Trendy city living in Belltown
High-rise condos, bars, restaurants, trendy boutiques, and a buzzing nightlife have helped Belltown earn its reputation as one of the hippest neighborhoods in Seattle. The area’s numerous nightclubs, bars, and live-music spots make living in Belltown, an easy gateway to living an eventful nightlife. Home to Olympic Sculpture Park, with its trails and outdoor art, park visitors get to enjoy expansive Puget Sound views and beach access, while relaxing in the park's many seats, benches, and areas.
Boasting the second highest Walk Score in Seattle of 97 out of 100, Belltown's convenience is the perfect match for its hip vibe as everything you could want is just outside your door.
Quick Belltown Neighborhood Takeaways:
Lots of Local Amenities
Stable Housing Market
High Income per Capita
Sunny Weather
About Belltown
Belltown is the most densely populated neighborhood in Seattle, located on the city's downtown waterfront on land that was artificially flattened as part of a regrading project. Formerly a low-rent, semi-industrial arts district, in recent decades it has transformed into a neighborhood of trendy restaurants, boutiques, nightclubs, and residential towers as well as warehouses and art galleries. The area is named after William Nathaniel Bell, on whose land claim the neighborhood was built.
Belltown lies directly west of the Denny Triangle neighborhood, where online retailer Amazon is constructing three office towers to house its downtown headquarters, and where the Cornish College of the Arts is located.
Belltown is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. It is a vibrant and exciting neighborhood with something to offer everyone.
Here are some pros and cons of living in Belltown:
Pros:
Close to downtown Seattle and all the major attractions
Lots of restaurants, bars, and shops
Active nightlife
Convenient public transportation
Beautiful waterfront views
Cons:
Can be noisy and crowded, especially on weekends
High cost of living
Homelessness and crime can be a problem
Not the best place to raise a family
Overall, Belltown is a great place to live if you're looking for a vibrant and exciting neighborhood with easy access to all the amenities of downtown Seattle. However, it's important to be aware of the potential downsides before making a decision to move there.
Belltown Real Estate
Belltown, Seattle, WA is a popular urban neighborhood with a competitive real estate market. It offers a mix of modern high-rise condominiums and historic brick buildings, with a median home value of around $600K. The area's proximity to downtown Seattle, Puget Sound, and the Space Needle make it a desirable location for both residents and investors. Belltown's real estate market has remained strong, with prices appreciating steadily over the years. However, like many other neighborhoods in Seattle, Belltown's market has been affected by the limited inventory of available properties.
Who Lives In Belltown?
Many of the 8,657 residents in Belltown are renters instead of homeowners. With about 70% of residents renting and the remaining 30% homeowners, this neighborhood is best suited for singles and young couples instead of growing families.
High-income/expense urban singles:
Urban singles with an up-and-coming income, but with higher-than-average living costs. Most have a college education and are employed in mid-management professions.
Mobile singles living in the city:
Singles ranging in age from early 20s to mid-40s who have moved to an urban setting. Most rent their apartment or condo. Some have a college education and work in services and the professional sector.
Upper-class couples:
Urban couples making a mid- to upper-scale household income. Most own their own homes. Some have a college education and work in a variety of occupations, including management-level positions.
Getting Around Belltown
Metro’s RapidRide D & E Lines operate daily between Downtown Seattle, Uptown, Ballard and Crown Hill, and Northgate. Service is provided around the clock, with trips operating every 10 – 15 minutes during most times of the day.
Bike Sharing in Seattle great way to avoid parking in Belltown is to use one the many independent bicycle sharing services. 2nd Ave has a dedicated bike lane extending all the way to downtown.
Seattle Streetcar - South Lake Union Line is a 2.6 mile route that runs from Westlake Center to the South Lake Union Neighborhood.
Sources: Wikipedia, Kingcounty.gov,