five reasons to move to seattle’s eastside suburbs
The suburbs directly East of Seattle and Lake Washington, collectively known to locals as “the Eastside,” make an incredible place to raise a family or retire. In addition to the natural beauty that abounds in the Pacific Northwest, the Eastside region offers some of the most well-kept neighborhoods, roads, and downtown city centers in our state. If you’re considering a move to the area - be it Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish, Issaquah, or beyond – read on to find out why locals are loving these Western Washington communities.
Views from the Oxbow Trail Loop in North Bend, WA
01 | Outdoor Recreation
One of the biggest draws for visitors (that residents get to enjoy year-round!) is the amazing access to an abundance of local outdoor recreation. Living on the Eastside puts you a step closer than Seattle to the Cascade Mountains which offer world class hiking Spring through Fall, and phenomenal skiing and snowboarding in Winter. You’ll also be minutes from Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish where residents take part in motorized and non-motorized water sport activities. A little further East in the Snoqualmie Valley region you’ll find the Snoqualmie, Tolt, and other local Rivers that offer places to float, fish and explore. Milder seasons (relative to the snowy Midwest winters and hot Southern summers) means that many outdoor activities can be enjoyed year-round.
02 | Access to Bigger City Perks
With most places on the Eastside being just 15-30 minutes from Seattle, residents are able to access all the big city amenities Seattle has to offer via short trip down the freeway. From fine dining experiences, professional sports teams, museums and top tier medical care, residents enjoy family-friendly suburban living without sacrificing the benefits of being near a larger city.
The Downtown Seattle Waterfront
03 | Employment Opportunities
Redmond, WA has long been known for being the home base of Microsoft - one of the area’s largest employers, and as the area has grown and developed, many other tech and major corporate employers have established a presence in the region as well. There is no shortage of well-paying employment opportunities from companies like Facebook, T-Mobile, Amazon, Costco Corporate, and many more.
04 | Family Friendly
With school districts that consistently rank as some of the best in the state, and plenty of extracurricular opportunities, parks, and trails, Seattle’s Eastside suburbs make an incredible place to raise a family.
Downtown Bellevue nestled amongst the trees and mountains.
05 | Home Values
Due in part to each of the aforementioned qualities, home values in the area have seen steady increases over the past decade. According to redfin.com, housing prices in Bellevue were up 34.6% year over year in March of 2022. If past performance and continued growth and economic prosperity are any indicators, the Eastside market will continue to be a prosperous investment for those looking to purchase real estate.