Downtown / Belltown / Pioneer Square
By Caren Gussoff
Beneath the two-mile wrist of land connecting raucous Pioneer Square to upscale Belltown pulses the vital lifeblood of the city, rich with every urban must and luxury. It's no wonder many consider property in Seattle's downtown neighborhoods to be worth their weight in gold (which is close to what living there would cost you, anyway).
Almost everything is at the fingertips of residents here, which is why they so gladly shell out for a small condo or posh rental in one of the ultra-modern developments that have dominated Belltown's residential area since the 1990s. There are still a few stout brick apartment buildings dating from the 1930s and 1940s, but most of downtown's affluent, professional population pays an average of $1,300 to $1,600 monthly for rentals with one bedroom and one bath in a sleek high-rise. If you are looking to own, a one-bedroom, one-bath will set you back an average of $200,000, and a two-bedroom, two-bath with a rising average of $400,000, says Joseph L. Platz of Covenant Real Estate Incorporated. Values depend on the square footage of the unit and the particular condo building it is located in. You'll also pay more for a waterfront view. Some of these expenses cover a building doorman or security systems-homelessness and crime remain a problem in the area, particularly along Second Avenue.
Some properties include parking in building lots and garages-usually for an additional fee (up to $100 per month)-which the lucky pay happily. Street parking can be a challenge, so other residents are loath to move their cars once they have found a cherry spot. Not that they'll need their cars, in any case -- the financial and banking district is a short walk, and residents can also hop any of the buses, taxis, commuter trains, or ferries that converge in the area. Those who do drive have easy access to I-5 and Highway 99, with an average 20-minute commute to the Eastside and approximately 45 minutes to Tacoma.
While acquiring some necessities, especially basic groceries and hardware, requires a trip to an adjacent neighborhood, almost everything else one's heart desires can be found on foot. Local gourmands can buy fresh produce, florals and fish at the Pike Place Market, and the area is teeming with restaurants representing every type of cuisine and budget. Other shopping is abundant, with chain stores (including Nordstrom's flagship location) nestled next to local boutiques offering the latest prêt-à-porter.
Downtown is also the center of Seattle's cultural scene. Music? Catch a symphony performance at Benaroya Hall or a rock show at the historic Showbox. Feeling arty? Peruse the hundreds of local galleries or the newest exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum, or rub elbows with the artsy elite at Pioneer Square's First Thursday art openings. Great theaters, including the Fifth Avenue, produce local shows and host national tours. For the bibliophile, readings at Elliot Bay Books and the majestic, Rem Koolhaas-designed main branch of the Seattle Public Library are real treats.
Evening entertainment is just as easy to find. You can linger over massive margaritas at the quirky Mama's Mexican Kitchen, sharpen your cue at Belltown Billiards, or take in some trapeze acts with your tortellini at the Pink Door. For the rowdier set, Pioneer Square is also home to some of the wildest bars and events in the in the city. Boisterous nighttime revelers enjoy the single joint-cover charge that allows them to hop from club to club, and the area gets especially crowded during holidays and after sports events, as fans migrate up from nearby Safeco Field and Qwest Field.
So, while living in downtown Seattle does carry a hefty price tag, your dollar goes a long way if you want all the hustle and flow of the city right at your doorstep.
