Best Places to Live: Normandy Park
A place apart —but still close to everything.
By Sarah Stackhouse March 23, 2026
This article originally appeared in the March/April 2026 issue of Seattle magazine.
Normandy Park is a place people choose deliberately. First laid out in 1929 as a suburb, the area grew after the city incorporated in 1953, but it was still home to fewer than 2,000 residents. Much of the land had previously been logged or farmed, and even as Seattle expanded nearby, Normandy Park took shape around winding streets and single-family homes set among the trees. The name is a reference to the Normandy region of France, reflecting its early design inspiration.
The city sits along Puget Sound in southwest King County, about 14 miles south of Seattle and minutes from SeaTac International Airport. It has limited commercial development and a calmer feel than many nearby waterfront neighborhoods, appealing to people who want regional access without living at the center of it all. “It’s primarily single-family residential,” says Jeremy Hammer, the city’s community development director. “Largeish lots, single-family homes, lots of tree canopy. People have some space, and also privacy from neighbors.”
Normandy Park has more than 100 acres of parks and open space, and 46% of the city is covered by tree canopy, one of the highest percentages in King County, ranking fourth overall. Houses sit a little farther apart, and residents say it doesn’t feel crowded, even near the water. That approach dates back to early development, when builder Ron Walker emphasized designing homes around existing trees rather than clearing them.
Marine View Park offers trails and Puget Sound beach access, while Walker Preserve provides green space throughout the city, including Miller Creek and Walker Creek, both salmon-bearing streams that run through protected natural areas. Marvista Park functions as a central gathering space, hosting the city’s summer concert series. It also includes a community garden, with plots available to residents through an annual lottery. “It’s a park in the middle of the city where you can really feel away from everything,” Hammer says.
Brandi Nobles, who, along with her husband William, moved to Normandy Park in 2022 and co-owns WB Nobles Real Estate, says the shift felt good after leaving Seattle. “Living here gives me a peace of mind I didn’t really know that I was missing.”
Growth in Normandy Park has been steady rather than dramatic, driven mostly by a handful of recently completed multifamily projects along First Avenue South. The rest of the city remains largely unchanged. Two shopping areas—Manhattan Village and Normandy Park Towne Center—provide a grocery store and shops, along with neighborhood staples like Normandy Park Alehouse, Vietnamese spot Rose Pho, Empire Coffee, Indian and Mexican restaurants, Ace Hardware, and local wine bar Peyrassol West.
The closest light rail access is in SeaTac, about 10 minutes away. Bus service connects the area to light rail and around the city. Later this spring, new Eastside service will make it possible to reach Bellevue and Redmond by light rail.
For people ready to slow down a bit, Normandy Park offers a version of Puget Sound living shaped by greenery and a pace that hasn’t rushed to change.
Population: 6,855
School District: Highline
Attractions: Marvista Park, Marine View Park, Walker Preserve, the Cove, Puget Sound shoreline
Community Events: Summer Concert Series, Fourth of July, Normandy Park Arts Festival, Food Truck Wednesdays
Average Home Price: $997,500 (as of December 2025)
See the full Best Places to Live series here.
About Best Places to Live
At Seattle magazine, we usually keep the focus on our titular city. For this series, though, we looked just beyond it—to a handful of Western Washington spots getting buzzy attention. Some are growing fast, others offer a slower, more community-focused pace. From more space in places like Black Diamond or Woodinville to strong schools and busy dining scenes in Bellevue, each has its own pull. We spoke with realtors, residents, and chamber members to understand what sets these six cities apart.
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