West Seattle

West of downtown, across the Duwamish River, West Seattle is known for its spectacular views of the Seattle skyline, Elliott Bay, and the Olympic Mountains.

Sandy Alki Beach attracts hordes of Seattleites during summer for a vibrant lifestyle reminiscent of a California beach town. Find cottages, condos, and modern homes lining the boardwalk. Within West Seattle, other eclectic microhoods feature an array of classic modern homes. Arroyo Heights and Fauntlee Hills are mid-century enclaves, while North Admiral and The Junction (Alaska Street and California Avenue) boast strong commercial cores with shops, restaurants, and businesses. A wave of recent development has also brought contemporary moderns and sustainable communities into the real estate mix, attracting young professionals and families to the area.

Some of the must-see attractions include 100-year-old Alki Point Lighthouse, a preserved concrete and masonry tower, and 135-acre Lincoln Park, with its hiking paths and biking trails, picnic and play areas, and remarkable greenery, including old-growth Douglas firs. Another bonus? The West Seattle Water Taxi gets you to downtown in a scenic 10-minute ferry ride.

Normandy Park

The original intention for Normandy Park was for it to be a stately community done in the French Normandy style, but the Great Depression cut that idea off short. A few decades later in the 1940s and 1950s, the city was “rediscovered,” resulting in the classic mid-century modern homes that still exist today. As is with most real estate, the closer to the water, the steeper the price, but some of the more affordable modern housing options in the area exist here.

Tucked between Burien and Des Moines, Normandy Park is conveniently located close to Boeing, Sea-Tac Airport, and Southcenter Mall. And at just 2.5 square miles, it offers the quiet, pedestrian-friendly, community-oriented lifestyle that families crave.