The American Planning Association has named the Fremont neighborhood in Seattle as one of the 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2014, and Rainier Vista has earned the designation as one of 10 Great Public Spaces for 2014. APA says its Great Neighborhoods and Great Public Spaces feature “unique and authentic characteristics” that have evolved from years of "thoughtful and deliberate planning by residents, community leaders, and planners." Otherwise known as the “Center of the Universe,” and a hub of local entrepreneurs, there’s no doubt that Fremont’s got a few unique and authentic characteristics, such as the annual Solstice Parade.

Another distinction for Seattle: Redfin and Foursquare say Seattle is the No. 1 city in the nation coffee snobs. The companies based their finding on who has the most indie coffee shops per capita, according to Foursquare data. (Indie is fewer than 10 retail locations.) Portland was second, then Boulder, Colo., San Francisco, and Denver rounding out the top five.