Capitol Hill safe?? Belltown? (Seattle, Republic: apartment, crime rate, home)

[dpepsi]

I am currently out of state but heading to Seattle soon for a job.(Yes, another one!) During my apartment search I have been relying on "walkscore" website for information, including personal crime ratings. A large area of Capital Hill and half of Belltown are considered HIGH (red) personal crime (S of Republic). Because of the high crime rate reflected on the map, I have crossed these areas off my list. Do you consider this info accurate? Do you feel safe walking around at midnight? (i am a female)Also, which is home to more homeless folks? I appreciate your comments. thanks!

[homesinseattle]

Both these areas are pretty safe, just use common sense in the evening/nighttime hours. The areas to be a bit more alert that time of day are near I-5, near Pike Place Market and near/under the Hwy 99 viaduct.

[Ruth4Truth]

Where is your new job located?

[CrazyDonkey]

Without more of a breakdown it is hard to make any judgments. Belltown and Capitol Hill are Seattle's densest neighborhoods and both have areas with very active nightlife (bars and clubs) with lots of out-of-area visitors. Being close to Downtown, they have larger numbers of homeless and transients. Note that Capitol Hill is a large area with both very safe areas and less safe areas - in general, the latter are along the Pike-Pine and Broadway corridors (where most of the night-life is).

They are great places if you want to live where the "action" is, but realize the drawbacks. For "safer" but still close-in "walkable" areas, look at Upper Capitol Hill (closer to 15th) and Lower Queen Anne.

[dpepsi]

Thank you for the input! (amazon)

[Ira500]

Belltown is a fairly small area, and is very dense. If you want to be within easy walking distance of all things downtown, then it's okay, but it is noted for relatively high crime.
Capitol Hill is huge. Southwest Capitol Hill(just above I-5), the Pike -Pine corridor are very dense and higher crime, but it's much mellower just a few blocks away. If it were me, I'd look into Capitol Hill east of Broadway and north of about Denny.
15th is a nice retail area for shops and restaurants. So I wouldn't rule out Capitol Hill at all, just maybe the western and southern parts of it. I might rule out Belltown.

[jakebarnes]

Lots of homeless in both spots. Most crime seems to be trouble after the bars and clubs close down. I did wake up to gunshots on Saturday morning (I live on Capitol Hill between 1-5 and Broadway) but that's unusual. I feel safe walking at night, I'd just use big city caution. If I have too much to drink I usually take uber if it's after 11pm. I'm a male so YMMV.

If you want a quieter section, the further north you go in Capitol Hill, the quieter it gets.

[CrazyDonkey]

East of Broadway, north of Denny or so, is pretty safe. Most crime problems are south of there.

[GatsbyGatz]

Let me give you the skinny, as I've lived in Cap Hill for a few years. Belltown is basically downtown. You get what you'd expect living in downtown. More urban and obviously less residential. Honestly I'm not a fan of Belltown. Lot more shady and drug dealing.

Cap Hill is very lively and feels like an eclectic community, not a downtown. Lots of bars and restaurants along Pike/Pine and Broadway. Lot more residential, more enjoyable to walk, and is honestly just better and more livable than Belltown in every imaginable way unless you just HAVE to live in downtown.

[dpepsi]

Thank you everyone for your thought! It really helps !