Even those who love the big city thrills of downtown Seattle could use a cozy neighborhood to call home. With spectacular views of the water, endless delectable restaurants, and incredible views of the Olympic Mountains,
West Seattle is the ideal place to live if you want a more relaxed urban environment. So, what exactly makes West Seattle condo living so great? Read on to determine whether West Seattle matches your needs and lifestyle.
Benefits of West Seattle living
Waterfront property
When they can’t resist the call of the sea, West Seattle residents enjoy daily walks on the beach and close access to the best local seafood spots around. Waterfront living in West Seattle makes even the rainiest days feel magical. Imagine sitting on your balcony in the early morning and enjoying the dewy mist of the sea on your face as you sip your morning coffee. You’ll feel refreshed, energized, and ready to tackle the day ahead.
Besides the personal enjoyment of waterfront property, a West Seattle condo offers a perfect investment opportunity as a secondary property. Folks are always looking for a short-term rental close to boating activity and beautiful views, especially during the holidays when festivals and community entertainment are at their peak. Vacationers will also be clamoring for a beautiful place close to the water to spend warm days lounging and swimming. Scoring property near Alki Beach can bring in the big bucks when summer rolls around.
Downtown shopping and eateries
In West Seattle, having a car makes it easier to get around, but you don’t need to drive from location to location to get the most out of the city. Thanks to West Seattle Junction, also known as “The Junction,” you have everything you need in one spot. Then, when the need for a yummy snack creeps up on you, satisfy your every craving at Bakery Nouveau. If you want a date night location to impress somebody special, Mashiko offers an innovative take on traditional Japanese fare by incorporating sustainable seafood and stylish presentation.
The Junction is also the city’s spot for the annual Summer Fest, which features live bands, a beer garden, kid-friendly attractions, and a collection of local outdoor food vendors. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with the community and spend time with your family, breaking off occasionally to explore your interests and coming together at the end of the night to cheer on the closing acts on the main stage.
Plenty of outdoor activity
West Seattle has that small-town charm without being small at all. Spanning 16 miles, the neighborhood has plenty of room for West Seattleites to spread out and enjoy the city without feeling too removed from the community and their neighbors. Condo communities line the beach, allowing people of all different lifestyles to meet and connect while exploring the outdoors.
On Alki Avenue, you can draw artistic inspiration by viewing the beautiful flower houses before watching the sunset at Alki Beach Park. Those who would prefer to spend some quiet time in the Washington foliage can walk through Schmitz Preserve Park, a 53-acre landscape filled with chirping woodpeckers and densely packed greenery. For family-friendly outdoor fun, you can retire to your cabin at Camp Long, a 68-acre park with trekking, rock climbing, and ropes courses (great fun during the annual Mountain Fest).
West Seattle real estate market
Condos comprise about one-fifth of the West Seattle housing market. Inventory remains low due to a widespread reluctance to refinance homes at current interest rates. The median price of a West Seattle condo is about $400,000, significantly less than condos cost elsewhere in Seattle. Even as the market for single-family homes stalls, King County condos have retained much of their value into 2023.
West Seattle is a more affordable investment opportunity than other neighborhoods in Seattle. However, there aren’t many condos for sale in West Seattle at the moment. With inventory on the lower side, you must move quickly to secure a great spot in this area.
Overall, King County is one of the more expensive counties to live in, right behind San Juan, where the
median resale price of a home is $850,000. Choosing a West Seattle condo means you’ll get to live in an area where property values remain high and perform well throughout the year. Only a 12-minute drive from downtown Seattle, West Seattle is perfect for the new homeowner who wants to plant roots in a place close to the city but removed enough to enjoy quaint suburban living and an abundance of outdoor activity.
Your West Seattle home awaits
West Seattle’s real estate market can be reason enough for the seasoned investor to jump on the opportunity to purchase an immaculate condo in this city. Still, the real selling point is how easy it is to feel at home in this community. Whether you’re always looking for the next big event to share with your family or if you’re more of a loner who is partial to long hikes and gorgeous scenery, West Seattle has everything you’ve been searching for. Now is the perfect time to purchase your brand-new home in this unbeatable location.
Mara Haveson is a premier real estate agent in Washington, and she has the skill and wisdom to help you find the West Seattle condo that matches you perfectly. With 25 years of experience and over $30 million in average annual sales, Mara has the passion and enthusiasm to get the job done.
Call Mara today to find your ultimate dream condo in West Seattle.
*Header photo courtesy of Shutterstock