Explainer

How to Rent an Apartment in Seattle

It’s not cheap. It’s not easy. We’re here to help.

11/06/2025 By Taylor McKenzie Gerlach Illustrations by Jordan Kay

Group Chat

Does Seattle Need Social Housing?

Three wonks mull whether a ballot initiative to create a tenant-run public developer would really cap more rents.

12/12/2022 By Benjamin Cassidy

Exit Interview

Paul Lambros Reflects on the State of Affordable Housing in Seattle

After three decades in charge, the Plymouth Housing CEO departs the nonprofit but will keep working to combat the homelessness crisis.

08/11/2022 By Benjamin Cassidy

Somali Independence Day

Mama Sahra Isn't Going Anywhere

A housing boom has increasingly displaced Seattle’s Somali community. One holdout still helps them find refuge in a gentrifying city.

06/27/2022 By Benjamin Cassidy

Power Players

The Most Influential People in Seattle Neighborhoods

The housing advocates and real estate titans who frame how we use our space.

12/09/2021 By Benjamin Cassidy

Enclaves

Chief Seattle Club Builds a 'Home' to Combat Indigenous Homelessness

The nonprofit's ?ál?al project, a culturally attuned affordable housing development, is set to open soon in Pioneer Square.

09/21/2021 By Benjamin Cassidy

One-Sentence Stories

Sweet Sun, Global Ichiro Fandom, and Busmageddon

Your weekly dose of city news in short.

03/22/2019 By Haley Gray

The Future, Illuminated

A Reimagined Louisa Hotel Heralds a New Era in Chinatown

The Woo siblings honor their father's legacy by turning the long-vacant building into apartments.

02/26/2019 By Allecia Vermillion

Apartments so extra

A Glimpse into Seattle's Perk-Packed Rental Market

It would be easy to confuse Seattle’s newer crop of apartment complexes with posh hotels, between the expansive fitness centers and the manicured roof decks with panoramic views.

05/22/2018 By Cassie Sawyer Illustrations by Daniel Fishel

Top Neighborhoods 2018

Seattle Neighborhoods by the Numbers

Here’s what a hot real estate market looks like, including our top 25 neighborhoods and beyond.

02/27/2018 By Darren Davis

Where to Live Now

The Top 25 Neighborhoods in Seattle: 2018 Edition

From Greenwood to Beacon Hill, here are the places Seattleites want to live most.

02/27/2018 By Seattle Met Staff Edited by Darren Davis

News Roundup

Seattle Imposes Limits on Short-Term Rentals

A cap on short-term rental units accompanies a tax to take effect in 2019.

12/11/2017 By Hayat Norimine

Housing and Homelessness

How Regressive Is the Mayor's Sales Tax Proposal for Homelessness?

The sales tax is regressive, but experts say just slightly more so than a Seattle property tax.

04/04/2017 By Hayat Norimine

10 Years That Changed A City

2015: Real Estate Loses Its Mind

This was the year that the housing affordability gap yawned wide like an angry fault line between socioeconomic strata.

03/10/2016 By Matthew Halverson

City

O'Brien Sets Aside Blanket Linkage Fee, Promotes Housing Compromise

Murray and O'Brien roll out legislation for inclusionary zoning and commercial linkage fee.

09/01/2015 By Josh Kelety

I'm New Here

Brian Schlenker Is a Tech Transplant

Meet one member of Amazon’s rapidly expanding horde.

08/20/2015 By Matthew Halverson

Morning Fizz

A Text Exchange with Mike O'Brien; Plus KIRO Gets Facts Wrong in Parking Story

Caffeinated news featuring parking facts and zoning texts with Mike O'Brien

06/02/2015 By Josh Feit

Real Estate

The 10 Best Neighborhoods in Seattle

The current state of the city’s (sometimes crazy) housing market.

04/24/2015 By Darren Davis

PubliCalendar

PubliCalendar: Following Oregon's Lead in the 'Backyard Cottage Renaissance'

Today's picks for civic nerds

04/23/2015 By Atoosa Moinzadeh