We checked the listings for some of the most affordable housing for sale on Alki, a neighborhood that's defined by having great access to the beach.
The interior touches, like the French doors that lead to the bedroom, make this 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 633 square foot condo appealing. It was built in 1985, but looks much newer than that. The other appealing feature is the list price of $225,000, which is far below Seattle's median price. Low price, by the beach, nice interior - take a tour and see (or hear, or smell) what the photos don't show; or find that you found a deal.
Live on the top floor and don't worry about a neighbor dancing on your ceiling. There's a value to being on top. The other value is having a place within such a short walk of the beach, something every home on Alki has in common. This 1964 condo has 1 bedroom and 1 bath in its 792 square feet. They are asking $399,900, with the necessary modern package of granite counters and stainless steel appliances. It is up to you whether you want to "be proud of your in-unit washer and dryer". For someone, that's a big thing.
On Alki you get your choice of views: west to the Olympics or east to the city. This 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 776 square foot unit looks across at the skyline, the shipping traffic, and down onto the beach. Walk across to the water taxi and avoid the West Seattle Bridge. The condo is coming up on its 40th anniversary, built in a quieter era of Seattle with a wise choice of location. The view and the convenience partly explain the price of $425,000.
It is nice to see a place that is more than square walls. For $449,000, you get a condo that wraps the windows into a curve effectively turning the view into a panorama of panels. You also get 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a bit more square footage at 843 square feet. It was built in 1992, and is one of the more distinctive buildings because of the shape. That also means a decorating challenge for those who like to build out from the corners. The view is worth a few misaligned pieces of furniture.
Things were different, back then. In 1965, someone managed to get the permits to build a set of units on a pier sticking out into Puget Sound. You get to live over the water without houseboat worries because you sit above dozens of pilings. The other benefit is the choice of view. The complex is pointed west, so the views are north and south. This 2 bedroom, 1.1 bath condo is priced at $498,500 and provides 1,175 square feet of living space. How many people do you know who, when they want to go to the beach, have to walk inland?
· 4118 58th Pl SW [Zillow]
· 2514 57th Ave SW [Zillow]
· 1221 Harbor Ave SW [Zillow]
· 1619 Harbor Ave SW [Zillow]
· 3717 Beach Dr SW [Zillow]