Seattle Washington Neighborhoods

Seattle residents want the rest of the world to keep thinking that it rains here “all the time.” The fact is, with just over 37 inches of annual precipitation, cities like Atlanta, Washington DC, and New York all experience more rain than Seattle. Of course, if this little secret gets out, tourism and growth might just make the city unlivable.

Since a naming contest in the 1980’s, Seattle has been known as the “Emerald City”, due to lush evergreen trees in the area. It’s the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, and the 2002 Census indicated that it’s also the most educated city in the country. More than 48% of residents 25 years or older have bachelor degrees or higher. This is caused in part by the sheer number of technology companies in the area which include Microsoft, Amazon, Nintendo, and Real Player.

Seattle has seen a tremendous amount of growth over the past few years. In 2006, the median price of a home in Seattle passed the $400,000 level, and it’s still moving upward. That same year, 53 of the 86 neighborhoods in King County had median home prices above $350,000. Federal government data shows that Seattle home prices are still appreciating at double-digit rates, while much of the rest of the country is flat or declining. It’s a sellers’ market by the sea, while there’s a sea of buyers’ markets elsewhere.

Seattle is known as the home of “grunge” music, Starbucks, and Seattle’s Best Coffee. They do have a reputation for very heavy coffee consumption. First settled by Europeans in 1851, Seattle has become a jewel in the Pacific Northwest. It’s popularity is growing, with many museums, excellent restaurants, the waterfront and the Space Needle. The Seattle Aquarium is nationally celebrated as an inspiration on how to protect our marine environment.