Seattle Apartment Rent

Renting an  apartment in the beautiful city of Seattle can be a challenge.  Finding the right place, the right neighborhood, the right view and the best price can turn into a major balancing act.

An apartment is much like any other piece of real estate, one of the most important elements is location.   Location means different things to different people.   For some location means being in the middle of the action in or near downtown.

The u-district, queen anne hill, capitol hill, greenwood, greenlake ballard, freemont and of course the condos downtown are all readily available to access the city.

Seattle Neighborhoods

Queen Anne

The Queen Anne neighborhood is almost entirely housing, and apartments there tend to be on the compact side.   Just down the hill are the main cultural attractions of seattle.

University District

The U-district is about 25 minutes north of Seattle, and home to the University of Washington.  Apartments here have easy access to the University of Washington - the UW and have much of the flavor of the college district.   There are a great many bars and shops in this area and it is in quick bus or commuting distance to downtown Seattle.

Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill is right in the downtown area.   It is a ten minute walk to the city center and attractions such as pike place market and downtown shopping and nightclubs.   Capitol hill is a thriving community in its own right and a center for the cities more eclectic cultural attractions.  With a distinct counter culture edge, capital hill is both notorious and entertaining.  Seattle University is located near Capitol Hill as well as the bulk of the cities medical services and hospitals.

Green Lake

Green Lake this district has the cities lovely green lake at the center. This is the place to go if you are into jogging, meeting people in a busy park setting or just like hanging out by the lake.  There are several ball courts in the area and boat rentals are an option.    The houses and apartments around Green Lake are generally spacious and older.   Shared housing is commonly available as it is within a reasonable proximity of the University District.

Greenwood

Greenwood has newer apartments in general and is somewhat northwest of Seattle.   It is a quick drive to downtown, without being in the heart of downtown.   This is a primarily residential area.  There is a nice mix of houses and apartments to choose from.

Ballard

Ballard is the center of Norwegian culture in the Seattle area.   Ballard is somewhat remote, seperated by hills from the rest of the city.  The Ballard Locks are an attraction in this area and there is an active nightlife scene as well as a large number of Norway themed stores.

Freemont

The Freemont District is a trendy area and there are a large number of artists and art related events in this area.   It is reasonably close to downtown and within easy driving distance of the University.    The area is rapidly becoming upscale and has a distinctive appeal.

Bellevue

Bellevue is across the lake and travel is usually done across the somewhat crowded 520 bridge.  If you are a businessman, there is a good chance that you will be spending time in Bellevue’s office areas.   Relatively recently developed, Bellevue has many of the characteristics of a small modern city within a city.  The downtown area is walk-able but is more modern and lacks the intimacy of other areas of the city.    If you like the fast paced world of finance, Bellevue may be the location for you.

Lake Union

Lake Union is located on the west end of the city.   The lake union area offers some spectacular waterfront views.   Apartments in the lake union area tend to be upscale and are nice options for those who want to be near downtown, but not in the heart of the city.   Lake union is home to a number of corporate campuses and is the center of Seattle’s biotech and genetics industries.

South Seattle

  
The south end of Seattle is typical of industrial city sections.   Rents are lower and the accommodations lack the character of the older parts of the city.   The south end may be attractive if you are looking for lower rents or have employment in that area.   These areas are typically designed for road traffic although there are some nice neighborhoods interspersed throughout the south end.    If you are working in the north part of the city, you will be facing a rather challenging commute.

Apartments for Rent in Seattle is pleased to share this information about the city and some of the popular regions.   Additional areas worth considering are Magnolia, Lake City, and for those who don’t mind a longer commute, Burien, Lynnwood, Auburn, and Federal Way.     Check out our other articles for trends in apartment rates in the city and some helpful tips for those thinking about renting in the Seattle Area.

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