$717,641Average Value$502Average Price per Sq Ft23Homes For Sale
Bitter Lake lies in the heart of the neighborhood in this north Seattle neighborhood.
Bitter lakes and logging legacies
Bitter Lake started with Douglas-fir and Western Redcedar trees. Logging companies in the 19th century filled the local 20-acre pond with so much tannic acid that the lake earned its bitter name, which the neighborhood adopted shortly after. However, it was the Seattle-Everett Interurban Railway that truly helped shape the identity and future of Bitter Lake. Bitter Lake sits on the outskirts of city limits, so the railway helped to connect the area to major cities like Seattle and Everett. With time, the Interurban trolley line was replaced with the Interurban Trail and Washington State Route 99.
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.
A row of colorful homes on a sunny spring day in Bitter Lake neighborhood.
Multi-level homes can be found next door to single-story homes in Bitter Lake.
You can find rows of town homes along Greenwood Avenue in Bitter Lake.
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The Bitter Lake Community Center has a lot to offer 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.
Mekong Village Vietnamese restaurant is well known on Aurora Avenue in 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.
Homes, condos, and parks line the shores of Bitter Lake in Seattle.
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.
T crosswalk in front of Broadview Thomson K-8 school is a colorful Bitter Lake landmark.
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.
Bitter Lake has bus transportation throughout.
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.
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.
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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.
5.0Niche User
5/22/2018Niche Review
The neighborhood is coming up. Great for younger people who want a smaller community feel away from downtown Seattle.
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Bitter Lake Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Bitter Lake, Seattle sell after 32 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Bitter Lake, Seattle over the last 12 months is $600,000, down 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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