Washington’s biggest city is set on the Puget Sound
Seattle comprises dozens of neighborhoods with unique identities and architectural variety. Many have walkable shopping districts full of stores, restaurants and entertainment venues. The city is home to numerous tech companies, sports stadiums, the Space Needle and other attractions. Known as the birthplace of coffee culture and grunge, Seattle maintains a vibrant music scene.
The metropolitan area is home to over 4 million people. The population of Seattle proper is close to 750,000, more than triple the size of each of Washington's next two biggest cities: Spokane and Tacoma. The name, Seattle, pays homage to Chief Si'ahl, who led the Suquamish and Duwamish tribes. They were among the many indigenous peoples who inhabited the region for thousands of years.
The Puget Sound plays a significant role in defining the region. "It's everything from ocean shores to the Canadian Border," says Jim Pullin, managing broker at Skyline Properties. "It's not wide-open water; there's a bay, an inlet and a peninsula." Whales, seals, sea lions, waterfowl and fish are all part of Seattle's coastal scene. Salmon are important to the economy and ecosystem. Mountainous areas and numerous rivers are not far from the city and provide beautiful scenery and opportunities for hiking, camping, kayaking, fishing and more.
FBI data shows the city's violent crime rate at the end of 2023 was higher than national and state rates, but about 30% lower than in nearby Tacoma. Seattle's property crime rate is also higher than the national and state averages and lower than that of Tacoma.
Pioneer Square sits amidst the skyscrapers as the sun rises.
On summer Thursdays in Southeast Magnolia, boaters take part in the Downtown Sailing Series.
Locals fish in the Puget Sound from the Alki neighborhood.
Denny Triangle residents can play a game of pickleball in the shadow of the Space Needle.
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Tech jobs at companies like Amazon, Google Microsoft and Meta
Many Seattle-area residents work for technology companies. Amazon's headquarters in Seattle includes dozens of office buildings. The Seattle Spheres, a globular greenhouse environment in Denny Triangle , was created by Amazon to mix nature and workspaces. In 2024, the company moved more operations to Bellevue, about 10 miles east of Seattle. Bellevue is one of the techier suburbs; Microsoft, Meta and T-Mobile also have offices there. Microsoft's global headquarters, with 500 acres and more than 125 buildings, is practically its own town in Redmond, about 8 miles northeast of Bellevue. Nintendo of America is also headquartered in Redmond along with additional Meta offices. Google has a campus in Kirkland, north of Bellevue. Google also has offices in Seattle neighborhoods South Lake Union and Fremont . Other major companies associated with the Seattle metropolitan area are Starbucks, Costco and Nordstrom.
Elevate your lifestyle in Denny Triangle, where modernity meets metropolitan allure.
The Google building in South Lake Union and Space Needle in late afternoon.
The Space Needle and other areas in the city are easily accessible from Pike Place Market.
Near Westlake in South Lake Union, The Museum of History and Industry has a whimsical sign.
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King County Metro and Sound Transit are part of wide network
Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland are part of Eastside, a collection of suburbs east of Lake Washington. Eastside is accessible from Seattle via state Route 520 — "the 520 floating bridge" — which has a two-way toll. Fares are reduced for those who use the Good To Go! Pass from the Washington State Department of Transportation. A toll-free alternative is taking Interstate 90, with passage over two bridges linking Mercer Island to the mainland.
King County Metro and Sound Transit buses have extensive networks throughout the region. Within the city, the Seattle Center Monorail stops at the Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture, the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit and the Seattle Aquarium. Ferries and water taxis run from Downtown Seattle to various locations across the Sound. People traveling out of the city might use Sound Transit's Sounder trains, which travel longer distances between stops and run at faster speeds. Sounder trains go from Seattle, north to Everett; and south, past Tacoma to Lakewood.
Sound Transit Link light rail has more frequent stops within the city, and extensions continue to be added in the suburbs. The refillable ORCA card or app streamlines paying for public transportation. Amtrak service is available from King Street Station in Pioneer Square . Sea-Tac, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, is about 14 miles south of Downtown Seattle.
Home trends in some notable Seattle neighborhoods
The median home price in Seattle is $847,000, more than double the national average of $404,000. Downtown, on Puget Sound's Elliott Bay, is the quintessential postcard Seattle, with the Great Wheel Ferris wheel, ferries and seafood restaurants on the piers. Downtown is more commercial than residential, but condos are available ranging from $600,000s for a one-bedroom to $12 million for a penthouse. Monthly homeowners association fees can be in the thousands for luxury condos.
The hilly neighborhoods of East Queen Anne and West Queen Anne , some of the city's oldest, are known for architecture with a historical character. "Without a doubt, [Queen Anne] is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Seattle," Pullin says. On average, homes in Queen Anne are over $1 million, but there's a wide price range.
Across the Aurora Bridge from Queen Anne, north-central Seattle neighborhoods include Fremont , Ballard and Wallingford . Craftsman bungalows are common among the housing styles, which also include some Victorians and midcentury options. In addition to condos, there are newly constructed contemporary and modern homes and townhouses.
Among Seattle's more distinct housing types are floating homes, which some call "houseboats," though they are two separate categories. Floating homes are usually attached to docks; many are on Lake Union in neighborhoods like Eastlake , Westlake and Northlake. "The unique thing about 'floating homes' in Seattle is the city will define if it's a boat or a house with a floating foundation," Pullin says.
Large and stately new traditional's sit on the hill overlooking the water in Southeast Magnolia.
A variety of older styled homes can be found throughout the Washington Park neighborhood.
Many University District residents live in condos around the neighborhood.
Along Magnolia Boulevard, many different styles can be found that showcase Briarcliff's homes.
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Shopping, celebrating and dining out in Seattle neighborhoods
Many of Seattle's neighborhoods have their own commercial districts. In many areas — Fremont and Ballard, for example — the focus is small, independently owned boutiques, cafes, restaurants and breweries.
Capitol Hill is popular for nightlife and entertainment, particularly LGBTQ+ bars and clubs. "Even though it's high density, it tends to draw people who first move into Seattle," says Eric Robison, designated broker with Keller Williams Downtown Metro Seattle. Capitol Hill is full of energy in June with Seattle Pride Month events. Downtown hosts the Seattle Pride Parade, the largest parade in the state, drawing a crowd of over 300,000.
Pioneer Square has shops, nightlife and historical architecture. "People don't realize that there are condos in some of these old historic buildings that go back to when Seattle was first built," Robison says. The area is known for art galleries, many of which participate in the First Thursday Art Walk.
Restaurants in the International District serve Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and other cuisines. One of the country's oldest Asian-American neighborhoods, the district is also home to the supermarket, Uwajimaya, and the bookstore, Kinokuniya, both large chains based in Japan.
For a lot of variety in one location, there's Pike Place Market. It's one of the country's oldest public markets that has stayed in operation. It's visited by roughly 10 million people a year. There are hundreds of vendors, and it's well known as a resource for local produce and seafood. Pike Place Fish Market is the most famous for its tradition of fish-throwing sales tactics.
Street scene on a beautiful day in Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle.
Locals can test their strength in a stein holding contest at the annual Fremont Oktoberfest.
The Fremont Brewing Co. is a popular place to hang out during the summer months.
The Belltown Art Walk takes place every month and it's free year round for all ages.
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Park amenities and special events; umbrellas are optional
There are more than 380 parks or green spaces under the care of Seattle Parks and Recreation. Discovery Park is the largest at over 530 acres. It's located on the northwest edge of Magnolia, a hilly neighborhood on the Sound. Discovery has beaches, a lighthouse and a network of trails. The Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center at the park hosts the Seafair Indian Days Powwow in July. Seafair's summertime festivities make up a 10-week, region-wide celebration of Puget Sound. There are more than 40 events, including a triathlon, fireworks, an airshow and hydroplane races on Lake Washington.
Alki Beach Park in the Alki community is popular in the summer for sunbathing, volleyball and strolling along the Sound. Jefferson Park in Beacon Hill has a golf course, skate park, spray park and a community center, with numerous programs for Seattleites of all ages. Waterfront Olympic Sculpture Park, an offshoot of the Seattle Art Museum, has paths for walking and biking.
Seattle's weather is known to be rainy and overcast, but that doesn't mean everyone is popping an umbrella. "The culture here is super anti-umbrella," Pullin says. In fact, based on precipitation volume, Seattle doesn't even rank in the Top 50 among U.S. cities. Frequency is high, however, as it rains 156 days a year on average, according to data from a decades-long data collection by the U.S. National Centers for Environmental Information.
Alki offers stunning mountain views just across the Puget Sound.
Furry friends can have fun at the annual Halloween Pet Parade at Capitol Hill's Volunteer Park.
Overlook Walk opening offered fantastic weather to enjoy the sights around Seattle.
Southeast Magnolia residents can easily visit West Point Lighthouse in Discovery Park.
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Teams include the Seahawks, Sounders, Seattle Storm and Kraken
The Climate Pledge Arena, in the Seattle Center entertainment complex, north of Downtown, is home to the WNBA's Seattle Storm and the Seattle Kraken, an NHL team. Lumen Field, with a capacity of over 68,000, is home to NFL's Seattle Seahawks. MLS's Seattle Sounders FC and NWSL's Seattle Reign FC also play soccer there.
T-Mobile Park, the home stadium for MLB's Seattle Mariners, seats close to 48,000. It is also used for conventions, graduations and other special events. The venues are side by side in the SoDo neighborhood, an industrial district named for its location "South of the Dome," referring to the Kingdome stadium, which was demolished in 2000.
Catch a Seahawks game at Lumen Field on the border of Chinatown-International District.
Watch an amazing concert or catch your favorite sports game at Climate Pledge Arena in Uptown.
Watch the Huskies play at Husky Stadium in the University District.
At Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex near South Delridge, sports are happily played daily.
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Seattle Public Schools: more than 100 schools and 50,000 students
Seattle Public Schools is the largest educational system in Washington State, with over 100 schools and a student population of about 51,000. The district earns an overall A-minus grade from Niche. Indigenous education on tribal sovereignty has been incorporated into Seattle Public Schools at all grade levels.
Though children are zoned to a school based on address, families can apply to have them attend a choice or option school instead. Seattle World School is a culturally and linguistically diverse school that serves sixth through 12th graders who are newcomers to the country. Nova High School is an alternative school focused on social and racial justice, environmental sustainability and the arts. There are about a dozen schools with dual language immersion programs. Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin education is provided at all grade levels.
Serving areas adjacent to the city are the Shoreline School District, which has an A grade from Niche; and Burien's Highline School District, which has a B-minus. Across Elliot Bay, Bainbridge Island School District has an A.
The University of Washington, a public research institution, is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast. Husky Stadium at UW, with a capacity of 70,000, is the largest stadium in the Pacific Northwest. Private education options include Seattle University and Seattle Pacific University.
Ballard High School has an A rating from Niche and serves the older students in the area.
Garfield High School nearby Pike Place Market neighborhood in Seattle.
Explore University of Washington's picturesque campus in the University District.
Grade B+ on Niche, Meany Middle School serves the Seattle area.
Hi, my name is David Glenn and I'm a Real Estate Broker and Investor in the Greater Puget Sound area. I was born and raised just outside of Seattle. I'm an outdoor enthusiast and I love taking advantage of all the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
I have a background in General Contracting, with over 15 years experience specializing in Remodels, Rehabs, and Repairs and over 11 years as a Real Estate Broker. My experience as a Contractor gives me an edge over other agents and investors. I know what to look for, what to avoid, and where money is best spent.
I believe in hard work and going the extra mile. It's important to me to see others succeed, not just in real estate, but in life. Let me help you achieve your Real Estate dreams!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
