Relocating to Seattle? One of the best places to live on the West Coast, the Emerald City offers singles and young professionals a rich Pacific Northwest culture. These are the five best neighborhoods for singles and young professionals in Seattle!
| Neighborhood | Ballard | Capitol Hill | Fremont | Lower Queen Anne | South Lake Union |
| Median Home Price | $717,026 | $712,089 | $757,769 | $652,042 | $572,767 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,860 | $1,796 | $1,883 | $1,778 | $2,063 |
| Safer than % of Seattle | 17% | 0% | 44% | 0% | 0% |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 2.9% | 2.0% | 3.3% | 3.8% |
| Median Age | 34 | 34.9 | 32.0 | 35.4 | 30.9 |
Ballard
Originally founded as a separate city, Ballard is now one of the largest Seattle neighborhoods! Housing ranges from traditional single-family homes and townhomes to Tudor-style homes and luxury apartments. The Ballard neighborhood in Seattle is packed with everything young adults want from big-city living—an eclectic mix of eateries, bars, boutiques, and entertainment. And while there are plenty of things to do in Ballard, Downtown Seattle isn’t too far away, making this Seattle neighborhood a great spot for anyone who wants to enjoy calm suburban life and still be just a short trip away from the bustling city center.
Things to Do in Ballard
Explore exhibits like Nordic Journeys, Ginny Ruffner, and Nina Katchadourian at the National Nordic Museum. Find fresh produce, drinks, and other local goods year-round when you support vendors at the Ballard Farmers Market. Stroll down the scenic coast or let your dog roam the leash-free area of Golden Gardens Park. Try some bayside restaurants, dock your boat, and go fishing at Shilshole Bay Marina. Start your day with locally-sourced coffee, a Matcha Latte, and a Pinwheel pastry at Mabel Coffee. Fill up on delicious Ballard seafood dishes that change daily like Grilled Sardines and Hama Hama Clams at The Walrus and the Carpenter. Enjoy Caribbean fare like the Caribbean Roast Sandwich, Seared Scallops, or Bien Salad at Un Bien. Or go out for a Seattle date night, enjoy live DJs, and cocktails like Daughters of the Dragon at Sabine Cafe & Bar.
Capitol Hill
Known for its strong LGBTQ community, Capitol Hill has a distinct, alternative vibe that makes it one of the best neighborhoods in Seattle for young professionals. This LGBTQ hot spot is home to bars, coffee shops, tattoo parlors, and several LGBTQ-owned businesses, such as Dough Joy. Residents also love the green spaces this neighborhood provides—including great Seattle parks like Volunteer Park, Cal Anderson Park, and Interlaken Park. Capitol Hill is also just outside of the Downtown Seattle area and has easy access to a Metro Station, making commuting for work and nightlife easy!
Things to Do in Capitol Hill
Stop by exhibits like Ai Weiwei: Water Lillies, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, and Anila Quayyum Agha: Geometry of Light at the Seattle Asian Art Museum. Catch live performances like Gold, Next Exit, and Rat Cage at the Annex Theatre—or check out events and shows like Black Nativity, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, and O-Jak Bridge Art & Dance Festival at the Broadway Performance Hall. Immerse yourself in the art of writing at Hugo House, stop by the art walk, or check out On The Block Seattle in the Capitol Hill Arts District. Enjoy stunning views of Lake Union, Downtown Seattle, and the Olympic Mountains while strolling through Streissguth Gardens. Start your day off with an Egg & Cheese, Avocado “Toast,” or Chorizo & Egg Bagel at Rubenstein Bagels. Feast on an Inferno Burrito, Stoner Nachos, or Bimbos Quesadilla at the famous Latin-inspired Cha Cha Lounge. Customize a delicious Poke Bowl with a variety of proteins, sauces, and toppings at Fob Poke Bar. Fill up on unique pizzas like the Mr. Pink, Hot Salami, and the White Pie at Dino’s Tomato Pie. Satisfy your hunger with fulfilling dessert pies like the Mud Pie, Apple Crumble, or Coconut Cream Pie while enjoying an Apple Pie Mule cocktail at the Pie Bar. Or sing your heart out with some karaoke and enjoy tiki drinks like a Sailor’s Mule, Riptide, or Volcano Bowl at Hula Hula.
Fremont
While Fremont is one of the best places to buy a home in Seattle, there is no shortage of modern Seattle apartment complexes to rent from, making this a great Seattle neighborhood for singles and young professionals! If you love an area with a strong community, Fremont is a vibrant neighborhood—home to major cultural events like the annual Fremont Solstice Parade. The neighborhood also features many public art installations like the famous Fremont Troll! Plus, the need for cars is low, thanks to Fremont being one of Seattle’s most walkable neighborhoods and has easy access to public transportation options like Sound Transit bus stops! If you want to live close to good shopping, fun outdoor recreation, and trendy restaurants, this neighborhood in Seattle has what you’re looking for.
Things to Do in Fremont
Spend the day shopping in local Seattle boutiques such as Pipe and Row and Blue Owl Workshop. Take pictures of the prehistoric-shaped hedges of the Fremont Dinosaurs, walk along the trail, or attend the annual Fremont Fair at Fremont Canal Park. Try to escape from themed rooms like The Vanishing Act and The Storykeeper, or participate in an outdoor puzzle hunt like The Mysteries of Noximillian at Locurio. Soak in the mountain views, enjoy the moon artwork, or go for a stroll in Fremont Peak Park—or go kite-flying, have a picnic with friends, or run along the Burke-Gilman Trail at Gas Works Park. Catch a show from a variety of national and local indie musicians, podcast hosts, and improv groups at Fremont Abbey Arts. Try dumplings in various flavors, including Greek, Razorback, and Mac & Cheese at Pel Meni Dumpling Tzar. Munch on French-inspired dishes like French Onion Soup, Le Coin Burger, or Trofie Pasta at Le Coin. Savor unique ales like the Sky Kraken or Dark Star at Fremont Brewing Company. Or enjoy craft cocktails like the Blackberry Sour, Bloody Mischief Mary, or Hibiscus Cardamom Mule in an indie setting at Mischief Distillery.
Lower Queen Anne
While Queen Anne as a whole is a popular Seattle neighborhood for families, the Lower Queen Anne area is a favorite with singles and young professionals looking for Contemporary apartments and condos near Uptown Seattle! Lower Queen Anne offers tons of local green space, great walkability, hip bars and restaurants, and close proximity to Downtown Seattle. In addition, Lower Queen Anne has great views of the Elliott Bay Marina where you can get some of the best views of the Seattle skyline. Perhaps best of all, residents are also right next to Seattle Center, which offers an abundance of live performance venues, museums, and dining options—it’s even home to the Space Needle, Seattle’s most recognizable landmark.
Things to Do in Lower Queen Anne
Catch Seattle fine arts performances like Fancy Dancer, The Outsiders, and The Heart Sellers at Seattle Repertory Theatre. See the Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, or comedy acts like Taylor Tomlinson at McCaw Hall. Learn more about film, music, and celebrities at the Museum of Pop Culture. Cheer on the Seattle Storm (WNBA) or the Seattle Kraken (NHL) at Climate Pledge Arena in the Seattle Center. Explore the galleries—featuring displays like Maccia Forest, Persian Ceiling, and Winter Brilliance—at the famous Chihuly Garden and Glass. Start your day off with Steak and Eggs, Beignets and Fruit, or Softly Scrambled Eggs at Toulouse Petit. Order local Seattle sushi rolls like the Las Vegas Roll, Fire Dragon Roll, and the Lollipop Roll at Moontree Sushi and Tapas. Enjoy Mexican plates like the Pollo Asado, Seafood Chimichanga, or Campechana at Plaza Garibaldi. Or sip on handcrafted cocktails like the Mosquito Bite, Midnight in Paris, and the Sitting Room Espresso Martini at The Sitting Room.
South Lake Union
South Lake Union is one of the best neighborhoods in Seattle for singles and young professionals looking to live in the heart of Seattle’s tech industry! The area is home to tech industry giants such as Meta, Google, and Amazon—with its unique Amazon Spheres campus building located just outside the neighborhood. This 170-acre neighborhood sits along the banks of Lake Union, making it a great spot for those who want to stay active amongst beautiful Seattle scenery. Housing options in South Lake Union include Post-Modern houses and Modern apartments that often attract singles and young professionals!
Things to Do in South Lake Union
Go kayaking, paddleboarding, or rent a cruise at Lake Union Park—or play an outdoor game with friends, enjoy a concert, or check out the holiday displays at Westlake Park. Learn about “Seattle’s long tradition of inventiveness and ingenuity” through exhibits like Mandela, True Northwest, and Pride: The Ric Weiland Collection at the Museum of History and Industry. Get educated about the craftsmanship of wooden boats, take one out onto the lake yourself, or explore the Kitten Boatbuilding Project at The Center for Wooden Boats. Pick up a Farmer’s Hash Bowl, Biscuits & Gravy, or Vegan Pancakes at Portage Bay Cafe. Enjoy Seattle-fresh seafood like Oysters, Fish and Chips, and Seafood Stew at The White Swan Public House. Grab Thai creations like Drunken Noodles, Jungle Chicken, or Panang Curry at Siam Thai Cuisine. Or dig into the Smoked King Salmon, Eye of Rib, and Classic Ribeye at The Butchers Table.
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The team at Extra Space Storage understands that moving to a new city can be stressful, which is why we’ve created our Best Places to Live selections to help make the process easier. We’ve done the research for you—considering factors like cost of living, job market, local attractions, and education—to provide a well-rounded and accurate view of each metro area. Check out our methodology page today to learn more about how we select the best places to live.
Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
