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Healthcare Heroes First Hill / Pill Hill

Best Places to Live &
Work at Seattle Hospitals

Your 2025 guide to finding the perfect neighborhood near UW Medical, Swedish, Virginia Mason, and Harborview. Shift work tips, parking vs transit, and housing options for nurses and doctors.

8
Top Neighborhoods
4
Major Hospitals
$400K-$1.2M
Home Prices
Explore Hospital Map View Neighborhoods
Major Medical Centers

Seattle's Premier Hospitals

UW Medical Center

University District

Montlake & Northwest

Swedish Medical

First Hill Campus

Cherry Hill & Ballard

Virginia Mason

First Hill / Downtown

Franciscan Health

Harborview

Level 1 Trauma Center

First Hill / Yesler
Interactive Hospital Map

Explore Seattle Hospital Neighborhoods

Click on any marker to see commute times, housing data, and shift work considerations. Red markers indicate hospitals, colored markers show recommended neighborhoods.

Hospitals
Walking Distance
Transit Access
Affordable Option
Commute Comparison

Commute Times to First Hill Hospitals

Compare drive times, transit times, and walking options across all recommended neighborhoods.

Commute Time Comparison

Median Rent Comparison

Monthly Parking Cost vs Transit Pass

Hospital parking can cost $300-500/month. Compare to ORCA transit pass costs by neighborhood.

Healthcare professional nurse in hospital
Shift Work Considerations

Working Nights, Evenings & Weekends

Seattle hospital workers often face unique commute challenges. Night shift workers benefit from free street parking after 8 PM, while day shift nurses need transit options to avoid $20+/day parking fees.

12hr
Typical Shifts
$500
Monthly Parking
Free
Night Parking
2025 Rankings

Best Neighborhoods for Hospital Workers

Ranked by commute convenience, affordability, shift work considerations, and lifestyle fit for healthcare professionals.

Capitol Hill Seattle neighborhood
1
Walkable 24hr

Capitol Hill

Best for Nurses Light Rail

Best for: Walking to work and enjoying vibrant nightlife. Capitol Hill is a 10-15 minute walk to Swedish First Hill, Virginia Mason, and Harborview. Perfect for shift workers who need 24-hour services.

Walk Time
10-15 min
Transit Time
5-10 min
1BR Rent
$2,100
Night Life
10/10

Pros

  • Walk to all First Hill hospitals
  • 24-hour restaurants and services
  • Capitol Hill Light Rail station
  • Young professional community

Cons

  • Higher rent prices
  • Parking is expensive/limited
  • Can be noisy at night
  • Hilly terrain to walk
Shift Work Tip: The Pike/Pine corridor has 24-hour coffee shops and late-night food - perfect after a night shift. Street parking is free after 8 PM and on Sundays.
First Hill Pill Hill Seattle
2
Pill Hill

First Hill (Pill Hill)

Best for Doctors

Best for: Living where you work. First Hill is Seattle's medical district with Swedish, Virginia Mason, and Harborview all within blocks. Ideal for residents and attending physicians on call.

Walk Time
0-5 min
On-Call
Ideal
1BR Rent
$2,300
Condo Options
Many

Pros

  • Literally steps from hospitals
  • Perfect for on-call physicians
  • First Hill Streetcar access
  • High-rise condos available

Cons

  • Fewer restaurants/nightlife
  • Can feel institutional
  • Ambulance noise
  • Premium pricing
Doctor's Tip: The new high-rises on Boren Ave offer stunning views and are within 5-minute walk to all major hospitals. Great for residents doing 24-hour call shifts.
Beacon Hill Seattle affordable neighborhood
3
Affordable

Beacon Hill

Budget Nurses Light Rail

Best for: Affordable housing with direct light rail access to Capitol Hill Station, a short walk to First Hill hospitals. Popular with nurses and medical techs seeking value.

Light Rail
8 min
Drive Time
10-15 min
1BR Rent
$1,600
Diversity
9/10

Pros

  • Most affordable close option
  • Direct light rail to Capitol Hill
  • Great Asian restaurants
  • Diverse, welcoming community

Cons

  • 10-minute walk from station to hospital
  • Fewer late-night options
  • Hilly terrain
  • Less walkable than Cap Hill
Budget Tip: Save $400-600/month on rent compared to Capitol Hill. The light rail runs until midnight - perfect for evening shift nurses.
Columbia City Seattle diverse neighborhood
4
Dining

Columbia City

Family-Friendly Light Rail

Best for: Healthcare workers seeking a diverse, family-friendly neighborhood with excellent restaurants and light rail access. Great for those who want neighborhood charm.

Light Rail
12 min
Drive Time
12-18 min
1BR Rent
$1,700
Restaurants
9/10

Pros

  • Most diverse neighborhood in Seattle
  • Excellent restaurant scene
  • Strong community feel
  • Light rail station

Cons

  • Further from hospitals
  • Rising rent prices
  • Limited late-night options
  • Transfer needed for some routes
Central District Seattle neighborhood
5
Houses

Central District

Bikeable

Best for: Healthcare workers wanting single-family homes close to hospitals. The CD offers a mix of historic charm and quick access to First Hill via bike or bus.

Bike Time
8-12 min
Bus Time
10-15 min
1BR Rent
$1,800
Houses
Available
Madison Valley Seattle quiet residential
6
Quiet

Madison Valley

Physicians

Best for: Physicians and senior healthcare workers seeking quiet residential living with a quick commute. Madison Valley offers boutique shops and cafes near the Arboretum.

Drive Time
8-12 min
Bus Time
15-20 min
1BR Rent
$2,000
Quiet Rating
10/10
Mount Baker Seattle lake views
7
Lake Views

Mount Baker

Light Rail Families

Best for: Healthcare families wanting lake views, good schools, and light rail access. Mount Baker offers beautiful homes near Lake Washington with reasonable commutes.

Light Rail
10 min
Drive Time
12-18 min
1BR Rent
$1,750
Schools
8/10
Fremont Wallingford Seattle quirky neighborhood
8
UW Med

Fremont / Wallingford

Quirky

Best for: UW Medical Center employees. These charming neighborhoods offer easy access to the Montlake campus while providing excellent dining, shops, and the famous Fremont Troll.

To UW Med
10-15 min
To First Hill
20-30 min
1BR Rent
$1,900
Charm
10/10
UW Medical Note: If you work at UW Medical Center Montlake or Northwest Hospital, these neighborhoods offer the best commute. The Burke-Gilman Trail provides a scenic bike route.
Budget Comparison

Neighborhoods by Budget & Role

Where to live based on your healthcare role and budget. Nurses, residents, and techs have different needs than attending physicians.

Nurses & Medical Techs

Budget: $1,500 - $2,000/month

Beacon Hill $1,600

Best value + light rail

Columbia City $1,700

Great food + community

Mount Baker $1,750

Lake views + light rail

Physicians & Residents

Budget: $2,000 - $3,000+/month

First Hill $2,300

Walk to work + on-call ideal

Capitol Hill $2,100

Walkable + nightlife

Madison Valley $2,000

Quiet + quick commute

Frequently Asked Questions

Hospital Worker Housing FAQs

How much does hospital parking cost in Seattle?

Hospital parking ranges from $15-25 per day, or $300-500 per month for monthly passes. Many healthcare workers find it more economical to use transit (ORCA card ~$99/month unlimited) or live close enough to walk/bike.

What is the best neighborhood for night shift workers?

Capitol Hill is ideal for night shift workers due to 24-hour restaurants, coffee shops, and services. Street parking is free after 8 PM and on Sundays. First Hill and Beacon Hill are also good options with quieter sleeping conditions during the day.

Which hospitals are on First Hill (Pill Hill)?

First Hill hosts Swedish Medical Center (First Hill campus), Virginia Mason Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, and several specialty clinics. The nickname "Pill Hill" comes from the concentration of medical facilities in this area.

Where do most Seattle nurses live?

Many nurses live in Beacon Hill, Columbia City, and Mount Baker due to affordable rents and light rail access. Capitol Hill is popular for younger nurses who prioritize walkability and nightlife, while families often choose Columbia City or Mount Baker for schools and space.

Is it worth living close to the hospital for on-call shifts?

For residents and attending physicians with frequent on-call requirements, living on First Hill or Capitol Hill (within 10-minute walk) is highly recommended. This allows quick response times and avoids the stress of traffic or transit during emergencies.

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