Cedar River

Situated just about a dozen miles south of Seattle, Cedar River is a slice of Renton that’s an outdoor lover’s dream. This neighborhood straddles its namesake, a 45-mile-long body of water that represents just one of multiple ways you can enjoy some fun outside here.

“It’s one of the more affordable areas, compared to the eastside,” says local Realtor Aaron De Nunzio of Windermere Real Estate Midtown. “But it has quick access to freeways. There’s conveniences, like shopping, dining, Downtown Renton, Bellevue, Seattle. And then the trails and parks. Seattle’s huge on the outdoors.”

A home in Cedar River places you just minutes from the area’s outdoor attractions, too. The housing inventory here can suit varied tastes. Quite a few houses were built in the mid-20th century — mostly single-story ramblers and bungalows with floor plans ranging from about 800 square feet to roughly 2,000 square feet. Cedar River also contains a smattering of bigger homes, well over 2,000 square feet, that were built in the 1980s and 1990s.

Houses in Cedar River line sleepy residential streets, on lots that stretch anywhere from about 7,000 square feet to half an acre. Some blocks here come with the convenience of sidewalks, too. The array of homes in this area comes with a wide span of typical sale prices, anywhere from the $300,000s to the $900,000s. A lot sell for numbers in the $700,000s and $800,000s specifically, De Nunzio says, and demand is high.

Cedar River itself is a recreational centerpiece of the neighborhood. The river is a popular destination for trout anglers and is open to nonmotorized boating. A swath of the 17-mile-long Cedar River Trail runs through the area as well, a path open to biking, running and walking. “Maple Valley and Renton have incredible hiking trails,” De Nunzio says. “There’s incredible access to the outdoors in general, that’s why people love the Northwest.”

The trail cuts through what’s considered one of the best public golf courses in the region in Maplewood Golf Course, which spans some 6,100 yards. And even if golf isn’t your thing, you can make a visit to the onsite River Rock Grill & Ale House, which has full breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, with food you can enjoy from their well-liked patio. The golf course is adjacent to Ron Regis Park, a 45-acre expanse with soccer and cricket fields, plus a lighted basketball court.

Cedar River residents can quickly get to the Henry Moses Aquatic Center to cool off in the summer. This facility features just about every water attraction you can ask for, including slides, a lap pool, a wave pool and a lazy river. The center shares a parking lot with the 23-acre Cedar River Park, the Renton Community Center and Carco Theatre. The park offers multi-use field space and access to Cedar River. Renton Community Center houses banquet space, meeting rooms, two gymnasiums and a dance studio. Space in the community center can be rented for private events. The center is also the site of periodic public events such as The Snow Ball, a winter-themed family dance night in February. The 300-seat Carco Theatre has recurring events, including concerts, comedy shows and plays.

Kids in Cedar River can attend public schools in the Renton School District, starting at Tiffany Park Elementary for kindergarten to fifth grade which, like other elementary schools in the city, offers before- and afterschool care for a fee. Students can progress to Nelsen Middle School for Grades 6 to 8, whose list of afterschool activities includes a dungeon and dragons club, a drama club and a pride mania club. Lindbergh High School is next, which boasts a B+ overall rating on Niche and is No. 6 on the site’s list of standout high schools in Washington.

Cedar River is only about 3 miles away from what De Nunzio says is the biggest shopping attraction in the area: The Landing. This plaza contains more than 400,000 square feet of retail space, with more than four dozen businesses, from Target to Staples. Eateries here include Panda Express and Wingstop. Tons of supermarkets pepper the area, too, for grocery needs, De Nunzio says. That includes a Fred Meyer, which De Nunzio says is perhaps the biggest chain in the area.

Washington State Route 169 traverses through Cedar River, an artery residents here can use to start commutes toward Seattle and Bellevue, which are just about 17 and 12 miles away, respectively. This convenient access helps make this neighborhood much more than just an outdoor oasis — it’s a well-rounded pocket of Renton.

Written By

Wayne Epps Jr.

Photography Contributed By

Perry Cucinotta

Video By

Anthony Pesa