City view or Water view (Seattle: condos, homes, buying)

[Molli]

One of the decisions I'm going to need to make when I relocate to Seattle is the view. From what I read about the weather in Seattle, I'm not sure it makes a lot of sense to pay extra for a water view. I'm thinking that even on those grey, misty days/nites that I should still be able to see some City lights if I have a City view. I'll eventually be buying a newish condo in a highrise and they seem to charge more for water views. Am I right about the water view vs City view?

[homesinseattle]

Nope, get the water view!!!! People talk about grey but the skies are multi layered here. To have a view of the water makes life much more enjoyable, not to mention your place more marketable if/when you ever decide to sell.

[fnh]

I have an expansive city view from east of downtown (Central District) and prefer it for the reason you mention - the view is fantastic both day and night.

[Kayela]

We have had both. It really depends on what the water view encompasses, and how close to the water it is. I do love looking at the city lights, but when we had a fairly good view of the ship/boat traffic coming and going out of Elliot Bay - that was my favorite. You can usually see the water, and the islands. You may not be able to see the Olympics all the time, but I loved watching the weather move across the bay. Plus, if you are talking from DT or Belltown, a water view means max western exposure, and that's pretty nice. It makes Seattle feel bright, even on a cloudy day.

[Molli]

Originally Posted by Kayela

We have had both. It really depends on what the water view encompasses, and how close to the water it is. I do love looking at the city lights, but when we had a fairly good view of the ship/boat traffic coming and going out of Elliot Bay - that was my favorite. You can usually see the water, and the islands. You may not be able to see the Olympics all the time, but I loved watching the weather move across the bay. Plus, if you are talking from DT or Belltown, a water view means max western exposure, and that's pretty nice. It makes Seattle feel bright, even on a cloudy day.

I hadn't even taken that into consideration! Thanks for the reminder!

[Ira500]

Even on a cloudy day, looking at water is nice. Everybody's different. I like looking at the city/downtown at night, but during the day does little for me. If only the view mattered, the view from Harbor Avenue in West Seattle would be all I'd need. Water and downtown view.

[tobester]

Even with our peek-a-boo water view, seeing Mt. Baker covered with snow on a clear day and watching bald eagles fly around make it well worth it.

[beautifulseattlehomes]

I love looking at the water even on a grey day because it is expansive and adds interest and movement to the view.

[Hemlock140]

There are condos along Western and Alaskan Way that have both water and city views. When the Highway 99 viaduct comes down in the next couple of years, their prices will skyrocket because many have that ugly structure and traffic also in their view now. Try also West Seattle, where there are homes with great views of both water and the city.

[angelenogirl]

As happy as it makes me to see the space needle among the clouds, I would definitely recommend a water view. Some of the water views here are pretty jaw dropping. Good luck whatever you choose. This is such a pretty place no mater what!