With some of the country’s best bars and restaurants, a cornucopia of economic opportunity at behemoths like Amazon, Google, and Apple, and scenic surroundings, the largest city in the Pacific Northwest is a popular place to call home. Pack up your rain gear and find out which of Seattle’s dozens of neighborhoods are best for recent grads.
- Ballard
- Belltown
- Capitol Hill
- Downtown
- Fremont
- Lower Queen Anne
- South Lake Union
Ballard
Once it’s own city, Ballard is now one of the biggest neighborhoods in Seattle, but the waterfront neighborhood stays close to its Scandinavian roots. The northwestern area is home to a wide variety of residents, which is reflected in its unique personality. The maze-like, tree-lined streets of Old Ballard are highly walkable, filled with cute boutiques, a few of the city’s must-try restaurants, well-loved dive bars, craft breweries, and several live music venues.
If you’re looking for a spot near the sound, look no further than Ballard; the western edge snakes around Chittenden Locks (aka the Ballard Locks), with scenic views of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. It’s also home to Golden Gardens Park, one of the few sandy beaches in Seattle. Known for its many Craftsman-style homes, Ballard has a residential vibe despite its proximity to Downtown. New grads have their choice of newly-constructed modern condos, older apartment buildings, luxury apartments, and classic single-family homes.
Belltown
If you want to be close to Downtown but still have views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, Belltown is for you. Wedged between the Space Needle and Pike Place Market, this waterfront ‘hood is one the city’s most densely populated areas. It’s also loaded with cafés, bars, restaurants, and indie boutiques. First and Second Avenues house many of the area’s nightclubs and live music spots, including the iconic rock venue, The Crocodile, and Bathtub Gin & Co.– a prohibition-era bar and one of Seattle’s top drinking destinations.
This urban area has high-rise apartments and new residential complexes, which might be a little steep for those fresh out of college. However, you can save money by not having a car—the area is highly walkable, with excellent public transportation. You’re paying for the perks: in addition to being close to so many amenities and beautiful natural views, the nearby Z-shaped Olympic Sculpture Park boasts trails, art, and beach access.
Capitol Hill
If your hobbies consist of eating at trendy restaurants and bar hopping, Capitol Hill’s colorful, urban scene just east of Downtown might be a good ‘hood for you. This funky, fast-paced area serves as one of the city’s most prominent nightlife and entertainment districts, as well as the center of Seattle’s LGBT+ and counterculture communities. Families live on the east side of 15th Ave, which acts as a divider to one of the city’s largest concentrations of apartment buildings to the west. What the eclectic neighborhood lacks in parking, it makes up for in global flavors, its 48-acre Volunteer Park (climb the water tower for a killer view of downtown!), and vibrant nightlife. This is truly one of the best Seattle neighborhoods for young people.
Downtown
Belltown, Denny Triangle, Pioneer Square, and Little Saigon are some of the neighborhoods within Downtown Seattle. While we’re taking a closer look at a couple of these ‘hoods, here’s a broad view of the area in general. Downtown is Seattle’s central business district, so it’s a good locale if that’s where you plan on working. The fairly compact area is home to some of the best places to eat in the city, as well as one-of-a-kind boutiques, retail centers like Westlake Center and Pacific Place, and ample bars and coffee shops.
Downtown boasts a rich cultural scene, including institutions/tourist attractions like Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum, and the 1920s Paramount Theatre. Glassy skyscrapers overlook Elliot Bay, which has plenty of parks and walkable waterfront piers. See sweeping views of the city from the Central Waterfront’s giant Ferris wheel. Homes range from high-rise condos to amazing apartments. On the flip side, of all the Seattle neighborhoods, this one sees the most tourists.
Fremont
Just north of Downtown is the quirky, funky, bohemian area of Fremont, full of hipsters, artists, and tech bros who work at nearby companies like Adobe Systems, Google, and Getty Images. The neighborhood’s unofficial motto is Libertas Quirkas, which means “freedom to be peculiar.” This is punctuated with interesting landmarks like a statue of Lenin, a gigantic concrete troll eating a car under the Aurora Bridge (The Fremont Troll), the “Waiting for the Interurban sculpture, and the towering Fremont Rocket.
Eclectic eateries offering global cuisine are dispersed among streets lined with indie shops and hip bars. There’s always something going on, from outdoor movies to the First Friday Artwalk. Summer brings the Solstice Parade, while fall brings Oktoberfest. Shop art and antiques at The Fremont Sunday Market, or walk and bike the canalside Burke-Gilman Trail.
Lower Queen Anne
Lower Queen Anne refers to the shopping, office, and residential districts above Elliot Bay to the north and west of Seattle Center (home of the iconic Space Needle). Upper Queen Anne is ritzier, full of families and retirees; Lower Queen Anne, at the base of Queen Anne Hill, is tailored to singles and young professionals. Convenient urban amenities include bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Cultural magnets include the Seattle Repertory Theatre, KeyArena, and McCaw Hall. Most people rent apartments or single-family homes, although it can be difficult to find housing in this coveted hood.
South Lake Union
Along the banks of Lake Union is the 170-acre neighborhood of South Lake Union, aka SLU. Known as the heart of the city’s tech industry, this ‘hood a hub for Amazon operations and the booming biotech industry. The Amazon campus is home to the stunning Amazon Spheres building, which doubles as an enormous greenhouse for exotic plants, as well as a place for employees to work or relax. South Lake Union is also home to REI’s flagship store, where you can ascend the 65-ft indoor climbing wall.
This urban area is packed with buzzing bars, trendy eateries, food trucks, and plenty of local businesses, some of which offer fantastic water views along the lakeshore. Lake Union Park is a great place to kayak, paddleboard, sail, or canoe—just watch out for seaplanes landing on the lake! Learn about Seattle’s history, businesses, and inventions at the waterside Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI). Most residents are renters, so young professionals will feel right at home.
Need some more moving inspiration? Check out our moving guide to Seattle. Find your apartment on Zumper and get ready for post-grad life.
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