Living in Shoreline, Washington: A Complete Neighborhood Guide
Your insider guide to Shoreline real estate, lifestyle, and finding your forever home.
If you’re searching for homes for sale in Shoreline, WA, exploring the best Shoreline neighborhoods, or thinking about selling your Shoreline home, understanding the character of each neighborhood is key to making a smart real estate decision. From waterfront communities and mid-century classics to walkable business districts and quiet hillside streets, Shoreline, Washington offers an incredible variety of lifestyles just minutes from Seattle.
I’m Kate Ledbetter, your local real estate broker and guide to living your best life in Shoreline. I help buyers find the right neighborhood for their lifestyle and help sellers position their homes to stand out and sell quickly. Below is a guide to Shoreline’s 14 neighborhoods. For a deeper, hyper-local look at parks, schools, events, and community life, explore DestinationShoreline.com/Neighborhoods, presented by Destination Shoreline.
Ballinger
Centered around Lake Ballinger, this area began as a recreational destination in the early 1900s, with fishing cabins and weekend retreats. After World War II, the neighborhood transitioned into a residential community. Today, Ballinger blends peaceful lakeside living with easy access to I-5, transit, and regional shopping.
Average Home Price: $720,000 – $890,000
Average Home Size: 1,500 – 2,400 SF
Average Lot Size: 6,000 – 9,000 SF
Briarcrest
Once made up of small farms and wooded homesteads, Briarcrest grew rapidly during the post-war housing boom. Known today for its arts-forward culture, active neighbors, and community pride, Briarcrest remains one of Shoreline’s most civically engaged and creative neighborhoods.
Average Home Price: $760,000 – $920,000
Average Home Size: 1,600 – 2,300 SF
Average Lot Size: 6,500 – 10,000 SF
Echo Lake
Echo Lake began as a lakeside resort and cabin community in the early 1900s before evolving into a vibrant residential and commercial hub along Aurora Avenue. The lake remains the heart of the neighborhood today, offering a rare blend of urban energy and natural beauty.
Average Home Price: $740,000 – $910,000
Average Home Size: 1,500 – 2,500 SF
Average Lot Size: 5,500 – 9,500 SF
Highland Terrace
Developed from farmland and timberlands into a residential neighborhood between the 1940s–1960s, Highland Terrace has long been a family-oriented area anchored by schools and local gathering spaces. It remains a quiet, centrally located neighborhood with strong community roots.
Average Home Price: $750,000 – $900,000
Average Home Size: 1,400 – 2,200 SF
Average Lot Size: 6,000 – 10,000 SF
The Highlands
Established in 1907 as a planned garden-style community, The Highlands is one of the region’s most historic and exclusive neighborhoods. Built around the Seattle Golf Club with winding roads and forested estates, it offers unmatched privacy, prestige, and long-term property value stability.
Average Home Price: $2.8M – $6M+
Average Home Size: 3,500 – 6,500+ SF
Average Lot Size: 20,000 – 60,000+ SF
Hillwood
Hillwood emerged during the post-war era as farmland gave way to modest homes and neighborhood commercial centers. Its location near Richmond Highlands and Aurora makes it both residentially calm and conveniently connected.
Average Home Price: $800,000 – $960,000
Average Home Size: 1,600 – 2,500 SF
Average Lot Size: 6,500 – 10,500 SF
Innis Arden
Founded in 1940 by William Boeing, Innis Arden was designed to showcase sweeping Puget Sound views and protected green space. With curving streets, large lots, and strong architectural continuity, it remains one of Shoreline’s most visually striking hillside neighborhoods.
Average Home Price: $1.35M – $2.4M+
Average Home Size: 2,500 – 4,200 SF
Average Lot Size: 12,000 – 30,000+ SF
Meridian Park
Once farmland and forest, Meridian Park grew rapidly mid-century as schools, churches, and neighborhood institutions took root. Its central location and strong sense of community make it a consistent favorite for buyers who value walkability and regional access.
Average Home Price: $780,000 – $940,000
Average Home Size: 1,800 – 2,400 SF
Average Lot Size: 6,500 – 10,000 SF
North City
North City developed as one of Shoreline’s earliest commercial hubs in the 1930s and still retains its village-style charm today. With a walkable business district, transit access, and nearby parks, it appeals to buyers looking for both convenience and community.
Average Home Price: $800,000 – $975,000
Average Home Size: 1,600 – 2,500 SF
Average Lot Size: 6,000 – 9,500 SF
Parkwood
Parkwood transformed from timberlands into a residential neighborhood in the 1940s and is now known for its strong neighborhood association, annual events, and deep community involvement. It’s a classic Shoreline neighborhood with lasting appeal for both buyers and sellers.
Average Home Price: $710,000 – $880,000
Average Home Size: 1,500 – 2,200 SF
Average Lot Size: 6,000 – 9,500 SF
Richmond Beach
Founded in 1890 with the arrival of the Great Northern Railway, Richmond Beach is Shoreline’s oldest neighborhood. Its waterfront park, historic village core, and coastal charm continue to attract buyers who value beach access, views, and a true seaside feel.
Average Home Price: $980,000 – $1.85M+
Average Home Size: 2,100 – 3,800 SF
Average Lot Size: 7,500 – 18,000 SF
Richmond Highlands
Developed between the 1910s and 1940s, Richmond Highlands grew as a residential bridge between Richmond Beach and central Shoreline. With long-standing churches, recreation facilities, and neighborhood centers, it offers a strong, family-friendly identity.
Average Home Price: $820,000 – $1.05M
Average Home Size: 1,800 – 2,700 SF
Average Lot Size: 6,500 – 11,500 SF
Ridgecrest
Ridgecrest rose during the post-war boom and became a cultural hub with the opening of the Crest Theater in 1949. Today, it’s one of Shoreline’s most walkable and socially active neighborhoods, valued for its business district and community traditions.
Average Home Price: $770,000 – $930,000
Average Home Size: 1,700 – 2,400 SF
Average Lot Size: 6,000 – 9,000 SF
Westminster Triangle
Built around a distinctive triangular intersection in the 1950s–60s, Westminster Triangle blends small-business energy with surrounding residential streets. Its compact layout, transit access, and walkability make it one of Shoreline’s most convenient neighborhood pockets.
Average Home Price: $700,000 – $860,000
Average Home Size: 1,400 – 2,000 SF
Average Lot Size: 5,000 – 7,500 SF
Buying or Selling a Home in Shoreline, WA?
Whether you’re searching for your forever home in Shoreline or preparing to sell your Shoreline property, hyper-local insight is the difference between a good outcome and a great one. Every school boundary, park, transit line, and micro-market within Shoreline impacts value.
If you’re buying a home in Shoreline, I’ll help you match your lifestyle, commute, and long-term goals to the right neighborhood—and secure your home with confidence.
If you’re selling your Shoreline home, my in-depth neighborhood knowledge helps your home stand out, attract the right buyers, and sell quickly with a strategic marketing approach tailored to your exact location.
For an even deeper dive into Shoreline’s parks, schools, businesses, and community events, visit DestinationShoreline.com/Neighborhoods for the most complete local guide available.
