First Hill

The Urban Oasis on the Rise
First Hill is another Seattle neighborhood experiencing a growth in population and infrastructure. Nicknamed ‘Pill Hill’ due to the many medical programs and facilities located in the area, the First Hill area also boasts beautiful historic mansions, cultural centers like the Frye Art Museum and the Roman Revival Town Hall, and good food and shopping options on Madison Street. Regular hot spots include 8oz Burger & Co., The Other Coast Café and Vito’s.

Renters in First Hill love the convenient location between Downtown Seattle and Capitol Hill. Because of the equally convenient travel options, renters here are often young professionals, commuters traveling to the business district of Downtown Seattle, or students. Though a good distance away from the heart of Seattle’s nightlife, First Hill still experiences a lot of noise due to the sirens and activities of the many medical facilities in the area.
What First Hill Residents
Think About Their Apartments
overall
7.3
value
7.0
amenities
6.0
social
6.2
management
8.0
Median rents in First Hill
Studio
$
1,700
1 Bedroom
$
2,250
2 Bedroom
$
3,100

Living in
First Hill

Transitional
Convenient
Historic
Close to Downtown
Walkable
Nightlife
Safe
Hard to Find Parking
Noisy
New Restaurants
First Hill — 6.9/10 Rating (based on 11 neighborhood reviews)
Pros
- Close to everything--right between Capitol Hill and downtown (across the Madison Street bridge).
- Feels safe; a few blocks south, and things get a little dicier, but this is a solid, quiet neighborhood.
- Some (more upscale) grocery shopping very nearby--Stockbox (of Harborview Medical complex), etc.

Cons
- Not a totally "neighborhood" feel - Bars and shops aren't "just outside your door," for the most part. They're a medium-length walk away (e.g. to Capitol Hill). - Right next to I-5, though the noise pollution isn't that bad. - No wonderful, scenic places to walk your dogs
Keep reading
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Landes
Pros:

+ Lots of nightlife
+ Hot new restaurants and shops open frequently
+ Extremely walkable
+ Lot of public transportation options
+ Walking distance to Downtown, SLU


Cons:
- Noisy
- Weekends bring in non-residents in droves
- Problems with homeless (though this is mostly a Seattle problem)
- Crime increasing, especially on weekends
Keep reading
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Evolve Apartment Homes
First Hill is a small residential neighborhood between bustling downtown and lively Capitol Hill. It's quiet, except for the sirens due to the close proximity of the hospitals. Every year, though, it seems to get more and more built up.
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9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Cielo
It's great. Very close to PIKE/PINE neighborhood and is walking distance to a lot of restaurants/bars. It is in a very convenient location where it is central to everything (i.e. downtown, international district, etc)
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6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Shannon Apartments
Great location close to the highway however not noisy at all. Close in/out access to I-5 and I-90.
15 minute walk into downtown and the shopping district and 20 minute walk up the hill to Capitol Hill.
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5
/10
Neighborhood Rating
m street apartments
Great!
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9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Vesper
The McDonald's on Madison seems to attract some questionable characters, but overall I still feel safe living on First Hill. There's a Bartell's (also on Madison), but if you want proper grocery shopping, you'll have to go to QFC in Capitol Hill, which is still close by. Noise levels aren't bad. Overall, First Hill is a good area to live in, and the proximity to both downtown and First Hill make it very convenient.
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8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Coppins Well
Pros: Close to bars, food, transportation, and Cap Hill/ Downtown. Cons: Near hospital/loud sirens, pavement needs to be redone, hard to find parking.
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5
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Portico on Terrace
Tends to be a bit noisy as is close to Seattle U, hospitals and halfway housing. Close to everything. Parking can be difficult. Fairly safe and close to public transportation and the new street car service that will be opening soon.
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5
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Aldercrest Apartments
not a bad neighborhood. I appreciate the preserved historic homes and the mix of early-mid 20th century apartments. new construction is all high-rise, so it's very much a blended/transitonal neighborhood.
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7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Tuscany
Pros:
Close to Seattle U/bars/restaurants
Walk to everything you need Busy and vibrant Cons: Noisy, lots of sirens Can be unsafe Very little parking
Keep reading
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Aldercrest Apartments


Getting to Know
First Hill

Neighborhood Boundaries
East to West Boundaries: 12th Ave to I-5 Express
North to South Boundaries: E Pike St to Alder St
dining
Ba Bar
HoneyHole
Meat & Bread
Sushi Kanpai
convenience
Chevron
CVS Pharmacy
fitness
barre3
Live Love Flow
NW Fitness 247
Seattle Boxing Gym
parks
Cal Anderson Park
Freeway Park
Harborview Park
coffee
Diva Espresso
Kaladi Brothers Coffee
Niche
Piroshki on Madison
bus
2 (bus)
3 (bus)
49/9 (bus)
60 (bus)
rail
Stcr FHS (light rail)
parking
Premier Parking - Marion & Minor Garage
Towne Park Homewood Suites Hilton Parking
About your Neighbors
Data from the 2013 American Community Survey

Zip Codes
First Hill includes zip codes 98101, 98122, and 98104
Rent vs Own
72
%
of First Hill residents are renters
Driving to Work
32
%
of First Hill residents drive to work
New Construction
22
%
of housing units in First Hill have been built in the last 15 years
Building Types
32
%
<20 units
23
%
20-49 units
45
%
50+ units
Demographics
Children (under 18)
8
%
18 - 34
40
%
35 - 54
27
%
55+
25
%
Unit Mix
24
%
Studio
42
%
1 Bed
21
%
2 Bed
13
%
3+ Bed
Occupation or Education
Working Professional
58
%
Undergrad Student
11
%
Grad Student
4
%
Unemployed
4
%
Retired
22
%

Best Apartments
in First Hill


Studio $2,107
1 Bed $2,287
2 Beds $4,071

Studio $1,450
1 Bed $2,050
2 Beds $2,980

Check availability

Studio $1,625
1 Bed $1,840
2 Beds $2,715

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1 Bed $2,218
2 Beds $3,511

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Studio $1,650
1 Bed $2,712
2 Beds $3,937

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2 Beds $2,545

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