Seattle is a great city to call home. It's full of character and culture, its weather is mild and I can personally attest to the high quality of the town's tap water. All these things and more are reason enough to put down stakes in Seattle, but with so many wonderful neighborhoods to choose from it can be tough to decide what district is right for you. That's why So Seattle will be featuring several Neighborhood Spotlight articles to introduce readers to the pros and cons of the city's many unique locales. Today, we're looking at the exciting Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Cap Hill is just east of Downtown Seattle. Its main thoroughfares are Pike and Pine going east/west and Broadway going north/south. The neighborhood has been a major center for art and culture in Seattle, and as such it is constantly changing. Once the center of the grunge music scene, Capitol Hill has evolved in the past decade into a sleeker, more sophisticated district. This doesn't mean it isn't still a favorite hangout locale for cafe-goers and weekend revelers. Here are some of Cap Hill's entertainment features.

• Boutiques Galore

Shopping in Capitol Hill tends toward small specialty shops rather than department stores or Big Box chains. There are high fashion shops like Panache on Broadway, but there are also more homey offerings like the Mud Bay pet supply store and the Wall of Sound record shop.

• Top-Notch Eats

The restaurants in Capitol Hill are easily some of the best in Seattle. The Capitol Club on Pine Street has been voted the most romantic eatery in the city several times thanks to its intimate seating, creative cocktails and rotating, globetrotting menu. The steamed mussels and spicy sherry-cooked mushrooms are two of their best regular dishes. International cuisine is definitely Cap Hill's strong suit, especially with Asian flavors. The friendly hole-in-the-wall Indian restaurant Mirch Masala is one of the district's recently acquired gems and hopefully a long-standing feature.

• Bars, Clubs and Music Venues

Cap Hill's nightlife is second to none in Seattle. Its bars range from low-key lounges like Poco Wine Room to raucous punk dives like the Comet. The district is also known for its vibrant LGBT club scene, including Neighbor's and R Place. Capitol Hill has always loved local music, so there's always a great show at venues like Neumo's and at festivals like the Capitol Hill Block Party.

Cap Hill isn't just a weekend destination, though. Just a block or two from the commercial areas there's plenty of affordable housing that is more or less mixed income and demographic. The houses and apartments are far enough from the busy Downtown neighborhood that it's like having all the convenience and excitement of a big city without having to live in a high rise. There are nearby grocery stores, including two QFC supermarkets, and other day-to-day necessities.

Capitol Hill can be a bit of a nightmare for drivers. Parking is scarce on the hill and the neighborhood's density sometimes makes for heavier traffic. For pedestrians it's a convenient district because all basic needs are well within walking distance. For those looking for a family-friendly setting, Capitol Hill might not be the best choice. While it's certainly safe, it's also a bit far from Seattle's public schools and the family-appropriate housing on the district's north end can be fairly pricey. On the plus side, there are plenty of green spaces (like Volunteer Park) and extracurricular learning opportunities like those provided by the literary NPO Richard Hugo House.

Of all of Seattle's neighborhoods, Capitol Hill is one of the most distinct and vibrant. It's stylish without being too trendy and it loves new ideas. Especially for young professionals, it's a great place to lay down a doormat.