Machias

Nestled in between Puget Sound and the Cascade Range, Lake Stevens is the largest lake in Snohomish County. The residential areas around the lake are rapidly expanding, especially in South Lake Stevens, as people relocate from Seattle to this natural oasis. Along the lake shore, houses with private docks and views of the water go for $1 million to $2 million. A bit further from the lake, prices range from $600,000 to $800,000 for contemporary single-family homes with beige clapboard exteriors that sit close together. “The south side has a lot of newer builds,” explains Bryce Greenleaf, a real estate broker with Skyline Properties Ltd who specializes in the area. “In general, the houses are big, more uniform and have smaller lots. You won’t get a huge amount of yard space if you want to be anywhere near the water.” In the newer areas, wide sidewalks are lined with decorative trees and lit by streetlamps at night. But near the rural Machias area, even further from the lake, the sidewalks end, and $700,000 can buy you a property with an acre of land. Whether you live on the lakeside or not, Lake Stevens is accessible to all residents. At Davies Beach, on the west side of the lake, a long U-shaped dock is a popular spot for fishing, sunbathing and jumping into the water. A small sandy shore is also open for picnics and wading into the lake. And on the east side, Sunset Beach Park was just reopened in 2023, offering all the lakeside fun with a ramp for increased accessibility. Away from the water, the Machias Trailhead has a playground and rentable picnic structure that is a replica of an 1800s railroad depot. The trailhead is part of the Centennial Trail, a paved walking and equestrian trail that stretches throughout Snohomish County. And in July, the whole area lights up with activity during Aquafest, a festival that includes a carnival, water sports competitions and live music, with a variety of event locations around the lake. Other holiday celebrations and farmers markets are held up north at North Cove Park, just a few miles away. Most kids in the neighborhood attend Lake Stevens School District (LSSD), which is ranked second in Snohomish County by Niche. Some also attend Machias School District, ranked third. For LSSD kids, many attend Glenwood Elementary School before moving on to Centennial Middle School for grades six and seven. Both schools get a B-plus rating from Niche. All LSSD kids attend Cavelero Mid High School, also rated B-plus, for grades eight and nine. Then, it's on to Lake Stevens High School, rated A-minus, which is known for its sports teams and advanced courses with college credit. For shopping, Tom Thumb Grocery offers daily essentials and quick bites to eat. Heading a few miles north, the Frontier Village Shopping Center has Target, Safeway and locally-owned restaurants like LJ’s Bistro & Bar, a favorite for brunch and happy hour. In the southwest of the neighborhood, a newly constructed Costco also offers a one-stop shop for daily essentials. Many residents also choose to head 8 miles over to the nearby city of Everett for a wider selection of shopping and nightlife. Since most large businesses are miles away in nearby cities, there aren’t many jobs right in the area. In fact, the extensive school district is the number one employer. “During the pandemic, lots of people were moving out to Lake Stevens to get quieter country living,” Tim Posey, a broker with Task Properties and resident of Lake Stevens, explains. “As a result, the area underwent some rapid residential growth, and now most people either commute into the cities or work from home.” Lake Stevens is car-dependent, and trips to Everett and all the way down to Seattle can be made much longer by traffic. Traffic can make the 50-minute commute to Seattle up to two hours, so some commuters choose to head to Everett Station and then take the bus down to the big city. Everett and Seattle offer airports, shopping malls and larger hospitals, so when residents need to head into the cities, they plan to go at less busy times.