How to learn my way around Seattle without a vehicle?

I just moved to the Seattle/Bellevue area about a month ago but haven't really gone anywhere cause I don't know my way around and also do not have a vehicle thanks to eyesight.



So, my question is, what do you think is the best way for me to learn my way around here? I'm almost hesitant to thanks to this city's enormous size and I have no idea where to begin.



ANY advice that can be offered would be extremely appreciated.How to learn my way around Seattle without a vehicle?
The first way to learn Seattle and surrounding areas is to understand its grid. This is a system that was devised a long time ago. Not many know how to apply this or simply know this simple system exists. I will share it with you so you have a greater understanding of Seattle so that the next time you hear an address,,, you WILL know where you are in relation to THE CORE,,, THE HUB,, which is the City of Seattle.



This might be confusing at first, but if you look at a map, and reference my words, you will understand it and then visualize it more clearly.



* Point zero - Downtown Seattle ALL streets are '1st Street', 'Broad Street'. Name first and then the title, Street, Avenue, etc. with no compass directive.

* Downtown - Anything inside of the water from Yesler Avenue to Denny Street to Lake Washington -1st Street, heading East all the way to 39th Street and Lake Washington Blvd.

* Yesler Avenue is the starting point for added compass directions-



KEY POINT HERE-

* All streets with Name BEFORE the Compass Indicator (NE, SE, SW, etc.) are North and South heading

* All streets with Compass Indicator BEFORE the Name are East and West heading



Street numbers count from 1st Avenue go north to the King/Snohomish County line at 205th

From the Snohomish county line at 205th the number draw backwards towards the City of Everett.



Numbers, as referenced above with 1st Ave. to 39th at waters edge are getting larger going further and further east! Same for going North,, and going south!



References points- are the N, NE, NW, S, SE, SW for different sectors. If you look at the map you can look around in different Cities like Bellevue (NE 8th East/West heading road), or Federal Way (Steel Lake Park @ S.312th %26amp; 28th Ave. S.), or Lake Forest Park (Ballinger Way NE %26amp; NE 175th St.) and see the different designations.



If you look at a map, you will see that the numbers continue to grow eastward all the way out to Northbend with even progression to 436th St SE. I am not sure where it actually ends exactly, but I am pretty sure it isn't much further than that.



The same number progression will be obvious moving South showing numbers out of the Seattle hub. From Yesler Avenue leading out from 1st Avenue South. Anything south of Yesler will have a 'South' following its street name.



These numbers will continue to get larger as you make your way down to Tacoma who have their own "Hub" or "center" and then the number spread begins all over in the same fashion.



It is consistent, too. If you look at NE 65th St. in the Windermere area of Sand Point, you will see that 65th Ave. NE (somewhat) lines up with the same 65th Ave SE on Mercer Island holding true to the number progression getting larger as they head East.



As said before when heading North 205th at the County line is where the numbers will start to count DOWN to Everett, all the way up to Marine View Drives waters edge. And then it starts a similar madness all over again.



Is your head spinning yet? I knew it was. Anyway, take it slow, you will get used to it after a while. Know that certain areas will tell you where you are depending on the designation, i.e, NE 8th = .Eastside, SW will tell you West Seattle area. etc., etc.



Just remember to note the numbers. Myself, when I hear "NW",, I usually think that I will be in the Wedgewood or Ballard areas. The numbers will tell you everything. If someone told me to go to Ray's Boathouse, I would know to go down NW Market Street onto NW 54th St, past all of the crazy tourists at the locks and onto Seaview Ave NW (see- now you are going North!) 'cross the railroad tracks until I saw Ray's on the left!



I hope this wasn't as dizzying as it was to try and put it down so it sort of made sense to whoever reads this. Now,,, I know I am mad. =)) Good luck, Justin.How to learn my way around Seattle without a vehicle?
Public transportation in the Seattle area is better than most cities. At http://www.soundtransit.org/ you can use their trip planner to find a bus or train to get around the area.