Areas and suburbs in Seattle

The best places to live in Seattle

There's a wide range of areas and suburbs in Seattle for expats to choose from. The decision of which neighbourhood to live in will be influenced by a variety of factors, including lifestyle preferences, budget and proximity to essential services such as public transport.

For parents, the Seattle public school system is often a deciding factor in choosing the right neighbourhood. Public school catchment areas are split geographically, giving preference to students within a certain radius of the school. A lot of families choose their neighbourhood based on the ranking of schools.

With so many choices, expats may wonder where to begin. For a start, here are a few recommended Seattle neighbourhoods worth considering.

Central Seattle

Central Seattle is a diverse region with varied economic and cultural activities, once home to illustrious figures like Jimi Hendrix, Quincy Jones and Bruce Lee. Belltown is one of the closest areas to the city centre and housing here is mostly in the form of apartments. Owing to traffic congestion and a lack of parking spots in garages, people living in these areas often prefer commuting on foot or using public transport, which is easy and convenient thanks to its central location. 

Capitol Hill, Lower Queen Anne and Eastlake are also close to Seattle’s city centre, as are the International District (formerly known as Chinatown) and Montlake. These areas tend to be full of activity and have a good mix of different types of housing. Noise levels would be one of the factors to consider before moving here, particularly that generated by the noisy Interstate 5 highway.  

These neighbourhoods are popular with young professionals and executives who want to be within easy reach of their office buildings. Those who have high disposable income tend to prefer city living as it gives them access to the best shopping, restaurants and nightlife. 

North Seattle

North Seattle is popular with families thanks to the large number of schools in the area. There are plenty of single-family homes and townhouses here to accommodate those with children. Popular neighbourhoods in North Seattle include Ballard, Bryant, Wallingford, Ravenna and the University District. 

The University District, or the U-District as it is popularly known, surrounds the University of Washington in North Seattle. This area has a diverse mix of urban shopping areas, historic architecture, excellent cafes and theatres. Because of the U-District's large student population, there are lots of big houses with multiple bedrooms that are rented out to students. Expats looking for budget accommodation and house-shares will find plenty of these here. 

Those who enjoy outdoor pursuits will love living in North Seattle. Residents often kayak on Lake Union, cycle on the Burke-Gilman Trail or catch a football game at Husky Stadium.  

South Seattle 

Recommended residential areas in South Seattle include Columbia City, Mount Baker and Seward Park. These neighbourhoods are diverse and those who decide to live in one of these areas will likely find that several of their neighbours are expats too.

Columbia City is the commercial hub for the South Seattle area. It is filled with retailers, dining establishments and entertainment options. The eateries found here are diverse, with restaurants serving cuisines from all over the world. Seward Park and Mount Baker are close to Lake Washington and full of green spaces, which is great for those who enjoy a bit of jogging and cycling. It's worth mentioning that while there are some public transport options available in South Seattle, some areas aren't as well covered, meaning that residents may require a car.

West Seattle

West Seattle has some of the most naturally scenic neighbourhoods in Seattle. Areas such as North Admiral, Alki, Fauntleroy and the West Seattle Junction are in high demand. West Seattle is also popular with environmentally conscious dwellers who enjoy being close to nature. While this is a lovely area to live in, expats set on doing so should be prepared to spend more than they would on housing in other parts of Seattle.

The area is made up of hilly suburbs strung along the western side of Duwamish River and hosts several popular natural settings, including Alki Beach, Lincoln Park and Longfellow Creek Trail.