Providence Point

Resting on 161 acres of gently rolling slopes, the Providence Point neighborhood overlooks beautiful Lake Sammamish from its vantage point in the Cascade foothills. The neighborhood was built with the needs of those 55 and older in mind. There are seven distinct villages with varying architectural styles and interior designs customized to individual needs. There’s room for singles and younger families too at condominium complexes like Peregrine Point, Alta at the Lake, or Mallard Pointe. Developed between 1984 and 2004, the assisted-living and retirement communities of Providence Point form a strong and active community just 20 miles from Seattle, 30 miles from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and five minutes from Swedish Hospital. It’s also incredibly convenient for commuting to work or to historic downtown Issaquah for shopping and restaurants. There’s even a dedicated Providence Point bus to take residents to Seattle and back.

“Providence Point encapsulates the best of the Pacific Northwest. There’s a strong community spirit and easy access to the outdoors,” says Rachel Schindler, managing broker of Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty. “The neighborhood has everything from a community garden called the Pea Patch to an indoor pool to a bus that takes people to Costco, Whole Foods and doctor’s appointments. The area is popular because there are very few independent senior communities around Seattle.” Providence Point also has a huge number of amenities like a library and clubhouse plus events such as wine tastings and concerts. “It’s a very friendly community where everyone’s name is on their unit to encourage neighbors to get to know each other. People come here looking for a strong sense of community, and they find it through events like organized walks or quilting parties,” says Mrs. Schindler.

Living in the neighborhood offers adults the chance to stay active and supported. There are four community centers for seniors to socialize and take continuing education courses or group exercise classes. The area is beautifully landscaped with gently curving streets and fantastic views of the Pacific Northwest. Each individual village looks different with some being modeled after vintage cottages while others take their cues from Northwest Contemporary designs. Prices are wide-ranging and begin around $320,000 for a one-bedroom condo to $625,000 for a two-bedroom condo with an equal number of baths. Single-family houses are in the $2 million range and typically have four bedrooms and over 2,500 square feet of living space.

Students in the Providence Point neighborhood attend schools in Issaquah School District 411, which has one of the highest on-time graduation rates in Washington state. One pathway for children to travel from kindergarten to graduation passes through Creekside Elementary, Pine Lake Middle and Skyline High, all of which have earned grades of A or higher from Niche. Creekside Elementary uses state-of-the-art technology like ActivBoards and sound systems in every classroom along with offering courses in Chinese and Spanish. Pine Lake Middle is one of the top 20 best middle schools in the state, and it encourages students to participate in after-school activities like band, speech, or any of nearly a dozen sports. Skyline High opened in 1997 on a 50-acre campus and today is one of the top 10 college preparatory schools in Washington. It confers International Baccalaureate degrees, which are recognized across the world, in addition to high school diplomas.

Filled with natural beauty, the area is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. The community maintains several miles of walking trails in the neighborhood and is also adjacent to Lake Sammamish State Park. Open dawn to dusk each day, the green space has two lakefront beaches perfect for fishing, swimming, boating and waterskiing. Kayaks and paddleboards are available for rent too. Birdwatchers will feel right at home here as great blue herons, bald eagles and dozens of other avian species call the park home. Occupying 531 acres, there are hiking and walking trails as well as a cutting-edge playground and geocaching sites. The park also hosts community events throughout the year such as summer concerts, a holiday boat parade and the Parkadilly Fair.

Close to abundant green spaces and Lake Sammamish, the Providence Point neighborhood offers natural wonders, friendly neighbors and beautiful landscapes just minutes from Interstate 90 and downtown Issaquah.

Written By

K.T. Phillips