A complete guide to Everything you need to know before moving to lynnwood, wa
We have complied this resource about the ins and outs of Lynnwood with the homeowner in mind. A complete guide of everything you might need to know before making the decision to move to Lynnwood. We hope you find this resource helpful in your home search.
For starters, Lynnwood is a suburb located in Snohomish County. It is located about 17 miles north of Seattle Downtown. Lynnwood is a great place to live for people who want to be near the urban city of Seattle, but enjoy a suburban lifestyle.
The estimated population of Lynnwood on July 1, 2022 was 42,212 people.[1] Just two years ago from then, there were about 5,000 less people living there.
Why has there has been a huge increase in the number of people living in Lynnwood between April 2020 and July 2022?
We believe it is due to a huge migration of professionals working in tech looking for affordable housing north of Seattle.
In the table below, we can see that although the population of Lynnwood has always been increasing between 2010 and 2020. It is not nearly as drastic as it has been in recent years.
For example, here is the percent change in population for Lynnwood and the surrounding cities between April 2020 and July 2022:
Lynnwood: 12%
Everett: 0.7%
Edmonds: -0.6%
Shoreline: 1.9%
Bothell: 1.8%
For a visual representation, see the chart below.
Ethnically diverse
Compared to the surrounding cities, Lynnwood has the most ethnic diversity:
Here is the percentages of each ethnicity living in Lynnwood on July 2022:
White: 57.9% (The lowest compared to surrounding cities.)
Black or African American: 8.8% (The highest compared to the surrounding cities.)
Asian: 17.1% (Second largest compared to surrounding cities. Mukilteo, WA being first.)
Hispanic or Latino: 13.9% (Second largest compared to surrounding cities. Everett, WA being first.)
Real Estate: Statistics
Lynnwood Housing Statistics
These numbers are based on stats recorded in July 2022.
Median value of owner-occupied housing: $492,600.[1]
53% of homes are owned and 47% of homes are rented.[1]
Lynnwood Market Insight From Peter
Is buying a home in Lynnwood a good investment?
Buying a home in Lynnwood is a great investment for the future.
The home prices in Lynnwood will undoubtedly appreciate as many tech workers are migrating north to find affordable housing. Lynnwood's central location, within close distance to major tech companies like Microsoft, Facebook, Google, and Amazon, adds to its appeal.
In addition to its proximity to these tech hubs, Lynnwood maintains a safe suburban environment, which has experienced rapid growth since recent changes to zoning laws. The ongoing improvements in infrastructure, restaurants, and other commercial opportunities are anticipated with these zoning adjustments.
What is it like to sell a home in Lynnwood?
In Lynnwood, many homes attract multiple offers from buyers due to low inventory and high demand. However, many of these homes are considered older, primarily built in the 1990s and 2000s, making them appear outdated. Fortunately, buyers are able to look past the outdated materials and envision the updates they can make after purchasing the home.
If your Lynnwood home is fully renovated and move-in ready, it will typically receive multiple offers from buyers, resulting in selling your home for a higher price.
What have we noticed about the Lynnwood market in the last 10 years?
Lynnwood used to be one of the more affordable places to purchase a home in Snohomish County. However, over the past decade, we've witnessed a substantial increase in prices. This surge is largely because of house prices skyrocketing in more desirable areas such as Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond, and other cities close to major employers like Microsoft.
In 2016, we assisted a client with buying a home in Lynnwood that was priced around $550,000. Just five years later in 2021, that same property sold for $900,000. If our client had waited too long, they would have paid almost double the price to purchase the same home.
Crime And Safety: Statistics & Real Reviews
Lynnwood Crime Statistics
Although crime rate has been decreasing year over year, Lynnwood ranks as having one of the highest crime rates in the area as well as nationally.[2]
However, many of the crimes consist mostly of property crimes rather than violent crimes.
See this breakdown of the types of crimes by percentage in Lynnwood in 2020:
Thefts: 70.9%
Burglaries: 12.1%
Auto thefts: 11.4%
Robberies: 2.2%
Assaults: 2.1%
Rapes: 1%
Arson: 0.3%
For additional information on crime. Check out Snohomish County's website. They have a resource that tracks calls for service and criminal activity in Snohomish County to help you better understand crime in your neighborhood.
Reviews from Lynnwood residents
Ultimately, the residents of Lynnwood will have the most accurate representation of what it is like living in Lynnwood.
After reading many recent reviews on reddit.com, which is known for people being very transparent, the consensus is that Lynnwood is safe to live in. However, residents caution to avoid living near highway 99 as it tends to have more crime there.[3]
Here are what some people say about living in Lynnwood:
"The city is overall safe, like any burgeoning city you’ll have your pockets of homelessness, crime etc. IMO (In My Opinion) the closer you are to highway 99 the 'sketchier' it becomes but that’s true with any (of) the cities that border highway 99." - iamthegreat1
"I live in the area close to whole foods. Moved around 3 years back. Don’t see any issues with crime here. My wife keeps following 'ring neighbors' and we haven't seen any crazy things happening apart from package theft close to i5. There are lots of families and (a) lot of young folks have moved in." - HistoricalCourage921
"I live down the road near the mall and (it) seems fairly quiet around the Alderwood area. Been here about 18 months now and have had no problems. Mostly see young families teens and retirees hanging out the mall and shopping areas." - Rusty-Shackleford23
"I've lived in Lynnwood for 16 years now and have had no issues as a female walking alone. I recommend not living right next to Hwy 99 or 164th - those are the areas with higher crime, plus traffic noise and black grit from the traffic." - Fabaceae_and_Paeonia
Economy: Cost of living & Jobs
Cost of living in Lynnwood
Lynnwood's cost of living is very high. Currently, Lynnwood is in the top 4% of the most expensive cities in the world.[4] The average cost of living for a single person is $2,699 per month, but for a family of four, it is $6,039 per month.
See the graph below for an estimate of how the cost would be broken down.
Jobs in Lynnwood
There are many job opportunities available near or in Lynnwood no matter what industry you are in.
Clicking on the links below will lead you to each business' job board. If any of the companies interest you, check out their website to see if they currently have any open positions that you qualify for.
Public schools located in Lynnwood are under the Edmonds School District.
Here is the most recent data on students in the Edmonds School District:
20,371 students enrolled during the 2022-2023 School Year.[5]
53.7% of students met English Language Arts Standards, 42.1% of students met Math Standards, 43.8% of students met Science Standards in the Spring of 2023.[5]
83.1% of students from 2022-2023 academic year cohort, graduated high school.[5]
$17,843 was spent on each student for their education during the 2021-2022 school year.[5]
The student to teacher ratio was 14.2 to 1 in 2021-2022 school year.[5]
The average class size was 19 students in 2021-2022.[5]
In addition to looking at the data, it's also valuable to hear directly from parents and students who have gone through the Edmonds School District to catch the nuances that data cannot communicate. Check out this link on niche.com to see reviews of the Edmonds School District in their words.
For more information on the actual schools and what they have to offer, check out their website by clicking on the links below.
Find which schools in the Edmonds School District align with your future home using this resource.
Lynnwood has a diverse range of restaurants to choose from and has an answer for every craving that you might have.
As much as the food needs to be delicious, the ambience and atmosphere should also match the occasion that you want to celebrate or experience.
Below are some of our recommendations for you to consider when you are in the mood for eating out.
Date Night
Fogo de Chão
Brazilian Steakhouse
Fogo de Chão is an internationally recognized steakhouse from Brazil that has opened a restaurant at the Alderwood Mall. They are known for their "Churrasco Experience" which is essentially an "All You Can Eat" Brazilian meat experience at a fixed price. They are one of the few upscale dining restaurant options in Lynnwood and a good one at that. It can get very busy on the weekends and around the holidays so consider reserving a table in advanced.
The Keg Steakhouse & Bar or "The Keg" for short, serves delicious dry aged steaks that will make your mouth water. Located at the Alderwood Mall, the Keg provides a casual yet intimate atmosphere making it a great option for a date night or a family gathering. Also, don't hesitate to bring your kids too because they also have a separate kids menu available that they can order from. Also, they have a bar area completely separated from the dining area, giving a more relaxed experience for those who want to just go grab a drink.
Isarn Thai Kitchen or "Isarn", as locals say, offers delicious Thai soul food from the largest regions in Thailand. Their dishes are full of culture and delicious flavor. If you decide to dine here, it is very likely that you will be back very soon. Many reviewers on Yelp.com express that everything on the menu is delicious so don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone to try something new. They only do reservations for parties of six or more so plan accordingly.
Chops is located near the Alderwood Mall and right by H Mart. Their main item for sale is their Korean style burritos that will leave you wanting to come back for more. With their great selection of flavors, great price point, and outstanding service, you will not be disappointed.
Indigo Kitchen & Ale House is a popular date night and casual dining spot in Lynnwood. They are open daily and close everyday at midnight. Locals say that Indigo has the best happy hour in the city. They have happy hour everyday from 3-6pm and 9-11pm. One thing to note is that they do not take reservations, however, they do have an online waitlist that you can sign yourself up on, check that page before you decide to go on a holiday or on the weekends.
Lynnwood, although not as lively as downtown Seattle, has many fun things you can do and events going around town at all times. Below are some ideas of things you can do in Lynnwood:
Shopping at the Alderwood Mall. Check out their directory for what stores are at the mall.
Ice skate at the Lynnwood Ice Center. Make sure to go during the public skate sessions. Check the schedule here.
Go to the movies at the Alderwood Mall. Check movie times for either the Regal or AMC theaters.
What Are Closing Costs: A Complete Guide to Understanding the Fees
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or an experienced investor, understanding these fees will help you budget more accurately and avoid surprises at the closing table.