Top Reasons to Move to Bellevue
By Sean Creamer on September 02, 2023
There are plenty of reasons to move to the Pacific Northwest.
From the gorgeous scenery to the fast-growing tech scene, the Emerald City attracts newcomers from around the nation. Many homebuyers try to purchase property in the neighborhoods and suburbs of Seattle, a fair share of people set their sights on nearby Bellevue, Washington.
What was once a timid city of just over 100,000 is now a prime location for homebuyers in Washington State. Like Seattle across Lake Washington, soaring mountains frame the city's skyline, which has grown as more tech firms set up shop in King County. A fast-growing downtown is home to an eclectic food scene filled with restaurants and food trucks, where locals gather to take in the sun setting over nearby Seattle Metropolitan Area.
To help inspire buyers considering a move to the Pacific Northwest, the team at Prevu Real Estate tallied some of the top reasons why Bellevue, WA is one of the great places to live in the PNW.
Growing tech scene
Many people associate Silicon Valley with high-tech and start-up culture, but Bellevue has been a bastion of tech for a while. The first "start-up" to hit the region was Amazon, which started out of a modestly-sized home in Bellevue.
Soon after, firms like Expedia and Apptio kicked off the tech boom in Bellevue, but now new start-ups like HR-tech firm Limeade and the VR-based Unity are up and coming employers in the area. But Amazon remains a huge presence in the area and the mega cap company now employs over 20,000 workers in the city.
While Microsoft’s HQ is located in Redmond, the firm also maintains several offices in Bellevue. Facebook, Concur, and Salesforce are other major players in the city. But even if you don’t work in Bellevue, there are plenty of nearby havens like Redmond, Kirkland, and the Seattle area for tech workers.
But people love working in Bellevue because the beautiful views of the city, which offers plenty of green spaces in the metropolitan area that are ripe for exploring.
City in a park
Part of why people enjoy living in Washington State is the scenic landscape. Yes, the cost of living is increasing as median home prices rise in the housing market, but the beautiful views and booming economy is why people enjoy living in Bellevue.
What was once a logging camp turned resort town is now a metropolis blending high rises and nature. Sure, it rains quite a bit, but the pine tree-laden vistas surrounding Bellevue are jaw-dropping.
But locals do not need to head out to the Olympic or Cascade Mountains for the green space, as there are over 2700 acres of parks, open space, and trails in Bellevue. The government of Bellevue committed to its outdoor space, and now hosts over 100 community gardens, several farm-fresh produce stands, and even a few blueberry farms. Even in the heart of the city, residents can find some solace outdoors at the sprawling Downtown Park.
It is common to see people gathering on the large circular lawn for lunch or taking a break from the hustle and bustle at the waterfall. The park even offers an ice skating rink in the winter, making it a fun attraction year-round.
But when the weather is too cold, many weekend warriors take in the beauty of the Bellevue Botanical Gardens, just a few blocks over from Downtown Park.
Lakes flank the Bellevue shores
While locals have over 80 miles of trails to explore, some of the most fun is found by the water's edge.
Like Seattle, two bodies of water buttress the east and western borders of the city. So if locals yearn for the waterfront, Bellevue preserves over 8,000 feet of shorefront for the public. This land includes seven beachfront parks as well. Newport, West Bellevue, and Northwest Bellevue offer waterfront homes on Lake Washington, while Northeast Bellevue and the West Lake Sammamish neighborhoods have waterfront homes on the shores of Lake Sammamish.
Boating is a popular pastime in Bellevue, and many residents near the waterfront take advantage of the calm waters to stand-up paddleboard, kayak, and fish. Boat owners can even take their vessel across Lake Washington, sail through a series of locks cutting through Seattle, and reach the expansive Puget Sound.
But buyer beware, as waterfront homes in Bellevue must keep within code to protect the environment.
Plenty of travel options
Bellevue is only 63 years old, but there is plenty of infrastructure for commuters.
This burgeoning city grew out of a resort town where Seattle residents unwound. But the ferry that took Seattlites to Bellevue eventually moved to Medina, and the region's popularity waned. When the Lake Washington Floating Bridge opened in the 1940s, Bellevue became a popular destination as a bedroom community for homebuyers working in Seattle.
Fast-forward to today, and there are plenty of ways to get between Bellevue and Seattle. The 520 highway takes drivers over the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge to the East Lake neighborhood of Seattle. The 90 is how locals go east-to-west across southern Bellevue, and the highway leads to the Lake Washington Floating Bridge.
The 405 is the main corridor to take if you are traveling north-to-south. Many shoppers take this highway if they are traveling to the Shops at the Braven, a popular mall in the area. The King County Metro and Sound Transit run a combination of light rails and buses throughout the region for buyers seeking a green commute.
There is currently a plan to open a light link rail from Seattle in 2023 that will run to Mercer Island and then continue into Downtown Bellevue.
Fun annual festivals
Part of what makes Bellevue one of the great places to live in the PNW is the city's festive spirit. And several annual festivals brighten up life in this already bustling city.
Many locals love to come out in the balmy summer to see new artworks at the famous Bellevue Arts Museum Fair in July. And in the winter, residents keep warm in the frigid February temperatures by dancing to folk music at the Wintergrass Music Festival.
But one of the fan favorites is the Crossroads Cultural Festival. Currently, the three-day festival is on hold, but it usually takes place in March and celebrates Bellevue's diverse community and history.
Bellevue used to attract people from all over the Pacific Northwest to attend the Strawberry Festival in the summer. Unfortunately, the event's sponsor retired, and the city is currently looking for other sponsors. But, depending on your passions and tastes, there is an event for everyone almost every weekend in Bellevue.
