Get To Know West Seattle
West Seattle is best known for Alki Beach, its year-round Sunday Farmer’s Market, Bakery Nouveau, and a population of politically and environmentally aware residents. Once a city all its own, today - and for decades past - West Seattle is a neighborhood of the City of Seattle, separated from the downtown core by a massive bridge (currently closed for repairs, sadly). Over the past several years, Seattleites started flocking to West Seattle as populations grew and more community infrastructure and development took place in the area.
Photo / Alex Rosas
We purchased a home in West Seattle’s Seaview neighborhood five years ago - in my opinion, it’s the best kind of city living a family of four could ask for.
With that - get to know West Seattle with the top 9 community attributes I believe could help a prospective buyer in search of information about this community >>
1. West Seattle has a super mellow vibe. With a population of roughly 80,000 people, the bulk of residents tend to keep things very casual and laid back. The median age of West Seattle residents is 38.
2. Easy Street Records - As record stores go the way of the dodo, Easy Street feels like the heart of this community in many ways. Always bustling and filled with music and inspired people. This is a special part of this community and the coffee is delicious.
3. Alki Beach - a little slice of California, for sure, Alki is a hot spot for Seattleites and tourists alike boasting a total beach bum vibe, especially during the summer months.
4. Home Prices and Value - there are three zip codes in West Seattle, 98116, 98106, and 98136.
98116 (North Admiral, Alki)
The median home value is $816,301
Home values have gone up 4.0% over the past year
The median list price per square foot is higher than the Seattle average.
The median price of homes currently listed is $736,000 (however the median price of homes sold is higher at $903,400)
98136 (Seaview, Fauntleroy, Gatewood)
The median home value is $769,398
Home values have gone up 3.1% over the past year
The median list price per square foot is lower than the Seattle average - so great opportunities here, especially for a first-time buyer or someone on a budget.
The median price of homes currently listed is $650,000
98106 (Delridge)
The median home value is $553,707
Home values have gone up 3.1% over the past year
The median list price per square foot is lower than the Seattle average
The median price of homes currently listed is $545,900
Photo / Suzi Pratt
5. Independence - West Seattle really has its own community vibe with everything a society needs at your finger tips - tons of grocery stores (PCC, Whole Foods, Thriftway, Metropolitan Market, Trader Joe’s, Safeway, and QFC - seriously, all of them), banks (Bank of America, BECU, Homestreet, Wells Fargo), shopping, restaurants (Dumplings of Fury, Shadowland, New Luck Toy), a weekly farmer’s market, and the community even has its own golf course!
6. Transportation - not only is Seattle International Airport conveniently 20 minutes South of West Seattle, but on the North end of the community is a water taxi that will take foot traffic directly into downtown Seattle. There are also great bus routes, ride shares, and car rentals available.
7. Family-Friendly - There is much to do outside in West Seattle from the many parks - Lincoln Park, Ercolini Park, Schmitz Park, Lowman Beach Park, Camp Long, and more - to the number of community-centric activities making it a great city-community to raise a family. Fun fact! One-third of Seattle's green space and urban forest is located in West Seattle.
8. The Views - Maybe it’s just me, but every time I turn down by street in West Seattle, I see the water and the stunning Olympic Mountains to the West. It seems you can see this beautiful vista from many of the roads and homes throughout this community. Because many parts of West Seattle have such high elevation compared to other parts of Seattle, there are many areas tha also have great views of the Cascade Range to the east.
Photo / Paul Dorpat
9. Home Improvement - Homeowners in the West Seattle community have access to all kinds of hardware supply stores from Home Depot or True Value to more specific suppliers like Dunn Lumber, Budget Blinds, and the West Seattle Nursery.