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Real Estate & Homes in Seattle - Washington - Seattle, Washington homes and communities
Seattle
The Emerald City
Seattle is situated along the waterfront of Puget Sound, just 113 miles south of the U.S.-Canadian border. As a major port city, it has become a transpacific and Far East trade center for the United States and is still the jumping-off point for all commerce and travel to Alaska.
With a population of 563,000 in Seattle and 2.3 million in the interwoven smaller towns, Seattle is a diverse hub for commercial, cultural and advanced technology in the Pacific Northwest. Several neighborhood environments, each with its own culture and history, offer real estate opportunities for everyone's unique choice. Surrounded by snow-covered mountains and the waters of Puget Sound, the area's homes have perfect views of blue water, evergreen-covered islands, the snow-covered Cascade Mountain Range and Mount Rainier.
Seattle has been ranked as one of the most livable cities and has seen the growth of new businesses and a broader foundation to its economy. New baseball and football stadiums have added to the recreational life. Restaurants, hotels and shopping also have been added, but they haven't changed the beauty of living in this area.
Even with this growth, Seattle has maintained distinct neighborhoods with innumerable architectural styles and personal appeal.
For more information about Seattle visit Seattle Homes Guide.
Seattle History
The first Europeans to settle in Seattle established farms and a steam mill in the area of Pioneer Square. Arthur Denny settled into the Alki Point area across the Elliott Bay and relocated to Seattle's Pioneer Square area in 1852. Henry Yesler arrived later that year to build Puget Sound's first steam-powered sawmill and secure an economic future for this small village.
The lumber and salmon trade sustained the village during the 1860s and 1870s. The area by the waterfront had oiled logs that were used to skid lumber, fish and furs to the ships when they came to town. This passageway was called Skid Road for many years. With the railroad's arrival in the 1880s, Seattle's population increased to more than 40,000.
In 1889, a furniture manufacturer overheated his glue pot, which started the Seattle Fire. Blocks of wood houses and shops were demolished. Seattle rebuilt using stone and brick for their structures.
The Klondike gold rush opened Seattle to visitors from across the country. Seattle was considered an “open city,” with saloons and brothels.
The steep slopes of First and Capital hills and the topographic corset formed by Elliott Bay limited expansion of the city. Engineers leveled the steep grade of the hills, making it possible to build homes on these hills.
In 1914, the Smith Tower was completed with 42 stories and stood 522 feet. At the time, it was the tallest building in the world outside New York City. It remained the tallest building west of the Mississippi River until after World War II.
World War II brought ship and plane builders and their workers to the area. By the 1950s, Boeing had been successful with commercial planes, which was a welcome boost to the Seattle economy.
In 1962, Seattle hosted the World's Fair. The Seattle Center, the Space Needle and the monorail were all produced for this time.
During the 1980s, downtown construction created the Columbia Seafirst Center on Fifth Avenue. The 76-story building is the tallest in the city. Fearing that other tall buildings would soon block the view of Puget Sound, voters passed an initiative to limit the height of downtown buildings to 30 stories.
Several major cultural institutions have been built downtown, including the Seattle Art Museum and Seattle Symphony's Benaroya Hall. Several downtown theaters have been revitalized.
Residential development has accelerated as the city has focused on having residential space near downtown jobs. As a result, Seattle has a thriving downtown area.
Downtown Communities
The city of Seattle is composed of communities that were built on hills. Population boosters in the 1900s claimed there were seven hills — just like Rome. There is some controversy whether there really were seven hills, and if so, which ones they were. Seattle has so many hills, ridges and bluffs that it's difficult to be sure which ones they meant.
In 1899, to allow the city to expand beyond the waterfront area, city engineers started to remake the existing landscape. Using water, they eroded the steep grades of Denny Hill, which towered over the area. This was called the Denny Regrade. Taking each steep hill in succession, it took three decades of work before the last hill succumbed to their manmade erosion into Elliott Bay. Horse-drawn wagons could now travel these hills, and the first Model Ts had no trouble with their lowered incline.
The housing market in Seattle is still increasing in value by approximately 13 percent. The same three-bedroom home that sold for $250,000 in 2003 would now sell for $282,500. Lumping all the different Seattle neighborhoods together, the average price for a three-bedroom home today is $360,000.
First Hill, which is just east of the downtown area, was the first true residential neighborhood. Today, it is home to Seattle's well-known millionaires and philanthropists. Madison Street, the main street on First Hill, has cafes and delis for the pharmacies and hospitals that line the area. Seattle University, a prominent Jesuit school, is the dividing line between First Hill and Capital Hill. Houses have vintage architecture with hardwood floors. Many were built during 1900 to 1940. Homes prices range from $600,000 for a three-bedroom condominium to $1.25 million for homes.
Second Hill is also called Renton Hill. Captain William Renton originally owned this area and logged the Central Area Ridge, which is now the approximate location of 17th Avenue.
Denny Hill, which started the regrading and lowering of the hills to expand the city, is just north of Pine Street.
Capital Hill is just northwest of downtown. It's an old Seattle rumor that this hill was named Capital when residents hoped the city would be the capital of Washington State. Actually, James Moore named it Capital Hill in 1900 to promote the sale of luxury homes near Volunteer Park. This district's main avenue is Broadway, which is the center for Seattle's commercial district. Businesses, fine dining and specialty shops add variety to suit any taste. The area was heavily developed from 1900 to 1940. The central part of the hill is dominated by medical offices and hospitals, but it also has shops, banks, grocery stores and restaurants. Seattle Community College is in this same area. The northern part of the hill is residential, with luxury homes for many of Seattle's upper class. Most homes in this area are larger and grander than most homes in the city. They contain more formal areas and more detailing, and have higher ceilings. Many of these homes have been remodeled and updated, making them some of the most desirable homes in Seattle. Three-bedroom homes range in price from $380,000 to $1.25 million.
Yesler Hill is actually a part of First Hill. When the courthouse was here, the area was also called Profanity Hill. Attorneys and clients had to climb up the steepest part of this hill to get to the courthouse. They cursed and swore as they climbed, giving the hill its name. Today, the area has many of Seattle's hospital and medical facilities, and is nicknamed Pill Hill.
Beacon Hill is just south of downtown. A developer named M. Harwood Young named it after his hometown near Boston. The average three-bedroom home on Beacon Hill has a price range of $327,000 to $445,000.
Queen Anne Hill used to be called Temperance Hill. In its early days, it had a number of inhabitants who were teetotalers. Now the hill is named after the style of its earliest homes. Queen Anne Hill is north and west of the downtown area and has mostly smaller homes with examples of Queen Anne, Craftsman, bungalows, Seattle Box and colonial styles. The area's magnificent views prompted the building of larger homes. Queen Anne is one of the highest hills in Seattle, rising 456 feet above Elliott Bay. The cost of a three-bedroom home ranges from $300,000 to $890,000.
Regardless of which hill you choose to be part of the famous seven hills, each gives a panoramic view of the beauty of this city.
Seattle Hills and Waterfront
Over the years, West Seattle Hill also has been named as one of the seven hills. Located at 35th Avenue SW and SW Myrtle Street, the hill is 522 feet above sea level. Homes in this area with three bedrooms range from $229,000 to $500,000.
Other hills like Magnolia Bluff, Sunset Hill and Duwamish Head have been cited as part of the original seven hills.
Magnolia Bluff, just north and west of downtown, is two hills with a valley in between called the Village. The area is a neighboring hill to Queen Anne. Homes here were built during 1930 to 1960 and carry the architecture of that time. Local restaurants, shops and grocery stores are all within walking distance. The cost of a three- to four-bedroom home in Magnolia ranges from $300,000 to $950,000.
Recent developments have occurred in Belltown, which is close to Pike Place Market on the waterfront. Belltown has a number of apartment building and condominiums, which are recent additions. With panoramic views of the Sound and within easy walking distance to stores, two-bedroom condominiums in the area range from $299,000 to $680,000.
Many neighborhoods and smaller cities surround Seattle. To the east are Bellevue and Mercer Island. Redmond, which has Microsoft as its major employer, is to the northeast. North of the city are Fremont, Ballard, Kirkland, Lynnwood, Everett and Edmonds. To the south are Federal Way, Tacoma and the state capital of Olympia, which is about 45 miles from Seattle. In addition, the southeastern corner has the cities of Auburn, Kent and Renton.
Weather
You've probably heard that it rains a lot in Seattle, and compared with other cities, it does. Seattle has an average annual rainfall of 38.84 inches per year and on average, it rains 154 days each year. Many of those days are a drizzly rain overnight or just in the morning, which is followed by bright sunshine in the afternoon. On average, the humidity is around 72 percent. The combination of rain, humidity and bright sunshine contribute to the green lawns, shrubs and tress in the area and substantiate Seattle's nickname of The Emerald City.
During the winter, January's average temperature is 40 degrees. Summer months have an average of 65 degrees in July.
Seattle does get snow most winters, but they are generally 1-4 inches per snowfall. Each winter may have a total of 11 inches, but this is generally over 3-4 snowfalls rather than just one.
Attractions
The Woodland Park Zoo began in 1899 and is open 365 days a year. Seattle Aquarium is open 365 days a year and has many programs for youngsters and adults.
The Seattle Space Needle was built for the 1962 World's Fair. The tower gives a wide panoramic view of the city, and it has a turning restaurant and observation deck at the top.
The Pacific Science Center has permanent exhibits of dinosaurs, a tropical butterfly house, insect village, saltwater tide pool and an IMAX Theater.
Washington Park Arboretum has 230 acres of urban greens, oaks, conifers, camellias, Japanese maples and hollies on the shores of Lake Washington. The arboretum is just east of downtown Seattle.
Pike Place Market began in August 1907. The nine-acre area has an estimated 9 million visitors each year who come to feast and shop.
Seattle Art Museum houses a collection of more than 21,000 objects, including Old Masters paintings, African masks and contemporary Northwest art. Seattle Symphony, founded in 1903, is one of the oldest and largest cultural institutions in the Pacific Northwest.
Fifth Avenue Theater is Seattle's premier musical theater. It opened its door in 1926 for vaudeville acts.
Paramount Theater has brought the magic of the stage to Seattle for over 75 years. The Moore Theater opened in 1907 and is one of the oldest theaters in Seattle.
Sports in Seattle are part of the culture. Whether you like baseball, football, basketball, or hockey, Seattle has a local team for you:
- Seattle Mariners: The MLB baseball team plays at the newly constructed Safeco Field, which opened in 1999 in downtown Seattle.
- Seattle Seahawks: The NFL football team plays at Seahawks Stadium, just south of historic Pioneer Square. The stadium opened in July 2002.
- Seattle Thunderbirds: You can see the WHL hockey team play at the Key Arena at the Seattle Center.
- Seattle SuperSonics: The NBA basketball team hits the courts at the Key Arena at the Seattle Center.
- Seattle Storm: The WNBA basketball team shoots at the hoops on the Key Arena courts at the Seattle Center.
Outdoor Recreation
Seattle has many recreational areas that are within an hour's driving distance from downtown.
You can launch your boat and fish in any of our rivers or Puget Sound. You can rent a spot on a larger fishing boat that leave Seattle's docks for Sound fishing. Campgrounds are available in the many state-owned parks. Charter boats are available to watch the whales as they surface in the Sound.
There are many small foothills of the Cascades for hiking. You can climb Mount Rainier, take advantage of the state parks, or visit individually owned cabins and lodges.
Discover Park has one-hour nature walks that are great even for young children. Seward Park has hayrides to watch night-flying bats flit overhead. Carkeek Park has a 40-minute beach walk with a naturalist to discover the fragile world. A self-guided tour of historic homes in the area allows you to see nine sites, including the HB Kennedy Mansion, the John Bennett residence, the Alki Homestead Restaurant, the Shorett residence, the Log House Museum and others.
Economy
For many years, Boeing Aircraft controlled the economy of Seattle. This is no longer true. Seattle has a more diversified business base throughout several industries.
The cost of living index for Seattle is slightly higher than most U.S. cities with a rating of 125.2 vs. the U.S. average of 100. Washington State has no personal income tax but does have an 8.8 percent sales tax. The average per capita taxes paid by Washington residents is $1,913, which is the 43rd lowest tax rate in the United States. The average tax burden for a family of four with a $50,000 annual income is $2,978, or 6 percent of their annual income for Seattle residents. The average city in the United States is 8.6 percent, or $4,305 a year.
Like most states, Seattle's unemployment has risen. The unemployment rate for Seattle is 7.2 percent, and it's 7.6 percent for the state of Washington. However, the state's job growth is projected to climb by 23.9 percent in the near future. The projected income growth is also expected to rise by 34.2 percent.
There are 11 Fortune 500 companies in Washington state, and six of them have a home base in Seattle: Washington Mutual Bank, Safeco, Nordstrom, Amazon.com, Airborne Freight and Starbucks. In the surrounding areas, Microsoft and Boeing provide a large employment and economic boost.
Seattle and its surrounding areas have an outstanding list of employers. Some of major companies are:
- The Boeing Company: For 40 years, Boeing has been a manufacturer of commercial jetliners in the Seattle area. It is a global market leader in military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight, and launch systems and services.
- University of Washington: The university provides colleges of arts and sciences, law, medicine, forest resources, oceanography and fisheries, library science, and aeronautics. It also provides courses in architecture and urban planning, business administration, education, engineering, nursing, pharmacy, public affairs, and social work.
- Washington Mutual Bank: Founded in Seattle in 1889, this bank is the seventh largest banking company nationwide. In 2004, Fortune magazine listed it as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, America's Most Admired Companies, and the Most Innovative Company.
- Amazon.com: Amazon was incorporated in 1994 in the state of Washington, with corporate offices located in Seattle.
- Airborne Freight: Airborne and DHL have joined forces to form a strong shipping alternative in the United States.
- Starbucks: Starbucks opened its first location in Seattle's Pike Place Market and now serves coffee around the world.
- Safeway Stores, Inc.: One of the largest food and drug retailers in North America has a home base in Seattle. Safeway has 207 stores in Seattle and Alaska.
- Group Health Cooperative: Group Health has more than 596,000 enrollees, which equates to one out of every 10 Washington state residents. It employs 9,746 people, of which 1,118 are medical staff.
- Bank of America: This bank acquired Seafirst Corp., which was one of the largest employers in the Seattle area.
- Nordstrom, Inc.: The sales for 2003 were $6.5 million, with headquarters in Seattle.
- Microsoft: Founded in 1975, Microsoft has been a leader in the computer software development and continues to focus on new opportunities.
Transportation
State highways and interstates: Seattle has two north/south highways, Interstate 5 and Highway 99, which run very close to the downtown area. Interstate 5 runs the entire length of the state, from Canada to the state of Oregon. Interstate 90 and Highway 520 run east-west across Lake Washington and connect with the Interstate 405, which goes north-south on the other side of Lake Washington.
Downtown monorail: During the 1962 World’s Fair, the downtown area was connected with an elevated monorail that runs from the Seattle Center across from the Space Needle along Fifth Street to the Westlake Center Mall at Pine Street. Two trains, the Red Line and the Blue Line, travel these rails every 10 minutes. The monorail allows downtown travel to the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, Children's Museum, Fun Forest Amusement Park, Seattle Repertory Theater, Intiman Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Opera House. The King Street Station is located in the historic Pioneer Square district. Within walking distance of the monorail stations, you'll find art galleries, antique shops, boutiques, nightclubs, restaurants and cafes.
The first extension of this monorail has been approved. Additional lines, called the Green Line, will run from Ballard and West Seattle, connecting the Key Arena, Seattle Center, Belltown, Downtown, Pike Place Market, Key Street Station, Safeco Field and Seahawks Stadium.
City buses: Seattle has an efficient bus line that connects at most stops all across the city on a 15- to 45-minute schedule.
Train: The Amtrak line has stations at Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium, Experience Music Project and the Seattle Art Museum. The Cascades train may be taken to Vancouver, Wash.; and Portland and Eugene, Ore. The Coast Starlight train offers scenic views of snow-covered mountains, dense forests, fertile valleys and long stretches of Pacific Ocean shoreline. It runs from Seattle to Portland, down to San Francisco and Los Angeles. The Empire Builder train covers the trail of Lewis and Clark.
Airport: SeaTac Airport originally opened in September 1911. The airport has had many upgrades and expansions over the years. The Port of Seattle has started construction to expand the airport with a third runway, which will be completed in 2010. They have already increased the parking garage and dramatically changed the interior of the terminal. In 1969, the Satellite Transit System opened two underground trains to connect the terminals.
Restaurants
Seattle has a restaurant to fit everyone's taste buds. Whether you want Italian, Chinese dim sum, Japanese sushi, German, Russian or just an American fish or mouth-watering steak, Seattle has it. Here's a sampling to tempt your appetite:
African
Afrikando West African Cuisine, 2904 First Ave. — Try Senegal's national dish of fish, eggplant, carrots, cassava, cabbage and long-grained rice served with a tomato sauce; mafetubers, root vegetables and rice flavored by a thick peanut sauce.
Chinese
Dragonfish Asian Café, 722 Pine St. — Caramel-ginger chicken, wok-seared sugar snap peas with shiitake mushrooms, or any of the tuna-based sushi rolls are consistently safe bets.
Chinese Wok Restaurant, 2211 Fourth Ave. — You can sit and enjoy their food or have takeout. Try their orange-flavored beef and fried eggplant with garlic sauce.
Italian
Il Terrazzo Carmine, 411 First Ave. S — A traditional trattoria whose menu focuses on Italian steak, veal, lamb and chicken.
South American
Rio Brazilian Grill, 5259 University Way NE — A 24-skewer rotisserie keeps the food coming, fresh and hot. Side dishes include farofa (yucca flour and spices), feijoada (bean and meat stew), potato salad, spicy salsa, palm heart salad and baked yucca.
Steakhouses
Union Square Grill, 621 Union St. — A classic steakhouse in the heart of the theater district also serves chops and fish.
Metropolitan Grill, 820 Second Ave. — Start your meal with fried artichoke hearts and ice-cold fresh oysters on the half shell. Steaks arrive as ordered, but maybe a bit on the rare side.
Seafood
Six Seven, 2411 Alaska Way — Start with crab cakes delicately coated in panko, or fresh mussels in a light curry broth. Most fish preparations are textbook perfect.
Ponti Seafood Grill, 3014 Third Ave. — The signature dish, Thai penne curry, is a served with scallops and crab in a spicy blend of tomato-ginger chutney and coconut milk.
Queen City Grill, 2201 First Ave. — One of Belltown's first bistros has a simple motto: "We Grill Fish."
French
Maximilien in the Market, 81A Pike St. — Sheer perfection is a generous tenderloin topped with seared foie gras and sauced with armagnac-butter glaze; a deep soupe a l'oignon; or duck confit with bacon.
Thai
Jai Thai Restaurant, 3423 Fremont Ave N — Spicy, comforting Tom Yum soup is chock-full of vegetables, meat and tangy lemon grass. Savory garlic prawns are wonderful.
Health Care
Harborview Medical Center is Seattle trauma center and a teaching and research facility. It is owned by King County and managed by the University of Washington. Harborview is a major regional health-care facility for the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
Since 1910, Swedish Medical Center has provided health care to Seattle residents. It is one of the largest, most comprehensive medical centers in the Pacific Northwest.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center opened its doors in 1975. It was a 20-year vision of Seattle surgeon Dr. William Hutchinson, brother of baseball hero Fred Hutchinson.
Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center was founded in 1907 to provide care for children. The founder was Anna Clise, who had lost her son to inflammatory rheumatism in 1899. She traveled to New York and Philadelphia to obtain information from existing children's hospitals before returning to Seattle to create Children’s Hospital.
Virginia Mason Hospital was established in 1920 to provide a single place where patients could receive comprehensive medical care.
Churches
Seattle churches are upbeat and contemporary, or dignified and conservative. Whatever your choice of worship, you will find a church, synagogue, parish, Buddhist temple or mosque in Seattle.
Education
The student-to-teacher ratio in Seattle’s public schools is generally 23 students to one teacher. The average expenditures per student for each year are $7,003. In addition to its K-12 public education system, Seattle and the surrounding areas have an abundance of colleges, universities, and other educational facilities, including:
- Antioch University Seattle
- Central Washington University
- City University
- Seattle Pacific University
- Seattle University
- South Seattle Community College
- University of Phoenix/Washington Campus
- University of Puget Sound
- University of Washington
- Western Washington University
- Washington State University
Seattle also has a large number of vocational and trade schools. Some unusual ones are Casino Dealer School North; the Seattle Film Institute; Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine; and Hilltop Artists in Resident with master glass artist Dale Chihuly, who teaches glassblowing to students. The school is in partnership with Tacoma Public Schools.
Where is Seattle?
Written by Linda Chambers exclusively for HomesParadise.com.
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