Seattle’s Top 5 Neighborhoods — According to You
Local reviewers rank their favorite parts of the Emerald City
Though the Seattle Freeze may be a real thing, one thing the city has done really well is creating holistic neighborhoods. That means that most parts of town have their own amenities, “main street,” and community activities within walking distance.
We had local reviewers share their thoughts about their ‘hoods, and 5 neighborhoods have come out on top.
1. Wallingford
If you can’t decide whether you want to live in a city or a close-knit, small town, move to Wallingford.
It has all the amenities you’d need within walking distance, it’s own main street lined with shops and restaurants, and yet is just 10 minutes from downtown Seattle. As you stroll through the quiet street lined with trees, flowers, and the occasional vegetable garden, you’ll pass a mix of apartments and colorful bungalows, as well as a handful of public parks. And in case this neighborhood wasn’t cute enough, a cat cafe just opened — where you can sip a latte while making new feline friends.
2. Fremont
As Wallingford’s quirkier next door neighborhood, Fremont is the self-proclaimed “center of the universe.”
A giant troll under a bridge, a rocket ship, and a weekly flea market are just a few of the odd little landmarks that characterize this artsy neighborhood. Downtown Fremont is a combination that could only exist in Seattle: tech companies nestled between home grown restaurants, hip music venues across the street from vintage clothing boutiques, and craft breweries lined up next to craft coffee shops. With the well-kept parks and popular community events on top of all that, you basically never need to leave. Nor would you want to.
3. Sunset Hill
This gorgeous piece of land north of downtown is full of well-to-do single family homes with west-facing views.
Families love living in Sunset Hill (actually a sub-neighborhood of Ballard) because of the high safety ratings, the distance from the noise of the city, and the fresh breeze from the sea winding its way through the neighborhood. Watching the sun set over Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains is, unsurprisingly, one of the major draws. For those of us not lucky enough to live here, we can still enjoy the sunset from parks such as Golden Gardens.
4. Alki
Alki, a favorite tourist destination due to its long beach with white sand, is also home to a close community of Seattleites.
The street bordering the beach has dozens of restaurants and pubs, as well as sweeping views of Puget Sound. Locals — mainly retirees and families — are willing to shell out a pretty penny to live in one of the beachfront condos, or in a single-family home a few blocks from the shore in this West Seattle neighborhood.
5. Highland Park
Many Seattleites might be surprised to see this sleepy West Seattle neighborhood on the top 5 list.
Highland Park doesn’t have any big landmarks, or even many amenities. What it does have in abundance is community. People may move here for the relatively affordable rents and proximity to Boeing, Seatac, the Industrial District and South Seattle Community College, but they stay for the potlucks at the Corner Bar, parties at the community center, and the inclusive feel of the neighborhood. And possibly for the giant off-leash dog park.
Thinking of moving to Seattle? Or already a local an have opinions to share about your neighborhood? Head to www.streetadvisor.com to join the conversation.
