kcradford wrote:So, it looks like we are going to go through with the move and will likely be heading out there sometime in the Spring.
We are starting the process of trying to figure out where we would like to live. We are trying to get a feel for how the different areas around Bellevue and what our options are. Does anyone have any recommendations for great areas that are somewhat accessible to downtown Bellevue (extra points if they are bike/walkable to avoid having to pay to park).
It all really depends on your price point. Everybody kind of defines the greater Downtown Bellevue by the area sandwiched between 520 (N), I-90 (S), Lake Washington (W), and 405 (E). There are several different areas within that with residential.
Right in the core of downtown there is actually a good amount of residential. You will definitely pay a premium for a apartment or condo, but they will be equally as nice. It will be a highrise with amenities, good views, etc. Lots of condos are for rent, and that is usually where you can find your best bang for the buck rental prices. Bellevue Towers, which is a great building (technically 2 buildings) often has 2br/2ba 1500sqft rent for $3700-4000/mo. In comparable apartment towers you would expect to pay +$500-1500 above that. (It’s really a steal compared to downtown Seattle where the same thing would rent for +$1-2500 on top of that easily.) Just for comparison, a 450sqft studio runs for $1500-1700. There are also townhomes in the area that vary in price point, but they all kind of fall in the same lines. I don’t know anybody unhappy living in this area.
To the east of downtown, there is a lot of residential, mostly houses. These houses are currently getting snapped up really fast and are pretty competitive to buy. It’s a great area for families and very convinient for people who work in Downtown Bellevue, Redmond, and also Seattle due to highway access. Definitely a booming location. If you are in the market to buy a 1.5M-3M home, this is the hottest place. (I believe the average value increase was 20% this last year in this area.) Rentals are very hard to come by here.
To the north and south you’ll mostly see houses and townhomes. Prices on all of those will vary. Rent is less than downtown per square foot, but usually the quality of townhomes are not as high. Many of the lower price point places are being taken down and rebuilt.
To the west is Media and Clyde hill, I don’t think those are really worth mentioning. Property values are insane, but hey, you get to be neighbors with Billy and Bezos!
Those are all within the bounds of the greater Downtown area. Outside is a lot more flexible.
To the east of 405, there are still plenty of homes. From there, the price points massively drop off. Pretty much 1-1.5M is shaved off home prices. Rent accordingly goes down. Finding a home a mile east of 405 for 4000/mo is not unreasonable. You may even be able to score something down to 3500/mo if you are lucky. There are some townhomes and aparetments as well for rent, you’d be looking at maybe 25-3000 for a 2br. If you start going into the Crossroads area, prices are more consistently lower, but accessibility becomes less convinient. Crossroads is the home of Stone Garden, which is the biggest climbing gym in the area - if that plays any role in your decision.
To the north of 520 there is Kirkland, which is a very nice area. Pricing varies pretty wildly there. I’ve heard of a lot of people renting nice condos for similar to the above prices. This is kind of a favorite area for a lot of people in there late 20s and 30s at the moment. When you say “Kirkland”, most people picture some sort of picturesque day of walking a dog by the water and then eating artisan tacos. It’s got great access to Redmond where housing is terrible, so it’s rapidly gaining popularity. Homes are relatively inexpensive for the area for whatever reason. If you go even farther north towards Bothell, there is a lot of residential for good prices, but the commute can be a real pain. That area is pretty much known to have the worst traffic in the area.
If you go south of I-90 towards Newcastle and Renton, there are a lot of new developments for good prices that can be found. Commuting is a lot longer and traffic is not friendly. There is some residential in between that I have actually never personally been to, but it could be a good balance of price to convenience.
Northeast of the area is towards Redmond. There you’ll mostly find homes and townhomes. Housing is limited in Redmond and a lot of people work there, so prices are high for what you get. Not really ideal for somebody who doesn’t need to be there.
West of the water goes into, well, the water. One could always live in a boat and live their Sleepless in Seattle dreams. (You can also go into Mercer Island, but that has very high pricing and lacks convenience. Farther than that you would be in Seattle.)
All in all, it’s a very nice area. There are no “dangerous” places and most people are well off hardworking individuals. I grew up in Bellevue and still spend time in the area. I now live in Downtown Seattle instead though.