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.”
From casual dining to luxury retail
One of Downtown Bellevue’s biggest draws is its shopping, with over 200 shops and restaurants between Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square and Bellevue Place. Locals can play TopGolf and enjoy elevated comfort food at Earl’s Kitchen + Bar, go bowling and play mini-golf at Lucky Strike, or peruse luxury retail stores in The Shops at The Bravern’s open-air mall.
Outside of the shopping centers, plenty of local restaurants line Downtown Bellevue’s streets. Tavern Hall, on the corner of Bellevue Way and NE 7th Street, is a bar and restaurant with arcade games. The venue, covered in layers of vine, 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.
City parks and lakefront views
Located by the shores of Lake Washington, Downtown Bellevue is full of beautiful outdoor spots. 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.
High-rise condos in the middle of everything
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 such as 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.
High-ranking public schools
Students can attend schools in the Bellevue School District, rated A+ by Niche and ranked the number two public school district in Washington. 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.
Public transit and commuter options
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.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Step into refined living in this bright and airy corner condo with soaring ceilings and expansive windows with downtown Bellevue views. The chef’s kitchen is sleek and clean, featuring top-of-the-line Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, including a 6-burner gas cooktop, custom cabinetry and integrated panels. The open concept is perfect for entertaining—complete with a gas fireplace, automated shades
This spacious studio is the most affordable home at Bellevue Towers! With a sunny southern exposure and views of the Urban Garden and downtown Bellevue, this home offers a flexible, open floor plan featuring gallery entry; kitchen w/ sapele cabinetry, slab granite counters & Viking/Subzero appliances; bath w/ tub/shower & Hans Grohe fixtures; upgraded LED lighting throughout; 9' ceilings &
Experience vibrant city living in the heart of Bellevue’s Town Center. This southeast corner 2-bedroom residence at Mari is filled with natural light and features a spacious private patio with sweeping city views—perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Inside, enjoy elegant finishes including custom kitchen cabinetry, wood-paneled appliances, quartz countertops, high ceilings, and wide-plank
The best 2-bedroom value at One88! This immaculately maintained residence showcases an open layout w/ 9-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, large covered balcony & wide-plank wood flooring. The gourmet island kitchen features contemporary European-style cabinetry, Caesarstone quartz countertops & top-of-the-line Gaggenau appliances. The home also includes 1 parking space + a generous storage
888 is 158 luxury residences on 18 floors with stunning territorial views of downtown Bellevue and beyond. Enjoy attention-to-detail designer finishes like custom closets and under-mount cabinet lighting in every unit. Hotel-like amenities include a 19th-floor rooftop deck, yoga studio, business center, and dog run, to name a few. With an angled design and boutique stacking plan, floor plans have
Rarely available rental home in Bellevue's premier One Lincoln Tower atop the Westin giving you the energy of downtown in a private residence. The coveted '01 floor plan is unique to nearly every building in the region because it is an end unit that faces south, east, and north giving you the ultimate in privacy with less shared walls and panoramic views in multiple directions. Living area points
Avalon Bellevue is a fabulous rental community with where you will quickly feel at home. Our furnished and unfurnished apartments are thoughtfully designed in studio, one-, and two-bedroom layouts. Our Furnished+ homes come outfitted with essential stylish furniture plus all utilities, including cable and WiFi, are included in your rent. Stylish buildings with contemporary flair. Beautiful
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
17,931
Median Age
37
Population Density
42 ppl/acre
Population under 18
14.9%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.6%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$153,411
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$181,575
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.8%
College Graduates
75.4%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
39.2%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
72.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
36°F
Average Summer High Temperature
77°F
Annual Snowfall
8''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
55/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
92/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
61/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
