The whole Beacon Hill area still offers some good prices compared to almost any area as close to Seattle city center. For many reasons, economic ones mostly, that whole section between the I-5 to the west and light rail to the east, but north of Renton, you can still buy a great house for under $400,000. And if you've more elbow grease than money, you can opt for a fixer-upper and get a great deal. The key is patience, and then being able to move on a purchase when the right deal presents itself.