Green Lake

Moving to Seattle? What is Green Lake like?

Green Lake is one of Seattle’s crown-jewels, offering an elevated balance of nature and urban convenience perfectly suited for discerning buyers who treasure style and serenity. Situated about five miles north of Downtown Seattle, it is anchored by a 259‑acre glacial lake ringed with a 2.8‑mile paved loop trail for jogging, cycling, skating and walking, plus inner and outer parklands packed with swimming beaches, tennis and basketball courts, athletic fields, boat launches and a guarded community beach. Public amenities are outstanding: the historic Green Lake Library, the Green Lake Community Center with gymnasium, Evans Pool, meeting rooms, and arts spaces, along with countless cafés, specialty shops and year‑round events that knit the community together. Private offerings match the tone: luxury residences with top‑tier finishes, rooftop terraces, EV‑ready parking and designer kitchens; highly rated private schools and boutique developments provide exclusivity without sacrificing walkability or views. If you want a neighborhood where every morning brings fresh air, water views and polished living, Green Lake delivers.

What’s around the Green Lake neighborhood?

EXPLORE

  • Here are some of the gems in the Green Lake neighborhood that newcomers should check out

    • Walk or jog the 2.8‑mile inner loop around Green Lake — great views, people‑watching, and a good way to feel the neighborhood’s pace.

    • Visit Duck Island, an artificial island that serves as a wildlife habitat; peaceful benches and views make it a nice spot to pause while walking the lake.

    • See the remains of the Green Lake Aqua Theater — the grandstand is still there; it’s a slice of local history and adds character to the lakeshore.

    • Go to Woodland Park, just south of Green Lake — especially the rose garden (one of only a few American Rose Test Gardens), trails, and off‑leash dog area.

    • Catch a local show at the Bathhouse Theater on West Beach — small, intimate, outdoors‑adjacent setting in a historic bathhouse.

    • Attend one of the annual events: Hiroshima to Hope (floating lanterns on the lake), Pathway of Lights in December, or Luminata around the end of summer. These bring the community together in special ways.

    • Finally, check out the Green Lake Library, a landmark building (Carnegie‑era) — good for seeing architecture, getting local feel, and maybe attending community events.

DINE

  • If you move to Green Lake and want to try some spots that give you a feel for the neighborhood, check out Duke’s Seafood Greenlake — it’s a local favorite for sustainable Pacific Northwest seafood, a relaxing patio & lake views. Duke's Seafood Restaurant For late‑night character (and dance), Little Red Hen is a true honky‑tonk dive with live country music, line dancing & karaoke, a place to feel like part of the “local crew.” Greenlake Bar & Grill, housed in a 1920s building, gives a comfortable spot with hearty American/New American food, good for casual dinners or hanging out after wandering the lake path.

SHOP

  • If you move to Green Lake, you’ll find a charming mix of small shops and grocery options clustered mainly along the east side of the lake and nearby Aurora. Local boutiques and specialty retailers such as Super Jock ’n Jill, Gregg’s Cycles, Road Runner Sports, and specialty jewelry from Green Lake Jewelry Works provide gear, fashion, and custom pieces. The PCC Community Markets — Green Lake Village (450 NE 71st St) and PCC Green Lake Aurora are your main in‑neighborhood grocery hubs, with full produce, deli, and organic sections. A hidden gem is Mockingbird Books, a cozy local bookstore tucked into the neighborhood’s quieter corners.

Where is Green Lake?

North of Wallingford
East of Roosevelt and I-5
South of Licton Springs
West of Phinney Ridge & Greenwood

Pike Place Market

Downtown Seattle: 8 min (5.0 mi)
SLU: 7 min (4.1 mi)
I-5 Access: 1-5 min (Green Lake’s Eastern border runs along I-5)
520 Access: 5-10 min (2.5 mi)
I-90 Access: 8-15 min (6.2 mi)
Downtown Bellevue: 15 min (10.4 mi)

Is Green Lake safe?

For most crime types, Green Lake has relatively low crime rates. Brian’s overall opinion is that this neighborhood is generally a safe area in Seattle.

Facts and resources for Green Lake

  1. No natural surface water inflows/outflows anymore
    The lake used to drain via Ravenna Creek into Lake Washington, but after lowering the lake level (in 1911) and other changes, that creek dried up between Green Lake and Cowen Park. Now the lake is fed by rainfall, stormwater runoff, subsurface seepage, and also Seattle’s municipal water supply.

  2. Aqua Theater & Seafair history
    From 1950–65 there was an outdoor theater on Green Lake called the Green Lake Aqua Theater, used during Seafair for “swimusicals” (dance, diving, water performances) with a floating orchestra pit, high diving platforms, etc.

  3. The 2.8‑mile loop path & recreational centrality
    Green Lake’s path around the lake is ~2.8 miles, heavily used for jogging, walking, skating, biking, etc. The surroundings also include athletic fields, boat launches, beaches, etc. For many residents it’s the centerpiece of daily activity. Learn more about Green Lake here

  4. Green Lake Branch Library – historic Carnegie building
    The local branch of the Seattle Public Library is a Carnegie‑funded library (opened in 1910), designed by W. Marbury Somervell and Joseph S. Coté. It has been renovated a few times, most recently with seismic improvements, added elevator, upgraded HVAC, etc.

  5. Green Lake Crew — strong rowing tradition
    The Green Lake Small Craft Center hosts Green Lake Crew, a public rowing club, which as of 1947–48 has been operating, letting both youth and others get involved.

  6. Green Lake Community Center – long history + community anchor
    Built in 1928, expanded (e.g. Evans Pool added in 1955), the Community Center offers many amenities: gym, meeting rooms, art studio, toddler programs, sports, etc. It also functions as a gathering place during all seasons.

Population Growth (since 2000): 8%

Population Density (ppl / mile): 4,654.10

Household Size (ppl): 2

Median Age: 37.18

Green Lake/ 98103 Demographics and Statistics

Annual Residential Turnover: 30%

5+ Years in Residency: 25%

Median Year in Residency: 2.62

Households w/ Children: 13%

Population by Age Group

Household Income by Dollar Range

Highest Education Level Attended

Green Lake Homes For Sale

Homes currently for Sale in Green Lake

Q&A with your Green Lake realtor

  • Yes! What, am I going to say no?  Not in this urban area!  Moving into a condo in Green Lake is an excellent way to remain ultra walkable. Also, condos are typically maintenance-free and we are seeing a lot of younger career-focused and older populations who want the maintenance-free lifestyle of condos.  However, there are few larger condos though and many “boutique” condos where you would/should have a roll in maintaining the community.  The beauty of these smaller condos is that it’s almost like co-op living - for the most part it’s still maintenance-free where the building is taken care of by whoever your community hires to take care of it, but you decide as a community what you want in the gardens and such.  Much less work than owning a house but still have the joy of improving something that is growing in value! Green Lake also has a great rental market should you want to rent it out later to upgrade to a larger home.

  • Yes.  There are many townhomes built in Green Lake compared to places with larger lots. Many newer rowhomes and the like have popped up over recent years.  If you come across one you like, grab it - There’s a lot of buyers who want maintenance-free but more than a condo here.  There will always be a TH buyer population with their radar covering this area whether they have heard of Green Lake or not. 

  • Green Lake is a great place for single-family residences as that’s what most buyers expect here.  Lot sizes are generally ~3500sf, but can grow to nearly 5000sf.  All are in very walkable locations. Homes are easy to maintain as most people hire landscapers and handy-people who can easily access this central neighborhood.  School ratings are rapidly climbing as well as young families and professionals have been moving in at increasing rates. 

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