Why has so much real estate east of Lake Washington been gobbled up recently? Blame it on solid bridgework-two bridges, to be exact.
The route between Seattle and the Eastside was once either slow (by ferry) or indirect (by driving around the lake). That changed in the 1950s when the world's first floating bridge was built to span Lake Washington. A second bridge followed in the 1960s, sparking the booms in growth for Eastside communities, which tend to be affluent. While the commute from the Eastside into Seattle is now more direct, it can be slow and unpredictable.
As the Eastside "suburbs" develop and more mega-corporations relocate here, residents are becoming self-sufficient for employment, shopping, and culture. Who knows? The commute to Seattle may soon be a moot point.
Bellevue
The anchor of the "Eastside," Bellevue has grown beyond a mere bedroom community of Seattle. The former center for farming and milling hopped on the fast track for growth after the 1939 construction of the first Lake Washington bridge and city's 1953 incorporation. Then came the high-tech firms taking up residence in the 1990s. Bellevue now ranks as Washington's fifth largest city and a world-class center for new technology and business.
Bellevue, French for "beautiful view," proffers vistas of Lake Washington to the west and the Cascade mountains to the east. The city has set aside thousands of acres for parks, trails, and open space.
Neighborhoods in this metropolis-including Somerset, Woodridge, Wilburton, Enatai, and Lake Hills-are known for low crime, high quality, and good schools. Housing options range from residential estates on an acre or more to downtown mid-rise condominiums. Single-family and multi-family housing also exists. A lack of affordable housing, however, has long been a top concern among the city's residents.
About three miles east of Seattle and across Lake Washington, Bellevue sits some 10 miles west of the Cascade Mountains foothills.
Kirkland
Peter Kirk had the best-laid plans-to make this city the "Pittsburgh of the West." Although his plans for a steel mill never materialized, the town nevertheless was named for him. And Kirkland eventually prospered, thanks to the wool-milling and ship-building industries. Today, it's nicknamed "Monterey of the Northwest" for the downtown area's posh art galleries, boutiques, bistros, salons, and waterfront parks.
Kirkland's chic downtown also lures visitors with monthly art walks, the Summerfest art show in July, and the Argosy Christmas Parade of Ships that stops along the waterfront. As the city grows, residents face the inevitable traffic and construction challenges. Yet King County's seventh largest city is attempting to hold fast to its small-town atmosphere and civic pride.
The downtown area is the draw for many homebuyers, despite rising home prices. Waterfront housing in the affluent Lakeview and Moss Bay neighborhoods includes luxury condominiums that sometimes outprice the homes. More affordable housing lies in the North Rose Hill and Highlands neighborhoods; and the Houghton, Everest, and Norkirk communities offer a mid-priced blend of houses and townhomes.
Located on the northeastern shore of Lake Washington, Kirkland is 10 miles from downtown Seattle, west of Redmond, and just north of Bellevue.
Redmond
Microsoftburg? That'd be its name if Redmond was named for its claim to fame today. But in the mid-1800s, it was dubbed Salmonburg for its abundance of dog salmon. Becoming postmaster in 1882, Irish immigrant Luke McRedmond named the site after himself. Little did he know that Redmond would become a household name, thanks to the Microsoft Corporation outgrowing its offices in Bellevue and choosing Redmond for its corporate headquarters.
Because like attracts like, Nintendo and various other high-tech firms also call this city home. Consequently, the population has skyrocketed from 1,426 in 1960 to more than 40,000. Yet Redmond retains a combination of simple pleasures and technology. As the Bicycle Capital of the Northwest, it has hosted the nation's oldest bike race, Redmond Bike Derby, since 1939. Cyclists and pedestrians alike appreciate the amenities of the 522-acre Marymoor Park and the Lake Sammamish Trail.
Houses in Redmond range from cul-de-sac homes in quiet neighborhoods to large estate lots, few of which date back earlier than 1970. The average price for a home here hovers around $250,000. Affordable housing options include a multitude of apartments, condominiums, and townhomes in the downtown area.
Located northeast of Bellevue, Redmond is about 16 miles east from downtown Seattle, across Lake Washington.
Bothell has grown up since its days as a logging village. Its downtown now showcases high-tech industrial offices, business parks, and a branch campus of the University of Washington. Yet its housing remains affordable: Along with Bothell's availability of apartments, nearly half the area's homes sold in 1999 went for less than $250,000.
Clyde Hill, Hunts Point, Medina, and Yarrow Point often are collectively called the "Gold Coast." For an explanation, look at either the homes or the residents. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has his 4.5-acre compound in Medina, valued at $53 million. Other locals in these affluent communities include CEOs and Seattle SuperSonics members. A 2001 study ranked Yarrow Point, Medina, and Clyde Hill as first, second, and third, respectively, for median home prices in Washington. Beyond price tags, Yarrow Point is known for its tight-knit atmosphere, Hunts Points for its large residential plots, Medina for its high-tech executive homeowners, and Clyde Hill for its Tully's coffeehouse (retail businesses are rare in these residential communities).
Crossroads features home styles from the past 40 years. While homes are somewhat affordable, more than two-thirds of the residents here are renters.
Issaquah owes its recent massive growth to its location: It's a crossroads for those commuting to Sammamish, Maple Valley, and Renton. Businesses along its traffic-packed roads beckon passersby, while its pricey new developments woo future residents.
Juanita is recognized for its economic diversity, from trailers to half-million-dollar houses. Annexed almost entirely by Kirkland, the community offers affordable condominiums, apartments, and single-family homes.
Mercer Island, a six-mile dry patch in Lake Washington, offers a tranquil setting, four public beaches, horse trails, and close proximity to Seattle and Bellevue. Naturally, such privileges cost a pretty penny, with the median house price at $525,000. The wealthy community counts Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen as one of its locals.
Newport Hills and Newcastle share much as neighbors, including suburban amenities, low crime, and affordable single-family homes. Newcastle's unique draw is its Golf Club at Newcastle, a public and private course with 36 greens.
Sahalee has its roots as a retirement-oriented community, so much of the social life here revolves around golf. In fact, nearly half the lots are situated along fairways. Home prices range from $200,000 for townhouses to $600,000 for houses by the golf course.
Sammamish is barely a toddler, developmentally speaking. Built up at the beginning of the millennium, it offers a rural setting for every housing preference, from lakeside mansions and gated communities to apartments and farmhouses.
Woodinville, just 20 minutes north of Seattle, seems to have it all for residents: excellent schools, reasonable home prices ($285,000 is the median value), and a laid-back lifestyle. Yet it also pleases tourists, who flock to its wineries, breweries, and popular Molbak's Greenhouse. A defining characteristic of the city is its annual All Fool's Day Parade and Basset Bash, with hundreds of baying basset hounds.
