Downtown - where to live? (Seattle, Pacific: real estate, condo, how much)

[thealleyplace]

We're a recently retired couple in our late fifties strongly considering a second (summer) home in Seattle. Our experience there is limited to a few visits but we really like the area. We're pretty certain we'd like to end up in the downtown area due to the walkability and variety of things to do. The question is, where? I'd be interested in the experts' opinions on the plusses and minuses of the different downtown areas. We're thinking a condo in the 500K to 1M range. How much should one consider earthquake design? Would / should age be a factor in ruling out certain areas? Bicycle friendliness? Mass transit?

Ask questions if you have them. Thanks, in advance.

[leastprime]

With that price range you can get a SFH/townhouse/apt/condo.
Eastlake: 2354 Yale Ave E APT 401, Seattle, WA 98102 | MLS #965394 | Zillow
Wallingford/Fremont (Gasworks): 3300 Meridian Ave N APT 204, Seattle, WA 98103 | MLS #960733 | Zillow
Zillow and Redfin are your friends. Get a RE agent.

[homesinseattle]

For my downtown clients (and I assume by "downtown" you mean the area west of I-5, north of Pioneer Square and roughly south of Denny Way), I prefer The Belltown area (roughly North of Pike Place Market and south of the Space Needle). There are some wonderful buildings, you would have attractive options in the 800k price range, especially if you didn't insist on lots of square footage. You could achieve a nice water view if you kick up to the top of your range. The buildings in Belltown are mostly newer, you can find older buildings with more square footage for your money in Lower Queen Anne (just north of the Seattle Center). There are certain parts of downtown that are safer than others, it is wise to spend time at all hours of day in the areas you are considering and have a local expert helping you.

It is hard to argue with the walk ability of that Downtown: close to cafes, museums, opera and ballet at the Seattle Center and great biking along the waterfront. Transit options are plentiful, Uber and Lyft are quite popular in this region. The newer buildings are of course earthquake sound, a number of the older ones have been retrofitted. I guess you know, earthquakes are very infrequent here but there is the potential for a large one. You sound excited, I hope your idea comes to fruition

[mhays25]

Greater downtown is a great idea.

What are your priorities? Close to Link? Close to supermarket or Market? Near the Opera? Baseball? Closer in or in a fringe district? How quiet, which can sometimes be opposite of convenient?

On the quiet topic, I'd recommend living on the interior of a block that doesn't have bars. That was my strategy and it's worked really well.

[CrazyDonkey]

Also look at Lower Queen Anne (Uptown), which is west and north of the Seattle Center. Not as busy/dense as Belltown. Very walkable. Tons of stuff to do at the Center (festivals, SIFF, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera, Cornish Playhouse). Within walking distance: Kinnear Park, Kerry Park (viewpoint), Olympic Sculpture Park, Myrtle Edwards Park (on Elliott Bay). Lots of restaurants, cafes, and bars. Frequent transit to Belltown and Downtown. For instance:

619 5th Ave W UNIT 501, Seattle, WA 98119 | MLS #966429 | Zillow

[thealleyplace]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

For my downtown clients (and I assume by "downtown" you mean the area west of I-5, north of Pioneer Square and roughly south of Denny Way), I prefer The Belltown area (roughly North of Pike Place Market and south of the Space Needle). There are some wonderful buildings, you would have attractive options in the 800k price range, especially if you didn't insist on lots of square footage. You could achieve a nice water view if you kick up to the top of your range. The buildings in Belltown are mostly newer, you can find older buildings with more square footage for your money in Lower Queen Anne (just north of the Seattle Center). There are certain parts of downtown that are safer than others, it is wise to spend time at all hours of day in the areas you are considering and have a local expert helping you.

It is hard to argue with the walk ability of that Downtown: close to cafes, museums, opera and ballet at the Seattle Center and great biking along the waterfront. Transit options are plentiful, Uber and Lyft are quite popular in this region. The newer buildings are of course earthquake sound, a number of the older ones have been retrofitted. I guess you know, earthquakes are very infrequent here but there is the potential for a large one. You sound excited, I hope your idea comes to fruition

Thanks. Great input. In doing some early research, Belltown looks to have some great properties. Re Belltown, a couple things I've come across are potential issues of safety and that it's quite the party area (those days have passed us by). Is this hyperbole? Easily managed?

Originally Posted by mhays25

Greater downtown is a great idea.

What are your priorities? Close to Link? Close to supermarket or Market? Near the Opera? Baseball? Closer in or in a fringe district? How quiet, which can sometimes be opposite of convenient?

On the quiet topic, I'd recommend living on the interior of a block that doesn't have bars. That was my strategy and it's worked really well.

The convenience of walking to take care of ongoing needs like groceries, coffee, etc. is appealing. Shopping and entertainment would be a plus though close enough for easy transit is okay. Great thought regarding proximity to bars!

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

Also look at Lower Queen Anne (Uptown), which is west and north of the Seattle Center. Not as busy/dense as Belltown. Very walkable. Tons of stuff to do at the Center (festivals, SIFF, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera, Cornish Playhouse). Within walking distance: Kinnear Park, Kerry Park (viewpoint), Olympic Sculpture Park, Myrtle Edwards Park (on Elliott Bay). Lots of restaurants, cafes, and bars. Frequent transit to Belltown and Downtown. For instance:

619 5th Ave W UNIT 501, Seattle, WA 98119 | MLS #966429 | Zillow

Good information. Thanks for the education regarding uptown vs downtown. We're not hung up on that.

Originally Posted by leastprime

With that price range you can get a SFH/townhouse/apt/condo.
Eastlake: 2354 Yale Ave E APT 401, Seattle, WA 98102 | MLS #965394 | Zillow
Wallingford/Fremont (Gasworks): 3300 Meridian Ave N APT 204, Seattle, WA 98103 | MLS #960733 | Zillow
Zillow and Redfin are your friends. Get a RE agent.

Yeah. Real estate listings can give you a good idea of types of properties and pricing but it's good to get input from people familiar with the area. We'll be hiring an agent when the time dictates. A whole different challenge.

I might add, we have a small dog. I'm sure this could create some property - specific obstacles but does highlight the need for some green space and dog friendly things to do.

Thanks, everyone, for taking the time to respond.

[homesinseattle]

You're welcome. There are a few "hot" spots, and I'm talking more safety than nightclub, evening hours a block or two in each direction from Pike Place and under the viaduct area, which is set to be torn down in a few years. I think, in general, if you stay a bit more north and buffer yourself from the viaduct, you will find things quite tame compared to other similarly sized cities. Seattle does have a tendency to lure you into a sense of complacency, it is quite mellow but good to stay aware as bad things happen sometimes.

About the pub noise, easily deciphered if you know the neighborhood. Besides, many of the spots are relaxed and fun, think outdoor patios, farm to table fare, craft beers and rather well behaved patrons

[mhays25]

First Hill and parts of Capitol Hill are more "downtown" to me than South Lake Union or Lower Queen Anne. Of course that's all purely subjective.

Belltown isn't dangerous, just loud in parts. The north end is pretty quiet at night.

[RustinginSeattle]

I'm not sure about your grocery options downtown. I would highly recommend lower Queen Anne for that and a more social/neighborhood feel. Someone else could give feedback on First Hill grocery options. Seattle downtown was not originally set up for easy residential living, so it can be tougher to take care of day to day business there. It has only recently become a serious place to live (within the last 15-20 years). I also believe that it skews pretty young (like most of Seattle these days).

I lived in Belltown very briefly in about 1989. I always ended up on lower Queen Anne to go for walks and just feel people around me. I know things have changed a lot since then, but just something to consider.

Make sure you walk around the various areas and think about groceries and drug stores, etc. before deciding on an area.

[homesinseattle]

Many people who live downtown go to the excellent Whole Foods in SLU (South Lake Union) not far at all from Belltown. Here's the link: http://m.wholefoodsmarket.com/mobile...southlakeunion