Downtown Kirkland

Imagine the luxury of spending your morning by the waterfront, then walking to lunch and enjoying a shopping spree afterward. When you live in Downtown Kirkland, you get all the perks of city living while also having a gorgeous view to admire. Despite its overflowing amenities and proximity to Seattle, Kirkland has a beach lifestyle and a rural town atmosphere instead of a bustling city one. “Kirkland is absolutely gorgeous and gives off more of a village feel where you can trust the community,” says Anastasia Miles, a realtor with Windermere Real Estate East and certified luxury real estate specialist.

Located across Lake Washington, Downtown Kirkland is considered the East Side of the Seattle area. Its marina along Moss Bay creates a stunning waterfront that residents can enjoy when they aren’t busy hitting the town. The farther inland you travel, you’ll notice the commercial spaces turning into residential ones. People can walk or take a bus from their homes and go into the city for their entertainment. “It’s very walkable and very clean,” Miles says. With the Google Kirkland Campus less than a mile away and Microsoft and Amazon locations in Bellevue 6.5 miles away, the area has become a central hub for people with tech jobs.

Housing in Downtown Kirkland is mostly convenient condos and apartments right on the edge of the retail area. You can find renovated condos with one bed and 700 square feet for roughly $650,000, but most properties are going to cost more. “The area has started getting more popular, so as people move in, the prices have gotten higher,” Miles says. Brand new luxury condos on the market sell for anywhere between 1.5 to 2 million. Single-family detached houses are hard to come by but are located on Kirkland Way and Third Avenue South. These contemporary Craftsmen are brightly colored and also go for 1.5 to 2 million.

Families living in Downtown Kirkland can send their children to the Lake Washington School District for their education. Both Lakeview Elementary School and Kirkland Middle School have A grades on Niche and above-average test scores, with Kirkland Middle ranking No. 10 for Best Public Middle Schools in Washington. From there, students filter into Lake Washington High School. As the oldest high school in the district, it has cultivated an A Niche grade and high rankings for its STEM courses and college preparation programs.

When you’re looking for greener spaces, head to Peter Kirk Park on Central Way. The park has something for every athlete, from baseball and soccer fields to tennis and basketball courts. Grab your board and do some tricks at the skate park, or go for a leisurely stroll and admire the bronze metal sculptures throughout the grounds. When the weather is warm, bask in the sunlight and enjoy the rocky shoreline of Marina Park Public Beach. Boating enthusiasts can use the boat launch to get on the water and dock when they’re done. The pavilion at the edge of the marina hosts many seasonal events for the community, including weekly summer concerts and Kirkland Uncorked, an annual summer wine festival. “It’s a great way for the community to get together and taste wine and support local establishments,” Miles says.

If you get hungry, you’re in luck. Downtown Kirkland has hundreds of local restaurants within blocks of each other – everything from cute coffee cafes to casual eateries and fine-dining experiences. Snack on some fish and chips at The Slip and admire the waterfront from their patio. On date nights or special occasions, go to Volterra for their Tuscan-inspired Italian cuisine. The dim lighting and rustic décor are sure to set the mood. Aside from all the restaurants, downtown is also flush with boutiques and cute clothing stores. When you’re taking a break from trying on outfits, visit one of the many galleries and art stores that inspire the creative art scene within the community. Public art is displayed all throughout downtown, with bronze sculptures adding value to the streets and murals creating a colorful space.

Downtown Kirkland’s waterfront and city amenities, combined with its small hometown atmosphere, make it an exciting and comfortable place to live.

Written By

Brittany Bell

Photography Contributed By

Brandon Wong

Video By

Dan Mack