Sunkissed lakefront neighborhood with a scenic view
The Forest Avenue neighborhood is aptly named for its green thoroughfare that journeys through the descending sunkissed slopes of Mercer Island, a secluded lakeside city east of Seattle. In Forest Avenue, midcentury modern houses rise above the flourishing coastal landscape, overlooking Lake Washington with distant views of Seward Park and the Seattle skyline. "Forest Avenue is a desirable neighborhood with waterfront properties and a tremendous amount of redevelopment," says Sarah Ford, a local on the island and Sales Associate at Coldwell Banker Realty with over 20 years of experience. "People in Seattle are looking to places like Mercer Island. It's not really a suburb. It's more like a small-town community with a good quality of life."
Spectacular homes sit on the shores of Mercer Island.
Forest Avenue is named for its lush thoroughfare.
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Hidden driveways lead to eclectic homes
In a densely wooded area along a winding road, Forest Avenue appears to be a standard neighborhood on the outskirts. Yet, its hidden driveways lead to massive homes and waterfront views. The architecture in Forest Avenue is eclectic, although the primary styles here are contemporary and midcentury modern. Other builds in this neighborhood include traditional, Craftsman and ranch-style homes. "The island used to be a vacation area, and it was only beach houses," Ford says. "After the interstate bridge opened up, it was like the Wild West." Single-family home prices range from $1.5 million to $4 million, although waterfront properties over 5,000 square feet can reach up to $12 million. The CAP Index crime score in Forest Avenue is a 1 out of 10, which is significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Waterfront properties over 5,000 square feet can reach up to 12 million in Forest Avenue.
This beautiful craftsman home sits overlooking Lake Washington.
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Top school district and A-plus rated Mercer Island High School
The Mercer Island School District serves roughly 4,000 students in the area. Island Park Elementary School earns an A grade from Niche and offers Innovation Learning, a private creative program that helps students hone problem-solving skills. Islander Middle School also has an A, offering after-school clubs and a homework center program. Mercer Island High School receives an A-plus, with an average SAT score of 1390 and a graduation rate of 95%.
Islander Middle School on Mercer Island.
Island Park Elementary School on Mercer Island.
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Restaurants in Downtown Mercer Island
A taste of Northwest metropolitan life awaits in Downtown Mercer Island, with modern buildings, fitness studios and local cafes about 2 miles north. This city center also features a diverse dining scene with restaurants like Homegrown, a sandwich shop serving organic bowls with quality ingredients. Pogacha Restaurant is a brunch spot with dog-friendly patio seating, serving classic American staples and Croatian cuisine like pasta and flatbread dishes. QFC and Metropolitan Market are supermarkets in the city center.
Mio is a very popular pizza joint in downtown Mercer Island.
Sano Cafe specializes in healthy snacks for First Hill residents.
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Homestead Field and Groveland Beach
A paved trail connects Forest Avenue to Homestead Field, one of the city's most convenient athletic spaces. It features four tennis courts, two baseball diamonds and a path leading to a forest-themed playground. Groveland Beach Park has a concrete fishing pier, swimming holes and a volleyball court about a mile south. Forest Landing is a boat landing at the end of a residential street for kayaking or paddleboarding in Lake Washington.
Homestead Park is an amazing open space for outdoor activities.
Groveland Beach Park on Mercer Island.
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Interstate 90 and getting to Seattle
Interstate 90 is an expressway that traverses the north of Mercer Island, heading across Lake Washington. From Forest Avenue, Seattle is roughly 7 miles northwest on I-90, while Bellevue is about 6 miles east. The King County Metro and Sound Transit bus systems serve the area with stops along Island Crest Way for DART Route 204. More transportation options are available at the Mercer Island Park & Ride area, like Route 630, a shuttle service to Downtown Seattle. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport provides flights to cities worldwide.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Experience elevated living on Mercer Island in this stunning 5-bedroom, 4-bath modern home spanning 3,679 sq ft. Thoughtfully designed with elegant finishes and a spacious layout, partial Lake WA and Seattle views, this home features open-concept living, a gourmet kitchen with honed marble island, Wolf-Subzero appliances, 10’ ceilings on both floors, AC, and light-filled interiors. Enjoy a
A modern masterpiece in Mercer Island, newly completed by Design Built Homes and designed by McCullough Architects to maximize natural light and Lake Washington views. Desirable open-concept living with double height entry, great room, Chef’s kitchen, gourmet island, formal dining, office, and covered patio with Infratech heaters and 3 fireplaces. Details include wide-plank European Oak floors,
Extraordinary value on Mercer Island! Pre-Inspected. Exquisite 5 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom home on Evergreen Lane. Turn-key home w/all bathrooms, kitchen & laundry recently updated. Enjoy high-end designer finishes throughout, including gourmet kitchen w/new quartz counters, beautiful backsplash, faucets/sinks, Wolf 8 burner range & much more! An abundance of windows floods the home w/natural light.
Welcome home -centrally located mid-island, right were you want to be! An updated 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom, 4,180sf updated & well cared for residence. Boasting fantastic west facing filtered lake views & huge entertainment sized view deck- perfect for play and entertaining. A great layout with Primary Suite on main level and formal dining, living and family rooms. Lower level has fantastic spaces
Westside shared waterfront w/ newly upgraded dock, beach, and deeded boat slip - the perfect place to watch Seafair! Set on nearly a .5 acre lot, this home features 2 flat play areas, basketball court/boat parking & multiple decks. Light-filled main floor is ideal for entertaining; updated kitchen w/ quartz counters, new appliances, large island & French doors to alfresco dining. All 3 bedrooms
Beautifully updated Mercer Island home with 4 beds and 3.5 baths, offering spacious living areas, a private primary suite, and stunning views of Lake Washington and the Olympics. Enjoy sunsets from the lovely deck, cook in the sunny, modern kitchen with a generous dining nook, and relax in the bright living room with high ceilings, large windows, and an open floorplan. The lower level includes a
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,198
Median Age
48
Population under 18
24%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$246,591
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$240,427
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.9%
College Graduates
85.9%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
44.3%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
69.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
36°F
Average Summer High Temperature
77°F
Annual Snowfall
2''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
9/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
21/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
22/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
