Seattle has emerged as a strong contender for America's best city over the past decade. Its stunning natural beauty, from mountain vistas to Puget Sound, provides ample outdoor recreation opportunities for residents. The city boasts a booming economy anchored by tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft, attracting young professionals with its robust job market and high median incomes. Seattle's neighborhoods each have a distinct character, and the city's food scene, arts and culture offerings, and music history are all top-notch. While the high cost of living and gloomy weather are drawbacks, Seattle's overall quality of life is hard to beat.

Seattle is grappling with significant social problems including rising homelessness, lack of affordable housing, increasing inequality, and a history of racial segregation. The city has large tent encampments and rampant drug use among the unhoused population. Economic growth has driven up housing costs, pricing out many residents. Racial minorities face wide income gaps compared to white Seattleites. In the past, racist policies like redlining and restrictive covenants created segregated neighborhoods that persist today. Seattle also has concerning crime rates, especially property crime, car thefts and homicides in recent years. Solving these complex, intersecting issues remains an ongoing challenge.