Where to Live in
Everett

2026 Everett Neighborhood Shortlist

The 2026 Vibe Check: Everett's Split Personality

Forget the "Seattle Suburb" label; it's dead. Everett in 2026 is a city in a forced, awkward adolescence. On one side, you have the Port of Seattle's deep pockets continuing to pour cash into the waterfront, manifesting as sleek, soulless condo towers aimed at the Boeing and Naval Station crowd who want a 10-minute commute. This is the "official" Everett, the one with the polished waterfront path and the new restaurants that feel like they were designed by an algorithm.

But the real city, the one that’s been here for 80 years, is pushing back hard. The gentrification line is drawn at Colby Avenue. West of it, you see the creep of Seattle money renovating Craftsman homes; east of it, it’s still the Everett of old—the rumble of freight trains, the scent of salt and diesel from the port, and dive bars where your tab might be $12. The biggest story is the slow-burn revival of Northwest Everett and the Glacier Valley area, where investors are betting on the "next big thing" while current residents are just trying to afford groceries. It's a city of friction right now, and that's where the opportunity lies.

The Shortlist

Riverside

• The Vibe: Stroller Wealth
• Rent Check: Way above city avg (think 20-30% premium).
• The Good: This is the undisputed king for families with money. The schools, like Everett High School and the elementary feeder system, are the best in the district. You get actual space here—big lots, mature trees, and the Pilchuck River cutting through the back of the neighborhood. Walkability is a joke, but you're a 5-minute drive from the Colby Park playground and the best coffee spot in town, The Jungle, for a legit espresso.
• The Bad: Parking is a nightmare on streets like W. Casino Road and Hardeson Road because of the multi-generational homes with 4-5 cars per driveway. You'll also hear the freight train whistle, which is charming for a week and then just becomes a fact of life.
• Best For: Established families who work at Boeing or the Naval Station and want the "yard and good schools" package without crossing into Snohomish County proper.
• Insider Tip: Drive down Hardeson Road on a Saturday morning. The sheer volume of kids on bikes tells you everything you need to know.

Glacier Valley

• The Vibe: Suburban Stability
• Rent Check: Right on the city average.
• The Good: This is the workhorse neighborhood. It’s where teachers, firefighters, and nurses buy their first home. The grid of 1960s ramblers is predictable but solid. You're minutes from the Evergreen State Medical Center and a straight shot down 19th Street to I-5. The parks are decent, specifically Walt Disney Park, which has a solid skate park and baseball fields. The value here is in the square footage.
• The Bad: It’s aesthetically bland. Zero architectural charm. Traffic on Airport Road and 19th Street is a constant, grinding headache during rush hour. Crime is mostly property crime—don't leave your garage door open.
• Best For: First-time homebuyers who are pragmatic. People who care more about a two-car garage and a proximity to Costco than "neighborhood character."
• Insider Tip: The secret weapon is the trail access. The Interurban Trail segment running through the southern edge of the neighborhood is your best escape from the car-centric grind. Jump on at the Walt Disney Park entrance.

Northwest Everett

• The Vibe: Gritty Revival
• Rent Check: The most affordable zone inside the city core.
• The Good: This is the last frontier for true urban pioneers. The housing stock is a mix of old, tiny worker cottages and some surprisingly cool mid-century stuff. You're within walking distance of the WSU Everett campus and the bars on Broadway, like The Anchor, a true port-town dive. There's a raw potential here that feels more authentic than the manufactured waterfront.
• The Bad: It's rough around the edges. The area around Pacific Avenue and Hewitt Avenue can feel desolate and sketchy at night. You need to be street-smart. Street parking is a battle, and many of the older homes need serious work.
• Best For: Artists, WSU students, and anyone priced out of Seattle's core who wants a gritty, urban feel and doesn't mind the dust. Not for anyone who wants a manicured lawn.
• Insider Tip: Check out the alleyways off California Street. You'll find incredible street art and see the bones of the old neighborhood that are slowly getting bought up by developers.

Port Gardner

• The Vibe: Maritime Grit
• Rent Check: A smidge above average, mostly for the newer waterfront units.
• The Good: This is where the city's industrial heart beats. If you work at the shipyard, the port, or Boeing's flight line, your commute is unbeatable. You can walk to Legion Memorial Golf Course or watch container ships get loaded from Boxcar Park. The new Fisherman's Terminal development is bringing in decent food options, but the real gems are the old-school spots like The Silver Cup for a greasy breakfast.
• The Bad: You will smell the port. Some days it's low tide, some days it's diesel—it’s the price of admission. The noise from the shipyards and occasional train horns is constant. The neighborhood is bisected by industrial zones, making it feel disjointed.
• Best For: Marine and industrial professionals who prioritize a 5-minute commute over leafy streets. People who want to live where they work.
• Insider Tip: The best view of the Everett Marina and the whole waterfront isn't from the path—it's from the upper parking lot of the Scuttlebutt Brewing Co. Grab a beer and watch the tugs work.

Strategic Recommendations

For Families: Riverside is the only serious answer if your budget allows. The combo of Everett High School (or the proximity to the private options), the larger lots, and the established community feel is non-negotiable. Run, don't walk, to Glacier Valley if you can't swing Riverside prices but still want a single-family home and a decent school district.

For Wall St / Tech (Commuting to Seattle): Don't. The commute from Everett on the 512 bus or I-5 is a soul-crushing lottery. If you must, live near the Everett Station for the Sounder train. But honestly, look at Edmonds or Lynnwood for better access and less grit. Everett is for people who work in Everett.

The Value Play (Buy Before It Explodes): Northwest Everett. The land is still relatively cheap, and the influence of WSU Everett is expanding westward. The blocks between Pacific Avenue and the Interurban Trail are the ones to watch. The city is pushing to clean up "The Strip" (Everett Ave), and once that happens, the ripple effect will hit these residential streets. Get in now, fix up a cottage, and in 5 years you'll be sitting on gold.