19 Apr Seattle Core | Neighborhood Guide
Seattle-Core Neighborhood Guide
Our goals, our personalities, how we like to spend our time —these all define where we want to live. If you are searching for a home in an urban area, you might prefer walking to driving. You probably like exploring new restaurants, boutiques, or galleries. Public transportation is important to you or maybe you want to shorten your commute. Then living in or around downtown Seattle is for you. But with so many unique neighborhoods in this core area of Seattle, how do you choose where to live? Let’s talk about some of your options:
Eastlake- Waterfront, Commuter-friendly
Eastlake’s major draw is its location on the eastern shore of Lake Union. Residents love the many water activities and beautiful scenery. Housing is an interesting mix of houseboats, turn-of-the century homes, and modern apartments and condos. Eastlake is a great area for those commuting to the University of Washington or other areas of Seattle.
Queen Anne – Historic, Hilly, Quiet
Queen Anne is divided into two areas, Lower and Upper. The Lower is a busy area, filled with popular visitor attractions like the Space Needle and Seattle Center. Upper Queen Anne is a mostly residential area, filled with historic homes. Queen Anne is built on a large hill and this elevation makes it less walkable than other neighborhoods. However, this hill provides incredible views of the Seattle skyline, especially from the popular Kerry Park. Queen Anne is ideal for people who want to live near, but not in, the bustle of Downtown. $1,100,000 (All residential).
Capitol Hill- Vibrant, Eclectic, Walkable
Capitol Hill is a densely populated neighborhood east of Downtown. Its population is diverse and so is its real estate a mix of houses, condos, and apartments. Capitol Hill is known for its vibrant dining, nightlife, and music scene. Residents here love how easy it is to walk to what they need or hop on public transportation to other neighborhoods. Between Capitol Hill and Downtown is First Hill. Housing in First Hill is a mix of single and multi-family homes and can be more affordable than in neighboring areas.
Downtown –Culturally Diverse, Historic
Downtown encompasses the retail core and neighborhoods like Belltown, Chinatown-International District, and Pioneer Square.
Belltown draws crowds of visitors to sites like Pike’s Place Market and The Olympic Sculpture Park. Residents don’t need to own a car and can easily visit the many nightclubs, bars, and music venues on foot. While the public schools here are highly rated, single-family homes are rare and apartments and condos can be expensive.
The Chinatown-International District is a culturally rich area that can be divided into Chinatown, Japantown, and Little Saigon. This densely populated, urban area is popular with young professionals and condos are more common than single-family homes. Residents choose the C-ID for its culture, authentic dining options, and walkability.
Pioneer Square was established in 1852 and is the historic heart of Downtown. It’s easy to walk or bike to parks, shopping, nightlife, and galleries. Visitors are drawn to the area’s historic tours and beautiful architecture. Pioneer Park is very accessible —near I-5 and I-90 and a direct light rail route to Sea-Tac Airport.
The best way to settle on a Seattle- Core neighborhood is to get out there. Really experience the neighborhoods, walk the streets, check out restaurants, and test the commute. If you are still struggling to pinpoint which area of Seattle is right for you, give me a call. I would love to explore the options with you.