Seattle is more than just gray drizzle and coffee (although there is certainly no shortage of either). It is an incredible place to live. From the scenic mountains, lakes, and trees to the bustling city life, there is something for everyone. The city is comprised of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, bookstores, and gyms galore. Anyone from coffee-chugging, NPR-listening, book-loving techies to trail-mix-snacking, adventure-seeking outdoor enthusiasts can find something to do here in the crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest. As a Seattle real estate agent, I love showing off the beauty of Seattle and helping people find their perfect home.
Cost of Living
The city is essentially made up of charming little neighborhoods, each offering something unique and exciting. While the cost of living is a bit higher than the national average, approximately 24% higher, the earning potential is also higher. Buying a home in this great city is no small task, but if you can swing it, it will absolutely pay off in the long run.
Neighborhoods
To give you an idea of how many neighborhoods Seattle is comprised of, let me break it down for you. There’s Downtown, Belltown, Beacon Hill, Georgetown, Central District, Capitol Hill, Eastlake, Queen Anne, Ballard, Fremont, Wallingford, University District, Ravenna, Green Lake and the suburbs beyond. That doesn’t even begin to include the smaller subsections of each area. Seems overwhelming, right? Well, this is intended to serve as a mini guide to Seattle to help make your decision that much easier. Here’s a look at the most popular places to live here in Seattle.
Ballard
Ballard is an incredibly popular location to both rent and buy, especially with so much new development going in. Once a Scandinavian fishing village, it has grown to become a lively little city within a city. With a bustling historic center filled with bars, boutiques and everything in between, and quaint little streets surrounding it, Ballard is fairly self-contained. Plus, there are plenty of parks and beaches for the kids, or those just young at heart.
Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill has a mix of just about every single one of Seattle’s demographic, depending where you are on the hill. The North end has the high-income urban families, whereas the central area is filled with everything from corporate climbers to edgy hipsters and all that falls between. The hill is hip and constantly being developed, with new bars and restaurants going in what feels like daily. There is always fun to be had on Capitol Hill.
Queen Anne
Queen Anne is located on Seattle’s tallest hill and is technically divided into two distinct areas, Queen Anne and Lower Queen Anne. Lower Queen Anne is inhabited by the younger crowd, with its walkability and influx of apartments and condos to lease. Atop the hill in Queen Anne proper, you can find beautifully-preserved 19th century architecture and incredible sweeping views. With Kerry Park, famous for its iconic view of the Seattle skyline (as seen in the photo above) located right in the heart, Queen Anne is popular among both young families and those with children.
The Suburbs: Fremont, Wallingford, Green Lake & Ravenna
The Northern ‘burbs of Seattle consist mainly of Fremont, Wallingford, Green Lake, and Ravenna. While they all share the commonality of being suburban in nature, they each bring their own distinct slice of fun to the table. Fremont is the self-proclaimed “center of the Universe” and features a slightly quirky, alternative lifestyle. It is also home to many heavy-hitting tech companies, namely Google, Adobe Systems, and Tableau, so there are young, techy professionals living within it, as well. Wallingford is mainly filled with charming and quaint bungalows with families that have lived there for ages. It borders the water and iconic Gasworks Park, so there is plenty of activity happening in the neighborhood. Green Lake and Ravenna are similar in nature and inhabitants. Both are mainly filled with families and active individuals always looking to get out and walk the dog or run the nearby 2.8-mile loop around the lake. While you may not come to these neighborhoods for their nightlife, there are plenty of delicious little restaurants and fun neighborhood bars to stop into.
As you can see, Seattle is a unique place to call home. While living here may require slightly more money, the return on investment is well worth it. Between the cozy neighborhoods, outdoorsy lifestyle, and the equally abundant daytime and nightlife activities, moving to Seattle is the best move you can make.
