A Guide to the Suburbs
So, if you’ve been on the site a bit, you should know I hail from a little town in the Pacific Northwest (Upper Left US haha) called Seattle. Aka the Emerald City, Rain City, etc. And while the city itself is nice (if you like that sort of thing…y’all know I’m not a city girl), I’m actually from the suburbs, about 20 miles north of downtown. So today I’d like to break down for you the best places to live outside of Seattle, if like me, the big city and all its lights are not your cup of coffee!
I would like to acknowledge and honor the Dwamish, Muckleshoot, Snoqualmie and Tulalip peoples, the traditional Indigenous owners and stewards of the unceded land we now know today as Seattle and the surrounding area.
How to Know If the Suburbs (aka best places to live outside of Seattle) Are Right for You
Commute
This is EXTREMELY important to keep in mind, particularly in Seattle, where traffic has become insane in the past decade (thanks tech boom). If you’ll be working or needing to be in town often, it’s worth looking into if that’s an affordable/attractive option so you’re not wasting your life on the freeway.
Lifestyle
Do you want a city or somewhere quieter?
Also please note, just like in my best places to live in Montreal post, this list is TOTALLY subjective, AKA biased based on my opinion and life experiences. So if you’re considering somewhere else, no worries, these are purely my recommendations!
I’ve also made sure all towns are a reasonable commuting distance to Seattle and Bellevue, as most people will be working one of the two. Although, if you’re one of those lucky WFH-for-life people, no need to worry about it!
Without further ado…..
Best Places to Live Outside Seattle
Edmonds
Near where I grew up, home to a cute little waterfront town center, marina (where my family keeps the fishing boat actually), and plenty of cute cafes and restaurants. And at just 17 miles north of downtown Seattle, it’s not too bad of a commute, with plenty of options; the Sounder commuter train runs daily, as well as numerous bus routes or a drive if you’re up for it. There’s also a local ferry that takes you across to Kingston on the Peninsula. A great jumping off point to visit Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo, Port Townsend or further afield destinations such as the Olympic Mountains or the Washington coast.
The school district is great if you have little ones and there’s always something to do. I personally spend quite a bit of time here between ballet (s/o Olympic Ballet School), going out on the boat, meeting friends who live here or hanging out at one of the outdoor patios! The town is walkable, safe and friendly and you’ll never be far from the water or view of the mountains! The locals are a mix of young families, retirees, young professionals and numerous dogs, ensuring all types will feel right at home.
Please note that if you plan on buying a house, you’ll be shelving out quite a bit in Edmonds, often for an older one that will need reno. If you’re renting, prices are basically on par with the rest of the area.
Kirkland – one of the best places to live outside of Seattle for the younger crowd
This is possibly my favorite on the list, for good reason. I called Kirkland home during the summer and fall of 2020, a turbulent time for all of us. It was my safe haven during that year and I’ll always hold it in my heart. Besides my sentimental reasons though, it is really an amazing place to live.
Located near (sometimes on….depending on your neighborhood) the eastern shores of Lake Washington, with the likes of St Edward’s State Park, Juanita Beach, Denny Park/Beach (not to be confused with the one in Seattle) and a cute downtown, I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s absolutely a lovely place to live!
There’s a large bus terminal right downtown for you commuters as well as easy access to the 520 bridge if you’re in need to cross the water. The town, like Edmonds, is walkable (from many houses, like where we lived!), friendly and safe. There’s plenty of cute cafes, restaurants and outdoor seating for nicer days.
Recently, it’s become a popular place for tech workers, particularly Miscrosofities whose office is in nearby Redmond. It’s also good for students, young couples and families. Lake Washington school district is good, and a great jumping off place for exploring the Eastside. It’s also QUITE pricey (for both renters and buyers), but besides that, I’d totally live here again and makes my personal shortlist of best places to live outside of Seattle!
Woodinville
Woodinville holds a special place in my heart as it’s where I grew up riding horses. Hold up? You can ride horses in the SUBURBS of Seattle? Well yes, if you head a bit east. This is wine and horse country and thus, has a less built up/towny/suburb feel than the others on this list because the houses (besides the few condos, apartments and townhouses that have sprouted up) tend to be further apart on larger lots.
There’s a cute little town area (not as walkable as others on this list) with everything you’d need from grocery stores, restaurants, a movie theater, tack shops (for fellow equestrians) and bookshops.
The Burke-Gilman trail runs right through town, and you can take it all the way into Seattle if you’d like or continue the opposite direction into the country. It’s a bit further afield and not as nice of a commute as other options, but with more of us working from home and job opportunities increasing every year on the Eastside, still a nice option.
Like Kirkland and the rest of the Eastside, you’ll be paying a premium to live in Woodinville, but I think it’s worth it for the larger space and quieter area. For these reasons, it’s definitely one of the best places to live outside of Seattle.
West Seattle
Okay, for all you ocean-lovers out there, but also would like to be close to the city, may I suggest West Seattle? Yes, it’s technically part of the city, but the location across the bay from downtown makes it feel like a whole new (more laid back) world.
With one of the few sandy “city beaches”, a long boardwalk that you can walk/bike along from the ferry dock, and more affordable rents than the rest of the Seattle city limits, it’s a true gem. Commuting can be rough, the West Seattle bridge is a notorious nightmare, but if you’re willing to take public transport the water taxi (ferry sans cars) is a quick 20 – 30 minute crossing that drops you right on the waterfront of downtown Seattle. This is great if you work in the city and you can easily catch buses or walk up to the light rail for further commutes.
West Seattle inhabitants are a true eclectic mix. From young professionals and couples looking for an escape from the concrete jungle of their workdays to older locals who lived there before it was cool to California transplants who don’t want to give up the beach. It’s perfect if you want a relaxed vibe away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city. It’s also one of the cheaper options within city limits (near the beach too!!).
Bainbridge Island – one of the best places to live outside of Seattle for commuters!
Like Woodinville and Kirkland, Bainbridge Island has a special place in my heart as part of my family is from there. My Great-Grandmother had a large, 20 acre farm (basically non-existent on the island today) while I was a child that I loved visiting.
These days, Bainbridge is notably more trendy, boogie and posh. It’s where the city-slickers go for a quick getaway. Winslow, the main town is cute and walkable with plenty going on from farmer’s markets, cafes and shops. The island itself is quite beautiful with lots of trails and beaches for outdoor lovers. You’re also well-positioned to explore the rest of the peninsula from fellow ferry-towns like Kingston and Bremerton to other favorites like Poulsbo and Port Townsend. If you go further afield, Olympic National Park and Forest (as well as nearby Port Angeles and Sequim) and the ocean are easy weekend trips.
For commuters, the ferry ride isn’t the worst, and unlike West Seattle’s water taxi, cars are welcome on the Bainbridge – Seattle route. You won’t find too many younger people making the island their home these days (unless they grew up there), but if you’re an older professional, young (or older) family or someone who likes a bit of peace and quiet in addition to natural beauty, the island is perfect!
Lynnwood -one of the best places to live outside of Seattle on a budget!
Another option near where I grew up, Lynnwood, has become popular in recent years thanks to affordability (rare in the Greater Seattle Area today) and plentiful transport options for commuters. Located right on the I-5 corridor, you’ll never be too far from workplaces south to downtown, east to Bellevue or north all the way to Everett. There’s plenty of transit centers and bus routes to make your travels simple and the light rail will be an option someday.
It’s also an up-and-coming area for young families, students and professionals who want a bit more for their buck in terms of space. And while there isn’t really a super cute walkable downtown area like many other suburbs on this list, this suburban haven has plenty in its’ spread out vicinity from Costcos, the local mall, you name it! It’s also the most affordable place to live on this list, and one of the most affordable “best places to live outside of Seattle”.
I hope this guide has helped you narrow down where you’d like to live in the Seattle suburbs. There is no shortage of amazing options and no matter where you end up, I’m sure you’ll fall in love with the area.
Have you ever been to Seattle? What was your favorite area? Comment below!