The wooded neighborhoods in Lake Forest Park offer a serene escape on Lake Washington, only 12 miles from downtown Seattle. “You feel like you’re in a small town,” says Katie Chinn, a broker with Windermere Real Estate Northeast who lives nearby. “The nature and the community vibe make it feel close-knit, and you’re still near the busy areas.” The Town Center at Lake Forest Park is the city’s central gathering place. Highly rated schools and the Burke-Gilman bike trail are other big draws. Most of the city’s over 13,000 residents commute to tech jobs in Seattle or Bothell, 4 miles away.
Lay in the sun or rent a kayak at Log Boom Park in Brookside.
Brookside in Lake Forest Park is close to Lake Washington and 20 minutes from Seattle.
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Northwest Contemporary homes on winding streets
The median home sale price in Lake Forest Park is around $1 million, higher than the national median and Seattle’s $850,000. Houses here sell faster than average, typically only staying on the market for 20 days. Midcentury split-level, Northwest Contemporary and ranch-style homes sit far apart on hilly, forested streets. Lakefront homes in Sheridan Beach are the most expensive in the city, with prices nearing $4 million. Low-rise condos and townhouses are found in Sheridan Beach and Brookside .
Condos are another option in the Brookside neighborhood.
This colorful split-level home with a large front yard rests in Brookside.
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Student performances at Shorecrest Performing Arts Center
Local kids attend schools in the Shoreline School District, which earns an A from Niche. At Shorecrest High, the Shorecrest Performing Arts Center hosts dance, music and theater performances by both students and locals in an over 450-seat space. Students here can also get involved in nearly 70 clubs, including the Criminology Club, Young Women in Bio Club and the school’s literary journal, Tattoo Magazine.
Shorecrest High School serves students living in Horizon View, Washington.
Lake Forest Park Elementary in Horizon View.
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Local businesses and events in The Town Center at Lake Forest Park
The Town Center at Lake Forest Park is home to the city’s restaurants and a grocery store. “There's Starbucks, of course, but there's also some little locally owned shops that make it fun,” Chinn says. The Town Center is mostly an outdoor shopping area, and it also has an indoor mall section. Third Place Commons, an event space here, hosts regular events, including live music, book clubs and the weekly Lake Forest Park Farmers Market during the summer. Big-box stores and national retailers are roughly 4 miles away in Shoreline.
Find unique plant features and more at the annual Secret Gardens event in Horizon View.
You can grab something for your pets at Mud Bay in Horizon View.
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Access to the Burke-Gilman Trail
Lake Forest Park has seven city parks, including Lyon Creek Waterfront Preserve on Lake Washington. As of early 2025, this 1-acre park will soon be expanded to include a public beach, playground and dock with a kayak launch and swimming access. The 20-mile Burke-Gilman Trail is popular with local cyclists; the trail hugs Lake Washington’s western shore and ends in downtown Seattle. Lake Forest Park experiences rainy winters and mild summers with highs in the 70s.
Sheridan Beach has easy access to the Burke-Gilman Trail nearby.
Bird watchers will love all the access to nature to be found in Turtle Rock.
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Near Interstate 5 and Bothell Way
Bothell Way and Ballinger Way are the city’s main thoroughfares, and Interstate 5 is about 3 miles away, leading about 12 miles south to Seattle. Sound Transit’s bus offers routes to Seattle, and the nearby Mountlake Terrace station provides access to the Link light rail. A new Rapid Transit bus line, the Stride S3, is planned for Bothell Way, which will add a faster route to the Link light rail; completion is expected in 2028. With few bike lanes and sidewalks, locals rely on their cars to get around. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is a 29-mile trip. For healthcare, the University of Washington Medical Center and the Swedish Edmonds Campus are both about 5 miles away.
An increased rate of violent crimes
According to the Lake Forest Park Police Department, violent crime rates increased between 2022 and 2023, but property crime rates decreased. The department partners with neighboring cities for the Regional Crisis Response Agency, which sends mental health professionals to behavioral health calls.
Having grown up in the Seattle community, I offer a deep understanding of the city, it's many unique neighborhoods, and the various lifestyles those places can offer. My passion for people and relationships combined with a relentless work ethic has allowed me to build a strong industry network to best help position you for success. Whether I represent you while buying or selling, I pride myself on being a hands-on, full-service broker, and your sole point of contact from start to finish. I'd love to chat and help you explore your real estate opportunities!
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.
