Buying a house in Seattle? The Emerald City offers Olympic Mountain views, a booming tech industry, and is one of the best places to live on the West Coast—as well as one of the best big cities to live in the U.S. Check out these five best Seattle neighborhoods to buy a home!
Ballard
Photo via @lakerealestate
- Home Price: $522,193 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 18% of Seattle neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
Located along Puget Sound, Salmon Bay, and Shilshole Bay Marina, Ballard offers prime Seattle real estate—from charming bungalows and quaint cottages, to newly-constructed condos and townhomes. This Seattle neighborhood is also one of the best places for singles and young professionals, thanks to its affordable housing, outdoor recreation, and variety of trendy restaurants. In addition, the Ballard Alliance—the neighborhood improvement association—holds a variety of neighborhood-wide events like the Ballard Wine Walk, Ballard Artwalk, and Ballard SeafoodFest. While the tight-knit community does attract families, Ballard offers growing families great area schools like Adams Elementary School and Ballard High School.
Things to Do in Ballard
Stock your pantry with local produce, bread, spices, and more from Ballard Farmers Market. Visit the beach, explore the local wetlands, and view the Olympic Mountains from stunning vantage points at Golden Gardens Park. Learn more about the region’s unique Scandinavian history at the National Nordic Museum. Gather your friends and family and grab dinner and drinks while playing board games at Mox Boarding House. Enjoy live folk and country music performances from artists such as Jack Van Cleaf, Mike Ryan, and Dean Johnson at Tractor Tavern. Start your morning with traditional Danish pastries like the Smorkage, Kringle, or Raspberry Spandau at Larsen’s Bakery. Order Detroit-style square pies like the Arcade, War Child, and Lord General at Sunny Hill. Transport your tastebuds to the Caribbean with a Smokin’ Thighs Dinner, Palomilla Steak Caribbean Sandwich, and Fire-Roasted Corn on the side from Un Bien. Or sip on a San Juan Seltzer and Pink Lemonade Frosé while you socialize with both humans and pups at the Dog Yard.
Fremont
Photo via @heidiwardrealestatebroker
- Home Price: $533,092 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 42% of Seattle neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals
Fremont is a perfect neighborhood for young adults wanting spacious condos, Craftsman bungalows, and ultra-modern houses in Seatown. There is also no shortage of fun in this Seattle neighborhood, with plenty of eclectic restaurants, great live music, unique bars, and lively shops to visit. Young professionals living in Fremont can explore endless job opportunities due to its close proximity to Downtown Seattle, with big tech companies in the area like Google and Adobe. On top of that, Fremont residents can take advantage of a wide range of local events, including Fremont Oktoberfest and Fremont Solstice Parade, where they can get to know their neighbors and support the community!
Things to Do in Fremont
Shop for vintage goods and handmade crafts while grabbing a bite to eat from one of the food trucks at the Fremont Sunday Market. See animals in habitats like the African Savanna or explore the Woodland Park Rose Garden and interactive Zoomazium at the Woodland Park Zoo. Book a chocolate factory experience tour, take a chocolate class, and pick up some sweet treats at Theo Chocolate. Grab drinks with friends and play vintage arcade games and pinball machines at Add-a-Ball. Attend a live music performance from one of the area’s many local bands and artists at popular venues like High Dive and Nectar Lounge. Try authentic Turkish fare like the Yam Hummus, Beyti Kebab, and Grilled Chicken Pide at Cafe Turko. Craving Mexican food in Seattle? Order the Agave Shrimp and Elote Tacos or a Tequila Lime Chicken Taco and wash it down with a Mango Habanero Margarita at Red Star Taco Bar. Dig into a Classic Rueben Sandwich and a bowl of Matzoh Ball Soup at Roxy’s Diner before grabbing drinks like Kelly’s Nightingale or a Gochujang Margarita at the accompanying speakeasy, The Backdoor.
Queen Anne
Photo via @queenannerealestate
- Home Price: $635,135 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 77% of Seattle neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Located just minutes from downtown, Queen Anne is one of the best places to live in Seattle. If you’re looking for a place that combines the best of Seattle’s hip districts with family-friendly areas, this is the perfect Seattle neighborhood for you! Home to local attractions like the Space Needle, Seattle Center, and stunning skyline views from Kerry Park, you can always find something to do here. Not to mention, this beautiful, tree-lined neighborhood in Seattle offers a little bit of everything—from trendy restaurants and watering holes, to parks and playgrounds. In Upper Queen Anne, those looking to pursue higher education can enroll at Seattle Pacific University.
Things to Do in Queen Anne
Marvel at Kurt Cobain’s Fender Stratocaster in the Nirvana Museum Exhibit: Taking Punk to the Masses, play indie games in the interactive Indie Game Revolution exhibit, or take a photo with Michael Myers in Scared to Death: The Thrill of Horror Film at the Museum of Pop Culture. Attend a Seattle Opera or Pacific Northwest Ballet performance at McCaw Hall. Snap a picture of the best views in Seattle, stand on the revolving glass floor, or sip cocktails in the Loupe Lounge at the top of the Space Needle. Attend one of the many Seattle festivals like Bite of Seattle, Northwest Folklife, and Seattle Pridefest in the Seattle Center complex. Order the Uptown Slam, Custard French Toast, and Chicken Fried Steak at Mecca Cafe. Sink your teeth into The Little Sammy Slider, Queen Animal, and Hot Mama Hen at Big Max Burger Co. Experience fine dining and enjoy a multi-course tasting menu from executive chef Aisha Ibrahim at Canlis. Or try delicious flavors of ice cream in Seattle like the “Scout” Mint, Mocha Chip, and Honey Lavender from Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream.
Ravenna
Photo via @d3architects
- Home Price: $591,627 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 85% of Seattle neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Ravenna offers a quiet urban-suburban feel that’s perfect for residents of all ages. Not only is it one of the safest neighborhoods in Seattle, but it’s also highly walkable and filled with hip coffee shops, cherry blossom trees, Seattle community gardens, and a vast amount of green spaces nearby. When you move to this Northeast Seattle neighborhood, you’ll be able to choose from plenty of stunning Tudor and Craftsman homes, as well as new-construction condos and single-family homes. Families will also appreciate Ravenna’s top-rated Seattle schools like Eckstein Middle School and Roosevelt High School. And for those wanting to continue their education or work in academia, Ravenna is only minutes away from the University of Washington!
Things to Do in Ravenna
Have a picnic under the cherry blossom trees, explore the walking trails near the ravine, or let your kids play in the wading pool at Ravenna Park. Join a book club, meet your favorite authors, or browse endless shelves of new and used books at Third Place Books. Purchase a new tea set or celebrate your birthday with a Formal Afternoon Tea experience at Queen Mary Tea Room. Catch all the big Premier League matches, and watch every Seattle Sounders (MLS) and Seattle Seahawks (NFL) away game with your crew at The Atlantic Crossing Pub. Start your morning with a Panela Latte, Matcha Latte, or Milo Hot Chocolate from Santo Coffee Co. Enjoy weekend brunch with the Mole Verde Burrito, Bananas Foster French Toast, and Dungeness Crab Cake Benedict at Portage Bay Cafe. Savor authentic Italian dishes like Gnocchi Aurora, Eggplant Parmiggian, and Penne Puttanesca at Zouave. Or wind down by choosing from over 120 whiskeys at popular Seattle sports bar The Westy.
West Seattle
Photo via @dblh206
- Home Price: $505,822 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 62% of Seattle neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
With its beach town atmosphere and affordable housing costs, West Seattle is one of the best places in Seattle for families. Residents love that they have peace and quiet in this southwest Seattle neighborhood while still being surrounded by plenty of fun things to do—including shopping spots, amazing restaurants near Seattle’s waterfront, quaint coffee shops, and fun bars. Homebuyers moving to Seattle can take their pick of beach-style condos and townhomes, picturesque cottages and bungalows, and newly-constructed sustainable houses. Have a four-legged companion coming along with you? Seattle is one of the best U.S. cities for dogs—and this neighborhood offers several green spaces like Schmitz Preserve Park, Lincoln Park, and Puget Park in West Seattle, and close proximity to dog-friendly restaurants!
Things to Do in West Seattle
Splash in the waves or stroll through the sand at Alki Beach Park. Fully experience Seattle’s vibrant art scene by perusing the special galleries and listening to live music at West Seattle Art Walk. Watch screenings of new and old movies at the Historic Admiral Theater. Practice your golf swing and play 18 holes at West Seattle Golf Course. Pick up a freshly-baked Baguette and sweet desserts like the Chocolate Mocha Cheesecake or German’s Chocolate Cake at Bakery Nouveau. Order Old Country Italian pasta dishes like the Manicotti, Linguine Scampi al vino, and Bucatini con Pollo at La Rustica. Sip on a pint of Bitburger Pils while enjoying German food like a Bavarian Bretzel and Curry Wurst at Prost! Or find the hidden entrance to local speakeasy The Alley so you can order craft cocktails along with a side of Truffle Fries, Egg Rolls, or Fried Dumplings.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
