History
Madison Park, named after President James Madison, has retained the beachfront resort charm it was known for in the 1800s, and attracts more than just tourists these days. Permanent residents of Madison Park have since settled in the area, and today Madison Park has the tightest rental market in Seattle.

Description
Madison Park has the feeling of a small town and locals know one another when they pass on the street. Some of the most enchanting old houses line the streets and upscale bistros and cafes attract out-of-towners and locals to their sidewalk dining and window shopping. Madison Park has quaint stores and businesses and prides itself on its unique setting.

Residents
Madison Park is known for its strong community ties and affluent Seattle residents. Residents are mainly wealthy professionals that work together to keep the area traffic-free and homey for long-time locals. The median income in Madison Park is more than double that of other neighborhoods. Even the smallest homes are priced well above what they would be in other areas of Seattle.

Fun Stuff
Madison Park and beach is where neighborhood residents play in the sand, wade in the roped-off area, or swim out to the dock to dive into the crisp water. On a clear day, a gorgeous view of Mt. Rainier becomes your backdrop. At the park’s north end, sunbathers lounge on towels in the grass beside the fishing and small boat pier. You’ll still see some dilapidated wooden pilings at the edge of the water where the steamship Lincoln used to dock for its seventeen-minute commuter run to Kirkland. To the south, neighbors compete on two lighted tennis courts. Watch for the Christmas Ships sailing by in December.

Average Rent: $$$$

Primary Housing:

Single-Family Homes

Small Apartment Buildings

Medium Apartment Buildings

Small Condominium Buildings

Commute Times:

Downtown 10-15 minutes

Eastside 20-25 minutes

Nestled down on the shore of Lake Washington just south of the SR-520 Bridge featuring beautiful Victorian homes and some of Seattle's most expensive real estate, Madison Park has long been a favorite area of Seattle's affluent. This neighborhood primarily consists of single-family homes. This relatively small-sized neighborhood does have a few apartments and condominiums available to rent in and around the downtown core of Madison Park as well as some buildings along the shore of Lake Washington.

The handful of vintage brick apartment and condominium buildings here were built primarily in the 1960s and 1970s. Very little new development has occurred over the years for rental housing. Relative to the cost of home ownership in this area, rental rates remain quite reasonable.

Many of Madison Park renters are attracted to its convenient location, its small-neighborhood feel and the fact that you can easily walk from most apartments and condos to the shops and restaurants and local hangouts the commercial center has to offer. There are a reasonable number of single family homes that come available for rent. These homes are usually single story, ranch, craftsmen, bungalow or Victorian homes featuring classic character and vintage charm.