Union Hill-Novelty Hill

If you could picture a neighborhood with easy access to big city amenities, fun outdoor activities and spacious lots that offer a private, laid-back lifestyle, that neighborhood would be Union Hill-Novelty Hill. “The lot sizes are a big draw for homebuyers. You see a lot of estate-type properties here,” says Teri Herrera, MCNE, CRB with Windermere Real Estate. “It’s a less hectic pace of life than in the urban areas. It allows you to do things like gardening and live a more outdoors lifestyle.” Located in the eastern suburbs of Seattle, this rural community is just a short distance from shopping, dining and business opportunities. It’s also full of parks and trails just waiting to be discovered, giving residents many options for spending their time.

Union Hill-Novelty Hill is home to a mix of housing styles. Much of the area is rural, with mature evergreen trees lining the streets and shielding homes from view, offering privacy for residents. You can find log cabin-style houses and Craftsman homes on large lots, making it feel like you’re in the country and nowhere near the city. There are some traditional brick houses as well. If you prefer being around more people, there are subdivisions where you can be closer to your neighbors. Redmond Ridge features plenty of new construction Craftsman houses on streets lined with sidewalks, offering walkability through the neighborhood. Most homes in Union Hill-Novelty Hill come in shades of green, yellow or blue, blending with the area’s natural features. Houses in the Redmond Ridge subdivision typically cost between $600,000 and $1 million. Homes in the rural parts of the neighborhood can cost anywhere from $1.5 million to $4 million.

Students in Union Hill-Novelty Hill will likely be part of the Lake Washington School District and might attend Ella Baker Elementary School, Timberline Middle School and Redmond High School. Baker Elementary and Redmond High each earn an A+ overall rating from Niche. Redmond High has over 44 clubs available for students, including robotics and bowling. Students from the school regularly become semifinalists for National Merit awards, and several students have been semifinalists for the Siemens Award and Intel Talent Search. Redmond is also the alma mater of multiple Major League Baseball players, including All-Star Michael Conforto.

Union Hill-Novelty Hill offers plenty of ways to get outside and enjoy the community’s natural surroundings. “We’re known for our parks. We have a lot of outdoor recreation opportunities,” says Herrera. “We have easy access to hiking, biking and skiing. We’re right along the foothills of the Cascades.” The Redmond Watershed Preserve is an 800-acre natural space with multi-use trails for hiking, horseback riding and cycling. The nearby Farrel-McWhirter Park offers more multi-use trails to explore but is known for its animal farm that is popular with children. While not a petting zoo, the farm does allow visitors to view farm animals up close. The park also has an orienteering course that helps you develop navigation skills using only a map and a compass.

The Redmond Ridge area features several popular chain restaurants like Subway, McDonald’s, and Starbucks. You can shop for groceries at the QFC on Novelty Hill Road. Head just west of the neighborhood to Pomegranate Bistro for a good local meal. This rustic chic restaurant serves Southern-inspired comfort food like chicken and waffles or shrimp and grits. The menu also features local flavors, like the wild Alaskan rockfish tacos.

Although the rural nature of the neighborhood is part of the appeal, you won’t be far from major destinations. “Even though you feel rural, we’re less than 20 minutes from the Microsoft campus or downtown Redmond. We’re literally five minutes away from SpaceX,” says Herrera. “It’s easy to get to amenities, shopping and major employers.” Several roads in the neighborhood, such as Union Hill Road or Novelty Hill Road, give you an easy drive into Redmond, where you can get on State Route 520 to head anywhere else throughout the Puget Sound region.

Written By

Matthew Atkins

Photography Contributed By

Brandon Wong

Video By

Lucas Dyke