From a once-thriving little logging town to being listed fourth by the U.S. Census for growth among 50 of the biggest cities in the United States, the Emerald City has come a long way. Anyone living in downtown Seattle can tell you how great it is. Aside from the annoying amount of traffic and rainy weather, it truly is a one of a kind town to live with lots to offer.
Districts and Neighborhoods
In 2013, Charter Amendment 19 passed approval, and nine council positions were to be appointed and divided into seven district elected seats and two citywide seats. In 2015, the first elections for the district-based system took place.
The Seven Council Districts
If you plan on moving from the outskirts into the city proper, you should know the seven districts and their elected officials.
- Council District 1 – West Seattle and South Park run by council member Lisa Herbold,
- Council District 2 – The Southeast and Georgetown run by council member Tammy J. Morales,
- Council District 3 – Central Seattle run by council member Kshama Sawant,
- Council District 4 – The Northeast run by council member Alex Pedersen,
- Council District 5 – North Seattle run by council member Debora Juarez,
- Council District 6 – The Northwest run by council member Dan Strauss,
- Council District 7 – Pioneer Square and Magnolia run by council member Andrew J. Lewis.
Great Neighborhoods to See
Assuming you don’t have all the time in the world to learn about all 127 neighborhoods in the metropolitan area, here are a few points of interest that everyone goes to.
- West Seattle is a pretty desirable neighborhood to live in. Far enough away from the noise of downtown. It’s great to raise a family, and there are many “lesser-known” spots with great views of the skyline. It also has a beautiful waterfront and beach, the best part of town for summertime fun.
- Beacon Hill is relaxed, refined, and a preserver of the culture, not to mention the enormous variety of restaurants around town. So if you’re an art appreciating foodie, this is the best town for you. One thing to keep in mind is that Beacon Hill is very long, and getting around can be a bit tricky. Fortunately, public transit is very streamlined and can get you from point A to point B quickly.
- Central District is home to Seattle’s black community and culture, filled with neighborhood art and projects throughout the town. A beautiful town to take a walk and witness all the innovative and breathtaking murals and art pieces. There is also the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute and Northwest African American Museum if you haven’t had enough of all the fantastic stuff here.
Downtown Housing
If you haven’t gotten a chance to look at all the possible places to live, well, you’re in for a treat because there are plenty of lovely places to call home. Another plus is that, whether buying or renting, downtown is relatively inexpensive for everything that it offers.
Apartments for Rent
Before you go looking for a new apartment to rent, make sure you refresh your memory on what the state requires. There is no rent control, and some places have restrictions on income. Along with that, you must fill out a rental application once you’ve found a good place. Make sure you understand your rights as a tenant.
Buying Property
The median house value is $660,000 in 2020. You can still find affordable housing around town. It might not sound too complicated at first, but there are several hoops you need to jump through, like getting a loan, finding a lender, a real estate agent, a broker, and then choosing a neighborhood. Keep in mind, most agents want to make whatever sale they can quickly because of the high demand for housing. So make sure you know what you need to buy property, and don’t waste too much time searching for housing.
Jobs and Employment
Seattle is very well employed with an average annual salary being $72,000. Several industries are hiring from entry-level to higher-level positions. Now is the best time to apply if you’re searching for employment, but because of the high demand for jobs, you need to send in applications quickly.
Top Industries
To help you get an idea of what the job market is like, here are some the top industries to find a stable career.
- Architecture and Engineering
- Computer Science and IT
- Management
- Business and Finance
- Physical and Social Science
LIttle Known Facts About the City
This metropolitan area truly is one of a kind and a pleasure to explore. From its vast selection of food, unique art, and historical icons, to the not so familiar but oddly exciting sights, truly great for residents. But there are some little known facts about the city to expand your knowledge.
The Most Sunglasses
Being a resident of Seattle, you probably already know why it gets its nickname “The Emerald City”. However, the city only sees an average 152 days of sunshine each year and 38 inches of rain. That’s below the national average of 205 for sunshine and equal to the nation average for rain. Strangely enough, Seattlites buy the most sunglasses per capita than any other city in the U.S.
More Dogs Than Children
Who doesn’t love dogs? They’re friendly, cuddly, furry bundles of joy. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that Seattle is a dog-loving city. In fact, people love dogs so much that in the 2010 census, there were more dogs reported living in the city than children.
Home to The First Ever Real-Life Superhero…. And Friends
For those who didn’t know, or don’t remember; there once was a real-life superhero living in the Emerald city from 2011 to 2014. This masked hero was known as Phoenix Jones, who in 2011 decided to make a difference by literally fighting crime. Shortly thereafter, the “Rain City Superhero Movement” was started and there were a number of people who dressed in costume patrolling the streets to fight crime.
City Nightlife
If you’re feeling spontaneous and you want to paint the town red, you’re in luck. There are plenty of activities and attractions to see. Most places you’ll find are open relatively late, so you won’t have to end the night too early. Check out some popular places like:
- Neu – A restaurant just north of Seattle University where they have a collection of street food inspired dishes from around the world.
- The Pink Door – You can have italian cuisine while enjoying burlesque shows and trapeze entertainment.
- Eden Hill Restaurant – Enjoy new style American food, with interesting combinations of ingredients and experimental cuisine.
Plenty of Tourist Attractions
You can take a walk and enjoy many parks and sights to see at night. If you’re feeling hungry, you’ll be able to find a street vendor and get yourself a hotdog or slice of pizza.
Unique and Strange Scenes
Sometimes going out drinking and badly singing your favorite Beyonce song just isn’t enough. Maybe you’re looking for something new and exciting to do on your night out. Here are some unique and not-so-well-known things to do at night:
- Visit the Fremont Troll
- Explore the Underground city
- Ghost Tour
- Beer and Mini Golf
- Cat Cafe
Top Ten Things To Do
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve gotten to know downtown a bit better, you can see why it is among the top cool neighborhoods in Seattle. So why not consider it on your next relocation? If you’re planning on moving to any of the neighborhoods, you can always contact Seattle Professional Movers and request our reliable local moving services. We cover the majority of areas in the city to make your move as easy as possible.