What Are The 10 Best Places To Live In Seattle For Families?

Upgraded Home Team
by Upgraded Home Team

Seattle is home to Amazon and Starbucks, and the first thing you will notice about living in Seattle is we all love those two things. Amazon has provided thousands of jobs, and the original Starbucks is a great job for many young baristas in Seattle. However, living right in downtown Seattle may not be your vibe, especially if you have kids. There are some surrounding places you should check out if you are planning on living in Seattle.

A few of the best places to live if you have a family include towns like Redmond, Sammamish, and Bellevue. They all have charm and activities hosted in these communities to attract young families. The crime rate is lower than in downtown Seattle, and each area has a unique school district that draws in parents.

Seattle is one of the ultimate places to live, and it has become a booming city where everyone wants to be. People are naturally attracted to the area because of all of the new opportunities and activities in the city. Seattle is truly a place to call home, somewhere you will never forget.

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The Top Ten Best Places To Live In Seattle

This is a list of some of the best places to raise a family in Seattle. All of these cities are a very close distance to downtown, no more than a thirty-minute drive. They have unique homes for sale and great school districts to send the kids to.

  • Redmond
  • Sammamish
  • Bellevue
  • Mercer Island
  • Cottage Lake
  • Lake Forest Park
  • Bainbridge Island
  • Kirkland
  • Bothell
  • Woodinville

The 10 Best Neighborhoods For Families

Each town has unique characteristics and some history that make it an exceptional place to live. On top of that, each place has a lower crime rate and lower population than downtown Seattle.

1. Redmond

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 102
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,656
  • Population: 65,558

Redmond was not always a booming place to live. It used to be one street with heavy traffic that took hours to get through. Since then, they have expanded that street into multiple lanes, which have helped traffic in the area and let more shops pop up. There are two big grocery stores, including Whole Foods.

A local dog park takes up half of Redmond, and it is something the area is very well known for. The school district is top-ranked, and the families are generally delighted to live in such a phenomenal location. There are an equal amount of people who rent and buy in this area. The median home value is $703,000, while the median rental price is $1,929.

2. Sammamish

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 35
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 604.6
  • Population: 64,674

This small town located outside of Seattle is right next to Redmond. From the Redmond area, you can walk to Lake Sammamish. This has been deemed one of the top-rated places to live that is still near Seattle. Many people live here, and most people are so nice they don’t experience any crime.

This town has fewer shops than Redmond but more outside activities, like the lake, the local trails, and more. Sammamish has a fantastic state park where you can rent boats, kayaks, and canoes during the summer. Most people in this area choose to own rather than rent. The median home value is $830,000, while the median rental price is $2,395.

3. Bellevue

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 123
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,838
  • Population: 144,403

Bellevue, Washington, is a fun place to live. They have a massive mall known around the state and have entertaining activities throughout the year. During Christmas, snowflake lane occurs; they shoot foamy bubbles from each building’s rooftops to provide ‘snowflakes’ for the families that come out. This town offers tons of family fun for those who visit and live there.

There are many stores near the center and restaurants that deliver. In Bellevue, there is never a dull moment. There is about an equal amount of people who rent and buy in this area. The median home value is $809,200, while the median rent price is $1,947.

4. Mercer Island

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 30
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,404
  • Population: 25,675

Mercer Island is a town just outside of Seattle that is a big island. Many retired folks or people who need a relaxed place outside of the city to raise a family move here. It has gorgeous views for most houses, getting a good look at Lake Washington. If you are looking to commute to Seattle, this can be an excellent option because it is a super short drive and will beat most traffic.

The school district in this area is highly rated, and many people are pleased with the education their kids receive. The cost of living is much higher on Mercer Island, but the quality of life is much better than in many other places. People tend to buy their own homes rather than rent in this area. The homed median value is $1,218,200 while the median rental value is $2,162.

5. Cottage Lake

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 123
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,126
  • Population: 22,677

This is one of the best places to raise a family. The place is named after the lake it surrounds. The best part about this lake is that there is a phenomenal YMCA camp hosted there every summer, and it allows kids to learn various things at this park. They can swim at the local pool with camp counselors, they have the opportunity to do a ropes course, and they will be outside five days a week.

There are also a few grocery stores making it easy to go shopping within a good distance from your home. The schools are highly rated, and overall the kids seem happy at the schools in the area. Most people choose to own rather than rent. The median home value in Cottage Lake is $798,200, while the average rent is $1,992.

6. Lake Forest Park

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 22
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,431.7
  • Population: 13,430

One of Lake Forest Park’s best things is that there is a massive Third Place Books that hosts events. It is literally one of the most beautiful places you could go and take your family. They have an entire downstairs that is a food court and a whole upstairs dedicated to books. Each section has massive selections and is truly a great place to bring your family.

Close to that, there is an entrance to the water where you can reach Lake Washington. Right up the street from that, there is a huge park to let the kids play around on a nice day. There are many attractions to this little town, and it is incredibly safe to raise a family. Most people choose to own rather than rent in this area. The median home value is $623,500, a much more affordable price than other neighborhoods in Seattle. The average rental is $1,617 a month.

7. Bainbridge Island

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 40
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 901
  • Population: 24,486 

Bainbridge can be considered the #1 place to live in Kitsap county and for many good reasons. Like Mercer Island, this is a big Island that is driveable from Seattle, making it great for those who work in the city. The views are stunning because it is surrounded by Puget Sound, which also brings in a lovely sea-smelling scent.

There are tons of local small coffee shops where you can sit and enjoy the scenery. The schools are some of the best in all areas, so this is definitely a place for families to start. Most of the people on Bainbridge Island choose to own their homes rather than rent. The median home value is $705,400, while the median rent per month is $1,555.

8. Kirkland

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 112.5
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,231.5
  • Population: 89,438

Kirkland has amazing schools filled with teachers that truly care about their students. This is a hilly area with a few beaches that connect to Lake Washington, making it a beautiful drive. There are tons of local coffee shops and small retail stores that all have unique things inside.

There are multiple docks on Kirkland’s waterfront where the kids can jump in while you sunbathe and beaches where there are volleyball courts. A small pavilion is near the downtown area where they host events like live music, or you can sit down for a picnic with the family. Most people choose to own homes, but there is a large number of people who also choose to rent out places. The median home value in this neighborhood is $662,300, while the average rental price is $1,861.

9. Bothell

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 63
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 2.026
  • Population: 45,749

This is a good place to settle down if you are looking for some phenomenal housing options. There is a small downtown area with bubble tea places, German bakeries, and some delicious restaurants to try out.

There is a well-known park that is great for long jogs, and long bicycle rides called the Bothell Landing Park. One of the coolest features of this park is there is a pack of wild chickens that roam around. They have been there since the early 1990s and no one has ever wanted to get rid of those chickens.

A lot of the families in this neighborhood choose to own homes rather than rent. The median home value for this neighborhood is $530,300 and the median rent is $1,719.

10. Woodinville

  • Violent Crimes Per 100k: 76
  • Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,066
  • Population: 12,383

A little past Bothell, there is Woodinville which has fantastic shops that are a treat to visit. The crime rate is low, and it is safe to walk around pretty much any time of day. However, this is a town that is pretty far spread out, and it’s easier to get around by car than by walking.

This is an area that has some decent wineries, dog parks, and parks for kids. Most people choose to own their homes, but there is a high number of people who like to rent in this area. The median home value is $623,600, while the average rent per month is $1,877.

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Our Takeaway

If you are looking for some of the more family-oriented places to live in Seattle, you should try all of the surrounding towns connected to Seattle. Most of them are highly ranked when it comes to school and offer activities for the whole family to enjoy. The places you should avoid are Beacon Hill, Lake City, and White Center. They are dangerous, and the crime rate tends to be very high.

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We are a team of passionate homeowners, home improvement pros, and DIY enthusiasts who enjoy sharing home improvement, housekeeping, decorating, and more with other homeowners! Whether you're looking for a step-by-step guide on fixing an appliance or the cost of installing a fence, we've here to help.

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