Set 21 miles from Seattle, woodsy Cottage Lake offers large lots, top-rated schools and lakeside recreation in Woodinville wine country. “It has a rural feeling, but without feeling secluded,” says Sydney Groen, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty NCW who’s sold homes in the area for nine years. The wineries and tasting rooms in nearby Woodinville attract tourists to the area, but Cottage Lake remains a close community that gathers for concerts by the lake. People always wave when you drive by,” Groen says. “It’s a big mix of retirees, people still working and families with young kids.” Many of its nearly 23,000 residents work tech jobs in Redmond, Bothell and Bellevue.
Cottage Lake locals can enjoy walking around the vineyards at Chateau Ste. Micelle nearby.
A row of lakeside homes at Cottage Lake, in the namesake neighborhood in Woodinville.
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Craftsman-style new traditional homes on spacious lots
Cottage Lake's median home sale price is around $1.5 million, compared to Woodinville's $1.4 million and the nation's roughly $410,000. Homes here sell faster than average, typically lasting only 17 days on the market.
Cottage Lake's winding roads and wooded lots give the homes here a sense of rural seclusion, though some neighborhoods, like English Hill , have a more suburban character. "The neighborhoods have a lot of cul-de-sacs and dead-end roads, so there's not a lot of through traffic or traffic noise," Groen says. Home styles here range widely, but most common are late 20th-century Craftsman-inspired new traditionals and Northwest Contemporary split-levels. "Homes are all on pretty large lots with big backyards and privacy between neighbors," Groen says. Farmhouse-style townhouses are being built in the Tourist District .
Lakeside homes in Cottage Lake, feature large size lots with private lake access.
There are beautiful estate homes in the heart of Cottage Lake.
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Boating and summer camps at Cottage Lake Park
The 63-acre Cottage Lake lends its name to the community and is a big part of residents’ lives. The 22-acre Cottage Lake Park on the northern shore is a central gathering place, hosting YMCA summer camps and the free outdoor Music in the Park concert series. “The summer concerts are really popular,” Groen says. “Everybody plans their schedules around them.” With summer highs in the 70s, locals spend a lot of time boating and fishing on the lake. Swimming is allowed, but toxic algae and high phosphorous levels drive many to swim in Cottage Lake Park’s pool instead. The Friends of Cottage Lake community organization works with King County to research water treatments and improve the state of the lake. Cyclists, hikers and equestrians can explore the 12-mile Tolt Pipeline Trail and the 10-mile Sammamish River Trail, and the Bear Creek Country Club offers members-only golf. During Cottage Lake’s rainy winters, locals can head to the indoor tennis and pickleball courts at Woodinville Sports Club.
Cottage Lake locals enjoying a sunny, autumn day at the shores of Cottage Lake Park.
Cottage Lake locals can enjoy a day hiking at Gold Creek County Park.
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Top-ranked teachers in the Northshore School District
Most local kids are zoned for schools in the Northshore School District, which earns an A-plus from Niche and is ranked No. 1 for having the best teachers in the state. “The Northshore School District is one of the most sought-after in the area,” Groen says. At the A-plus-rated Woodinville High, kids can join the Running Start program, which lets them take free courses at local colleges. The A-plus-rated Overlake School, a nearby private school for Grades 5 through 12, is ranked by Niche as Washington’s No. 1 private school.
Timbercrest Middle School in Cottage Lake is one of the highest rated schools in the state.
Cottage Lake students
attend Woodinville High, a highly rated school in the area.
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Live music and wine tastings in the Tourist District
Nearby, Woodinville is known for its wineries and tasting rooms, and several of the city’s most popular are in and near the Tourist District neighborhood. Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery is a highlight, offering tastings and summer concerts at its French-inspired estate. Woodinville’s town center offers more restaurants and tasting rooms, plus grocery stores and national retailers. For quicker errands, Safeway and Walgreens are on Woodinville Duvall Road.
A couple of tourists snapping photos outside shops in Wine Alley in Cottage Lake.
Cottage Lake families have easy access to grocery shopping throughout the neighborhood.
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A 6-mile drive to Redmond
Avondale Road leads 6 miles to Redmond, 14 miles to Bellevue and 21 miles to Seattle. State Route 522 and Interstate 405 are about 4 miles away. Sound Transit’s bus offers routes to Seattle from the Woodinville Park and Ride. With no bike lanes and sidewalks, residents here rely on their cars to get around. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is 30 miles away. For healthcare, EvergreenHealth Medical Center Kirkland is a 7-mile trip.
Decreased crime rates in Woodinville
According to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, violent and property crime rates in the Woodinville area, which includes Cottage Lake, decreased between 2022 and 2023. The Woodinville Police Department partners with the King County Sheriff’s Office for additional support.
Additional writing contributed by Micaela Green.
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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.
