Yes, Capitol Hill is one of the most written about neighborhoods in Seattle, but there is always more to discover. After hours of research, none of which I’m complaining about, I have a whole new respect for one of Seattle’s oldest neighborhoods.

The area we now call Capitol Hill was purchased by the city of Seattle in 1872 as the future site of a cemetery. A cemetery was erected near Volunteer Park, but Capitol Hill became much more than that. When I think of Capitol Hill, I think of clubs and restaurants, but about a hundred years ago, the Hill was an affluent neighborhood of Seattle’s elite. Before the wafting incents and gay bars, Capitol Hill could be seen as the place of those who had “made it.”

For me, I feel that the Hill is still a place (in real estate) that requires a sizeable bank account to obtain. Many of the original houses are still standing, and on a recent walk down 14th Avenue, I saw prices above 2 million.

I am not personally in the position to fork over a small fortune for a place on the Hill, but renting may be an alternative. An expensive alternative as well, but more feasible. One can expect to cough up as much as $1,000 per month for a studio with a view. Don’t need a view? The price goes down for apartments with no special views. However, just slightly.

The condominium surge on the Hill is a nice alternative for those seeking homeownership, but cannot spring for the price of a house. Who wouldn’t want to live in the middle of everything? Well many, but for those who do condo’s provide a great option. Be prepared though, many of the native hipsters are quite bitter about the apparent condominium takeover. It might behoove condo owners to lie and say there reside elsewhere to avoid a tight-black-pant wearing punk from throwing an expensive cocktail in their face.

Speaking of hipsters, they are in abundance on the Hill. They are not alone however. Capitol Hill is home a plethora of youngsters, stroller-toting yuppies, and all those in between. It is a hub for anyone seeking a non-suburbia utopia. It is where local coffee shops—yes, other than Starbucks—and kitschy clothing stores collide. If something a bit different and non corporate is what you’re looking for, the Hill is the place to be.

I don’t want to make Capitol Hill seems like the playground of all things sinister. After all, it does boast more than one church. The most noticeable is the Unitarian Church on Broadway and Republican. An old brick building that sits slightly below street level because of the many re-grades done to the Seattle landscape.

A trolley used to run up and down Broadway and the old church was standing at that time. Gone is the trolley and now pedestrians crossing the street are the only thing to look out for when driving.

Everyone knows about the plethora of bars and restaurants on the Hill. From my experiences, it is wise to venture away from Broadway to find the best cuisine. But if a sober-me-up meal is what you’re looking for, Charlie’s on Broadway would fulfill every need.Hunger seems to be a theme on Capitol Hill.

Residents are hungry to break out of societal restraints, while desperately holding on to what they believe is a changing neighborhood. Condo conversions and big-business takeovers have split the Hill, but I don’t see them forging all the way in and taking over. At least not without a fight.