservatory is a city landmark and owned by the Recreation & Park Department, but has had plenty of ups and downs through the years. Dedicated neighbors have been working hard to get it restored.

New homes have been popping up everywhere and with them bring more schools and new streetcar lines, including the "10 Sunnyside."

Sunnyside still feels like a working-class neighborhood despite acting as a gateway to the enclaves to the west, such as St. Francis Wood and Sherwood Forest. Perhaps because of the topography, and the dead-end streets created by City College and Interstate 280, Sunnyside has always had an isolated feeling---next to everything, but not a part of it.

Golden Gate Heights rise above the vast, relatively flat terrain of the Sunset, and offers stunning, panoramic views of the city. But, a priceless ocean view is about all this neighborhood has to offer.

Characteristics of this community are streets so steep they are anything but stairways with huge retaining walls that wind around the 725 foot high bluff. The homes on the curvy lanes are relatively new with pockets of quainter dwellings facing Forest Hill.

Pastoral, foggy, and a little remote, Golden Gate Heights Park is worth the uphill climb for a quiet game of tennis or an afternoon at the playground. Parking is plentiful and the workday commute to downtown is effortless.

When you drive on the Bay Bridge toward Oakland and pass through a tunnel, you are driving through Yerba Buena Island. It seems Treasure Island gets all the recognition but for those who live in Yerba Buena, and I feel like I once did - I was there so much - Yerba Buena needs to be noticed.

Yerba Buena is only a five minute drive from downtown and there is a bus that runs 24 hours a day from the Mission and 1st terminal. Your residence may not have a back yard but you will have a million dollar balcony view of the city if you desire.

The smell of eucalyptus trees after the rain, hikes down to the beach, places to explore, and two-day weekend concerts bring the perfect summer experience - or everyday if you are lucky enough to live there.

Not a lot of eateries, shopping, or the like, but you are just a few minutes from all of your needed urban amenities.

Mission Bay boasts hotspot condos, lofts, and biotech research facilities. Home to California's Stem Cell Research headquarters and the new UCSF Mission Bay campus, Mission Bay is a neighborhood in the making.

Currently small and developing, Mission Bay offers few restaurants and entertaining hotspots. However, Mission Bay is adjacent to Protrero Hill and South of the Market, which offer all the amenities of urban living.

At first glance, there doesn't appear to be much if any liveliness in the streets, but don't overlook the green bike path along Mission Creek, the Blue Greenway path from China Basin to Candlestick Point, and easy access to the rest of the city via the Third Street light rail - making real estate prices soar.

When you do work up an appetite from all your walking, don't pass up Piccino Cafe or Serpentine. You will leave with your tummy full and energy to walk some more.

Downtown San Francisco is centered around Union Square and the neighborhood overflows with an eclectic mix of stores, boutiques, retail spaces, and offices. There is a residential 1920s apartments, condominiums, and a handful of lofts as well.

Local shoppers and tourists flood in by all means of public transportation including the cable car. Large retail destinations include Macy's, Niketown, Crate & Barrel, H&M, and the vertical shopping malls at the Westfield Shopping Center and San Francisco Centre. There are also the finest in luxury shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue, Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, Gucci, and Tiffany & Co.

Eating options abound in downtown San Francisco. Some of the options include Michael Mina or Millenium (offering luxurious vegan cuisine - my personal favorite). Sears Fine Food boasts their eighteen Swedish pancakes, which is a favorite among the locals.

Be sure to catch a show in the theater district at such venues as ACT's Geary Theater or the Curran Theater. For more wild and late night shows check out Ruby Skye and the perennial Gold Dust Lounge.

Downtown San Francisco is absolutely stunning at night. The lights are amazing from a high rise hotel and you will truly fall in love with this wonderful city.

South Beach is one of San Francisco's newest and take-notice communities. It is surrounded by the Embarcadero and Bay Bridge to the north and east, 2nd street and King street to the west and south. For decades there were only warehouses, storage yards, and broken-down piers. Now it is one of the ritziest neighborhoods in San Francisco. Locals even deemed it the "new Nob Hill."

One of the best features of South Beach is AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. Notable restaurants in the area include Jack Falstaff, MoMo's, and Crossroads Cafe. There are many great wine bars within walking distance like Local Kitchen & Wine Merchant.

There is also the Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building along the Embarcadero at the foot of Market Street. This is the center of a transit hub that connects all of San Francisco's neighborhoods and the surrounding Bay communities. The marketplace is accessible by BART, MUNI, and Ferry Boat. The historic trolley cars (Line F Market) also stop directly in front of the Ferry Building. The Market Place is only closed three days a year, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Once considered a very remote and undeveloped community, Potrero has since been discovered. There are a growing number of condominiums and lofts with quaint neighborhood charm.

The shopping district is located between 18th and 20th Streets. Here you will also find great restaurants, cafes, and boutiques, including Ruby Wine, Farley's Coffee, and Goat Hill Pizza. Nightlife boasts great clubs like Bottom of the Hill and Club Cocomo. You might also take a tour of the Anchor Steam Brewery during the day.

Residents are very active in their community and work to know each other. There are many committees and neighborhood watch programs that seem to be working wonders in the area.

Alamo Square is an impressive neighborhood that is best known for its "Postcard Row," a stunning view of the beautifully restored Victorian houses against a backdrop of the San Francisco skyline. Clearly one of the most classic images of San Francisco.

The overall neighborhood is much more than the Alamo Square Historic District. Real estate consists of early 20th century flats throughout the community. The area is now booming with many new parents and young singles alike, making the Square a great place to live.

Due to the influx of residents, restaurants, cafes, and bars have been springing up quickly. Consider a homey breakfast at Eddie's Cafe and amazing dessert that is out of this world at Candybar. Funky and ecclectic bars include Fly Bar, Bar 821, and Madrone. And, don't forget to stop by the unique clothing boutique named Still Life - if you can get by the taxidermy and make your way to a dressing room, you'll be doing great.

From historic to modern, elegant mansions to flats, Alamo Square has it all.

Cow Hollow was originally named after the old dairy farms of the 1800s, but all you will find now in this suburban like neighborhood are grand homes, Edwardian flats, and Victorian style apartments. There is a pleasant mix of the young and old but commonly wealthy, and they all frequent the shops on Union Street.

Shops like Blue Jeans Bar, Uko, and Stuart Moore will require your padded wallet, and if you are in the market for great cosmetics, take a gander at Sephora and MAC. Every year in June there is an amazing Eco-Urban Festival along Union Street. 2009 will mark the city's 33rd year that the festival has been running.

The local secret for eating great is Brazen Head. Dark, quaint, and serving up classic pepper steak and french onion soup.

Cow Hollow is also known for its nightlife and bars. Classic destinations include: Bar None, the HiFi Lounge (great place to dance), and Blue Light.

Cow Hollow offers so much that it is no surprise that it is one of the most sought after neighborhoods in the Bay Area.

Glen Park is nestled in a quaint little valley below Diamond Heights and just around the corner from Noe Valley. Many of the homes in Glen Park are situated along the narrow and winding streets of the hills. Real estate offers old San Francisco charm and spectacular views.

There are few stores and restaurants downtown at Diamond and Chenery Streets. There is quite the mixture of old world meets new, as several modern shops have popped up in recent years.

For great food in Glen Park, check out Gialini Pizzeria or Eggettes. If you are looking for a great cup of coffee, you can't pass up Pebbles Cafe at 2852 Diamond Street, where the cream is rich and the oils are congealing. Coffee is served in a La San Marco cup with no saucer with dentist office music playing in the background.

Access is easy into Glen Park with a BART station and quick access to Interstate 280. There is much to offer and even more to explore, with hiking trails close by at Glen Canyon Park.

Treasure Island is great for photo-ops and weddings. There is a nice park along the edge of the island that a friend of mine had her wedding photos take at. If you can handle the breeze or at times, strong wind, you will obtain some very candid pictures.

Driving west bound across the Bay Bridge will you give you some time to check out the San Francisco sky-line and if you get off the bridge at TI you will be able to catch some of the best day and night views of the city. Here you will actually have a place to stop and park your car.

There is not a lot of shopping on Treasure Island, but with a little planning, you can zip in and out of the city in all of about an hour's drive. Planning is definately the key though. Do not attempt Treasure Island on the Fourth of July!

No need to go to Treasure Island for the food, the boutiques, or the nightlife - because there really isn't any, but go because you love San Fransisco and the view.

North Beach is the place to meander through the narrow little streets off Broadway and discover "Little Italy." This San Franciscan neighborhood holds fast to its 1950s Beatnik history featuring City Lights Bookstore at the corner of Columbus Avenue and Jack Kerouac Alley. Also, be sure to check out Beat Museum where Kerouac and his friends/associates are the focus of many exhibits.

At night, North Beach becomes an entirely different community, boasting some of the liveliest nightclubs, bars, and strip clubs in the country, including Fuse (dubbed hot spot status by InStyle Magazine) and the Hustler Club (with occasional "guest" appearances).

A word to the wise: If you can avoid driving in North Beach, please do. Parking is notoriously scarce and it can be difficult to get around if you are not a seasoned North Beach San Franciscan.

Nob Hill has has a splash of everything San Francisco. On Mason Street you will find the Cable Car Museum - a great place to brush up on your cable car facts if you wan to be a true San Franciscan. Here is where you can collect all of your cable car souvenirs.

When you need your carbohydrate fix, locals tend to frequent Il Cartoccio, a petite restaurant located off the lobby of the Nob Hill hotel. I have had the gnocchi in lemon cream sauce and it is truly heaven on earth.

Shopping is unique in Nob Hill and again, there is something for everyone. Venus Superstar is your very own punk-rock boutique where you will find jewelry and paintings from local artists as well as many edgy t-shirts.

A wide variety of night life hot spots populate the area and accomodate whatever you desire. The Hyde Out on Hyde Street is a laid back and easygoing neighborhood bar that offers free popcorn and 30 beers on tap. If you are looking for something a bit more trendy, try The Red Room, a very hip, dar, and red bar. But, go on weeknights if you want to avoid the masses. The oversized couches and cosmos make for lots of rose-colored conversation.

San Francisco's world-famous Fisherman's Wharf brings with it fishing boats, souvenir shops, steaming crab and clam cauldrons, amazing seafood restaurants, and much much more. The historic street cars terminate at Fisherman's Wharf and drop you off only to be picked back up by a sight-seeing boat on the way to Alcatraz and Angel Island.

Popular shopping hot spots are Ghiradelli Square and Pier 39. There is truly something for everyone at Fisherman's Wharf. From wineries, to chocolate factories, to bay view restaurants, the Wharf has everything a tourist could desire and more.

The Financial District (South) in San Francisco brings so much more than any other financial district in most major cities. Eccentric shopping, district high-rises, beautiful hotels, great restaurants, and so much more. Here is where you will find the melting pot of San Francisco culture.

Art is big in San Francisco and here is where you will find the San Francisco Museum of Art as well as, the Cartoon Art Museum. The Cartoon Art Museum is dedicated to preserving and exhibiting all forms of cartoon art and it truly is amazing. You can even rent the venue for special events and parties.

Grab a bite at one of the greatest eateries on the planet or sit back and people watch one a bench. This district has it all.

If you want city government buildings and performing arts venues, then Civic Center is your destination. Most San Franciscans rarely frequent this neighborhood unless they work there, have tickets to a show there, or in need of a rare book from the library.

Tourists, on the other hand, love Civic Center, and it truly is the hub of San Francisco. But, don't get caught here after sun-down. At night, the community becomes quite unsavory.

Shopping is great if you like ecclectic. Funky houseware shops and clothing boutiques are a joy to browse.

A nice place to visit, but I sure wouldn't want to live there.

If you're looking for mid-century modern, Diamond Heights is your neighborhood and is one of the largest communities of this style of homes in the San Francisco area. Diamond Heights is home of the "gem" named streets like Quartz, Topaz, Turquoise, and Amethyst.

The main commercial center in Diamond Heights is the Diamond Heights Shopping Center located at the top of the hill where you will also find those necessary stores like Walgreens, Safeway, and a Bank of America.

Diamond Heights is positively park-like everywhere you go and is almost like a huge recreation area. The negative? Well, if you like wind, this is your place.

Midtown Terrace is a quiet neighborhood that feels like you are in the suburbs, but still in the city. The homes are well kept. You won't find grafitti here. Driving into the district from Clarendon and onto Dellbrook, one would think they were enterning an enchanted forest. The lush green Eucalyptus and ivy is overwhelming.

Midtown Terrace is home of Sutro Tower, Laguna Honda Hospital, and has one of two main access roads to Twin Peaks.

The community is large and not as well-defined as most districts in San Francisco, but it is definately worth the visit and I have heard from locals, a great place to live.