Where is the best area to live in Seattle, WA? (i.e. the "safest" area)?

There are lots of great areas in Seattle to consider that are relatively safe. Most of the crime in Seattle tends to be property crime (car smash and grabs etc.).

Places I'd consider living by myself as a woman in the city include Ballard, Green Lake, Wallingford, Magnolia, Queen Anne.

Of course, these are among the more desirable neighborhoods in the city, and rents and housing prices reflect that.

Just to clear some things up, Only the places Jennifer B said are the safe places. Capitol Hill is a crime ridden cesspool. I see more druggies living up there a day than I did drunk people in frat row in college. West Seattle is also known as one of those places where the City once loved, but has since forgotten. Crime has shot up there sharply. Also, if you look for safe, i say just avoid Tacoma altogether. It isn't safe enough to make up for the fact that it is an aggrivating 1 hour commute away, and completely boring.

Capitol Hill and West Seattle, however, are nice places to live if you can voer look the bad stuff. Capitol Hill is cultural center, with tons of nice store, boutiques and restaraunts. West Seattle, has a nice comfotable feel to it as well as some fantastic views.

Yet, if safety is solely what you are basing your decision on, North Seattle, namely, lake union, Portage Bay and up, is the way to go. Ballard, Green Lake and Maple leaf are all great places.

If safety is your main priority, check out places from Queen Anne and northward...Ballard, Fremont, Wallingford, Green Lake, Broadview. They're all relatively quiet, neighborhood places that have charm but are close enough to the downtown area.

Capitol Hill is hit or miss. The closer you are to the Pike/Pine area, the sketchier it becomes. If you want to live in that trendy area, check out places that are in the northern part of that neighborhood. I would avoid West Seattle.

Lancaster, England Umm, I don't know. I live on an estate. When I first moved here five years ago people said I was a chav because only chavs live on that estate. There's still a stereotype that everyone here is a thug and it's a dangerous place to live, but it's not that bad, just stupid rumours.

Someone just got murdered the other night in Capitol Hill so I'd cross that one out! Ballard, Fremont or Wallingford I would think would be safest - though all are pretty pricey - ESPECIALLY if you're talking about buying as opposed to renting.

I've lived in Fremont for the last 13 years and have always felt completely safe. I live at the top of Fremont, which is much quieter than below.

west seattle area

Magnolia.

north seattle

jenn B hit the nail on the head all those places are safe and sound