Seattle has a lot of seedy neighborhoods. Pine between 1st and 3rd, near the Westlake bus tunnel entrance, is arguably the worst. If you ride the light rail to the airport, you will see the sordid side of Rainier Valley, complete with gang graffiti, but there is no true slum here. /span > The downtown area has some crime-ridden areas, especially around Pike Street. Use caution after dark if you plan on walking anywhere in the city center. There are also large homeless populations living in the parks and under overpasses. These people are not involved in criminal activity, but it's best not to walk through them or sit down in front of them as they may think you are offering them a seat, when you actually want something else. In conclusion, yes, Seattle has a ghetto, but it's not nearly as bad as it sounds. It's a big city with big problems that affect everyone, rich or poor, black or white.