First Hill is one of Seattle's most centrally positioned urban neighborhoods, rising directly east of downtown between Capitol Hill and the Seattle Waterfront. Long known as "Pill Hill" for its concentration of major hospitals and medical institutions — including Swedish Medical Center, Virginia Mason, and Harborview Medical Center — the neighborhood has evolved into a dynamic mixed-use community that blends medical professionals, urban residents, and long-term owners in a dense, walkable environment. The streetcar line running along Broadway connects First Hill directly to Capitol Hill and South Lake Union, making it one of the most transit-connected neighborhoods in the entire city.
First Hill real estate is predominantly condo and apartment-style living, with some of the most affordable urban ownership opportunities in central Seattle — median condo prices in the mid-$400s give buyers a foothold within minutes of everything the city's core has to offer. For medical professionals employed in the neighborhood's hospital campus, it's an obvious choice; for urban residents prioritizing walkability, transit access, and central positioning, First Hill delivers at a price point that feels increasingly rare this close to downtown Seattle.
