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The Best Neighborhoods In Seattle

By April 27, 2017No Comments

Seattle, Washington was recently named the sixth best city to live in for 2017 by the U.S. News and World Report. Seattle is vibrant and diverse. The city is home to fresh seafood, fine restaurants, smooth pinot noirs, and a bustling entertainment scene. It’s a great place to visit and an even better place to raise a family. When you move to Seattle, you’ll find plenty of safe, affordable, and comfortable neighborhoods.

​Finding the best neighborhoods in a large city like Seattle isn’t easy. You must consider several factors, including quality of life, cost of living, access to education, and crime rates. With all that in mind, here are some of most sought after areas of Seattle.

The Best Neighborhoods In Seattle​

Downtown & Waterfront

As in most cities, the downtown and waterfront are two of the most popular and expensive places to live. If you have the means to afford it, you can find more than a few condos and high rise apartments to purchase or rent. The views here are stunning and you’ll live next to some of the best restaurants and nightlife in the city.

Photo by @alberthbyang #seattle #amazing #photography #beautiful

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Pioneer Square

The oldest neighborhood in Seattle. Walk down Pioneer Square and you’ll find several sandstone and brick buildings from the late 19th century. This area is the site of the Smith Tower, which in 1914 held the honor of the tallest building west of the Mississippi River.

University District

You guessed it, this neighborhood earned its name due to the fact that it’s surrounded by the University of Washington. This area is young, energetic, and is a highly sought after area, especially among students, professors, and young professionals.

Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill’s streets are lined with 19th century mansions, decades old trees, and the iconic Broadway district. Broadway is the center of Seattle’s LBGTQ community. You’ll find plenty to do, including several live music venues, critically acclaimed art studios, and many exciting bars and restaurants.

Queen Anne

This area is just north of downtown and is the site of many of Seattle’s most well-known tourist attractions, including the Space Needle, Experience Music Project, Seattle Center, and the Pacific Science Center.

Ballard

If you’re looking to stay northwest of downtown, checkout Ballard. Ballard is the Pacific Northwest’s largest fishing harbor. In the winter, it serves as the home for many of the boats in the Alaskan Fishing Fleet. Generations ago, the area was founded by Scandinavian immigrants and it retains some of the old world charm.

Belltown

Located near the famous Pike Place Market and a short walk from many of Seattle’s most well-known bars and clubs, Belltown is a popular neighborhood to live, especially for the younger crowd.

Fremont

Fremont is where many artists, free thinkers, and university students and staff live. It’s a short 10 to 15 minute drive from downtown and is packed with creative, laid-back restaurants, cafes, art studios, coffee shops, and bars.

International District

The International District is just a few blocks east of Pioneer Square. There you’ll find food from around the world, including cuisine influenced by immigrants from China, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines, and many other places and cultures.

So Do

South Downtown is where the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks (CenturyLink Field) and MLB’s Seattle Mariners play their games (Safeco Field). As you can imagine, the neighborhood is crowded and fast-paced, especially on game days. In recent years, several apartment complexes and condos have been built in So Do. It’s a great place to live if you’re young, love sports, and if you want to be part of an active, exciting community.

Greenlake

Greenlake is a great option if you’re looking to live close to both nature and the city. Houses are scattered around the lake and residents can run on the paved sidewalks and trails. Here you’ll find old homes, historic architecture, dog friendly parks, and more than a few restaurants, pubs, and unique shops to visit.