University House Wallingford: A History of Community and Lifelong Learning
University House Wallingford is renowned for its vibrant community, fostering a passion for knowledge, an appreciation for art and culture, and a dedication to maintaining an active mind, body, and spirit. This senior living community offers a unique blend of independence, social connection, and access to enriching activities.
A Unique Partnership with the University of Washington
A distinctive feature of University House Wallingford is its partnership with the University of Washington Retirement Association (UWRA). This collaboration provides UWRA members with a range of benefits and infuses the community with an academic atmosphere. Residents enjoy a connection to UW programs and a commitment to lifelong learning, creating an intellectually stimulating environment. The University House Wallingford is a community where learning continues. It’s an intellectually stimulating environment where residents share different knowledge. The partnership with the University of Washington Retirement Association (UWRA) allows residents to find a program that they are interested in, and residents can take those classes they are passionate about.
Embrace Independent Living
Independent living at University House Wallingford is an ideal choice for older adults who cherish their autonomy and thrive on social interaction. It offers a nurturing community and diverse social activities for those who aspire to age successfully. Residents savor gourmet meals in a restaurant-style dining room while mingling with neighbors. Housekeeping staff takes care of the chores, allowing residents to immerse themselves in their favorite pastimes.
A Variety of Social Activities
University House Wallingford boasts a diverse array of social activities to cater to the varied interests of its residents. These include outings to the symphony and cultural events, fitness and health classes, stimulating lectures, trips to Everett’s military museum, and tailgate parties. The community also hosts art shows where residents can meet local renowned artists. The elegant retirement community ensures a warm and welcoming atmosphere for seniors to feel comfortable and secure with their surroundings. The vibrant community strives in keeping the active lifestyle that allows residents to receive a well-balanced healthy wellness. As a branch of the Era Living senior group, University House Wallingford promotes an environment where residents can feel young and energetic. Life at University offers a cafe, arts and crafts studio, garden (for gardening), and reception.
Maintenance-Free Living
University House Wallingford offers 146 maintenance-free senior residences in one or two-bedroom floor plans, with 22 different layouts to choose from. The pet-friendly residences provide a comfortable and convenient living environment. You’ve probably spent the past 40 years or so cooking, cleaning, and maintaining your house. But now you don’t have to. Our all-inclusive plan provides delicious dining options, so you can enjoy the convenience of fresh and flavorful meals in our open seating restaurant with an in-house chef.
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In-Home Assisted Living Services
While promoting an active and independent lifestyle, University House Wallingford also provides in-home assisted living services. This ensures that residents can receive help with activities of daily living when needed, all within the comfort of their own apartment homes. Because of the community’s unique partnership with the University of Washington School of Nursing, residents benefit from innovative wellness and active aging programs. The elegant retirement community ensures a warm and welcoming atmosphere for seniors to feel comfortable and secure with their surroundings.
Financial Assistance for Senior Housing
Several government programs offer financial assistance for senior housing. Medicaid is a state and federally funded program that can cover the costs of nursing home care for those who meet eligibility criteria, including income and asset limits. Some states also offer Medicaid waivers that help pay for home and community-based services to prevent or delay nursing home placement. Medicare, primarily a health insurance program for people aged 65 and over, does not cover long-term housing costs. However, it can cover short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility under specific conditions following a hospital stay. Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program provides housing for low-income seniors, offering rental assistance and access to supportive services. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) encourages developers to create affordable housing, providing reduced-rent apartments for seniors with low incomes. Many states, counties, and cities offer their own programs to assist seniors with housing costs, including property tax relief and affordable senior housing options. The Veterans Affairs (VA) offers programs for veterans, including the Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides monthly payments to veterans who require assistance or are housebound.
Additional Services Offered
University House Wallingford provides a range of additional services, including senior-focused concierge medicine, nutritionists, personal training, memory care specialists, custom wheelchairs and hearing aids, cosmetic skincare and dermatology, companionship services, and a senior housing concierge.
Wallingford's History and Context
To understand University House Wallingford's place, it's helpful to consider the broader history of the Wallingford neighborhood itself. Wallingford, a neighborhood in north central Seattle, lies on a hill above the north shore of Lake Union. The neighborhood developed quickly during the early 20th century after the establishment of the University of Washington to the east. With trolley tracks laid through the neighborhood as early as 1907, Wallingford is a classic streetcar suburb, typified by its many 1920s era box houses and bungalows. Commercial development is primarily concentrated along North 45th Street where a number of iconic structures stand including the neon "WALLINGFORD" sign, the Wallingford Center, and the original Dick's Drive-In. With its central location, numerous public amenities, including the Gas Works Park, and views of both the Olympic and Cascade mountains, Wallingford has long been home to many middle and upper-class families. While Wallingford is mostly residential in nature, the neighborhood's southern edge, along Lake Union, has historically been an industrial and commercial business strip. In recent years, numerous office buildings have been developed as an extension of the burgeoning business center in neighboring Fremont.
Like all Seattle neighborhoods, there are no official boundaries for Wallingford. Geographically speaking, the neighborhood is primarily defined by the sloping ridge that runs north from the edge of Lake Union to North 45th Street, with the ridge line approximately following Wallingford Avenue North. Generally the boundaries are considered as Aurora Avenue to the west, Interstate 5 to the east, Lake Union to the south, and North 50th Street to the north; however the western and northern boundaries are often debated. The Seattle City Clerk defines the area south of North 45th Street and west of Stone Way North as part of Fremont. A number of businesses in this southwestern section, particularly those south of North 40th Street, use the Fremont moniker in their names, such as the Fremont Collective at Stone Way North and North 35th Street and the Fremont Brewing Company at North 34th Street and Woodland Park Avenue North. The cultural center of the neighborhood is frequently considered the intersection of North 45th Street and Wallingford Avenue North. The QFC grocery store on the north side of this intersection has a large, neon "WALLINGFORD" sign made up in part from letters from the old "FOOD GIANT" sign, which adorned QFC's predecessor for decades. John Noble Wallingford Jr. (1833-1913) was a major local landowner and real estate speculator; at one time his holdings included most of what is now Wallingford and extended north as far as Green Lake. Public spaces include Gas Works Park,[6] Meridian Playground, Wallingford Center shopping mall, Wallingford branch of Seattle Public Library and Wallingford playfield. Gas Works Park on Lake Union borders the Burke-Gilman Trail and provides a panoramic extension into Lake Union, with a playground added in 2018 as part of the 2009 parks levy. Meridian Playground features a former Roman Catholic home for wayward girls called the Good Shepherd Center, now a shared community space run by Historic Seattle. Major tenants include Tilth Alliance, Meridian School, the Wallingford Community Senior Center, and the Chapel performance space, which features the Wayward Music Series. Wallingford Playfield borders Hamilton International Middle School and features views and a wading pool open in summer months.
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Wallingford is home to several community organizations. The Wallingford Neighborhood Office, located behind the CVS helps organize local events. The Wallingford Community Council meets the first Wednesday every month in the Good Shepherd Center and engages the community with government organizations. Sustainable Wallingford is a residents group dedicated to sustainable living. Tilth Alliance runs the public gardens and plant sales at the Good Shepherd Center. Solid Ground (formerly The Fremont Public Association) is colocated with the Wallingford Branch of the Seattle Public Library and runs a food bank and family support services. The Wallingford Boys and Girls club provides a safe, social space for kids and teens, while the Wallingford Community Senior Center provides a safe social space for older folks. Just south of North 45th Street on Interlake Avenue North is Lincoln High School. The school was closed in 1981, but was re-established as a comprehensive high school in the fall of 2019, after a comprehensive renovation in 2017-2019. The Wallingford-Meridian Streetcar Historic District was designated by the National Register of Historic Places on December 9, 2022, to recognize the neighborhood's streetcar suburb origins, similar to a handful of other neighborhoods in Seattle, and thus controversial when compared to thousands of other neighborhoods like it nationwide. The designation covers the area between Northeast 46th Street to the south, Interlake Avenue North to the west, North 50th Street to the north, and 5th Avenue Northeast to the east, which has 570 single-family homes and 66 multifamily buildings. While the neighborhood does not have official boundaries, the area roughly corresponds to the King County Census Tracts 50, 51, and 54. Census there were roughly 12,210 people living in the neighborhood. The racial makeup of the neighborhood was 84.3% White, 2.2% African American, 0.4% Native American, 7.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 4.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.6% of the population. According to the 2013 American Community Survey, 40% of neighborhood units are single family homes, with the other 60% made up of apartments, condos, and townhomes. Roughly 45.4% of units were owner-occupied, compared to 54.6% managed as rental properties. Wallingford is a relatively prosperous community. The median income for a household in 2013 was $76,909, compared to $67,479 for the city as a whole. The median home price for Wallingford was $522,366 compared to $421,000 for the city as a whole. Major annual events in the neighborhood include the Wallingford Parade as part of Seafair, the Wallingford Bratwurst Festival run by St. Benedict's Church and School, and the fourth of July fireworks show at Gas Works Park.
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