Living In Greenwood – A North Seattle Neighborhood

Living In Greenwood – A North Seattle Neighborhood

Welcome to Greenwood, a vibrant and eclectic neighborhood located in North Seattle. Bordering the lively neighborhoods of Ballard to the west and the peaceful community of Shoreline to the north (my stomping grounds!), living in Greenwood will offer a unique blend of urban amenities and suburban charm.

There is a big arterial called “Greenwood Avenue” that runs through the middle of this area and lends the neighborhood its name. There is also a major bus line and a school on the street and many apartments line the road.

Based on my recent meeting with a Seattle city planner, I discovered the the city is targeting areas near Rapid Transit bus lines to be the hub of “urban villages” where they are driving higher-density housing (apartments, condos and townhomes) to increase foot traffic, public transportation utilization, and affordable housing options. 

While Greenwood Ave does not currently have a RapidRide bus line, there is one nearby.  The E Line operates along Aurora Avenue North, which is approximately half a mile east of Greenwood Avenue. The RapidRide E Line offers high-frequency service connecting Shoreline, the Licton Springs neighborhood, and downtown Seattle.

The Greenwood neighborhood is just seven miles north of downtown Seattle, making it a prime spot for commuters who work in the city of Seattle.

With a population of around 17,000 people, Greenwood is a tight-knit community known for its welcoming atmosphere and diverse real estate market. Whether you’re seeking a quaint bungalow or a modern townhouse, Greenwood is a place you’ll want to call home.

It was definitely a little “woo-woo” for me at the time, but the group was incredibly welcoming. If you’re into alternative healing, yoga, or spirituality, you’ll find plenty of kindred spirits in the Greenwood neighborhood.

Greenwood has a bit more nightlife and cultural variety than many of the quieter, suburban neighborhoods to the north.

I remember going to a meditation group there once—it was absolutely packed. The leader burned incense, played gongs, and guided us through a visualization where we entered a cave and met our spirit animal (mine was a unicorn!).

We also honored the four cardinal directions—North, South, East, and West—and gave thanks to Mother Earth.

The Greenwood Real Estate Market

The residential real estate market in Greenwood offers something for everyone, from renters, to first-time buyers to seasoned investors. Home prices in the area reflect its growing popularity, with the median home price sitting around $800,000.

You’ll find a mix of housing types, including charming Craftsman style homes, contemporary townhouses, and newer condo developments.

Many homes in Greenwood are updated older properties, which adds character and variety to the neighborhood’s housing stock.  This is an area with many older homes, and if you want a house with a yard, you’re probably going to have to go with older pre-existing contruction.

New construction in the Seattle area as a whole is moving toward higher-density. You won’t find sprawling developments or gated communities here, but you will find brand new 2-bed, 2-bath condos with 1-2 car parking, and condo developments as well.

In recent years, Greenwood has seen steady home appreciation, thanks to its proximity to downtown Seattle and its community-driven atmosphere. From 2013 to 2023, home values in the neighborhood appreciated by nearly 70%, providing a solid investment for homeowners. While the market can be competitive, buyers have the opportunity to find affordable homes compared to nearby Ballard and Phinney Ridge.

Rental properties are also available in Greenwood, with the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment around $2,300 per month, making it a more affordable option for renters compared to some other Seattle neighborhoods.

Whether you’re looking to buy or rent, the Greenwood real estate market offers a balance between urban convenience and suburban tranquility.

Buying a Home in Greenwood, WA

If you’re thinking of buying a home in the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle, the process starts with understanding your goals.  We need to know 3 things whenever we’re looking at acquiring real estate: Location (perhaps Greenwood), price range, and type of home (house, condo, etc.).  They’re all connected, but usually most people can’t meet all three of their goals unless they’ve done a lot of homework.  (Usually, some compromise is involved).

As your local Seattle Realtor, I’ll guide you through the home search, financing, and negotiation process. We’ll look at everything from school zones and commute times to property condition and long-term value. Ready to explore homes in Greenwood?

Drop me a note in the form below, and I can answer your questions about finding your home in Greenwood, or the location you eventually decide on.

Greenwood Community Overview: A Neighborhood with Personality

Greenwood is a dynamic community with plenty of local flavor. The main commercial hub runs along Greenwood Avenue, where you’ll find an array of restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques.  You can stop into a local brewery, listen to a band, or try a new Mexican place!  Many foodies live here and the selection of eats is fantastic!

The neighborhood’s quirky, independent spirit is alive and well in its local businesses, many of which have been staples for decades. Local favorite spots like The Yard Café and Chuck’s Hop Shop offer great places to gather with friends and neighbors.

Last fall, we found out that the salmon that had been released from the stream in Carkeek park were returning to the area to spawn!  We took an adventure trip to the park with my parents and daughter and saw many spawning (and then dying… it’s sad but normal) salmon in the streams.  We also smelled them.   

The park was packed and there was even a field trip van from a local nursing home bringing seniors to see the display. 

While we were there, we decided to walk the trail to the beach and ended up passing through an area that had been turned into a wetland by beavers.  There were blue herons roosting in the trees, as well.  It was a very exciting day for wildlife, just 20 minutes away from my home in Lake Forest Park! 

Greenwood is also known for its strong sense of community, which shines through during the neighborhood’s annual events.

The Greenwood Car Show draws thousands of visitors each year, while the Friday Art Walks at the Seattle Art Collective showcase the work of local artists.

Residents take pride in their neighborhood, and community activism is a hallmark of the area. From local environmental initiatives to efforts to preserve neighborhood history, Greenwood is a place where people come together to make a difference.

Taproot Theatre: A Cultural Gem in Greenwood

Located in the heart of the Greenwood neighborhood, Taproot Theatre is one of Seattle’s most beloved local arts institutions. 

My son’s school sends the kids out once a year on a formal event where they learn about culture – eating a fancy dinner, wearing suits, and seeing a show.  For the past two years, I have been a chaperone (so fun!) and we’ve enjoyed seeing plays at the Taproot Theater.  It’s a small intimate theater and you can really see, hear (and touch, if you’re naughty!) the actors.  It’s a great experience, and I highly recommend getting a season pass if you live in the area.  (Parking can be tough, though!)

Founded in 1976, this professional nonprofit theatre company offers an impressive lineup of live performances throughout the year—from thought-provoking dramas to family-friendly comedies and seasonal favorites. In addition to its mainstage productions, Taproot also runs acting classes and youth programs, making it a hub for creativity and community engagement. For Greenwood residents, having a walkable neighborhood theater like Taproot adds a unique cultural richness that sets this area apart from other Seattle neighborhoods.

Nearby Seattle, WA Attractions and Activities

Greenwood’s location makes it a prime spot for accessing some of Seattle’s top attractions and activities. Just a short drive or bus ride away is the Ballard Locks, a famous site where you can watch boats pass through and see salmon migrating upstream.

The locks were built by the Army Corps of Engineers and have a display showing how they work at the Lake Union Museum of History and Industry in Seattle.

This is a place my grandparents always used to take their out of town guests to show them the city. (This was before streaming TV and phones entertained us all day.)

The Locks connect Lake Washington to Puget Sound and an exciting place to spend 20 minutes when you’re touring the city. There’s also a salmon ladder there, but I’ve never seen it with fish in it. It may depend on the time of year you go.

Ballard’s bustling dining and nightlife scene is also just minutes away, offering popular restaurants like The Walrus and the Carpenter and Delancey Pizza.

Greenwood’s proximity to Greenlake, one of Seattle’s most popular outdoor spots, is another draw. Residents enjoy easy access to Green Lake’s 2.8-mile walking and biking trail, which is ideal for staying active and enjoying the outdoors. The Woodland Park Zoo is also nearby, offering fun for families and animal lovers alike. These are places I really loved going as a kid, and enjoyed taking my kids to when they are younger. Now they are teens so… it’s different… don’t ask!

For commuting, there are a lot of buses that run along Greenwood Ave, and, the Northgate Mall is just a few minutes away, where the light rail connects. The Mall used to have a variety of shops, restaurants, and a newly built NHL practice facility for the Seattle Kraken. Right now, we just go there for the Chipotle. Most of the rest is under construction, but it will be exciting to see what becomes of it! With so many nearby attractions and activities, Greenwood offers the perfect balance of urban living and outdoor adventure.

Crown Hill Christmas Decorations – While Crown Hill is not officially in Greenwood, it’s nearby, just to the South, and a beautiful luxury neighborhood where my family likes to visit to see their Christmas decorations each year.  The homes are lovely and not too tall – because the neighborhod offers views of Puget Sound, and many residents participate in creating striking displays on their already gorgeous houses. It’s a fun place to carol and share the delights of the season with neighborhood dog walkers and others who have come to enjoy the residents’ handiwork!

Schools and Education in Greenwood, WA

Families in Greenwood have access to a range of educational options within the Seattle Public School District. The neighborhood is served by several well-regarded public schools, including Greenwood Elementary, Whitman Middle School, Robert Eagle Staff Middle School, and Ingraham High School, which offer a variety of programs for students of all ages.

For younger children, Greenwood also has several preschools and daycare centers, including Northwest Montessori School and Phinney Ridge Cooperative Preschool.

Families seeking private education can explore nearby options like Bishop Blanchet High School (a great Catholic School in the Greenlake neighborhood that happened to be my cross-country team’s arch-rival) or Lakeside School (my alma mater – Go Lions!), one of Seattle’s most prestigious private schools. This is actually where Bill Gates and Paul Allen (the Microsoft founders) went and also sent there kids, as well as other big mucky-mucks around Seattle, whose names you would recognize.

According to GreatSchools.org, many of these schools have favorable ratings, making Greenwood an attractive neighborhood for families with children.

Additionally, with the University of Washington just a short drive away, there are educational opportunities and lots of jobs nearby.

Transportation and Commute Options From Greenwood

Greenwood is well-connected to the rest of Seattle via several public transit options and major roadways. The neighborhood is served by multiple bus routes, including Metro’s RapidRide E Line, which provides quick and convenient service to downtown Seattle.

For drivers, Greenwood is close to Highway 99 and Interstate 5 (I-5, as it is known here… not “The 5,” you Californians!), making it easy to commute to nearby employment centers like South Lake Union, Bellevue, and even Tacoma.

Although, Greenwood Ave and Highway 99 (aka the infamous “Aurora Ave” which I share more about in many of my YouTube Videos…) have a lot of traffic lights and traffic on I-5 can be QUITE slow during rush hour.

Additionally, Greenwood is part of Seattle’s growing bike infrastructure, with bike lanes along key streets and easy access to the Interurban Trail – the trail sounds great in theory, but it is largely unfinished/unconnected so don’t buy into the hype around that toooooo much.  Your mileage may vary.  (haha!)

As Seattle continues to expand its light rail system, future plans may bring even more transit options to the area, further enhancing Greenwood’s connectivity to the rest of the city.

My husband and I noticed that bus routes that used to go all the way downtown, more recently would take him directly to the light rail now, so check this handy BUS TRIP PLANNING WEBSITE to see what your commute might look like from Greenwood, using public transportation.

Safety, Homelessness, and Community Dynamics in Greenwood

Like many urban neighborhoods in Seattle, Greenwood has experienced some visibility of homelessness, panhandling, and substance use issues, particularly near busier intersections and commercial zones such as along Greenwood Ave and near 85th Street.

While the situation is not unique to Greenwood, and is somewhat pervasive throughout the city of Seattle, it’s something prospective residents should be aware of.

That said, the neighborhood has a strong and proactive community response—local businesses, neighborhood groups, and city outreach teams work together to maintain public spaces and support those in need.

Most residential streets remain peaceful and family-friendly, and many residents find Greenwood to be a safe and welcoming place to live, walk, and raise a family. As always, visiting the area in person at different times of day can help you get a feel for whether it’s the right fit for your lifestyle.

Why Work with HomePro Associates?

If you’re considering buying or selling a home in the Greenwood neighborhood or other North Seattle Neighborhood, trust Emily Cressey and her team at HomeProAssociates.com to guide you through the process. Emily is a Seattle native and has years of real estate experience in the Seattle market. Our dedicated team has the local knowledge and expertise to help you find the perfect home, or sell your property for top dollar. If you’re looking for an investment property, Greenwood has some great options, and we can talk through what that might look like as well.

At HomePro Associates, we pride ourselves on offering personalized service, expert negotiation skills, and a commitment to your satisfaction. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, we’re here to help you navigate the competitive Greenwood real estate market with confidence.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in making your Greenwood homeownership dreams come true.