Moving to Seattle? Washington State’s largest city is one of the best on the West Coast! With a steady job market and some of the best outdoor recreation in the country, The Emerald City is also a top choice for young professionals. Check out our list of the five best affordable, safe neighborhoods in Seattle!
Arbor Heights
Photo via @susansanders_
- Home Price: $459,550 median purchase price; $1,596 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 92% of Seattle neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Rainier and convenient beach access to the Salish Sea, all while living in one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Seattle. Arbor Heights is a five-minute drive from the 98th St End beach and Seola Greenbelt, and a 25-minute commute to Downtown Seattle via WA-509. This quiet, West Seattle neighborhood is also minutes from the Puget Sound shoreline and borders the Fauntleroy and Roxhill neighborhoods. You’ll be able to find a variety of home styles to fit your taste, from Mid-Century Modern and Bungalow to American Foursquare. Seattle families will appreciate the neighborhood’s calm, residential feel and top-notch schools like Arbor Heights Elementary School, Westside School, and Little Trailblazers Early Learning Center.
Things to Do in Arbor Heights
Make a splash at a private seasonal pool and court or join the Water Polo or Synchro teams at Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club. Experience some of the best hiking in Seattle at Seola Park, with a great ravine of deciduous trees that overlook Puget Sound. Take home hand-sewn quilts and bags, or learn to make them yourself at Sew Katie Did‘s studio. Make a night of bowling, arcade games, and cards at Roxbury Lanes. Chow down on Huevos Rancheros for breakfast or Tamales for lunch at the West Seattle food truck, El Camion. Grab a quick lunch like a Roast Beef & Havarti or Day Tripper Sandwich, Steak Salad, or Hummus Plate from Wildwood Market and Eatery. Play board games with your friends while enjoying treats and drinks like a Chicken Basil Sandwich, Ham & Parmesan Pastry, and a Macchiato at the Missing Piece Cafe & Game Lounge. Or try dishes from all over the Americas at Endolyne Joe’s, like Pan Seared Market Fish, Three Cheese Ravioli, and Honey Spanked Fried Chicken.
Blue Ridge
Photo via @sylviaolsby_realtor
- Home Price: $549,625 median purchase price; $1,274 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 97% of Seattle neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, and retirees
Bordered by parks and shorelines, secluded Blue Ridge is one of the best places to live in Seattle for families. Developed in 1925 by William E. Boeing, Blue Ridge remains a tight-knit community with shared access to private parks, tennis courts, a pool, and clubhouse. Explore the hilly west end for panoramic views of the Puget Sound, intricately designed landscapes, and homes ranging from modest bungalows to modern estates. You’ll find smaller Cape Cod and American Foursquare-style properties on the east end of Blue Ridge, plus convenient access to grocery stores, shops, and restaurants. Though Blue Ridge keeps residents busy, more job opportunities and entertainment are just a 20-minute drive to Downtown Seattle via Hwy 99—making this safe Seattle neighborhood a great choice for working professionals.
Things to Do in Blue Ridge
Visit Carkeek Park—one of the best Seattle parks—for a salmon-themed playground surrounded by an idyllic nature preserve, which includes wetlands, forests, and Carkeek Park Beach. Take a dip in the Blue Ridge community pool or get a membership for the neighborhood’s youth and adult tennis programs. Get an up-close look at turtles, tide pools, and wetlands at Golden Gardens Park. Meet your neighbors and use your green thumb at the Ballard P-Patch Community Gardens. Grab a latte, gelato, and a rotation of fresh bakery items from the tropical conservatory cafe while you shop garden plants at Swanson Nursery. Fill up on Vegan Ceviche de Nopal, Street Elote on the Cob, or a Pizza Birria at nearby Tacos & Beer. Order a Devil’s Daisy cocktail at happy hour while enjoying a slice of gourmet pizza like Death By Stereo or WarChild at Sunny Hill. Or sample from a feast of Lebanese dishes in nearby Loyal Heights, like fresh hummus, lamb with pine nuts, and more at Cafe Munir.
Bryant
Photo via @gethappyathome
- Home Price: $567,125 median purchase price; $1,378 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 79% of Seattle neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
Bryant is one of the best Seattle neighborhoods for those looking to settle in a quaint, quiet area with easy access to downtown. Nestled in Northeast Seattle and near Union Bay Natural Area—the second-largest natural system left on Lake Washington—people of all ages appreciate the Seattle parks, trails, and playgrounds in Bryant, like Bryant Neighborhood Playground. Bryant is filled with sprawling estates, as well as more affordable bungalows and Craftsman-style homes near schools like Bryant Elementary School and Roosevelt High School. Young professionals who work at the Seattle Children’s Hospital or attend University of Washington benefit from a short commute, making it one of the best neighborhoods in Seattle for commuters, too!
Things to Do in Bryant
Check out one-of-a-kind rings and forever bracelets at TWIST. Stroll around for great Seattle restaurants and well-known brands like The North Face and Anthropologie University Village. Cheer on the University of Washington Huskies football team at Husky Stadium and the basketball team at the Alaska Airlines Arena just a few minutes’ drive from Bryant. Sharpen your culinary skills in all-age classes that teach you to make foods like tortellini, macaroons, donuts, and more at FrogLegs Cooking School. Get breakfast for dinner with dishes like Swedish Pancakes and the Smoked Salmon Scramble at the Bryant Corner Cafe & Bakery. Share wood-fired pizzas like Spring Lamb or Clam Bake at Mioposto Pizzeria. Chow down on the Baconmaster or Burgermelt at Burgermaster. Finish the night out with an ever-rotating tap list at award-winning Seattle brewery, Burke-Gilman Brewing Company.
North Admiral
Photo via @kseniavasenev
If you’re looking for the best neighborhoods in Seattle for families, North Admiral is worth considering! West Seattle’s oldest neighborhood is filled with an array of Tudor, Craftsman, and Colonial-style houses that fit various budgets and family sizes. The area is comparable to other popular Seattle neighborhoods for families—like Eastlake and Queen Anne—but North Admiral’s quieter atmosphere and amazing outdoor recreation opportunities set it apart. And with the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s events like Adopt-a-Street Clean Ups, the Admiral 4th of July Kids Parade, free Summer Concerts at Hiawatha Park, and more, the community atmosphere is amazing. This family-friendly and affordable Seattle neighborhood also features outstanding schools, including West Seattle High School, Madison Middle School, and Lafayette Elementary, helping make North Admiral one of the safest areas in Seattle.
Things to Do in North Admiral
Run, walk, or hike around 53.1 acres of forest growth at Schmitz Preserve Park, or head to Alki Beach Park, which overlooks Elliott Bay and offers some of the best views in Seattle. Enjoy other Seattle outdoor activities like taking a waterfront tour of the city via the Seacrest Ferry or watching scuba divers explore the shore at Seacrest Park. Catch a movie with the family or with friends down at the Historic Admiral Theatre. Get competitive over board games for all ages at Meeples Games. Head to Bebop Waffle Shop for unique breakfast items like the Rainbow Madness Waffles and the Cocopuff Mocha. Try a Lemon Ricotta Gnocchi or a New York Style Pastrami on Rye from Circa Neighborhood Grill & Alehouse. Grab fresh cuts of meat from the local butcher or stop in for lunch at The Swinery. Or travel down under to find dishes with an Australian twist, like a Smoked Trout Salad or The Eye Opener Sammie at Arthur’s.
Wedgwood
Photo via @dominaterealestate
- Home Price: $543,192 median purchase price; $1,501 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 86% of Seattle neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Bordered by WA-522 and offering quick access to downtown via I-5, Wedgwood is the perfect Seattle neighborhood for those commuting to top Seattle employers like Amazon and Starbucks—and those who want to enjoy Downtown Seattle’s nightlife or outdoor rec opportunities like the Pontiac Bay and Matthews Beach Park. The area also offers a wide range of affordable single-family homes and bungalows in styles like Craftsman and American Foursquare, as well as large yards and safe streets. Parents can send their kids to some of the best schools in Seattle, like Wedgwood Elementary, Thornton Creek Elementary, and Decatur Elementary for K-6, and University Prep for grades 6-12.
Things to Do in Wedgwood
Check out new works from local Seattle artists, enjoy live music, food trucks, face-painting, and more family-friendly activities at the annual Wedgwood Art Festival. Let the kiddos burn energy on the playground, or cool off in the summer at Dahl Playfield & Wading Pool. Join in on regular community events like morning and evening book clubs, mid-week trivia nights, open mic nights, and more! Challenge your friends to billiards or shuffleboard while sampling one of the 18 rotating drafts on tap at Wedgwood Ale House & Cafe. Wake up with locally-roasted coffee and a savory breakfast sandwich at Cafe Javasti. Pick up fresh muffins, cinnamon rolls, and croissants at Grateful Bread. Stop in for unique pizzas like the Naughty Nina or The Stradivarius at Fiddler’s Inn. Or enjoy a delicious dinner of Pineapple Curry or Thai BBQ Chicken at Thai of Wedgwood.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
