Junction - Seattle, WA

Despite the influx of new businesses and luxury apartments, Junction is an old neighborhood for Seattle, originating from around 1907 when the intersection of two new street car lines gave the neighborhood its name. Though the street cars have long since been replaced by an all-walk intersection with stop lights, the neighborhood continues to thrive and grow.

Persevering through several booms and busts, the original mix of merchants, airplane factory workers and dock workers has gradually been supplanted by young upwardly mobile professionals in the IT, tech and medical industries. Today young families, legacy residents and couples enjoy Junction's shops, restaurants and events. Sundays year-round, visitors can sample cheeses, honey, fresh veggies and more at the West Seattle Farmers Market, while the monthly Art Walk on Thursday evenings spans California from SW Edmunds Street all the way to SW Genessee Street. Walking and shopping are integral to Junction's history.

You won't find glitzy nightclubs in Junction, but there is a healthy bar scene with plenty of noteworthy food, unique cocktails and local brews. Fans of Ma'Ono Fried Chicken & Whisky on California Avenue will tell you that once you've tried their golden fried chicken (prepare to wait - it's made fresh to order) you'll never go back to regular fried chicken again. But it would be a disservice to ignore Ma'Ono's other charms, like savory Saimin with smoked pork and ham broth, giant fresh ground burgers, classic Hawaiian Loco Moco and craft cocktails prepared with house-made infusions.

Between South 44th and SW California below the street level, the friendly barkeeps at Corner Pocket serve up cocktails and beers at this divey pool hall. Pick up a rack of balls, put your favorites on the jukebox, throw a game of darts or hang out with the barflies. Just upstairs is Easy Street Records & Cafe - where the dream of browsing vinyl with a fresh cup of joe in hand comes true. Easy Street has fantastic coffee and breakfast for everyone from goths to moms. Try the James Browns - crispy hash browns topped with sauteed veggies and your choice of meat. Nothing beats breakfast with your favorite tunes.

Junction is all about walking. There are so many shops, boutiques and eating places that drivers are likely to miss out on the fun. This relatively small neighborhood packs plenty of mojo, from the ubiquitous historical murals to friendly hole-in-the-wall coffee houses. But drivers are also welcome, and free parking can be found for Junction shoppers in the lot between California and Glenn Way SW.

For residents, Alaska Street connects with Fauntleroy Way offering easy access to the West Seattle Bridge, with connections to Highway 99 toward downtown and Ballard, Seattle neighborhoods and the I5 Freeway. Uber services Junction for travel throughout West Seattle and over the bridge - but a trip to downtown Seattle can be pricey.

King County Metro bus lines 50, 55 and 128 service California with connections throughout West Seattle to Seward Park, Denny Way and Tukwila, while SW Alaska Street offers access to the C Line Rapid Ride, which will get you to downtown in about 15 minutes. Commuters can also pick up the free shuttle along Alaska destined for the West Seattle Water Taxi, which takes passengers to Seattle's waterfront every 20 minutes.

Junction's relatively slow moving streets are bike friendly, and the neighborhood's location on the West Seattle plateau makes cycling fun.

Junction itself turns into a park of sorts with events like the Farmers Market, which closes off traffic to promote walking and shopping. Tiny Junction Plaza Park, at the intersection of Alaska and 42nd, offers residents a place to take a breather and a small dog run. On the north end of the neighborhood, another small park is Dakota Place, offering a strip of green for relaxing strolls. The newly remodeled Dakota Place Park Building is also available for special events. Junction is adjacent to many of West Seattle's larger park spaces, like the Mae-Kwa-Mooks waterfront and Schmitz park. Walking and biking to these spaces is part of everyday life in Junction.

New development is bringing West Seattle into the limelight as a laid back alternative to the high stress of central city neighborhoods, but that privilege comes at a price. Median rental rates come in higher at about 11 percent higher than the city average. Renters will be lucky to find a one-bedroom apartment for around $1,167 a month, and gas prices in the area are about 15 percent higher than the national average. Luckily your Orca Card will work for any King County bus and public transport prices are the same, making the commute easy and stress free. Neighborhood happy hours offer savings on food and drinks at lots of local haunts.

The world is your shopping oyster in Junction, where delis, restaurants, coffee houses, bars and convenience stores are all within walking distance or a quick drive. A QFC supermarket and Petco hide just east of the junction. Across the street at the Junction Square Apartments is a 24-hour Safeway, while a new Trader Joe's can be found a quarter mile further east. Shopping along California Avenue SW, the main drag, is a pleasure, with plenty of unique finds. Step into Funky Jane's Consignment for second hand trendy clothing finds, jewelry, shoes and more at great prices - and sell some stuff while you're at it. The Sneakery, along California between Alaska and SW Edmunds, offers all kinds of sneakers and accessories for kids and adults - designs you won't find at every shoe store from brands like Onitzuka, PF Flyers, Keds and lots more.