Seattle is a place known for its wondrous attractions. From Pike Place Market to the Space Needle and Amazon’s glass spheres, Seattle’s best neighborhoods have something for everyone.
If you’re ready to move to the Pacific Northwest, you’ll be able to find the perfect neighborhood for you. Here are our picks for the best places to live in Seattle.
Ballard
Ballard is one of those areas currently going through a major evolution. What used to be the neighborhood where people grew old is slowly but surely transforming into a pocket of the city for college kids and young adults.
Even so, Ballard isn’t just for 20-somethings and millennials. The area is suitable for anyone who loves living somewhere with a neighborly feel. It’s one of those places where you always feel secure, even when it’s pitch black outside at two in the morning.
Whether it’s a cool fall night or a warm summer afternoon, people are always out and about in Ballard. Additionally, the Seattle Freeze isn’t as prominent in the neighborhood, so you can expect to experience small-town characteristics, like being friends with the local grocery store clerks.
Belltown
If you were to rank all of the neighborhoods in Seattle based on their walkability alone, Belltown would win first place. The area is the epitome of why many Seattle residents do not own cars.
There are so many cool sights to see in Belltown, like the Olympic Sculpture Park that rests along the waterfront. The neighborhood’s impressive music scene attracts musicians and singers alike. Belltown has a variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars, as well as a thriving arts and culture scene.
The neighborhood is home to several theaters, galleries and museums, including the Seattle Art Museum and the Pacific Science Center. Belltown is also situated along the waterfront, offering stunning views of Elliott Bay and easy access to the Seattle waterfront attractions.
Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is the definition of Seattle. The neighborhood exudes sophistication while also expressing a particular wild side that you have to experience firsthand to understand. Capitol Hill offers a wide range of rental options, from apartments and condos to historic homes and modern lofts, catering to a variety of lifestyles and budgets. The neighborhood is known for its trendy restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as its vibrant arts and music scene, making it a hub of cultural activity in Seattle.
Capitol Hill also offers easy access to public transportation, with multiple bus routes and light rail stations located within the neighborhood, making it a convenient location for those who need to commute to other parts of the city. From craft coffee and brunch in the morning to incredible cocktails and food options galore in the evening, there’s never a dull moment in Capitol Hill.
Fremont
Fremont is often referred to as the Center of the Universe, and it’s not just because there’s always something going on here. The neighborhood is quite literally in the center of the city. Fremont has a variety of restaurants, cafes and bars, as well as a weekly farmers market during the summer months. The neighborhood is also home to several parks and green spaces, including Gas Works Park, which offers stunning views of the Seattle skyline and is a popular spot for picnicking and outdoor recreation.
Fremont is an eccentric place known for its very out-there celebrations and traditions. From the Fremont Troll that sits under the bridge to a nude bicycle parade that happens every year, it’s impossible to be bored here.
Leschi
Leschi is one of Seattle’s hidden gems, named after Chief Leschi of the Nisqually tribe. The neighborhood sits alongside Lake Washington and, therefore, attracts many boaters. Leschi also has a number of parks and green spaces, including Leschi Park, which features a beach, tennis courts and a playground.
You might have a hard time not feeling as though you’re always on vacation when living in Leschi. The view of the water is hard to pass up, so prepare to find yourself wanting to move here immediately.
Maple Leaf
Source: Rent. / Thornton Place
Set in the northern part of the city, Maple Leaf offers an urban feel suitable for families. When moving to the city with children, it makes sense to look into the school system in Seattle, and Maple Leaf offers excellent options. All of the schools are highly rated.
Maple Leaf is also home to a variety of shops, restaurants, coffee shops and cafes, located primarily along Roosevelt Way NE and Lake City Way NE. Overall, Maple Leaf is a quiet and family-friendly neighborhood that offers easy access to both the city center and the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Columbia City
Columbia City is a great neighborhood for renters who are looking for a vibrant and diverse community. The neighborhood has a range of housing options, including apartments, townhomes and single-family homes. Rent prices in Columbia City are generally more affordable compared to other neighborhoods in Seattle, making it a great option for renters on a budget.
In addition to its affordability, Columbia City has a lot to offer renters in terms of amenities and activities. The neighborhood has a variety of restaurants, cafes and shops, as well as a weekly farmers market during the summer months. There are also several parks in the area, including Seward Park, which offers hiking trails, swimming beaches and picnic areas. Plus, with easy access to the light rail system, renters in Columbia City can easily explore other parts of the city.
Pioneer Square
Pioneer Square is a very historical pocket of Seattle. The Underground Tour, one of the No. 1 tourist attractions in the city, starts in Pioneer Square, showing everyone who dares go underground what Seattle used to be like before the Great Seattle Fire of 1889 called for a major rebuild.
Pioneer Square almost feels like a touch of Boston in Seattle. Pioneer Square’s architecture is very reminiscent of the East Coast paired with the West Coast breeze coming in from Puget Sound. There’s also a vibrant sports scene, seeing as two professional sports stadiums are in Pioneer Square.
Downtown Seattle
Downtown Seattle is a bustling urban center that offers a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle for renters. The neighborhood is home to a variety of residential buildings, ranging from high-rise apartments to modern lofts and historic buildings that have been converted into rental units. Renters in downtown Seattle can enjoy easy access to a multitude of shops, restaurants, cafes and cultural attractions, making it an ideal location for those seeking an urban lifestyle.
One of the main advantages of living in downtown Seattle is its proximity to major employers and job opportunities. The neighborhood is home to a number of major corporations, including Amazon, Nordstrom and Starbucks, as well as many startups and small businesses. Additionally, downtown Seattle is served by multiple transit options, including light rail, buses and streetcars, making it easy to commute to other parts of the city.
Queen Anne
Queen Anne is so expansive that the neighborhood has been divided into four regions: Upper, West, East and Lower Queen Anne, also known as Uptown. Each of the sub-neighborhoods of Queen Anne offers its own little quirks and charms.
No matter where you go in Queen Anne, you can easily find a park or outdoor seating area to take in the unbeatable views the neighborhood has to offer. Not only that but when you live in Queen Anne, you’re neighbors with the Space Needle.
Ravenna
Named for Ravenna Street, this neighborhood puts you very close to University Village, one of the cleanest and most chic outdoor malls. Despite its proximity to the constant go-go-go of the University District, there’s a peaceful and quiet ambiance about Ravenna.
It’s easily one of the best places to live if you are someone who loves adventures because there are so many accessible parks, trails and outdoor spaces for you to explore. One of the main attractions in the area is Ravenna Park, a 50-acre park that features walking trails, a playground, and a creek that runs through the center of the park. The park is a popular spot for hiking, picnicking and outdoor recreation. Ravenna also has a variety of shops, restaurants and cafes located along its main commercial thoroughfare, NE 65th Street.
South Lake Union
Close to Downtown, the Lake Union neighborhood used to be where many industrial and skilled labor workers lived. Nowadays, it’s becoming a very tech-focused and entrepreneurial part of the city.
This transformation started taking place when Google, Amazon and Facebook offices arrived on the scene. There always seems to be a new building popping up every week in this central Seattle neighborhood, but there’s a reason for it. South Lake Union offers access to water right in the middle of the hustle and bustle, which is a calming touch of nature in an otherwise business-oriented neighborhood.
Find the best Seattle neighborhood for you
When looking for a Seattle neighborhood to call home, it all comes down to your priorities. Do you want to be in the heart of everything and feel like you’re getting the bustling city experience? Or, are you more of a suburban type of person? The best part about Seattle is that there is something for everyone.
