Are you moving to Seattle with your family? The Emerald City is one of the best places to live on the West Coast! With a variety of family-friendly activities, great schools, and affordable neighborhoods, the city of Seattle is a great place to settle down. If you’re looking to live in Seattle with your family, here are the five best neighborhoods in Seattle to call home!
Laurelhurst
Photo via @eparker.photo
- Home Price: $1,053,600 median purchase price; $1,281 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 90% of Seattle neighborhoods
Laurelhurst is a great neighborhood in Seattle for families looking to live in a classic Tudor-style house or newly-built Modern home with views of Lake Washington. Best-known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, Laurelhurst is bordered to the west by Union Bay Natural Area and to the north by WA-513, which provides access to the Burke-Gilman Trail. Not only does Laurelhurst offer plenty of family-friendly activities, but top-rated public and private schools, too, like Roosevelt High School, Eckstein Middle School, and Villa Academy. Families with older children appreciate being so close to University of Washington (UW), which also provides employment opportunities for the area. Those looking for nearby jobs in Seattle can find even more career opportunities with the Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Things to Do in Laurelhurst
Brush up on your backhand with the family at the Laurelhurst Playfield pickleball and tennis courts! Sign up for sailing lessons, learn how to swim, or go kayaking when you become a member at Laurelhurst Beach Club. Spend the day at the Center for Urban Horticulture and the UW Botanic Gardens, where you can attend Story Time with the little ones, walk through 16 acres of gardens, or go bird-watching at the Union Bay Natural Area. Explore the natural properties of the Union Bay Boglands or enjoy amazing views of Union Bay while boating at Belvoir Place. Head to Varlamos Pizzeria for Laurelhurst Special Pizza or Create Your Own Pasta. Try an organic Cheeseburger and Crinkle-Cut Fries while sipping on a Chocolate Malt at Great State Burger. Enjoy the Taco Salad, Beer Battered Fish & Chips, or Grilled Portabello Dip Sandwich at Sand Point Grill. Visit Marlai Thai Cuisine for Beef with Broccoli, Lemongrass Chicken, or Pad Thai with Prawns.
Madrona
Photo via @ewingandclark
- Home Price: $638,550 median housing price; $1,595 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 76% of Seattle neighborhoods
Looking for the best family-friendly neighborhoods in Seattle? Check out affordable Seattle neighborhood, Madrona! Seattle families living in Madrona benefit from safe streets with a variety of housing options, from Tudor to Victorian. Madrona is also home to top-rated public and private schools in Seattle, like St. Therese Catholic Academy, Epiphany Early Learning Preschool, and Madrona Elementary School. But don’t let the size of this small Seattle neighborhood fool you, as there are plenty of other amenities within the area. This small, centrally-located Seattle neighborhood is right on the shores of Lake Washington, providing gorgeous views and plenty of water-filled fun. And since it’s just east of Downtown Seattle, Madrona provides residents with even more things to do and places to work—not to mention, the two-block business district along 34th Ave is full of locally-owned businesses and restaurants!
Things to Do in Madrona
Sign up for calligraphy lessons, pick up cards, or custom-make an invite at Blue Eye Brown Eye. Let the little ones burn some energy at Madrona Playground. Picnic with the family, go swimming at Madrona Beach, or catch some fish at Madrona Park. Stroll through the woods or down to the small beach at Howell Park, located on the shores of Lake Washington. Sign the kids up for dance lessons, take a fitness class, or attend a show at Spectrum Dance Theater. Make your way to Hi Spot Cafe for Hot Oatmeal, Bengal Benedict, or Green Eggs N’ Ham. Satisfy your hunger with classic favorites like The Ruben, Corned Beef & Cabbage, or Pepperoni Pizza at Madrona Arms. Enjoy classic French fare with a Charcuterie Board, Steak Frites, and Beef Tartare at Red Cow. Or try traditional Ethiopian dishes like Lamb Tibs, Kitfo Sandwich, or Gomen Besiga at Agelgil Ethiopian Restaurant.
Magnolia
Photo via @urbanjenni
- Home Price: $645,029 median purchase price; $1,095 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 87% of Seattle neighborhoods
Want to escape from bustling city life without moving to the suburbs? Consider moving to the Magnolia neighborhood in Seattle! Located northwest of Central Seattle, Magnolia offers Seattle residents a secluded, small-town vibe perfect for raising a family. With unbeatable skyline views of Downtown Seattle, Puget Sound Island, Olympic Mountains, and Mount Rainier, this safe Seattle neighborhood offers expansive, single-family homes and newly-renovated townhomes, along with other affordable housing options. Plus, Magnolia offers families a variety of options for schools, including Catharine Blaine K-8 School, Magnolia Elementary School, and Discovery Montessori School.
Things to Do in Magnolia
Visit the largest park in Seattle for jaw-dropping views of the Cascade Range and Olympic Mountains at Discovery Park—and make sure to visit the nearby West Point Lighthouse! Glaze bisqueware, play a pickup game of basketball, or attend one of the four seasonal events at the Magnolia Community Center. Zoom down the waterslides or sign the kids up for swim lessons at Mounger Pool. Pick up a bestseller, find a craft book, get a new journal, or attend a book signing event at Magnolia’s Bookstore. Savor Peruvian-inspired dishes like Burger de Lomo, Sopa Criolla, or Chaufa de Chicharron, paired with a bottle of wine at Pink Salt. Try Lebanese and Mediterranean favorites like Baba Ghanoush, Tabouli Salata, and Beef Kafta Arous at Damoori Kitchen. Savor Mexican favorites like Chicken Nachos, Pork Carnitas, or a Fajita Burrito at El Ranchon. Or treat yourself to Pistachio Macarons, a scoop of Stracciatella in a dipped cone, or Sea Salt Carmel Milkshake at Nutty Squirrel Gelato.
Queen Anne
Photo via @halliday.laura
- Home Price: $635,135 median purchase price; $1,494 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 77% of Seattle neighborhoods
Located north of Seattle’s City Center, families will fall in love with the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle! Named after the Queen Anne architecture that characterizes the neighborhood, this area offers housing options like single-family homes and townhouses with lush yards on hilly streets. Seattle families living here will appreciate being close to quality public and private schools in Washington, like John Hay Elementary, McClure Middle School, and St. Anne School, as well as Seattle Pacific University. The neighborhood also offers plenty of family-friendly things to do in Seattle, including viewing stunning skyline views from the Space Needle, exploring global attractions like the Chihuly Garden and Glass, and playing at an abundance of parks like David Rodgers Park, SW Queen Anne Greenbelt, and Kerry Park.
Things to Do in Queen Anne
Check out the latest bestseller, sign the kids up for a Summer of Learning, or attend literary events at the Queen Anne Branch of the Seattle Public Library. Marvel at a Planetarium show, check out the Tropical Butterfly House, or see the current science exhibits at the Pacific Science Center. Watch the kids create art in the Imagination Studio or put on their own production at the Bijou Theatre at Seattle Children’s Museum. See props from popular films like The Wizard of Oz, The Princess Bride, and the Harry Potter series, learn about iconic moments in pop culture, and more at the Museum of Pop Culture. Start your morning off with a Cappuccino and House Omelette or Huevos Rancheros at Queen Anne Cafe. Try different burgers like The Little Sammy Slider and Queen Animal Burger paired with an order of Carmel Corn Brussel Sprouts at Big Max Burger Co. Order Italian favorites such as Bruschetta, Chicken Fettuccine, or Eggplant Parmesan at Domani. Or satisfy your sweet tooth with a scoop of the Honey Lavender, Strawberry, or Melted Chocolate ice cream in a waffle cone at Molly Moon’s.
West Seattle
Photo via @ccnissenre
- Home Price: $505,822 median purchase price; $1,119 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 62% of Seattle neighborhoods
One of the best neighborhoods to buy a home in Seattle, West Seattle offers families a variety of affordable housing options ranging from beach-style condos and townhomes to cozy cottages and bungalows—many of which also offer spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains and The Cascades! Families living in West Seattle stay busy throughout the year with a wide variety of community events, like the West Seattle Summer Fest, West Seattle Farmers Market, and West Seattle Grand Parade. Even more family fun can be found at nearby recreational areas like Schmitz Preserve Park or Me-Kwa-Mooks Park! Of course, West Seattle offers residents more perks, including highly-rated West Seattle High School, Madison Middle School, Fairmount Park Elementary School, and more. As such an affordable Seattle neighborhood bursting with family-friendly activities, West Seattle is one of the best neighborhoods to live for families in Seattle.
Things to Do in West Seattle
Kayak, have a picnic, play a game of volleyball, or go rollerblading at Alki Beach Park. Join a bowling league or host your kid’s birthday at West Seattle Bowl. Admire the urban and natural beauty of Seattle and Elliot Bay at Hamilton Viewpoint Park. Enjoy views of Puget Sound and the Cascades while touring the functioning Alki Point Lighthouse. Sip a Latte while looking for new records at Easy Street Records & Cafe. Indulge in Hawaiian cuisine, including Fried Chicken Drumsticks, Mac & Kimcheese, and a Kalua Pork Plate, at Ma’ono. Enjoy classic Greek favorites such as Tzatziki, Moussaka, and the 8oz Lamb Burger at Ephesus Greek Restaurant and Ouzeri. Head to Lady Jaye for a bowl of Smoked Tofu Chili, Prime Bulgogi Short Rib Melt, or Cornmeal-Old Bay Crusted Fried White Prawns. Or grab a slice of Roasted Butternut Squash Pizza or Tarantino Pizza at Talarico’s Pizzeria.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
