Living In South Lake Union: Seattle Neighborhoods

Living In South Lake Union: Seattle Neighborhoods

Living in South Lake Union offers a front-row seat to the incredible growth fueled by the tech industry. South Lake Union (home to Amazon, MOHAI, and Google offices) has transformed rapidly in recent years. As Amazon now employs over 75,000 people out of its Seattle office, the area has seen a boom in development. Before his death, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen invested heavily in revitalizing South Lake Union, turning what was once a neighborhood of low-rise, outdated, and seedy buildings into a hub of state-of-the-art high-rise offices. While you won’t see signs advertising it, many of these buildings are leased by Amazon. And when Amazon family picnic day arrives, living in South Lake Union means witnessing the entire north side of town taken over.

I remember one year, Lavarr Burton (Jordy from Star Trek and Reading Rainbow fame) gave a presentation, and a vendor giving away free bananas kept my kids very happy. They judge events based on the quality of the food—so by their standards, living in South Lake Union offers access to some memorable experiences!

Google has also built a new complex across from the Museum of History and Industry and the Wooden Boat Museum, which sit along the walking trail that hugs Lake Union. One of my clients who enjoys living in South Lake Union has a condo with a “Party Deck” overlooking the lake and affectionately refers to his street, Dexter Avenue, as “Amazon Row.”

Fun Things To Do In South Lake Union

South Lake Union is a great place to go Kayaking and there are seaplanes, houseboats, yachts and all sorts of things going on on the water.  They have a walking/biking/cycling trail around the Lake as well.

Whenever I want to feel cool and jazzy, and a little bit avant garde, I head out for a walk along the Cheshiahud South Lake Union Loop trail and soak in the urban wealth feeling.

The South Lake Union neighborhood (SLU) just north of the skyscrapers in downtown Seattle (zip code 98102) has quickly become one of Seattle’s most vibrant and sought-after places to live after a recent run of rezoning and building in this area.  It is particularly popular for those in the tech industry, as Microsoft mogul Paul Allen rebuilt a lot of this area in the Denny triangle as part of a pre-covid building boom fueled by the success and growth of local IT companies (Amazon has its headquarters here) as well as rezoning the area taking it from light industrial to allowing buildings up to 480 feet tall.  

With Google, Amazon, and numerous other tech firms having offices in the area, SLU offers the ultimate in convenience for IT workers relocating to Seattle. 

For those of us not lucky enough to live downtown, we are lured to the neighborhood from other parts of town by its recently modernized waterfront area… the Museum of History and Industry is housed in the old Naval building, there’s a reflecting pond perfect for sailing tiny model boats.  Speaking of boats there’s the center for Wooden Boats where you can take a paddle, and many colorful houseboats to live in or just enjoy while enjoying the water from a rented kayak or paddle board.  Whether window-shopping for a yacht, grabbing some Chinese Food or enjoying a day of education and fresh air, it’s fun to visit, and this is a place I enjoy taking out of town visitors to go for a walk and see a relatively clean, safe, and fun part of the city.

My purpose in this article is to help you explore the ins and outs of living in South Lake Union, from housing options to lifestyle considerations, so you can decide if this dynamic neighborhood is the right fit for your next home.

Remember: I, Emily Cressey, your friendly guide, am a local real estate agent in this area and would be happy to help you find and buy the perfect home for you, whether here in South Lake Union, or in another Seattle neighborhood that turns out to be a better choice. 

Where To Live In South Lake Union: Housing Options

South Lake Union offers a mix of housing options, catering to different preferences and budgets.  One client I had in this area lived in a 1960’s condo building on a hill overlooking Lake Union.  He called his deck the “Party Deck” because he was known amongst his friends for hosting epic Fireworks Viewing parties there.  Whether it’s the Blue Angels, Fourth of July, New Years… or another fun Seattle hootenanny, there’s usually lots you can see from the Lake Union area.  Rooftop decks and hills create a lot of opportunities for views and hosting events and entertaining, if that’s your jam.

• Condos and Apartments: SLU is known for its sleek, modern high-rises, many of which offer stunning views of Lake Union, the Seattle skyline, or the Cascade Mountains. Prices for a one-bedroom condo typically start around $650,000, while luxury units can easily exceed $1 million. 

For those looking to rent, one-bedroom apartments generally range from $2,300 to $3,500 per month.

• Townhouses and Single-Family Homes: While SLU is more famous for its condos, there are a few townhouses and single-family homes scattered around the neighborhood. These homes tend to be more expensive due to their rarity and prime location, with prices starting at around $1.5 million and going up significantly for larger or more luxurious properties.
  
• Multi-Family Investments: Though rare, you could also look for an investment property, like this $2 million 4-plex.  $6K/month in rental income would offset your mortgage payment, and you’d be in a great location with potential appreciation.  Property here won’t cashflow well, but 

• Houseboats: One of the most unique housing options in Seattle is living on a houseboat.  (Refer to the old “MacGyver” TV show and “Sleepless in Seattle” movie for popular depictions of this option!)
  
  These floating homes offer a truly distinctive lifestyle, with prices ranging from $400,000 for smaller, older models to over $2 million for larger, more modern houseboats. You will have to pay moorage and live-aboard fees each month, which are about $1,500/m combined.

Advantages of Living in South Lake Union:

• Proximity to Work: One of the biggest perks of living in SLU is the proximity to major tech employers like Amazon and Google. This means you can often walk to work in just a few minutes, avoiding the stress of commuting and giving you more time to enjoy life outside of the office.  Traffic in this area can be horrible during rush hour.
  
• Walkability and Public Transit: South Lake Union is one of Seattle’s most walkable neighborhoods in Seattle, which is primarily a car-dependent area outside of the sky-scraper filled center.
  
  With a Walk Score of 94, most errands can be done on foot. The area is flat and well-connected with bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly streets. Public transit options, including the Seattle Streetcar (also unfortunately nicknamed the South Lake Union Street Car (S.L.U.T)), buses, and light rail, make it easy to get around the city without a car.
  
• Urban Amenities: Living in SLU means you’re just steps away from an array of restaurants, cafes, and shops. Grocery stores like Whole Foods and specialty shops like The Butcher’s Table provide easy access to quality food. 

Seattle is known for having more dogs than kids, so you’ll also see plenty of doggie-daycares in this area.  Many can take their dogs to work, but for the days the playful pups are feeling a little more hyper-active and need to get their ya-yas out, there are all-weather indoor dog recreation facilities to accommodate them.

Additionally, there’s no shortage of entertainment options, from visiting the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) to catching a game at Climate Pledge Arena – in the industrial South End of downtown – easy to access, but somewhat dicey to walk or ride there. 

NOTE: My husband’s co-worker got punched in the face (on purpose) on a bus ride back from one of the games.  He also said he got punched while crossing the street in the crosswalk- so be sure to keep your distance from people who look like they might be struggling with drugs or mental illness.

• Outdoor Activities: Lake Union offers a variety of water-based activities, including kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing. The nearby Lake Union Park is a green oasis in the heart of the city, perfect for picnics, outdoor yoga, or simply enjoying the view.