For general advice on searching for a home and signing a lease in the United States, see the article Accommodation in the USA.
Expats moving to Seattle may face difficult choices when searching for accommodation. Housing prices have been increasing steadily, so it may be tempting to move to the suburbs to have a larger home at a more affordable cost. However, Seattle has some of the worst traffic in the entire United States, meaning that your budget and commute time are likely to be the biggest determining factors when choosing a Seattle neighborhood. Some of Seattle's most popular areas are listed below.
Downtown is an urban hub for young professionals centered on apartments. Lower Queen Anne and Belltown offer top-notch dining and nightlife.
North Seattle is a family haven near schools, featuring single-family homes and townhouses. Ballard's allure lies in tree-lined streets, boutiques, and scenic vistas.
West Seattle is an affluent gem with nature's beauty. The Junction is walkable, family-friendly, and car-dependent due to relative isolation.
Capitol Hill is hip and eclectic and is known for artsy vibes, diverse eateries, and LGBTQ-positive scenes. Its historic charm meets modern flair.
Quirky and artistic, and home to the Fremont Troll and vibrant Sunday Market, Fremont has lively energy, unique shops, and a creative spirit.
Elegant and picturesque, offering classic architecture and panoramic views, Queen Anne is home to historic Kerry Park and charming streets.
Outdoorsy paradise with the namesake lake at its heart, Green Lake has jogging trails, water activities, and a tight-knit community spirit.
Columbia City is a multicultural gem featuring diverse cuisine, boutiques, and a strong sense of community. A blend of historic and modern vibes.
University District is vibrant with youthful energy due to its proximity to the University of Washington. It has eclectic shops, cafes, and a bustling street scene.
In Seattle's metro area, most people opt for apartments and lofts. Like most places, sizes dwindle, and costs rise as proximity to downtown increases. Away from downtown, single-family homes are popular choices.
Average Seattle apartment rent is $2,233, mainly for studios and one-bedrooms. Larger spaces surge in cost, varying greatly by neighborhood.
Seattle apartments average around 691 square feet.
Generally, a Seattle apartment lease will include charges such as water, gas, trash service, and building maintenance. If you choose to lease a house, it is at the owner's discretion if these services are included or not. Most Seattle accommodations will have some kind of heating unit, and most will include major appliances such as a refrigerator and stove/oven. Usually, apartments include one designated parking space, although older buildings may not.
Here are some other things to consider when renting in Seattle:
Seattle is famously an outdoor enthusiast's haven, offering accessible rock climbing, skiing, windsurfing, whale watching, kayaking, and more. Nearby, Mount Rainier beckons, as do diverse indoor attractions — Space Needle, Seattle Art Museum, Pacific Science Center, and Experience Music Project. The birthplace of grunge, Seattle has a great live music and alternative arts scene. The city's coffee culture has also become famous. Though known for being Starbucks' birthplace, the boutique coffee culture in Seattle has blossomed far beyond the frappés Starbucks has to offer. Foodies will be pleased by the varied dining scene and well-stocked farmers' markets, with the amazing Pike Place Market at the forefront.
Nestled amid Puget Sound, the Pacific Ocean, and Lake Washington, Seattle boasts a temperate, if famously, damp climate. Rare temperature extremes characterize winters, with minimal freezing and summer highs seldom exceeding 24°C. Cloud cover often prevails — with Portland ranking among the nation's cloudiest cities.
Useful links:
100 free and almost-free things to do in Seattle
Seattle Police Department - Crime Map