Living in Edmonds, Washington: What to Know Before You Move in 2025
Life in Edmonds, WA: Beach Access, Galleries, Nightlife, and Where People Live
Edmonds, WA sits right on Puget Sound, about 12 miles north of Seattle. It’s a coastal city that feels equal parts charming and connected, with a ferry terminal, Sounder commuter rail stop, and a walkable downtown that doubles as Washington’s first state-certified Creative District.
You’ll notice tide charts tacked to refrigerators, ferry horns drifting through open windows, and “It’s an Edmonds Kind of Day” banners fluttering down Main Street. Life here naturally centers around the waterfront and walkable downtown Edmond's—Brackett’s Landing, Marina Beach, and the city-managed Edmonds Underwater Park are where people walk, dive, and watch the sunset turn the sky pink over the Sound.
Dogs are welcome on-leash in most parks, and there’s even an off-leash stretch of saltwater at the south end of Marina Beach. Just keep in mind that Brackett’s Landing North is a marine sanctuary—no harvesting and no dogs allowed.
Neighborhoods & Housing Types
Locals tend to define Edmonds neighborhoods by landmarks and hills rather than formal boundaries. You’ll hear about “the Bowl” (the historic downtown and the slopes down to the ferry), Five Corners (that quirky intersection that always deserves its name), Westgate (the retail pocket along 100th and Edmonds Way), and Perrinville up near the county line.
If you’re comparing homes, the City’s Zoning Map and interactive GIS viewer are your best friends. Most residential land in Edmonds carries RS designations for single-family homes, while RM zones support multifamily and condos. Business District (BD) zones frame downtown and stretches of Edmonds Way, where you’ll find denser, mixed-use options—often condos or townhomes with retail below.
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have become more common since updates to the development code made them easier to permit. Before you draw up plans, double-check the most current ordinance; Edmonds regularly refines code language to balance density and neighborhood character.
For anyone researching “55 and older condos” or hoping to retire to Edmonds, WA, know that age-restricted housing follows both federal and state fair-housing rules. Verify age qualifications through the official community documents and the federal Housing for Older Persons Act—not informal listings or word of mouth. There are several assisted living and senior living centers in Edmonds that offer integrated lifestyle with the community.
Getting Around Edmonds (Driving, Transit, Bike/Walk)
Driving. State Route 104—known locally as Edmonds Way—is the main east-west connection to I-5 and the ferry terminal. State Route 99 runs north–south with frequent transit stops, shopping, and quick access to neighboring Lynnwood. Locals learn the rhythm of ferry staging near Main Street and Dayton pretty fast.
Ferries. The Edmonds–Kingston ferry is part of daily life here. As of fall 2025, adult walk-on fare is $11.05, youth (18 and under) ride free, and a standard vehicle and driver ticket runs $19.70. WSDOT’s “Best Times to Travel” chart is a good bookmark—it shows when sailings fill up and when the deck stays open.
Transit. Community Transit’s Swift Blue and Orange Lines connect Edmonds to Shoreline’s Link light rail, Edmonds College, and Lynnwood. From Edmonds Station, Sounder North trains run during peak hours straight to Seattle’s King Street Station—an easy, scenic commute for many residents who live in Edmonds but work downtown. This provides easy access to downtown Seattle.
Bike/Walk. The city keeps improving its walk and bike networks, adding curb ramps, sidewalks, and lane connections with each capital project. The regional Interurban Trail runs through Shoreline, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, and Lynnwood—a favorite for weekend rides or car-free commutes.
Jobs, The Local Economy, and Cost of Living
Downtown Edmonds is officially a Creative District, Washington’s first, which means a lively mix of galleries, restaurants, and small businesses. You’ll find professionals working in design studios, tech commuters heading south to Seattle, and others connecting north toward Everett and Boeing.
Many residents balance the “best Seattle suburb” lifestyle—small-town community with access to big-city jobs. Commuters often mix Sounder rail, the ferry, or Highway 99 drives depending on schedules.
To learn more about Edmonds, WA job data, start with Bureau of Labor Statistics figures for the Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue metro. From there, the city’s Economic Development office breaks down employer clusters, while Community Transit’s destination guides outline commute times by mode.
Schools & Enrollment Basics
Edmonds School District (ESD) serves the city and surrounding areas. Students are assigned based on address, but boundaries can change—so always verify with ESD’s “Find Your School” tool and the published boundary maps before relying on a listing’s claim.
The district posts start times, bus routes, and enrollment details online. You can also view official metrics, student–teacher ratios, and program descriptions directly on the ESD site. Private and alternative schools publish admissions details individually.
Parks, Trails & Things to Do
Waterfront favorites. Brackett’s Landing North is a marine conservation area—great for tidepooling but strictly no collecting or dogs. The adjacent Edmonds Underwater Park covers more than 27 acres below the tide line and attracts divers from across the region. Olympic Beach offers interpretive signs and sandy walking spots.
Off-leash dog beach. South Marina Beach hosts the Off-Leash Area Edmonds, one of the few Puget Sound beaches where dogs can legally play in salt water. Check seasonal rules; parts of the shoreline remain no-dog zones.
Arts & culture. As the state’s first Creative District, Edmonds leans into art as part of daily life—monthly Art Walks, seasonal festivals, galleries, and a regional art museum all within a few blocks of Main Street.
Everyday outdoor life. Beyond the coast, you’ll find stair walks, pocket parks, and trailheads that weave through the hills. Many residents start or end their day on the Interurban Trail or at City Park, where weekend concerts and outdoor yoga pop up in summer.
Community Events & Festivals 2025
Edmonds runs on a steady calendar of hometown traditions—many produced by the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce—and a growing slate of arts and maker events tied to the city’s Creative District.
Chamber staples. The Chamber’s “An Edmonds Kind of 4th” packs the morning fun run, a children’s parade, and the main parade into downtown on July 4 (fireworks are not part of the 2025 program). Fall brings the Edmonds Classic Car & Motorcycle Show (over 300 vehicles take over 5th Avenue, one the biggest show in the Seattle area), Halloween Trick-or-Treat Night for costumed strollers, and the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Centennial Plaza to kick off the holidays. Dates and details are posted on the Chamber’s event pages each season.
Arts & culture anchors. The Edmonds Arts Festival—always Father’s Day weekend—fills the Frances Anderson Center campus with juried booths, galleries, and live performances. On Third Thursdays (and increasingly all month long), Art Walk Edmonds coordinates shop-hosted artist showings downtown. In early October, the City’s Cultural Services team hosts Write on the Sound, a long-running writers’ conference at the Frances Anderson Center. Edmonds Center for the Arts brings local and national actors to the stage including Christmas programing.
Markets & seasonal pop-ups. From May through mid-October, the Edmonds Historical Museum’s Summer Market runs most Saturdays with 90+ vendors; winter and holiday markets follow in late fall. Keep an eye on the Museum and City feeds for opening and closing day notes each year.
Community festivals. July brings PorchFest (front-yard stages and pedestrian streets in the Bowl), while June features Pride Month programming led by the Edmonds Pride nonprofit. Late September is Rotary’s family-friendly Oktoberfest at Civic Park; the Chamber introduced the two-day Edmonds Block Party at Civic Center Playfield in August 2025.
Tip: Dates shift slightly year to year—verify on the official event pages before you go, especially for weather-sensitive waterfront happenings.
Cost of Living in Edmonds & Typical Housing Costs
When people talk about the cost of living in Edmonds, WA, housing and transportation drive most of the difference from the national average.
Property taxes. Snohomish County calculates property tax per $1,000 of assessed value, multiplied by the combined levy rate for each Tax Code Area. The County publishes annual levy-rate summaries and parcel-level histories so you can see year-to-year changes.
Utilities. The City of Edmonds bills combined utilities (water, sewer, stormwater). Some addresses fall under Olympic View Water & Sewer District instead—so rates and assistance programs vary slightly by service area.
Transit & ferry costs. As of fall 2025, adult Swift BRT fare is $2.50 (youth free). Edmonds–Kingston ferry vehicle rates start around $19.70 and adjust seasonally; check WSDOT before commuting.
Housing prices. Real estate in Edmonds covers a range: single-family homes in RS zones, low-rise condos near downtown, and new townhomes along Edmonds Way. Prices range widely depending on view, location, and condition. The median sale price generally tracks above the national average due to limited waterfront inventory and Puget Sound proximity. Check out Homes for Sale in Edmonds here.
To ground your research, use the Snohomish County Assessor site for assessed values, the Washington Center for Real Estate Research for official market medians, and Census ACS data for owner costs and rents. For anything labeled “waterfront,” check shoreline overlays—Puget Sound view lots often command a premium.
How to Research Zoning, Permits & Property Records
Start with the City’s Zoning Map or GIS Web Map to identify your property’s zone—RS-8, RM, BD, etc.—then reference that zone in the Edmonds Community Development Code (ECDC Title 16).
For parcels near the coast, review shoreline designations, critical areas, and the Comprehensive Plan’s Future Land Use Map. Remember that the FLUM isn’t zoning—it shows long-term policy direction that shapes potential updates.
Most permit applications run through the regional MyBuildingPermit portal. There you can find fee schedules, checklists, and the adopted code list (Edmonds follows Washington’s 2021 building codes with amendments effective March 15, 2024).
To research property details, the Snohomish County Assessor and Treasurer portals list parcel characteristics, levy histories, and tax data. If you’re considering an ADU or renovation, review the 2024–2025 ADU ordinance updates before drawing plans—parking, processing, and design standards have evolved.
Public Safety Data: How to Find & Read the Official Dashboards
The Edmonds Police Department posts annual reports and links to the LexisNexis Community Crime Map, which visualizes recent incidents. Always read the date ranges and legend—there can be reporting lags.
For broader context, the Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs (WASPC) publishes “Crime in Washington” each year (the 2024 edition came out in July 2025). The FBI’s Crime Data Explorer also aggregates statewide trends. Use these for verified, year-over-year comparisons rather than neighborhood anecdotes.
For non-emergency questions, Edmonds PD’s site explains online reporting options and when to call 911 for in-progress incidents.
FAQs
How long is the Edmonds–Kingston ferry crossing?
Crossings run about 30 minutes, with sailings roughly every 30–60 minutes depending on season. WSDOT’s “Best Times to Travel” chart shows when lines are shortest.
Can I commute to Seattle by train from Edmonds?
Yes. Sound Transit’s Sounder North line runs peak-hour trains from Edmonds Station to Seattle’s King Street Station on weekdays. Always confirm timetables before building a routine.
Where do I check my school assignment?
Visit the Edmonds School District’s “Find Your School” page and review the latest boundary maps. Boundaries may shift annually as programs evolve.
Is there true beach access for dogs?
Yes—at the Off-Leash Area Edmonds at Marina Beach’s south end. Other beaches, including Brackett’s Landing North, are protected and do not allow dogs.
What if I prefer a condo near transit instead of a single-family home?
Zoning along SR-99 and near Business District corridors allows more multifamily housing and condos than interior residential zones. Confirm zoning on the city’s GIS before assuming development rights.
How do property tax rates change year to year?
Snohomish County posts annual levy rate summaries and parcel-level histories. Rates vary with voter-approved measures and district levies, so compare the same parcel over time for consistency.
Should I move to Edmonds? Is Edmonds really one of the best Seattle suburbs?
That’s subjective! The practical way to decide is to compare commute options, housing prices, zoning, and your lifestyle priorities—then visit to see if “It’s an Edmonds Kind of Day” feels true for you. If you love water views as you move through everyday life in small town setting--it's likely the one for you!
