Resting comfortably on the shores of Puget Sound, Seattle occupies some of the most geographically dynamic real estate in the world. Gorgeous mountain landscapes border this serene city to the East and West, with Elliott Bay, Lake Union and Lake Washington complementing the city’s system of hills and valleys.
Seattle is the beneficiary of a robust and thriving economy, thanks in large part to being the home of some of the world’s most influential companies. Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks and Amazon, to name just a few, call Seattle home. Business infrastructure of this magnitude, combined with Seattle’s geography-imposed building restrictions, has helped the city’s housing values remain comparatively strong, in spite of the nationwide real estate slump.
Seattle is divided into several geographically diverse and vibrant neighborhoods, each with its own character and unique offerings. You’ll find everything from modern, urban high-rises in the Bell Town and South Lake Union communities, to vintage brick and stone craftsmanship in Capitol Hill, Pioneer Square and Ballard, to quiet, tree lined sub-urban communities like Madison Park, Queen Anne, West Seattle and Fremont, all within striking distance of Seattle’s kinetic downtown corridor. Water views are available in just about every neighborhood, in almost any direction, thanks to the regions system of lakes, locks and the Sound to the West.
Seattle is also a hub for higher education. As home to the University of Washington, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University and a thriving community college system, Seattle ranks among the most educated cities in the world.
Known for it’s thriving musical community, Seattle has launched the careers of many world-renowned bands and performers, including Ray Charles, Jimi Hendrix, Pearl Jam, and, perhaps most famously, Nirvana. The list is virtually endless, as Seattle has long been the cultural hub of the entire Pacific Northwest region. The Experience Music Project, developed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, offers a dynamic and fascinating look at the roots and legacy of Seattle’s hallowed music scene.
Seattle is also home to major sports teams in the form of the Mariners, Seahawks Sounders and Seattle Storm, who occupy the world-class Safeco Field, Qwest field and Key Arena, respectively. Sports like roller derby, volleyball and golf are also popular in the area.
