18 Jun East Seattle Cities Guide
Seattle continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in the country, according to WalletHub. However, the pace of this growth is slowing, and Seattle suburbs are having a population boom. This surburban surge is especially evident in these communities on the eastern shore of Lake Washington.
Bothell
Bothell has a small-town feel but a lot to offer. It’s home to the University of Washington Bothell, Cascadia College, and several high-tech and biomedical companies. Residents here enjoy kayaking on the quiet Sammamish River and walking, jogging, and biking on the Sammamish River Trail. There are multiple public transportation options for commuting and getting around locally. Home values have risen substantially in the last decade with average home prices to be $688,182 (all residential).
Woodinville
Although only 30 minutes from downtown Seattle, living in Woodinville might feel like you are on vacation. With beautiful scenery and over 100 wineries, this is wine country. Residents of Woodinville are a blend of young professionals and families. There are not many public transportation options available yet and most commute by car, with an average commute time of 26 minutes (bestplaces.net). Schools in Woodinville are above average and are part of the NorthShore and Lake Washington school districts. Most residents here are homeowners and the median home price is $900,000 (all residential).
Bellevue
While its name means “beautiful view” in French, the scenery is just one of the many reasons people move to Bellevue. High quality education, low unemployment, and many healthcare options put it on Livablity’s “best places” list. Bellevue itself is home to many large employers and is also a short commute to Seattle and Redmond. While it has a bustling business center, this city is also nicknamed “city in a park” for its many trails, greenspaces, and parks. Bellevue’s housing market is diverse— studio apartments to large homes—both rental and owner-occupied. You can expect average housing costs of $1,198,000 (all residential).
Newcastle
If you want easy access to major urban areas but also want the quiet of a small town, Newcastle is for you. Located near both Seattle and Bellevue, the average commute time is 26 minutes (bestplaces.net). Outdoor lovers are drawn to this city for its parks and trail systems, including Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. It is also home to the world-class golf course, The Golf Club at Newcastle. Housing is more affordable here than in nearby Bellevue, with home prices averaging around $1,013,500 (all residential).
Redmond
Redmond is probably best known as a major technological hub—home to Microsoft and Nintendo of America. Residents here don’t just work though. They enjoy an extensive park system, art and cultural events, and diverse shopping and dining. For more entertainment options, Seattle is only 15 miles away. Redmond’s housing market is competitive, with many houses selling above asking price and median home values at $986,500 (all residential).
Kirkland
With a population of almost 93,000 Kirkland is the fastest growing city in Washington. The population here is booming, in part due to its employment opportunities and excellent school district. Kirkland sits on the shore of Lake Washington and with multiple beach parks and waterfront dining, there are lots of ways to enjoy the lake. As with many other Seattle suburbs, the home values in Kirkland are consistently rising with an average median home price of $1,034,500 (all residential).
Sammamish
Situated on the shore of Lake Sammamish, this is the easternmost of Seattle suburbs. The state park here is a major draw with its beach, trails, and community events. Sammamish is a quiet city with low crime rates. Schools here are part of either the Lake Washington or Issaquah school districts, both of which are above average. Most Sammamish residents are homeowners. The housing market here is hot and homes for sale tend to receive multiple offers. The median home price in Sammamish is $1,100,000 (all residential).
Issaquah
Issaquah is just off I-90,16 miles from Seattle, and 12 miles from Bellevue convenient for commuting. Housing is more affordable in Issaquah than in Bellevue, another draw for commuters. The distinct neighborhoods offer a wide range of housing options. Many choose to live in Issaquah for its easy access to the outdoors, especially the “Issaquah Alps” – Cougar Mountain, Squak Mountain, and Tiger Mountain. The Issaquah School District is above average. Homes here average $895,500 (all residential).
East Seattle is highly desirable and homes for sale move quickly. If you want to buy here, it pays to be prepared and ready to make an offer. Let’s discuss your specific needs and make a plan for finding your ideal home in this incredible area.