With towering mountain ranges, the iconic snowy-topped peak of Mount Rainier, and the beautiful waterfront views of Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Seattle is nestled between countless natural wonders. No matter where you are in the city, this stunning scenery brightens up even the rainiest days. Many historic, vibrant, and charming neighborhoods make the city what it is today. So many that you may have a hard time deciding where to live in Seattle.
To help make your decision a bit easier, we put together the ultimate guide to Seattle neighborhoods. So whether you’re looking to rent an apartment in Seattle or buy a home, join us as we take a journey through Seattle’s most popular neighborhoods.
1. Ballard
Ballard is one of Seattle’s oldest neighborhoods. It started as its own small city, settled by Nordic immigrants. Today, the neighborhood is home to several small businesses, shops, and galleries that create a quaint atmosphere for residents. In recent years, it has become one of the best food neighborhoods in the city. From Scandinavian cuisine to Oaxacan, modern American, Italian, and Northern Thai food, you’ll find just about everything here.
Beacon Hill is a neighborhood south of downtown Seattle and east of I-5. It covers so much ground it’s often divided into sub-neighborhoods, which include North Beacon Hill, Mid-Beacon Hill, Holly Park, and South Beacon Hill. It’s diverse, has incredible views, and thriving art and food scenes. Some of the city’s popular restaurants are located in this neighborhood like Homer, Oak, and Bar del Corso. The light rail station makes it easy to get to and from downtown, and I-5 and I-90 are both nearby if you need to hop on the freeway.
Belltown is located on the city’s waterfront on Elliott Bay. It’s the most densely populated neighborhood in Seattle, with a population of over 10,000 people per square mile. The neighborhood is home to various businesses, including restaurants, bars, shops, and art galleries. It’s also a popular tourist destination, home to Olympic Sculpture Park and The Crocodile, and is close to Pike Place Market and the Space Needle. You’ll never be far from a fan-favorite restaurant or a hidden gem.
Belltown is a great place to live if you don’t have a car, as it’s the 3rd most walkable neighborhood in Seattle, with a Walk Score of 98 and a Bike Score of 76. The area also has world-class public transportation, with about 86 bus lines passing through it.
Capitol Hill is a vibrant and eclectic neighborhood in Seattle that’s home to a great collection of businesses and activities. Often called by its nickname, Cap Hill, the community is known for its lively nightlife, unique shops, and innovative restaurants. Some of the popular spots include Neumos, Unicorn, Elliot Bay Book Company, and the Starbucks Reserve Roastery. You can also find landmarks like the Jimi Hendrix Statue, the Rainbow Crosswalk, and Volunteer Park which is home to the Seattle Asian Art Museum and the Volunteer Park Conservatory.
Capitol Hill is also home to many parks and green spaces, like Cal Anderson Park, so it’s a great place to live, work, and explore. If you’re looking for a walkable neighborhood to live in, Capitol Hill is a great option. It’s the 9th most walkable neighborhood in Seattle with a Walk Score of 93, and the area also has excellent public transportation, with about seven buses and one light rail line passing through it.
The Central District is one of the oldest surviving neighborhoods in Seattle. Central District is home to many exceptional restaurants, whether you’re looking for a new bakery or to try some stellar Ethiopian cuisine. You can find hidden gems like the Douglass-Truth Branch of the Seattle Public Library, Pratt Fine Arts Center, and the Northwest African American Museum. With a Walk Score of 90 and a Bike Score of 89, the Central District is a great neighborhood for those without a car. It’s also centrally located near Capitol Hill, downtown, Lake Washington, and I-5.
Columbia City is a hidden gem in south Seattle. It’s one of Seattle’s eight historic landmark districts, and despite increasing development, it has retained its unique character. So while you’ll find brand-new apartment buildings, charming neighborhood shops, and historic homes give this area a small-town feel.
The neighborhood is full of bakeries, coffee shops, breweries, and a variety of restaurants ranging from Ethiopian and Hawaiian to Mediterranean and BBQ. You can also find landmarks like The Beacon Cinema, the Columbia City Theater, and Hitt’s Hill Park.
The Downtown Seattle neighborhood is located in the heart of the city. It’s a bustling, urban area home to many popular businesses and restaurants, such as the famed Pike Place Market, the Seattle Aquarium, and the Seattle Art Museum. The neighborhood boasts gleaming high rises, many of which offer stunning views of the city and Puget Sound. Downtown has a Walk Score of 98, making it the most walkable neighborhood in Seattle. It also has world-class public transportation, with about 64 buses and three ferry lines. If you want to be in the middle of the action, Downtown Seattle is the place to be.
Located along the eastern side of Lake Union, Eastlake is one of Seattle’s oldest neighborhoods, founded in 1890. People are attracted to the Eastlake area for many reasons, one of which is the beautiful shores of Lake Union. Residents can enjoy all the lake offers, with plenty of small parks, boat launches, and picnic areas.
In addition, Eastlake has its own small shopping district with local restaurants, dive bars, and unique boutiques. Some of the popular spots include Serafina, Little Water Cantina, and Eastlake Coffee & Cafe. It’s only 5 minutes from the nearby University of Washington, making it a popular choice for students wanting an easy commute to school.
First Hill is one of Seattle’s oldest and most densely populated neighborhoods. The neighborhood is commonly referred to as “Pill Hill” because it’s home to three major healthcare facilities – Harborview Medical Center, Swedish Medical Center, and Virginia Mason Medical Center. Among the things that First Hill residents love about the neighborhood is its convenient location between Downtown Seattle and Capitol Hill.
The area is also extremely walkable, in fact, it’s the 4th most walkable neighborhood in Seattle. You can find attractions like the Frye Art Museum, St. James Cathedral, and Neumos located in First Hill. The neighborhood also has superb public transportation, with approximately 13 buses and one light rail line passing through it.
The Fremont neighborhood of Seattle is a lively and eclectic community located just north of downtown. The area is home to a diverse array of businesses and attractions, including the Fremont Bridge, the Fremont Troll, a public sculpture dating back to the 1990s, and the Fremont Sunday Market, held each Sunday throughout the year.
Fremont is also known for its lively nightlife scene, with several bars and clubs in the neighborhood. You can find spots like the Nectar Lounge, Add-A-Ball, Stampede Cocktail Club, Schilling Cider House, and Fremont Brewing, all popular with locals and visitors. The neighborhood has plenty of events throughout the year such as the Fremont Fair, the Fremont Solstice Parade, and the Fremont Oktoberfest.
Georgetown was founded in 1851 and is one of Seattle’s oldest neighborhoods. It’s located between I-5 and the Duwamish Waterway, less than four miles from Downtown Seattle. While it’s home to Boeing, several distribution centers, and businesses like Grainger Industrial Supply, Georgetown has a trendy and quirky atmosphere. The neighborhood has a few museums like the Connections Museum and the Georgetown Steam Plant, as well as coffee shops, local restaurants, and shops.
The Green Lake neighborhood is a beautiful residential area located above Fremont and Wallingford and is known for its charming homes and green spaces. There are several parks and playgrounds in the area, as well as a large lake, aptly named Green Lake, perfect for walking, running, or biking. Seattle’s Green Lake neighborhood has various housing options available for residents. There are apartments and condos available for rent or purchase, as well as single-family homes.
The International District is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is just one mile south of Downtown, making it conveniently located. The neighborhood is also one of the city’s finest cultural and food destinations, where you’ll find authentic dim sum, sushi, dumplings, noodles, and more. The rich cultural history of the International District has helped the neighborhood thrive as both a residential and commercial area.
International District is a great place to live if you like to walk, with a Walk Score of 98. You’ll never be far from a good meal or cup of coffee, as there are an average of 45 restaurants, bars, and coffee shops within a 5-minute walk. If you prefer using public transportation, you’re in luck, as the International District has lots of public transportation, with 19 buses and one light rail line.
Magnolia is a beautiful, historic Seattle neighborhood on a hill overlooking the city. The homes in the neighborhood are large and stately, and the streets are lined with trees. The area has several parks and green spaces, most notably Discovery Park. Make sure to drive through the park or hike along one of the trails to see the West Point Lighthouse and views of the Puget Sound. Magnolia is also close to downtown Seattle, making it a great area if you need to commute.
Pioneer Square is a neighborhood in the southwest corner of downtown Seattle. It’s the site of the city’s first neighborhood and was once the city’s heart before the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. Today, the neighborhood is a popular tourist destination with cobbled streets, Victorian architecture, and art galleries. The area is also the city’s sports center, as it’s home to Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park, which hosts the Seahawks, the Sounders, and the Mariners.
Pioneer Square is a great neighborhood to live in if you don’t have a car. It’s the 5th most walkable neighborhood in Seattle, with a Walk Score of 97, and it also has world-class public transportation, with 52 bus lines passing through it.
The Phinney Ridge neighborhood is located on a high ridge that overlooks Puget Sound to the west and the Ballard and Fremont neighborhoods to the south. The area is named after Guy Phinney, who developed a private estate that became Woodland Park, later, Woodland Park Zoo. Woodland Zoo is Seattle’s only zoo which has a variety of animals, has year-round events, and hosts a summer concert series. Phinney Ridge is known for its small-town feel, with its shops and restaurants along Phinney Avenue and Greenwood Avenue, making it a popular choice for many Seattle residents.
South Lake Union, “SLU,” is a vibrant neighborhood with a mix of residential, business, and retail areas. You’ll find yourself in the midst of Seattle’s tech industry if you live in South Lake Union. The area is home to Amazon’s headquarters, Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and the UW Medicine Research and Training Building. The neighborhood is served by various public transportation options, including the South Lake Union Streetcar, various bus lines, and the light rail system. It’s also the 6th most walkable neighborhood in Seattle with a Walk Score of 94.
Queen Anne is another Seattle neighborhood divided into two sections – Lower Queen Anne and Upper Queen Anne. Lower Queen Anne is the more urban center, and Upper Queen Anne is the storied mansion district. One of the most compelling reasons to live in Queen Anne is its breathtaking city views. You can find striking views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, Mount Rainier, the Cascades, Lake Union, and Glacier Peak.
A fun fact about the neighborhood is that Queen Anne sits upon a 456-foot hill and features over 100 pedestrian staircases. If you’re a fan of Grey’s Anatomy, you’ll want to check out Dr. Meredith Grey’s house in Queen Anne. Just keep in mind that this house was only used for exterior shots. The neighborhood is known for its many beautiful historic bungalows, Craftsman-style houses, and mansions. In fact, the neighborhood was named after the Queen Anne architectural style because of the large number of homes that resemble this style.
The University District, often called the “U-District,” is a vibrant neighborhood in Seattle known for its lively nightlife and array of restaurants. The area is home to the University of Washington, so students comprise a large portion of the population. The streets, especially The Ave, are often bustling with people out and about, especially on a Washington Huskies game day.
University District is an excellent place to live if you like to walk, with a Walk Score of 93. In just 5 minutes, you can walk to an average of 14 restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. University District also has great public transportation, with about 20 bus lines passing through the neighborhood.
Wallingford is a charming community located west of the University of Washington, between Aurora Avenue and I-5. Primarily a residential neighborhood, Wallingford’s 45th Street bustles with activity as it’s home to dozens of shops, coffee houses, restaurants, and bars. This Seattle neighborhood is also home to one of the most popular parks in the city, Gasworks Park, which offers stunning skyline views and Lake Union.
West Seattle is a peninsula surrounded by Puget Sound to the west, Elliott Bay to the north and east, and White Center, a Seattle suburb, to the south. It’s one of the largest neighborhoods in the city and is broken into smaller sub-neighborhoods, such as Delridge, Admiral, and Alki. West Seattle offers the best of both worlds, located near the metropolitan area without being in the city center.
Alki Beach is a popular area in the neighborhood that offers beautiful views of Seattle’s skyline. There is also a commercial area, West Seattle Junction, full of shops and restaurants, as well as several great parks. A fun fact about the area is that the city of Seattle was officially founded in 1851 by a group of settlers from New York who arrived at Alki Beach in West Seattle.
Methodology: All neighborhoods must be listed as a “neighborhood” on Redfin.com. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during November 2024. Average rental data from Rent.com during November 2024. Walk Score, Bike Score, and Transit Score from Walkscore.com during November 2024.
If you are represented by an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business. This article is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional advice from a medical provider, licensed attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional. Consumers should independently verify any agency or service mentioned will meet their needs. Learn more about our
Editorial Guidelines here.
Serving homebuyers and sellers in the Seattle area, Kiley Lazarus is a top real estate agent at Redfin with the latest market insights and local expertise. With years of experience as a real estate agent in the greater Seattle area, Kiley Lazarus possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the local market.
