Where do your tenants fit? From college students to seniors, from work-at-home parents to tech-savvy and highly mobile Millennials, your prospective tenants are diverse and have hugely different needs. The opportunities for carving out a niche in Seattle rentals are as diverse as the neighborhoods of the city. As a landlord or property owner, you need to have a feel for the neighborhoods so that you can understand what neighborhoods attract certain tenants. That way, you can choose properties that attract the tenants you want to work with, and you can target your marketing of those properties as well.
Downtown
What it’s like: It’s the hub of the city, completely walkable with historic attractions and world-class events.
Who lives there: The center of town attracts those singles and couples who seek out high-end urban living.
Capitol Hill
What it’s like: It’s a fusion of commercial and hip, with a combination of mansions and artisan foods.
Who lives there: Hip and trendy tenants who may be part of the city’s LGBT community.
Bainbridge/Bremerton
What it’s like: It’s as close to rural as you’ll get from the big city. Art, artisan food and crafts, and the beauty of nature abound.
Who lives there: Those who want a taste of the country but who also want to stay attached to family or jobs in the city.
Ballard
What it’s like: It’s historic, with a maritime flair and tasty food. Ballard is an up and coming trendy community.
Who lives there: Ballard is a hotbed of upwardly-mobile singles.
Columbia City
What it’s like: It’s a comfortable place that’s highly walkable, with a friendly and locally-oriented community culture.
Who lives there: Those who are new to the city may live here, as well as mid-income families and college-educated singles.
Fremont
What it’s like: This is the tech hub of Seattle, with many companies such as Google who’ve chosen this as their headquarters in the area. Aside from the tech business, it’s also an eventful place to live, with many options for entertainment and eating out.
Who lives there: Upwardly-mobile singles and couples with no children tend to call this area home.
International District
What it’s like: It’s the Asian cultural hub of Seattle, with a history of Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino immigration.
Who lives there: Those who love festivals and Asian culture or count those cultures as part of their own history.
Pioneer Square
What it’s like: It’s a lower-priced alternative to other downtown settings, and new apartments and condos are set to enter into this area in the next few years.
Who lives there: Lower to upper income singles and some couples, many of whom are relatively mobile.
Queen Anne
What it’s like: Queen Anne is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Seattle. Parts are adjacent to the busy downtown core, while other parts of the neighborhood are sleepier and more residential.
Who lives there: Many young, single adults call this neighborhood home.
University District
What it’s like: The area around the University of Washington is full of lively activity and is relatively self-contained, with its own shopping center.
Who lives there: Students who are enrolled in university, new immigrants, and mobile singles love this area for its convenience to campus.
Seattle is truly a city of neighborhoods, and there are dozens of niches to choose from as you develop your real estate portfolio. Are you trying to deepen your understanding of Seattle’s neighborhoods and target your marketing for your Seattle rentals? Lori Gill and Associates has deep roots in the Seattle area. We can help you understand your neighborhoods and market your properties. Contact us today for more information. 
