Bitter Lake
Neighborhood Reviews
Established homes by the Interurban Trail
Homes in Bitter Lake tend to be lower priced than in surrounding neighborhoods, with the average home value roughly $200,000 less than in the Seattle Metro Area. However, according to Dawn Rutherford, Northwest regional manager at The Seattle Public Library, “Bitter Lake has had significant growth in the last few years, with many apartments and condos coming in.” Renters make up most of the neighborhood now, and buyers can find condos that cost between $290,000 and $440,000. The neighborhood also has established single-family, single-story ranches and bungalows that cost between $660,000 and $870,000. Some builds from the early 1900s and recent years even list for over $1 million. Many neighborhood streets don’t feature sidewalks, but the nearby paved Interurban Trail promotes walking and cycling among residents.
/
Bringing together the Bitter Lake community
Residents can attend family skate nights, enroll in dance classes or head to the gym at the Bitter Lake Community Center. Locals can also participate in summer activities and foodbank initiatives put on by the community center in partnership with the Broadview Branch of The Seattle Public Library, which Rutherford oversees. The library plays its own pivotal role in the community, as well. “The library provides both Homework Help for kids and teens and Adult Tutoring, which is mostly focused on supporting recent immigrants,” says Rutherford. “Both of these programs rely on local volunteers, folks interested in getting involved in the community. And we have Community Conversations monthly at the library so residents can learn how they might benefit from, or contribute to, the community depending on their circumstance.” Connections between the community and personal faith are plentiful, too; there are almost 30 houses of worship within 3 miles of Bitter Lake.
Homecooked meals and Vietnamese coffee
Bitter Lake is home to a few highly rated restaurants. Rutherford recommends Lotus Pond Vietnamese Cuisine, saying, “The food is incredible, and I swear they have the best Vietnamese coffee in Seattle…and I’ve tried many.” La Cabaña Restaurant may have an unassuming storefront, but its menu features authentic Central American cuisine that tastes like a homecooked meal. The Living Room Cafe is an industrial chic coffee shop serving specialty drinks and baked goods in seasonal flavors. It’s also a go-to quiet spot for remote workers and a snack shack for on-the-go customers. Aurora Avenue is the central commercial street in Bitter Lake, featuring an Amazon Fresh grocery store, more restaurant options, and brand names like Lowe’s Home Improvement, Ross Dress For Less and Office Depot. For medical services, Bitter Lake residents are within 1 mile of UW Medical Center – Northwest Seattle Hospital.
Enjoying the outdoors around Bitter Lake
When locals want to stretch their legs and get fresh air, The Bitter Lake Playfield features a wading pool, athletic courts and a sizeable playground. It’s also adjacent to Bitter Lake, the prominent water feature for which the neighborhood is named. While Bitter Lake may not be known for many lakeside events, it’s stocked with rainbow trout, and fishermen and families alike have open-to-the-public shoreline access. At Bitter Lake Reservoir Park, residents can find outdoor exercise equipment and a community garden space just north of the fenced-in reservoir. There is also an unshaded playground for kids to get their energy out on.
Seattle’s first International Baccalaureate World School
Students from kindergarten through eighth grade can enroll at the Broadview-Thomson K-8 School; however, the school also offers a free federally funded preschool program for qualifying families and their three- and four-year-olds. The school earns a B rating on Niche and is ranked No. 8 on Niche’s list for standout middle schools in the Seattle area. High schoolers can attend Ingraham High School, which has an A on Niche and was the first Seattle-area school to become an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School.
Bus stops galore
Public transportation is a highly viable option for Bitter Lake residents. King County bus stops run all along the area’s borders and many of its streets, such as North 130th and North 125th streets. Bitter Lake is also right at the intersection of Washington State Routes 99 and 523, making travel by car smooth and accessible. When locals want to go out of state, King County International Airport is 14 miles south.
Written By
Isabel Butler
Photography Contributed By
Howard Snyder
Video By
Tyler Belile
Was this overview helpful?
Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Feng Zhang
Feng Zhang
KW Greater Seattle
(206) 208-9487
12 Total Sales
1 in Bitter Lake
$687,500 Price
-
Mark Worthington
Mark Worthington
Windermere Bellevue Commons
(206) 222-5097
71 Total Sales
1 in Bitter Lake
$242,500 Price
-
Hideo Suganuma
Hideo Suganuma
Kohtoku Enterprise Inc.
(425) 307-5482
56 Total Sales
1 in Bitter Lake
$1,100,000 Price
-
Steven Lieu
Steven Lieu
Windermere Real Estate/East
(206) 415-9736
35 Total Sales
1 in Bitter Lake
$280,000 Price
-
Chris Bierrum
Chris Bierrum
Realogics Sotheby's Int'l Rlty
(206) 203-4820
88 Total Sales
1 in Bitter Lake
$1,040,000 Price
-
Dorothee Graham
Dorothee Graham
COMPASS
(425) 620-2988
164 Total Sales
2 in Bitter Lake
$345K - $515K Price Range
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 8th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Bitter Lake Playfield
- Baseball/Softball
- Soccer
- Tennis
Licton Springs Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Mineral Springs Park
- Disc Golf
- Trails
Bitter Lake Reservoir Park
- Trails
- Playground
- Multi-Purpose Field
Carkeek Park Eddie McAbee Entrance
- Bike Trails
- Trails
- Hiking
Llandover Woods Greenspace
- Trails
- Hiking
Transit
Reviews
Niche Reviews
10/20/2016
Niche Review
I enjoy that the area for the most part is quite and is a bit further away from all the hustle and bustle of downtown. There is a bunch of stores and great restaurants in the immediate vicinity.
12/23/2015
Niche Review
there is a firefighter station around. sometimes, i can hear them going out. its very safe.
Are you familiar with the Bitter Lake neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Bitter Lake | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 4 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 4 | 4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 4 |
| Burglary | 4 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Bitter Lake Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Bitter Lake, Seattle sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Bitter Lake, Seattle over the last 12 months is $439,950, down 74% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$449,000
Median Sale Price
$439,950
Median Single Family Sale Price
$498,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$249,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$175,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
29
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-74%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$352
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2,120
Number of Homes for Sale
9
Median Year Built
1959
Months of Supply
3.70
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,615
Below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,379
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
960
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
683
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
-
$899,900
- 4 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2,230 Sq Ft
- 10735 Whitman Ave N
- New 13 days ago
Prepare to be swooned! You can't help but smile as you enter through a covered trellis gate to a dreamy yard ensconced by a grand maple tree & mature palms. Stately craftsman welcomes you with its expansive covered front porch & wood wrapped windows, leading to the living room with coved ceilings & period tile. The charm continues in the accommodating kitchen with reclaimed chalkboard counters &
Chelsey Gerisilo John L. Scott, Inc
-
$989,500
- 5 Beds
- 2.5 Baths
- 2,260 Sq Ft
- 12724 Evanston Ave N
- New 6 days ago
Nestled in the desirable Broadview neighborhood, this beautiful 5-bed, 2.5-bath home on an expansive, level lot offers endless possibilities. Enter the home to a large living room, perfect for entertaining with a wood-burning fireplace. Large, timeless kitchen with brand-new dishwasher and fridge-check out the fabulous pantry w/ hinged shelves. A dining room that opens up to a level deck, great
Camran Nazer Skyline Properties, Inc.
-
$475,000
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,235 Sq Ft
- 13229 Linden Ave N
- Unit 510B
- New 10 days ago
Beauty on Bitter Lake. This amazing top floor end unit will provide you with ample room to spread out and relax with 3 enormous bedrooms and 1200 plus square feet, a primary bedroom with fully decked out walk in closet and en suite bath, 2 patios and a lovely lake view. The whole home has been recently painted and the previous owners were meticulously clean, so this one is legitimately move in
Michael Collier John L. Scott, Inc.
Homes for Rent
-
$1,170 - $1,670 per month
- New Haven Senior Living Apartments
- 1-2 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 547+ Sq Ft
- 13000 Linden Ave N
- Seattle, WA
-
$1,795 per month
- 1 Bed
- 686 Sq Ft
- 750 N 143rd St
- Unit 302
- Seattle, WA
Available 8/1. Light filled, top level condo featuring a fabulous floor plan & territorial views. This spacious home offers an updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances & subway tile backsplash, beautiful knotty pine shiplap wall with cozy fireplace, & a built-in desk and tech center. Controlled access, gated parking (optional $100) exercise room. Easy access to Hwy 99, I-5. On interurban
Jennie Ugaitafa Block Property Mgmt. Solutions
-
$1,460 - $1,770 per month
- Interurban Senior Living Apartments
- 1-2 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 544+ Sq Ft
- 14002 Linden Ave N
- Seattle, WA
Condo Buildings
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
11,138
Median Age
42
Population Density
18 ppl/acre
Population under 18
18.2%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$54,288
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$86,800
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.1%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
42%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.7%
% Population in Labor Force
67.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
34''
Average Winter Low Temperature
36°F
Average Summer High Temperature
72°F
Annual Snowfall
3''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
70
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
70
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
49
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Broadview
Luxury living with views of the Puget Sound in North Seattle
Haller Lake
An escape from the city bustle yet close to all of Seattle’s amenities
North College Park
North Seattle neighborhood close to transportation and Kraken Community Iceplex
Pinehurst
North Seattle neighborhood bordered by I-5 and Kraken Community IcePlex
Blue Ridge
Luxury homes in quaint community nestled along the Puget Sound
Highland Terrace
Blends convenient transportation, fine dining and a college campus
Was this page helpful?
