
Although I serve buyers and sellers in many of Seattle's great neighborhoods, I’m not ashamed to admit West Seattle is the crown jewel of the Emerald City in my book. Don't get me wrong; it's not for everybody. If you want a fast-paced, noisy, nowhere-to-park urban experience, you'll probably find West Seattle too peaceful and quiet, and the people too easy-going and neighborly. To me it represents a perfect mix: all the excitement of the City is less than 15 minutes away, and yet somehow WS feels like a resort community unto itself.
For a prospective homeowner, West Seattle offers a broad spectrum of opportunities, from condominiums, to townhomes, single-family residences in all price ranges, and investment properties. First-time homeowners quickly learn that dollar for dollar, neighborhoods like Westwood and Highland Park are wonderful options which allow you to remain close to downtown with excellent public transportation options, without breaking the bank. On the other hand, if you’re seeking some of the most luxurious view and/or waterfront properties the region has to offer, we’ve got plenty of those too (and just about everything in between!).
Newcomers to Seattle, and natives alike are often surprised to learn that the core of West Seattle to downtown is less than 6 miles, and is usually about a 15 minute drive. Another common misconception is that the WS freeway is the only way in and out- again, not true: the low bridge takes you right to all the surface streets in Sodo, and most residents who live in the southern areas of the peninsula don’t use the bridge at all. Compare:
1st & Pike to Alaska Junction = 5.3 miles
1st & Pike to 15th & Market (Ballard) = 4.9 miles
1st & Pike to Greenlake Park = 5.0 miles
1st & Pike to downtown Bellevue = 12 miles
Safeco & Qwest field to Admiral Junction = 2.5 miles (bike to the games!)
Business traveler? West Seattle is extremely convenient to SeaTac airport, and Sound Transit bus #560 will take you directly there for under three bucks. What’s more, the “Westitude” of West Seattle keeps us out of the flight path, suh-weet!
(*photos this page courtesy of West Seattle photojournalist Christopher Boffoli).