Take espresso coffee, the smell of salt water, a full quota of drizzle, and clear mountain air, stir gently in the Pacific Northwest, and you've got ... Seattle Washington real estate. Whether you're moving across town or across the country, at this point you probably already know how sound an investment Seattle property is. If you've ever been there, talked with people who live there, or skimmed a travel magazine, you also know that this vibrant, yet unpretentious, city is a wonderful place to live.

First settled as a village in 1851, Seattle was platted in1853--a grid that today is the historic downtown area of Seattle Washington real estate known as Pioneer Square. Chartered as a town in 1865, it was not incorporated as a city until 1869. Mercifully, between settlement and plat filing, the name was changed from Duwumps to Seattle, in deference to a local Indian chief who befriended the earliest settlers. Seattle (population 570,000) is now the largest city in the Pacific Northwest.

Whether you're moving on your own or with a family, you're sure to be delighted. But remember to bring a few flannel shirts, an umbrella, and plenty of energy, because despite the admittedly weak ratio of sunny days to drizzly ones, there are so many things to see and do, you'll wonder why you didn't move here sooner. With its top-notch schools, laid-back atmosphere, and the rugged beauty of the Northwest, Seattle Washington real estate is a great investment for anyone to make!

Seattle Washington Real Estate: Narrowing Your Focus

Encompassing approximately 85 square miles, Seattle Washington real estate means dynamic communities and marvelously situated properties. Outside the city and across the Puget Sound to the west is the city of Bremerton (population 38,000). To the east across the freshwater Lake Washington are Bellevue (population 115,000), begun as a bedroom community, now a vibrant city in its own right; Kirkland; and Redmond. Within the city is a diverse mix of family friendly and urban neighborhoods.

As you begin searching Seattle Washington real estate for a house to call home, you'll see that the city is divided north-south by the Lake Washington Canal. Below the divide is downtown, which includes the older neighborhoods of Pioneer Square, Queen Anne Hill, Montlake, and Judkins Park. Seattle's famous Pike Place Market, dating back to 1907, is the oldest continuously operating market in the United States.

Seattle Washington Real Estate: Enjoying the Outdoors

For the outdoor enthusiast, Seattle is an especially ideal location. Lying on the east side of the Puget Sound about 100 miles southeast of Vancouver, Seattle is within a couple hours drive from the Pacific Coast. Three national parks are also nearby--Olympic National Forest, North Cascades, and Mount Rainier. At 14,410 feet, Mount Rainier is Washington's highest peak and a premier hiking and mountain climbing area.

Snoqualmie Falls--about an hour east into the Cascades--are also popular for hiking. About 20 miles northeast of Seattle, in the neighborhood of Woodinville, are two fine wineries and the state's first microbrewery. Closer into the city are Union Lake, popular for sailing and kayaking, and Green Lake, a favorite of windsurfers and swimmers.

With more than 50 public and private golf courses nearby, Seattle Washington real estate is also wonderfully convenient for fairway addicts. Tennis players go for the Puget Sound Tour, which appeals to casual players, novices, and serious competitors. Quite a number of first-rate ski areas lie within an hour or so of Seattle as well--among them, Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass, and Mount Rainier's Crystal Mountain.