Issaquah

At one point, the name Gilman applied to the broader area that became the city of Issaquah in 1899. Today, Gilman refers to a neighborhood located minutes from historic Olde Town with a variety of modern housing options and proximity to shopping, trails and forested mountains. The past remains present here, as buildings from yesteryear house stores and eateries, the salmon hatchery is a local attraction, and the area's logging legacy has not been forgotten. Though residents in Gilman have Olde Town at their fingertips, there are other spots for shopping, including Gilman Village, a shopping destination for folks from all over the state. Open since 1972, this unique mixed-use center is populated by various eateries and stores operating out of former mining and farming buildings from the late 19th and early 20th century. There are boutiques like Suburban Soul and specialty shops like The Nifty Knitter and Aubrey's Clock Gallery. Gilman Village's dining options include Masa Mexican Kitchen & Cantina, The Black Duck Cask and Bottle for pub digs, and The Well and Table, which sources from local farms and brewers. Residents might consider Paisley's Tea Room or Issaquah Coffee Company their favorite for a hot beverage. Spots to stock up for home cooking include Maurya, for Indian groceries, Safeway and Trader Joe's. There are plenty more options along Gilman Boulevard, including Issaquah Commons shopping mall, which has well-known brands like Target and Sephora. Central to Gilman, Issaquah's Olde Town offers a variety of shopping and dining. Rollin Log Tavern has billiards, live music and shuffleboard, and Vino Bella, a wine and espresso bar, hosts performances and special events. Olde Town contains a number of resources for residents, including city hall and the public library. The Issaquah Farmers Market, held on Saturdays from May to September, has produce from local farms, artisan vendors and more. Producing entertainment since 1979, Village Theater is one of the region's most well-attended theaters and is recognized nationally for the development of new musicals. For first-run films, locals head to Big Picture, a 21-and-up dine-in theater offering movies and martinis. Sites representing Issaquah's history include the Issaquah Depot Museum and Gilman Town Hall Museum. Issaquah State Salmon Hatchery has been an important part of Issaquah's economy and serves as one of its claims to fame as the oldest working fish hatchery in the state. Educational exhibits, an aquarium room, a viewing bridge and programs like STEM summer camps keep salmon in the spotlight. "Most fish hatcheries are located in very rural areas," says Christy Garrard, executive director of Visit Issaquah. "It's just happenstance that as Issaquah was forming, this hatchery was started and downtown built around that." The spawning celebration Salmon Days has been held in Issaquah for over 50 years. More than 100,000 people attend to see adult salmon returning to their birthplace. "The salmon are freshwater born and transition to saltwater. At the end of their adult life, they return to freshwater," Garrard says. Public schools include Issaquah Valley Elementary, graded A-minus by Niche; Issaquah Middle, grade A; and Issaquah High, A-plus. The high school boasts dozens of National Merit Commended Scholars in a given year. "This speaks to high rigor and high-performing students," says Lesha Engels, Issaquah School District's executive director of communications and digital strategy. Many students live within walking distance of their school and Olde Town. When the school day is up, there are things to do nearby. "There's a community center where some students might go for activities after school," Engels says. The high school's comprehensive internship program is a plus for students who want to explore their interests and potential careers. Engels says all-day internships take up part of the week. The residential pockets of Gilman tend to have short, forested streets, many with a cul-de-sac. Single-family houses include some midcentury ranch-style homes and many multistory builds from the 2000s-2010s. Prices range from about $935,000 to $1.5 million. The prevalence of townhouses, condos and apartments increases density here. Most affordable, one-bedroom condos start at $335,000, and a three-bedroom might verge on $600,000. Updated 1990s and 2000s townhouses hover in the $800,000s to mid $900,000s. Some come with monthly homeownership association fees of $400 to $600 and are within gated communities. Confluence Park is where open land and former farming homesteads meet, creating space for recreational opportunities. The park includes walking trails, a playground and the Issaquah Community Garden. From the Mayfly Bridge, visitors have views of Issaquah Creek. Area trails include the East Lake Sammamish Trail and the Juniper Trail. For waterside relaxation, the 512-acre Lake Sammamish State Park is about 2 miles away. There are long stretches of shoreline and plenty of spaces to kayak and swim. The area's highlands, known as the Issaquah Alps, include Squak Mountain, Cougar Mountain and Tiger Mountain State Forest. Poo Poo Point, a West Tiger Mountain launch point for paragliding, is one of the most popular destinations, according to Marc Erickson, founder/broker with Allied Property Experts. Hikers can take a route close to Issaquah High School or Chirico Trail for a more challenging climb. The point's name refers to the sound of steam whistles used in logging, once a major industry here. To the north and east of Gilman is Interstate 90. It's about an 11-mile drive northwest to reach the city of Bellevue and 17 miles to Downtown Seattle. King County Metro bus stops are on main streets, including Gilman Boulevard and Front Street. Major airlines are available at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Sea-tac, about 23 miles away.

While the term bedroom community is used quite a bit, it’s rare for it to mean a place with only bedrooms. Usually, you’ll find a few stores or a grocer, but in the Montreux neighborhood, the community was designed to have almost no commercial businesses. This keeps the traffic calm and the noise light, allowing residents to enjoy the idyllic landscapes of the Pacific Northwest surrounding them. Montreux is located on the northern slopes of Cougar Mountain in the Cascade Range and overlooks Lake Sammamish. It’s close to Interstate 90 and the Sound Greenway, allowing for easy commutes to the surrounding cities of Seattle, Bellevue and Issaquah. But most people choose Montreux so they can stay close to home while enjoying all the natural beauty the area has to offer. The neighborhood is close to numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty that take you through lush woodlands into the mountains or down to the lake. “Montreux is close to I-90 and offers multiple routes to town but leaves you in your own pocket of nature,” says Ali Mills, a broker with Windermere Real Estate. A one-time resident of the neighborhood, Mrs. Mills remarked on the abundance of wildlife in the area. “You can see deer almost every day in the summer. It’s stunning, and it’s a more established area than newer subdivisions like Issaquah Highlands. From Montreux, you can be skiing in an hour or hiking in 5 minutes. For those who love the outdoors, it has lots of opportunities to explore nature.” The hardest part about living in the friendly neighborhood is securing a home there as few houses make it to the market at the same time. Luckily, the area also has several condo complexes like the Village at Montreux. The planned community was built on 260 acres, half of which were left undeveloped and have been put aside for residents' use. Most single-family houses offer over 4,000 square feet of living space, and some have views of the lake. It’s also easily walkable with sidewalks leading around cul-de-sacs filled with towering trees. Prices range from $1.7 million for a Northwest Contemporary-style house to $4 million for a five-bedroom estate house while condos start around $365,000 for a one-bedroom and continue to $720,000 for a spacious two-bedroom. Students in Montreux are a part of the award-winning Issaquah School District, one of the top five school systems in the state of Washington. One of the pathways children might follow from kindergarten to graduation is through Sunset Elementary, Pacific Cascade Middle and Issaquah High, all of which have earned grades of A or higher on Niche. Sunset Elementary also offers before- and after-care called the Sockeye Club where children play and learn in a comfortable environment. Pacific Cascade Middle features Lynx Life, a comprehensive advisory program where students attend leadership training and work with an assigned advisor for all three years of middle school. Issaquah High boasts a 97% graduation rate and has a college and career center where students can plan for their post-high school lives. Montreux also has a truly unique combination of a zoo coupled with an academy for people with autism spectrum disorders. Cougar Mountain Zoo operates as an independent wildlife enclosure focused on endangered species conservation through education efforts. Founded in 1972, the zoo is open five days a week and offers close encounter tours by appointment where visitors can feed tigers, meet lemurs or prepare enrichment activities for cougars. It provides homes for several varieties of macaws & cranes, lemurs, reindeer, Bengal tigers and more in addition to hosting community events like Earth Day, the Reindeer Festival or Howl-O-Ween. Gersh Academy at Cougar Mountain works with the zoo to provide a one-of-a-kind educational campus for youth on the Autism spectrum aged five to twenty-one. The first of the Gersh academies on the West Coast, the student-focused school empowers children to thrive in part by using encounters with zoo animals to help Autistic children with physical, mental and social difficulties. Numerous studies show Autistic children are less stressed and anxious after even a short play period with a live animal, so being attached to a zoo creates endless opportunities for calming fun and learning experiences. The academy has an updated blog for parents and caretakers along with regular open houses to meet the staff and learn about the program. In the midst of modern life, the Montreux neighborhood provides a quiet haven for people seeking charming housing with numerous outdoor options like skiing, snowmobiling, hiking and lake sports.

Right in the commercial district of Issaquah, Newport not only centers you in the city's abundant shops and restaurants but also grounds you in nature with its many parks and trails within walking distance of homes. Locals live in modern housing developments on the neighborhood's western hillside. You'll find 3,000 to 4,000-square-foot Craftsman-style homes, many of which overlook nearby Lake Sammamish and the distant Cascade Mountain Range. Depending on the size of the home and the views, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1.5 to $2.5 million. Other developments feature town houses built in 2020 with sleek contemporary designs, ranging from $875,000 for two bedrooms up to $1 million for three. You can also settle down in a smaller one-to-two-bedroom town house from the 1990s, which sells for around $500,000 to $650,000. Down from the residential hills, you're greeted by tons of shopping centers. With several big box stores like Target, Hobby Lobby and Safeway, you don't have to go far to find what you need. There are also dozens of local restaurants that will satisfy any craving. Start your morning in a homey atmosphere at Issaquah Café, most notable for its classic breakfast options. In the mood for Pakistani food? Stop by Naan N Curry, where the specialty is in the name. You can also enjoy gourmet Neapolitan pizza at Tutta Bella, a popular Seattle chain, delicious Indian cuisine from Madras Dosa Corner or hang out with friends in the beer garden at Formula Brewery. This busy commercial strip intersects with Interstate 90, which can take you 15 miles west to Seattle. Newport seamlessly blends into Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park with trails that are easily accessible from the neighborhood's housing developments. The trails will take you all throughout the 3,115-acre forested park with stunning views of Lake Sammamish, the Cascades and Seattle. Lake Sammamish State Park is just across I-90, where you can relax on the two beaches and go for a swim during the warmer months. Locals enjoy visiting Tibbetts Valley Park to play on the playground and pickleball courts. It's also a popular spot for skaters hitting the bowls and ramps at the skatepark. When it's a bit too cold out, you can have fun at Arena Sports, which offers youth and adult soccer leagues and a giant arcade with tons of games, laser tag and an escape room. When kids aren't running around the arcade, they're studying through the highly-rated Issaquah School District, ranked the fifth-best in the state by Niche. Students attend Sunset Elementary and Pacific Cascade Middle Schools, both of which receive an A grade. They'll go on to Issaquah High School, rated an A-plus and ranked the 13th-best high school in Washington. GreatSchools gives Issaquah High a 10 out of 10 in both test scores and college readiness, with students averaging a 1,222 SAT score, far above the state average of 1067. On top of stellar academics, Newport is loved for its convenience to all of the city's stores and restaurants while surrounded by beautiful forests, lakes and mountains.

Issaquah’s Olde Town neighborhood provides a vibrant Main Street environment that keeps to the city’s historic roots. “There are city policies that protect the architectural feel of downtown,” says Christy Garrard, Executive Director of Visit Issaquah and city resident. Olde Town’s Front Street is where all the action happens, with locals and tourists spending time in the mom-and-pop shops. Front Street also carries a rural and small-town feel, with landmarks like the Shell Gas Station embodying early 19th-century architecture. Residents here will also get an active lifestyle, whether attending several events and performances, visiting the Issaquah Alps, or taking part in water activities. Front Street and Sunset Way holds all things shopping and dining. “Issaquah is a very diverse community culturally, and our dining options reflect that,” Garrard says. Tiger Mountain Coffee matches Issaquah’s quirky vibe, serving espresso beverages via a walk-up window and drive-thru. Sip Thai Zoom provides flavorful Thai entrees in a smaller, laid-back dining room. Montalcino Ristorante Italiano gives an intimate and upscale dining experience, serving signature wines and fresh Italian dishes. Nightlife on Front Street can involve sipping wine in the cozy Vino Bella or singing karaoke at Rollin Log Tavern. Weekly groceries can be bought at Safeway or Trader Joe’s on Northwest Gilman Boulevard. That road also includes an array of boutiques and big box stores like Target. Olde Town draws a lot of locals and tourists in general, but one of the most significant events is the Salmon Day Festival. Over 100,000 people head to Issaquah State Salmon Hatchery to see the now-adult salmon swim to the hatchery where they were born. “Millions of millions of salmon come up the stream, and they come in contact with the hatchery,” Garrard says. Meanwhile, on Front Street, visitors explore the hundreds of artisan and food vendors while kids enjoy themselves at the fun activity booths or the Dock Dags competition. Part of Olde Town’s beating heart comes from its older buildings that highlight its artistic culture. Since 1979, the Village Theatre’s musical productions have delighted the folks of the Pacific Northwest. “It’s nationally recognized, and they produce new musicals annually. It gives all the Broadway perks without having to go into Seattle,” Garrard says. On Thursdays during the summer, locals bring their lawn chairs and towels to hear the sounds of Blues music at the Gas Station Blues. Olde Town holds more apartments than houses; demographically, there are more renters than homeowners. However, what are there for houses are single families, townhouses, condos and multi-families. “A lot of homes around the downtown are older homes with midcentury modern charm,” Garrard says. Townhouses and condos can be found within walking distance of Front Street or isolated towards the interstate. Condos can range from $350,000 to $600,000, while townhouses stretch from $475,000 to $1.14 million. Most single families are found east of 2nd Avenue or towards Issaquah Creek. Styles vary between midcentury ramblers and Cape Cods to 21st-century contemporary. Prices range from $700,000 to $1.7 million. Issaquah embraces all of its surrounding outdoor recreation options. Dog owners are frequent visitors to Confluence Park, where they pass by the Issaquah Creek along the looped trail. Meanwhile, kids may let loose around the playground. Depot Park sits right by the activity of the nearby downtown businesses. Families may take their kids to the playground or throw balls around the fields. Hikers and bikers may stroll the Rainier Trail, where they can explore the city’s history. Just a few miles south of the neighborhood are the Issaquah Alps, home to large natural areas and an expansive trail system. Issaquah is also a significant area for water recreation, such as paddle boarding and kayaking. “Paragliding is a popular outdoor recreation in Issaquah; you see them flying over downtown,” Garrard says. “It’s another kind of quirky thing about Issaquah.” Olde Town students can start their education at Clark Elementary, which earned an A grade from Niche. Afterward, Issaquah Middle, which also earned an A rating from Niche, offers 14 clubs for student participation. Diplomas are earned from Issaquah High. The school received an A-plus from Niche for its advanced academics and activities. Additionally, their Evergreen Philharmonic is the only multi-school symphony orchestra in the country. Interstate 90 sits north of Olde Town and is the main gateway to nearby cities. Commuters can reach Seattle city’s center in 17 miles and Bellevue in 11 miles. King County busing is available on main streets, including 2nd Ave, Front Street and Sunset Way. Air travel is available at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, 23 miles away. Airlines head to over 120 domestic and international destinations. Olde Town received CAP Index score of 5.

Nature lovers will find plenty to enjoy about Squak Mountain, a wooded, residential neighborhood tucked away in the evergreen-covered terrain between Olde Town Issaquah and Squak Mountain State Park, about 17 miles east of Seattle. “The allure is it’s natural setting. It’s removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, but you won’t have to work hard to get to nearby amenities. It’s very desirable,” says David Eastern, a branch manager at Windermere Real Estate’s Bellevue West Office. Eastern is longtime resident of nearby Cougar Mountain who’s been working in the area for nearly 30 years. As you drive down Squak Mountain’s winding, country lanes, you’ll see a broad mix of home styles built between the 1960s and early 2000s, including many cozy ranch homes, spacious split-levels and contemporary homes. Many of these homes have large front and rear windows so you’ll have gorgeous views of the surrounding scenery from your living room, bedroom or kitchen. Large lots with generous setbacks and leafy foliage provide residents with plenty of privacy. Although many homes are older, their owners have taken good care of them, making thoughtful upgrades and renovations while retaining the home's original charm. Home prices typically range from $800,000 to upwards of $1.5 million, with larger, newer homes selling for higher prices. “When a home goes on the market here, it’s gone within 30 days, usually less,” Eastern says. The neighborhood’s residential streets bring you right to the border of Squak Mountain State Park, a sprawling 1,600-acre nature reserve. The park's hiking trails will take you through dense forests rich with pristine streams and moss- and lichen-covered boulders on the way to its 2,000-foot summit. When you get to the top, you’ll have a peek-a-boo view of Seattle in the distance. There are plenty of additional nature parks nearby if you want to mix things up — Tiger Mountain State Forest, Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park and Grand Ridge Park are all just a short drive away. Small community parks and recreational facilities can be found close by in Olde Town, like Ingi Johnson Park, Gibson Park and the Julius Boehm Pool, a public, indoor swimming pool. Students can attend stellar local schools including Issaquah Valley Elementary School, Issaquah Middle School and Issaquah High School, all of which hold A-minus rating or better from Niche, an online school review site. Issaquah High is among the top high schools in the state and offers extensive visual and performing arts programming, including several major theater productions throughout the school year. While there’s no shopping or dining with the neighborhood, it’s bordered by Olde Town Issaquah, the city’s historic downtown. This vibrant, walkable district has a small-town vibe with local eateries, markets and prominent views of rolling ridgelines in the distance. You’ll have more than a few restaurants to choose from: Jak’s Grill is the perfect place for a hearty, steakhouse-style meal, while those in the mood for something spicy might try the enchiladas at Las Margaritas, an authentic Mexican spot. For groceries, you can swing by Sea Town Foods or pick up your produce at Fischer Meats, an old-school butcher shop that opened its doors in 1910. Big box stores and major grocery chains like Safeway, Trader Joe’s, Target, Costco and REI can be found just up the road at a nearby shopping center. Interstate 90 is about 3 miles north of the neighborhood, making for an easy commute. Hop on the highway and it’s a 20-minute drive from your mountain abode to downtown Seattle, although you might want to plan around rush hour. If you’re looking for a home steeped in nature that's still within reach of the big city, you might consider the slopes of Issaquah's Squak Mountain.

Issaquah’s southernmost neighborhood, Sycamore, provides city convenience while bundled between parts of the Issaquah Alps. “It’s located on the east side of Squak Mountain, and there are a lot of trailheads from the neighborhood,” says Christy Garrard, Executive Director for Visit Issaquah and resident. That’s usually why residents here stay active because of the numerous trails and outdoor activities. Once they’re home, it’s a quieter suburb with homes on larger lots that often have mountain views. “We have folks that live here for generations and are a part of the city’s pioneer spirit,” Garrard says. Sycamore sits south of the downtown or Olde Town, which makes for a quick drive to the dozens of restaurants that satisfy many palettes. Sycamore offers mostly apartments and single families, but there are sprinkles of condos and townhouses. “The neighborhood is divided into sections, with the lower part having excellent views of the creek, and as you get into the hills, you get stunning views of the area below,” says Lisa Foreman, a real estate broker with Windermere Real Estate/East. Condos are towards the northwest end along Cabin Creek Lane. These one to three-bedroom spaces range from $419,000 to $745,000. “A lot of the homes built in Sycamore were constructed in the spirit of midcentury modern, some funky cool houses up there,” Garrard says. Styles can range from Pacific Northwest contemporaries to traditional and multi-level styles. Prices for single families range from $950,000 to $2 million. Sycamore sits comfortably between two parts of the Issaquah Alps. To the west is Squak Mountain, and to the east is Tiger Mountain. Stretching nearly 14,000 acres, the Tiger Mountain State Forest attracts locals for its advanced outdoor recreation activities like hang gliding and paragliding. Hikers of all levels head to the park’s numerous trails for a lighter hike or a mountain bike journey. “I’ve talked to people from Colorado that come for these trails on Issaquah Alp Mountains because they say it’s their favorite to ride,” Garrard says. Residents can also access the Squak Mountain trail right in the neighborhood, where it reaches the Squak Mountain State Park Natural Area. Hikers can learn more about Issaquah’s history along the 3 miles of the Rainier Trail or explore the rocky ways of the Poo Poo Point Trail. Squak Valley Park draws locals for its colorful playground and fields, which are ideal for a game of soccer. Locals will head to Olde Town for their dining and shopping needs. “Whether you want that white tablecloth or the grab-and-go situation. There’s a plethora of options,” Garrard says. Locals flock to Jak’s Grill for its low-key atmosphere paired with various steak and seafood dishes. Montalcino Ristorante Italiano provides a fine dining experience by serving fresh entrées with wines from Montalcino, Italy. Adults over 21 head to Big Picture to catch the latest in Hollywood while eating casual sandwiches and fries with cocktails. Folks needing to pick up their weekly groceries can find a Safeway, Trader Joe’s and Target off Northwest Gilman Boulevard. Olde Town holds one of the city’s crown jewels, the Village Theatre, where new musicals and Broadway-like performances entertain residents. “A popular activity for visitors and locals is to have dinner and go see a show and see the Broadway-quality performance,” Garrard says. Issaquah’s Salmon Hatchery brings crowds of tens of thousands to the area for the annual Salmon Days festival. “It’s an opportunity to see the lifecycle of the salmon as they return to the Hatchery,” Garrard says. Kindergarten through fifth-grade students may start education at Clark Elementary. The school boasted an A grade from Niche. Their time follows at Issaquah Middle, earning an A from Niche. This school offers 14 after-school clubs. Diplomas are earned from Issaquah High, which earned an A-plus from Niche. The school’s Sports Medicine team has won the sports medicine state championship for 11 years straight. Sycamore is a car-dependent neighborhood. Commuters needing to reach Seattle can hop on Interstate 90 to the north, where it’s a 17-mile drive from there. Commuters to Bellevue will also use that same route, where it’s a 12-mile drive. Air travel can be done through the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, 18 miles west.