Bellevue

Named for its location between Bellevue and Redmond, Bel-Red has a significant commercial, retail and corporate presence. Downtown Bellevue is just a few miles away, west of Interstate 405; Redmond is 5 miles to the northeast and the drive to Downtown Seattle is about 11 miles. Some of the Seattle area's biggest companies are here, making for a quick commute. Meta's Spring District campus is located in the neighborhood, Amazon and Coca-Cola have facilities here and the Microsoft Headquarters is a few miles away in Redmond. On the west side of Bel-Red, Overlake Medical Center is a nonprofit hospital with an emergency room, in addition to being a major employer. Bel-Red is home to a wealth of shops and businesses. "I think the focal point would be the Spring District," says Chris Tolstoy, Real estate broker at Keller Williams Eastside. "It's just a blend of industrial and commercial space that people frequent." Bellevue Brewing Company's Brewpub is adjacent to Spring District Park and there's free parking available. The brewery is open daily and features Bellevue's largest dining patio. Throughout Bel-Red, menu variety is found at restaurants like Liuyishou Hotpot, Curry Point, Ezell's Famous Chicken and Monserrate Colombian Cuisine. International shops like Asian Family Market, Rose Persian Market and Swagath Indian Grocery and Restaurant provide import and specialty items. The area also has a Safeway, Fred Meyer and Whole Foods Market. The main thoroughfare of the neighborhood is 12th Street, which eventually turns into Bel-Red Road, and can be used to reach neighboring Redmond. There are plenty of bus stops, notably along Bel-Red Road. Sound Transit's light rail East Link Extension added eight new stations from South Bellevue to Redmond. The BelRed Station has 300 parking spaces. The station is an anchor for the BelRed Arts District, a designated area that supports creative businesses and arts organizations. With a junction in the northwest section of Bel-Red, state Route 520 and I-405 provide convenient routes north, south, east or west. Sea-Tac, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, is approximately 20 miles away. Since the community is primarily commercial, there's limited housing inventory. Single-family homes here feature new construction, are over 3,400 square feet, and cost over $2.5 million. Condos and townhouses are priced from about $515,000 to $1.3 million. The Lake Bellevue Village Condos encircling the lake are within walking distance of waterside businesses and eateries and go for approximately $650,000 to $775,000. Public school students may attend Stevenson Elementary School, which has a B-minus grade from Niche and offers a Spanish dual-language program. Odle Middle School has an A grade, as does Sammamish High, which includes dual enrollment classes that count as college credits for Bellevue College, a CNA Health Science Career program and robotics courses. Jing Mei Elementary is considered a choice school; it provides dual-language Chinese immersion with a lottery system for enrollment. Several private schools are also located in Bel-Red, including Dartmoor School, Bellevue Children's Academy and America's Child Montessori. Highland Park is a hub for outdoor activities, with fields, tennis courts, and both indoor and outdoor skate parks. The Highland Community Center provides engaging activities and an adaptive recreation program for people with disabilities. Nearby is the Bellevue Family YMCA. A few miles north is the 489-acre Bridle Trails State Park. Its 28 miles of multiuse trails are popular with hikers and horse riders. Bel-Red folks may attend annual area events like the springtime Bellevue Arts Fair, the Northwest's largest arts and crafts festival. Fall brings Bellevue Fashion Week, the Bellevue Jazz & Blues Music Series and the Wintergrass Bluegrass Music Festival. A regional favorite, Seafair, is a summer festival with hydroplane races, a half marathon, a triathlon, a parade and airshows featuring the Blue Angels.

Crossroads, in suburban Bellevue, includes an expansive shopping complex that's become synonymous with the neighborhood. The area attracts tech workers who appreciate the proximity to Microsoft and Meta. Crossroads is also known for demographic diversity and community spirit, as seen in its array of international businesses, cultural organizations and engaged residents. The neighborhood is only about 4 miles from Downtown Bellevue. "It's a great neighborhood that also has amenities that make it almost its own city. There are multiple retail and restaurant options," says Chris Tolstoy, who, along with his wife Apryl, is a real estate broker with Keller Williams Eastside. Anchoring the community, Crossroads Bellevue shopping mall is a gathering space and venue for local events in addition to offering retail. There's a blend of national retailers, smaller shops and plenty of dining options, with 30 international restaurants. Half Price Books or Barnes & Noble are two options for bibliophiles; there's Dick's Sporting Goods for outdoorsy folks and QFC for groceries. Eateries around Crossroads offer cuisine from around the world, whether it's borsch and kebab from Hye Life Cafe and Bar, spicy beef brisket soup from Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle or butter chicken from Namasthe. Also at the mall there's a Regal movie theatre, a police station and the Library Connection, a scaled-down branch of the King County Public Library. The mall hosts community events and civic services at the Community Table and Mini City Hall; live performances are held at the Market Stage, and the Crossroads Farmers Market is held in the east parking lot on Tuesdays. Bel-Red Road is set along the northern side of the neighborhood and state Route 520 and Interstate 405 are close by. It's an easy commute for anyone working at Meta's Spring District campus, about 3 miles away. It's about 5 miles to Redmond, home of the Microsoft Headquarters, which has been enhanced by an ongoing multibillion-dollar campus refresh. "Crossroads has a really unique opportunity, not just for tech employees, but anyone who wants to be near the ever-evolving Fortune 500 company," Tolstoy says. A large percentage of the population that lives and works on the east side of Seattle works at Microsoft. "Crossroads is actually considered to be in the 'Microsoft zone' in the real estate world," Tolstoy says. Downtown Seattle is about 14 miles west, across Lake Washington. "There's really easy access on the 520 if you're okay paying the toll on the bridge," says Tolstoy. Sea-Tac, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, is located about 18 miles southwest. Bus service is available, and Sound Transit's light rail East Link Extension has added new stations for the area. In spring 2024, the 2 Line, between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology Station, was opened. The Bel-Red Station, a few miles west of Crossroads, provides 300 parking spaces. Crossroads Community Center has a connection to arts and culture that reflects the international nature and diversity of the community. Among organizations that regularly use or perform in the space are the Huayin Performing Arts Group with traditional Chinese Dance, the Ladies Musical Club of Seattle and an Aztec dance group, Nahui Ollin Tezcatlipocatl of Bellevue. The center also has a game room and a gym with opportunities for drop-in sports. The Transcend United program focuses on opportunities for seniors, and participants in the Bellevue Youth Theater — which is located just across the parking lot — also regularly use the center. Right by the community center, the neighborhood's namesake park is 34 acres, with everything from a horseshoe pit to walking paths and a 9-hole golf course. For those who want a more immersive nature experience, just a few miles to the north is Bridle Trails State Park, which has 489 acres of space and 28 miles of multi-use trails. A variety of housing options are available for prospective residents. "It's mainly single-family residences and some townhomes, but the walkability is not premium," says Tolstoy. "It's great to walk around the neighborhood, but it's not like you are walking to the park; most people are driving." Houses built from the 1960s through the 2010s include ranch-style homes and Colonial Revivals, selling from $1 million to $2.5 million. Luxury condominiums, like the Lofts at 15th, feature Northwest contemporary architecture and are priced at $1.2 to $1.5 million. Public school students may attend Stevenson Elementary, which has a B-minus grade from Niche and offers a Spanish dual-language program. Highland Middle has a B grade, and Interlake High has an A-plus. Interlake is an authorized International Baccalaureate World School with a focus on college preparatory classes. In addition to gatherings at the community center and Crossroads Bellevue, annual events in the greater Bellevue and Seattle area include the Bellevue Arts Fair, Bellevue Fashion Week, the Bellevue Jazz & Blues Music Series, the Wintergrass Bluegrass Music Festival and Seafair, a summer festival with hydroplane races, a triathlon and airshows with the Blue Angels.

Downtown Bellevue is Washington's second-largest city center, with nearly 12,000 residents in half a square mile. This densely populated urban core offers high-rise condos, luxury retail and parks. While smaller than nearby Seattle, Bellevue’s city center is a popular spot for people who want easy access to Washington’s great outdoors without forsaking the convenience of the city. "There's a ton of places to have fun and network with the Bellevue community," says Realtor Matt Steel with Steel Realty Group, “plus, plenty of opportunities to access the outdoors.” One of Downtown Bellevue’s biggest draws is its shopping scene. With over 200 shops and restaurants between Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square and Bellevue Place, there’s never a shortage of places to go. Locals can play TopGolf and enjoy elevated comfort food at Earl’s Kitchen + Bar, go bowling and mini golfing at Lucky Strike, or peruse luxury retail stores in The Shops at The Bravern’s open-air mall. Outside shopping centers, plenty of local restaurants line Downtown Bellevue’s streets. Tavern Hall, located on the corner of Bellevue Way and Northeast Seventh Street, is a bar and restaurant with arcade games. The venue, covered in layers of vining greenery, can be rented to host corporate and family celebrations. Home cooks won’t be disappointed in Bellevue’s grocery selection. Grocery stores in the area include Safeway, H-Mart, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. Located by the shores of Lake Washington, Downtown Bellevue is full of beautiful places to spend time outside. The popular Bellevue Downtown Park is home to community events like the Bellevue Farmer's Market, movie screenings and live music. With its large grassy picnic area, colorful playground and gorgeous skyline views, it's the neighborhood’s go-to place to relax. Meydenbauer Bay Park, just east of downtown, is a great spot to soak up the sun in the summer. Locals fill the grassy shore with blankets and beach chairs during Washington’s warm seasons. Throughout the year, locals stroll the galleries at Bellevue Art Museum, enjoy family outings at the interactive KidsQuest Children's Museum, and attend book clubs at Bellevue Library. In Downtown Bellevue, residential buildings offer condos in an unbeatable location with views of Lake Washington. These luxury condos are a mix of high-rise and low-rise, offering amenities like floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies or patios. Prices range between $550,000 for a one-bedroom condo and up to $3 million for a multi-bedroom condo or penthouse. Single-family townhomes are uncommon in the downtown area—when they are available, prices start at $2 million for a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom just outside the city center. Even rarer are stand-alone houses, with modern custom-builds north of NE 12th Street selling for over $5 million. Students can attend schools in the celebrated Bellevue School District, rated A+ by Niche and ranked the number two public school district in Washington State. They can attend Medina Elementary School for preschool through fifth grade and then continue to Chinook Middle School for sixth through eighth grade. Both schools are rated A by Niche. Students can enroll in Bellevue High School, rated A+ by Niche and listed as the 7th-best public high school in the state. Private schools, including Bellevue Christian School, are also available. BCS was rated A by Niche and offers preschool through high school education. Another option is Eastside Academics School, which was rated A- by Niche and teaches grades eight through twelve. Downtown Bellevue’s expansive transit system makes getting around without a car easy. King County Metro, Sound Transit buses, Sounder Commuter Rail and Link Light Rail combine to offer transportation through Bellevue and to the surrounding areas, including Sammamish, Kenmore, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Federal Way and Seattle. Driving to nearby cities and towns is convenient since Interstates 90 and 405 entrances are close to residential areas. Seattle is 10 miles west of Downtown Bellevue and can be reached by taking Interstate 90 across the East Channel Bridge to Mercer Island and then across Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge. This drive can take 45 minutes to an hour during heavy traffic times and under a half hour when traffic is light.

Adjacent to downtown Bellevue and Meydenbauer Bay and with easy access to Seattle, Northwest Bellevue is one of the most desirable places to live not only in this city, but all of Washington. But it’s not just convenience and natural beauty bringing people from across the globe – more than one-third of the neighborhood’s population was born outside the United States -- to Northwest Bellevue. “I think there are three big reasons people move here,” says Susie Naficy, a resident and member of the Meydenbauer Bay Neighborhood Association who relocated here from New York City 20 years ago. “Appreciating home value, a commitment to public safety and security, and a family-friendly atmosphere.” There’s a wide range of upscale housing in Northwest Bellevue, where development began as the town transitioned from a sleepy farm community to a Seattle suburb in the 1950s. Older houses are often in the locally prominent Seattle Box style. They are joined by large Craftsman-style homes – new and old – as well as luxury condominiums and mansions overlooking Meydenbauer Bay. Condos and townhouses range from $375,000-$2.6 million, and houses are priced from $1.3 million-$14.7 million. Bellevue School District is the top-rated district in the State of Washington according to Niche, earning an A-plus rating. Most students in Northwest Bellevue will attend A-rated Clyde Hill Elementary, A-rated Chinook Middle and A-plus-rated Bellevue High. Students who live in the subdivisions along Meydenbauer Bay attend A-rated Medina Elementary before moving on to Chinook Middle and Bellevue High. Neighborhood students might also attend Bellevue’s choice schools. These include Jing Mei Elementary, a dual-language immersion school where enrollment is balanced between native Chinese speakers and students who speak other languages such as English, Spanish or Hindi. The A-plus rated International School admits students through a lottery and serves grades 6-12. It’s ranked the second-best public middle school and sixth-best public high school in Washington. Meydenbauer Bay Park features a 2.5-acre beach that residents are eager to hit once summer finally arrives in the Pacific Northwest. Kayaking is among the most popular activities here when the weather cooperates, and anglers enjoy fishing from the pier year-round. The park’s sunset views are also known for being among the area’s best regardless of season. The City of Bellevue has plans and funding to expand the park and build a trail connecting it to Bellevue Downtown Park. At the eastern end of Northwest Bellevue, the Hidden Valley Sports Park features baseball and softball fields as well as an indoor Boys and Girls Club and gymnastics center. The city-run Northwest Arts Center, which offers activities including ballet, exercise, pottery, martial arts and yoga, is another popular spot for community gatherings. The hands-on KidsQuest Children's Museum is another family-friendly location in the neighborhood. "You used to have to go to Seattle for shopping, to eat, to do anything fun,” Naficy says. “In the last several years, people really don’t need to go to Seattle anymore. Now a lot of people are staying on the east side of Lake Washington.” Bellevue Square, a downtown mall with more than 200 retailers, is a popular draw. Within Northwest Bellevue, the dining options match the neighborhood’s multi-cultural makeup – Chinese, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mexican and Thai dining options are all available. Sushi In Joy is a local favorite known for its creative rolls, including nods to Seattle sports teams (Seahawks Roll and Mariners Roll). Just a few footsteps away, Brief Encounter Cafe is a cozy breakfast spot that fills up quickly on weekends. For groceries, there are QFC locations in the north and south parts of the neighborhood. Bellevue’s master plan calls for improved pedestrian access, but convenient vehicular access has helped the area boom since the long-ago days when it was accessed from Seattle via ferry. About a quarter of Northwest Bellevue residents commute to Seattle for work, either via the State Route 520 toll bridge or Interstate 90 bridges. Interstate 405 forms the neighborhood’s eastern border and provides an 18-mile trip to SeaTac International Airport. Bike lanes connect the neighborhood to Downtown Bellevue or north to Kirkland. The King County Metro 246 and 249 bus routes also run through the neighborhood. Bellevue Presbyterian Church – also home to the Chinese Covenant Church – hosts the Bellevue Farmer’s Market in its parking lot weekly from May through October. The neighborhood’s LDS Church also has an adjoining Family History Center open to all genealogical researchers. Northwest Bellevue’s CAP Index, which measures crime, is 3 out of 10. “Bellevue is much safer and much more family-friendly than Seattle,” Naficy says. “But it is beginning to experience a little bit of growing pains as people move from Seattle.” Flooding can be an issue in Bellevue after heavy rains, particularly in winter. Northwest Bellevue is more resilient to flooding than other parts of the city, but there are some pockets of flood risk.

Northeast Bellevue is a peaceful suburb offering fantastic schools, proximity to amenities and luxury homes overlooking the scenic Lake Sammamish. "The community is family-friendly and slower-paced than Downtown while offering a lower price point than other Bellevue neighborhoods," says Realtor Tova Williamson with eXp Realty. Homebuyers can buy the lake house of their dreams while retaining some financial flexibility. Given the high precipitation of the area, colorful vegetation and a variety of trees native to the Pacific Northwest line the streets of this young and active alcove. Homes in the area are a mix of established houses of the 1960s and new builds tucked behind towering trees on lush lots. Roads meander throughout the community's rolling hills, offering scenic views of Lake Sammamish and the Cascades from its peaks. Bilevels, spacious midcentury homes and contemporary new builds line the streets and colorful cul-de-sacs in town. Homes range, on average, from $1 million to $2 million, with the median at $1.5 million. There are also a few outlying properties along the shores of the lake that can reach up to $5 million. Students enrolled in public school will attend the Bellevue School District, rated by Niche as the number one district in Washington State. "Schools here are one of the biggest draws for homebuyers," Williamson says. Bennett Elementary is where students can begin their education. Rated an A by Niche.com, the school has very high proficiency in reading and math. Students can continue learning at Highland Middle School, just west of the neighborhood and rated a B. The school offers various student athletics, such as tennis and rugby. Receiving the highest score possible of an A-plus is Interlake High. It utilizes a cohort academic program focusing on advanced learning classes using the International Baccalaureate model. Bellevue is an active, outdoorsy city, and residents can be found using the local parks all year round. Ardmore Park is a lush, 30-acre green space popular for trail hiking and birdwatching. One can even glimpse the occasional Bald Eagle along the forested paths. Another regular spot on the weekends is Ivanhoe Park and Sports Fields. Divided by Northup Way, the park offers a basketball court, soccer fields, a baseball diamond and a small playground under tall fir and spruce trees. Locals looking for a beach day can head to Idylwood Park for a sandy bluff, beach volleyball courts and a kayak launch into Lake Sammamish. Northeast Bellevue is heavily residential, requiring residents to travel outside the limits for shopping and dining options. Fortunately, a few conveniently close hubs are a short drive away. Crossroads Bellevue is an outdoor shopping mall south of the neighborhood, and a sizeable shopping is at the intersection of 148th Ave NE & NE 20th Street. Popular chains and grocery stores are plentiful alongside Marshalls and Ross, while a few multicultural eateries are nearby. Vrindaavan Indian Restaurant and Bakery, for one, is a highly-rated spot serving traditional North Indian food with plenty of vegetarian options. By driving 10 minutes west into Downtown Bellevue, residents can attend the community's many annual events. Open rain or shine from May to October, The Bellevue Farmer's Market has fresh meats, vegetables, cut flowers and handmade artisan goods. There is also live music and kid-friendly activities to enjoy while perusing the marketplace. Also in Bellevue, during the last weekend of July, is the Bellevue Arts Museum Fair. It is the largest arts and crafts festival of the Northwest, bringing in over 300 artists alongside activities, food trucks and wellness programs. Washington State Route 520 runs east and west of Northeast Bellevue from Redmond towards Seattle. With onramps just outside the neighborhood, many residents use this freeway for commuting to and from work. Northeast Bellevue has well-maintained and ample sidewalks, making it walkable for leisure. However, the neighborhood is car-dependent for most necessities like shopping and commuting.

Lake Hills is a Bellevue suburb east of downtown Seattle near Lake Sammamish. Grade schools here are part of the award-winning Bellevue School District, ranked by Niche as the No. 1 school district in Washington State. The community is “a real melting pot. There are people here from all over the world. In fact, 49% of the kids at Lake Hills Elementary are ESL,” says Rhonda Morton, a Realtor with KW Keller Williams. She’s lived in the center of Lake Hills since 2007 and has seen it change and grow. “There are many tech people from all over the world who move here to be part of Microsoft, Amazon, and many life-changing tech companies here on the Eastside.” Bellevue College is on the south side of the neighborhood, and residents can shop at Lake Hills Village or on Main Street. There are several green spaces like the trails at Larson Lake or the Samena Swim & Recreation Club. “I would say that the Lake Hills area definitely has a 'neighborhood' feel,” says Scott Polovitch-Davis, executive director of the Samena Swim & Recreation Club. “I’ve lived in the area for 30 years... when the weather’s nice the parks and sidewalks are full of friendly walkers, runners and dog-walkers, and folks often wave or say ‘hi’ if you pass while they’re strolling or working in their yards.” Lake Hills long-established residences are being renovated or rebuilt in contemporary and Mid-century modern styles, with large glass, wood and concrete facades. “Lake Hills is more affordable than Bellevue but has access to all the conveniences available,” Morton says. “You can buy a 1950s or 1960s home for as little as about $1 million... The average in Lake Hills is about $1.6 million while homes in Bellevue start on average around $3.9 million.” Condos can cost between $350,000 and $650,000 for one to three bedrooms, while smaller detached homes can reach prices around $825,000. In the heart of the neighborhood is the Samena Swim & Recreation Club. “Samena Club was founded when the Lake Hills neighborhood was first being developed in the 1950’s, we’re definitely a big part of the neighborhood!” Polovitch-Davis says. “I can’t tell you how many times, when I mention where I work, that people say, ‘I grew up swimming there!’” Locals can swim laps, play outside or join one of many classes or programs that the club has to offer. Lake Hills Greenbelt is a large city park, with trails and community gardens on 16th Street. Hit the links against a backdrop of forested hills at the Glendale Country Club. Robinswood Community Park on the south side of town has sports fields and, most notably, the Robinswood House, a space for weddings and events. Locals can also take a walk on the Lake to Lake Trail to get from Larsen Lake to Phantom Lake. During peak blueberry season in summer, families get together and pick berries at Larsen Lake Blueberry Farm. The Samena Swim & Recreation Center regularly hosts family-oriented events, “...like our upcoming Spring Fling 5K Fun Run and our popular Donut Dash 0.5K in September,” Polovitch-Davis says. Other events include “...our annual holiday bazaar, a health and fitness fair, our Halloween Spooktacular, a Polar Plunge and Pancake Breakfast, underwater and flashlight egg hunts at our Spring Festival, and other fun events for our members and the community.” "There are also great public choice school options, lottery schools, offering full-time Spanish and Mandarin immersion programs, and the Big Picture School is located in Lake Hills,” Morton says. Students can attend Lake Hills Elementary School, which teaches kindergarten through fifth grade, and is graded a B-minus on Niche. Odle Middle School includes many after-school activities like robotics and coding. Sammamish High School hosts a college and career center that helps with applications and career readiness. Both are rated an A grade. For running errands around town “...the I-90,520, and 405 freeways make a U-shape around Lake Hills, so it’s easy to commute and get around,” Morton says. “I can get to a high-end shopping mall at Bellevue Square or get to Trader Joes or Costco or the French Bakery or the Asian Market quickly. I’ve got the entire gamut of everything I want to do within 10 to 20 minutes from my home.” Closer to home, the Lake Hills Village is an outdoor shopping mall with restaurants, shops, and is the location of the Lake Hills Library and the Jaya Hanuman Temple and Cultural Center. Meet Fresh dessert shop with ice cream and red bean soup is next door to Jayam's Tiffins and Thali which serves South Indian cuisine. Downtown Bellevue, with many attractions like its botanical garden and arts museum, is about 4 miles west of town. Downtown Seattle is 11 miles west via Interstate 90. “The two downsides are that it does rain a lot in Seattle, and traffic can get congested at rush hour, but a lot of tech people work from home and only have to commute two to three days per week,” Morton says. “Sound Transit is expanding the East Link Rail on April 24th. That means it will only take 12 minutes to commute on the train from Bellevue Main Station to Microsoft in Redmond.” The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is 16 miles south via Interstate 405, and closer to home locals can get to the Overlake Medical Center via the Lake Hills Connector or Northeast 8th Street about 4 miles away.