Ballard Moving Guide
New construction condos, century-old bungalows, and a parking situation that's getting worse by the year. Here's your insider guide to moving in Ballard.
Ballard has transformed from a quiet Scandinavian fishing village into one of Seattle's most in-demand neighborhoods. Breweries, restaurants, the Locks, farmers market — everyone wants to live here. And that means a lot of people are moving in and out.
The good news: Ballard is mostly flat, which makes it easier than Queen Anne or Capitol Hill for moving trucks. The challenge is the wild mix of housing types — you might be moving out of a 1920s bungalow and into a brand-new 5-story condo, or vice versa. Each has its own logistics. Here's what to know.
Why Ballard Moves Are Unique
Construction Everywhere
Ballard is one of Seattle's most active construction zones. New buildings going up means blocked sidewalks, rerouted streets, and construction vehicles competing for curb space on moving day.
Old Meets New
A single block can have a 1920s craftsman next to a 2024 condo. Your move logistics depend entirely on which type of building you're dealing with — they couldn't be more different.
Parking Crunch
Ballard's parking has gotten dramatically worse as density increased. Many new buildings have limited garage spots, and street parking fills up fast — especially near the brewery district and Market Street.
Weekend Traffic
Ballard Ave, NW Market St, and Leary Way get congested on weekends with farmers market traffic, restaurant crowds, and brewery hopping. Weekday moves are significantly smoother.
Ballard Building Types & What to Expect
🏠 Craftsman Bungalows & Old Houses (Pre-1950s)
The classic Ballard homes — single-story or 1.5-story craftsman bungalows with basements. Usually have a driveway or alley access. Charming but often with narrow interior doorways and steep basement stairs.
Moving difficulty: ⭐⭐ (Low-Medium) — Good truck access, but basement moves add time. Watch for narrow basement stairways and low ceilings.
🏢 New Construction Condos & Apartments (2015+)
The new Ballard — 4-6 story mixed-use buildings with ground-floor retail. Most have elevators, some have loading zones or small loading docks. Units tend to be compact with modern layouts.
Moving difficulty: ⭐⭐ (Low-Medium) — Elevator access helps, but you'll need to reserve it. Loading zones are often shared with delivery trucks. Check building rules early.
🏘️ Townhomes (2000s–Present)
Ballard has seen a boom of 3-story townhomes replacing old single-family lots. Narrow footprint, multiple floors, usually with a small attached garage that fits one car (not a moving truck). Lots of stairs inside.
Moving difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium) — Three floors of stairs with no elevator. The narrow layout means furniture goes up one flight at a time. Crew will work harder and longer than a standard apartment move.
🏚️ Older Apartment Buildings (1960s–1990s)
2-3 story walk-up apartment buildings scattered throughout Ballard. No elevator, exterior stairways, basic layouts. Usually have a small parking lot with decent truck access.
Moving difficulty: ⭐⭐ (Low-Medium) — Walk-up stairs add time, but parking is usually manageable. Straightforward moves for experienced crews.
The 4 Biggest Ballard Moving Challenges
1. Construction Zone Chaos
Ballard has been under constant construction for years. New buildings, street work, utility upgrades — it feels like every other block has a crane or a closed sidewalk. This affects moving truck routes, parking availability, and sometimes blocks access to your building entirely.
How to handle it: Drive your moving route a few days before and note any construction zones. Check with your building manager about current access issues. Let your movers know about any detours or blocked streets so they can plan an alternate route. On the day of, have a phone charged and ready to redirect the truck if needed.
2. New Building Rules & Restrictions
Many of Ballard's new buildings have strict move-in/move-out rules: specific hours (often 9 AM–5 PM only), required elevator reservations, loading dock time limits, move-in deposits ($200–$500), and sometimes mandatory use of floor protection that the building provides.
How to handle it: Contact your building manager or HOA at least 2 weeks before the move. Get every rule in writing: approved hours, elevator reservation process, deposit requirements, and any prohibited items (some buildings ban dollies on certain floors). Share these rules with your movers so there are no surprises.
3. Townhome Stairs (3 Floors, No Elevator)
Ballard's townhomes are tall and narrow. Living room on floor 1, bedrooms on floor 2, sometimes a rooftop deck on floor 3. Every single item goes up stairs. There's no elevator, and the stairways are typically narrow with tight turns.
How to handle it: Budget for extra time — a townhome move takes 30–50% longer than the same amount of stuff in a single-floor apartment. Disassemble all furniture. Consider hiring a 3-person crew instead of 2 — the third person stages items at each floor level, creating an efficient relay system.
4. Weekend Traffic Around Market Street
NW Market Street, Ballard Ave, and the surrounding blocks get packed on weekends — especially Sunday mornings (farmers market) and Friday/Saturday evenings (brewery and restaurant traffic). A moving truck navigating this area on a Saturday afternoon is a headache for everyone.
How to handle it: Move on a weekday if at all possible. If you must move on a weekend, start early — 7-8 AM before the crowds arrive. Avoid the Ballard Ave / NW Market St corridor during peak hours entirely.
Ballard Sub-Neighborhoods — Quick Guide
Old Ballard (Ballard Ave / Market St core)
Dense, walkable, lots of new construction mixed with old commercial buildings converted to condos. Parking is the main challenge. Great neighborhood but plan for traffic and limited truck access near restaurants and shops.
West Woodland (South of Market)
Quieter residential streets, mix of older homes and new townhomes. Generally easier for moving trucks — more street parking, less commercial traffic. One of the smoother Ballard move experiences.
Sunset Hill (West of 32nd Ave NW)
Mostly single-family homes with great views of the Olympics and Puget Sound. Quiet streets with good parking. Moving here is relatively straightforward — the main challenge is any home with a steep driveway near the bluff.
Loyal Heights (North Ballard)
Family-oriented residential area. Craftsman homes, some newer townhomes. Wide streets, easy parking, and generally the most straightforward moving logistics in the greater Ballard area.
Whittier Heights (Northeast Ballard)
Residential, quiet, mix of older homes and infill townhomes. Similar to Loyal Heights — easy access, good parking, no major challenges. A standard Seattle move.
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Insider Tips for a Smooth Ballard Move
Scout your route for construction 2-3 days before
Ballard construction changes weekly. A street that was open last month might be torn up today. Drive the route from your old place to your new place and note any detours, lane closures, or blocked access points. Share this intel with your movers.
Get your building's move-in rules in writing
New Ballard buildings are strict about moving logistics. Get the exact approved hours, elevator reservation process, loading dock rules, deposit amount, and any floor protection requirements in writing. Missing a rule can delay your entire move.
Move on a Tuesday or Wednesday for the easiest experience
Ballard is a weekend destination. Farmers market Sunday, brewery crawl Saturday, restaurant crowds Friday. Weekday moves dodge all of this — less traffic, easier parking, and your movers can work more efficiently.
For townhomes, hire a 3-person crew
Two movers on a 3-story townhome is slow and exhausting. Three creates a relay system: one at the truck, one on the stairs, one in the unit. It costs a bit more per hour but the move finishes significantly faster — usually saving money overall.
Use alley access when available
Many older Ballard homes have alley access to the backyard or garage. If your front street is congested, the alley might be a better option for the truck. Check if your alley is wide enough and clear of obstructions.
Ask about parking at your new building before signing the lease
Some new Ballard buildings have minimal parking — 0.5 spots per unit or even none. If you have a car, know the parking situation before you commit. Street parking with an RPZ permit is an option but can be competitive in the core Ballard area.
What a Ballard Move Actually Costs
Ballard moves are generally in line with Seattle averages — it's flatter than Queen Anne and less dense than Capitol Hill. Townhomes and new buildings with strict rules can add some cost.
| Move Type | Estimated Cost | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Studio/1-Bed apartment | $400–$750 | 2–3 hours |
| 2-Bed apartment/condo | $750–$1,200 | 3–5 hours |
| 3-story townhome | $900–$1,500 | 4–6 hours |
| 2-Bed craftsman house | $800–$1,300 | 3–5 hours |
| 3-4 Bed house | $1,200–$2,000 | 5–8 hours |
Note: Townhome moves cost more than equivalent-sized apartments due to the stairs. New building move-in deposits ($200–$500) are an additional out-of-pocket cost. For full Seattle pricing, see our complete cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ballard a good neighborhood to move to in 2026?▼
Ballard is one of Seattle's most popular neighborhoods — great food scene, breweries, the Locks, farmers market, and easy access to downtown and the Eastside. The trade-off is rising rents, construction everywhere, and increasingly competitive parking. If you value walkability and neighborhood character, it's hard to beat.
What's parking like in Ballard?▼
It depends on where in Ballard. The core (near Market St and Ballard Ave) is tough — RPZ zones, limited spots, and new buildings with minimal garage parking. Outer areas like Loyal Heights and Sunset Hill are much easier. If you're near the core, expect to use an RPZ permit ($65/year) and sometimes walk a block or two.
Do new Ballard buildings charge a move-in deposit?▼
Many do — typically $200–$500, refundable if no damage occurs during the move. Some also require proof of insurance from your moving company and a signed move-in agreement. Check with your building manager at least 2 weeks before your move date.
When's the best time to move in Ballard?▼
Tuesday through Thursday, starting early morning. Avoid weekends (farmers market, brewery crowds, restaurant traffic). Avoid the 1st and 15th of the month. Off-season (October–February) gives you the best rates and most availability.
Are Ballard moves easier than Capitol Hill or Queen Anne?▼
Generally yes — Ballard is flatter, has wider residential streets, and more buildings with truck-friendly access. The exceptions are 3-story townhomes (lots of stairs) and the dense core area (parking challenges). Overall, Ballard moves are moderately easier than Capitol Hill walk-ups or Queen Anne Hill.
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Written by the SeattleMoversGuide team
Local moving industry professionals who know Ballard's streets, buildings, and construction zones. From craftsman bungalows to brand-new condos — we've moved them all.