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SeattleWalkable

First Hill

First Hill is Seattle's dense, urban medical and residential hub sitting directly east of downtown, home to major hospital campuses including Swedish, Harborview, and Virginia Mason.

96
Walk Score
90
Transit Score
70
Bike Score

Living in First Hill

First Hill is Seattle's dense, urban medical and residential hub sitting directly east of downtown, home to major hospital campuses including Swedish, Harborview, and Virginia Mason. The median price of $505,000 at $661/sqft reflects its condo-dominated market, with an 8.4% YoY increase showing steady appreciation. With 49 average days on market, the neighborhood offers urban buyers access to top-tier walkability and transit at a lower price point than adjacent Capitol Hill.

First Hill is one of Seattle's most walkable neighborhoods, with near-perfect pedestrian access to downtown, Capitol Hill, and the Central District. The First Hill Streetcar connects residents directly to Capitol Hill's vibrant dining scene and South Lake Union. The neighborhood is defined by its major medical institutions, mid-rise residential buildings, and a growing independent restaurant and cafe scene along Broadway and Madison Street.

Healthcare professional working on First Hill โ€” Living within walking distance of Harborview, Swedish, or Virginia Mason eliminates commute stress entirely. Urban professional prioritizing transit and walkability โ€” Streetcar access, a 96 walk score, and proximity to downtown and Capitol Hill make car-free or car-light living entirely feasible. First-time condo buyer entering Seattle โ€” Sub-$505K median in a highly accessible, appreciating urban neighborhood offers a strong entry point into Seattle real estate.

Real Estate Market

Condo+8.4% YoY
$505,000
$661
$/sqft
49
Days
18
Sold

5-Year Price Trends

Quarterly median sale price. Source: Redfin. Hover to highlight.

Q4 2025. Quarterly data from Redfin. Low sales volume can cause quarter-to-quarter volatility.

Getting Around

First Hill is bounded by I-5 to the west, Broadway to the east, Madison Street to the north, and Yesler Way to the south โ€” a compact urban district immediately east of downtown Seattle and west of Capitol Hill.

Key commute times:

  • Microsoft Redmond: 35โ€“45 min by car or express bus
  • Amazon Bellevue: 30โ€“40 min by car
  • Downtown Seattle: 5โ€“10 min by foot, streetcar, or bus
  • Amazon South Lake Union: 10โ€“15 min by streetcar or 15 min walk

Highlights

  • Near-perfect walk score (96) โ€” one of Seattle's most walkable neighborhoods
  • First Hill Streetcar connects to Capitol Hill and SLU with no car required
  • Lower price point than Capitol Hill with comparable urban access
  • Adjacent to major medical employment hub (Swedish, Harborview, Virginia Mason)
  • 8.4% YoY price appreciation with stable demand fundamentals
  • Garfield High School feeder zone โ€” one of Seattle's top-rated public high schools

Schools

Lowell Elementary

Elementary
7/10

Washington Middle School

Middle
7/10

Garfield High School

High School
9/10

Thinking about First Hill?

I'd love to show you around and help you find the right home. Let's talk about what First Hill has to offer.

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