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, 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 North Seattle neighborhood and gives it its name. There is a bus line and a school on the street and many apartments line the road.
The 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.
There’s a little more night-life here than in some of the more suburban neighborhoods to the North. I once went with a friend to a meditation meeting here in which incense was burned, gongs were played, the 4 cardinal directions were invoked, and I imaged going into a cave and seeing a unicorn. It was pretty woo-woo for me at the time, but welcoming nevertheless.
The Greenwood Real Estate Market
The real estate market in Greenwood offers something for everyone, from 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.
New construction in the Seattle area as a whole is moving toward higher-density. You won’t find sprawling developments or gated communities, 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.
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. 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.
For those who love the outdoors, Greenwood offers easy access to parks and green spaces. Greenwood Park is a popular destination for families, with its playground, community garden, and picnic areas. The nearby Carkeek Park and Golden Gardens Park offer scenic trails and beach access, perfect for weekend adventures or a peaceful stroll.
Going down to the beach was always an exciting adventure for me as a kid. You can go down to the water and dip your feet (Lake Washington is COLD!) or walk around on the shore as well. Any summer day that gets HOT is going to find Seattleites with no air conditioning at home, heading down to the water for a chance to cool off!
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.
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 Green Lake, 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.
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, 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 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, 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.
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 to the light rail, so check this handy BUS TRIP PLANNING WEBSITE to see what your commute might look like from Greenwood, using public transportation.
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.
