When the website Livability conducted its 2016 survey of the 100 best places to live in the United States, Bellevue, Washington came in second. There’s a reason why Bellevue is one of the most desirable places to live in the Seattle area or, indeed, anywhere in Washington. If you’re weighing the pros and cons of living here, there are at least eight reasons people keep moving to Bellevue.
1. The View
The name “Bellevue” literally means “beautiful view” in French, and the city lives up to it in every imaginable way. Not only is the community filled with parks and green spaces to explore, but from almost every neighborhood, you’ll enjoy some of the most breathtaking views in the country. Imagine relaxing on your porch or just looking out your window and taking in a panoramic vista that includes the majestic Olympic and Cascade Mountains, the calm expanse of Lake Washington, and the classic profile of the Seattle skyline.
2. The Great Outdoors
Lake Washington isn’t just available for the view, though. Set between Seattle and Bellevue, the lake is a prime destination for fishing, boating, swimming, water sports, and enjoying nature. With over a dozen public parks, beaches, piers, and boat ramps, getting onto the water—or into the water—is a breeze from almost any part of town. Or head over to the eastern side of the city to take advantage of Lake Sammamish instead. If hiking is more your style, there’s plenty of trails to choose from, including those found in Weowna Park, the Coal Creek Natural Area, Bridle Trails State Park, Bellefields, or Cougar Mountain. Or if you want to escape to some green space, there are over 100 parks for walks, picnics, or recreation, including the free Bellevue Botanical Garden.
3. The Thriving Housing Market
Real estate in Bellevue comes at a premium because of the high desirability of the community, but once you buy, your investment will begin paying off almost immediately. While other places in the greater Seattle area have seen prices stagnate or even drop, Bellevue continues to be on the rise. The current median home price in Bellevue is $962,537, but the forecast for the market suggests that prices will go up by 4.5% over the coming year.
4. Great Location
In less than fifteen minutes, you can commute from almost any point in Bellevue to downtown Seattle for shopping, dining, arts, or recreation. Also, just to the north of town is the tech hotspot of Redmond, home of Microsoft and other leading technology companies. Or, if your idea of a “great location” is less urban and more rural, head just half an hour out of town, and you’ll have your pick of mountains and forests to explore, including Tiger Mountain State Forest and Rattlesnake Mountain Scenic Area.
5. Shopping in Style
Whether your tastes run towards high-end luxury, unique boutiques, top-line department stores, or bargain-filled outlets, Bellevue’s shopping scene is unrivaled in the Seattle area. Check out the retail, dining, and entertainment at Bellevue Square, enjoy live music as you shop at Crossroads Bellevue, or search for the top brand names at The Shops at The Bravern or The Bellevue Collection.
6. Diverse Dining
If you’re a gourmand or a foodie, or if you’re just someone who appreciates having a good range of choices when it comes to dining, you can’t beat the restaurant scene in Bellevue. While the city is mainly known for its seafood offerings, you’ll also find plenty of global cuisines, casual dining, wine bars, coffee shops and cafes, bakeries, steakhouses, pizzerias, and more—even a retro arcade bar. Bellevue also now has a vibrant food truck industry, led by the El Maestro del Taco, widely viewed as the top food truck in the state, if not the country.
7. Entertainment for Everyone
There’s plenty to do in Bellevue for all ages, day or night. The KidsQuest Children’s Museum is just the place for budding scientists or explorers. The rotating exhibits and permanent installations at the Bellevue Art Museum will move and inspire you. Each year, the Bellevue Arts Fair is the largest local art show in the Seattle region, featuring works by hundreds of artists in every imaginable medium.
8. Strong Schools
Ranked by the website Niche as the second-best school district in Washington State (out of 252 districts), Bellevue Public Schools sustain an admirable 19:1 student-teacher ratio and some of the highest rates of state test score proficiency in the county. The average graduation rate is 94%, with Bellevue seniors enrolling in many of the top colleges and universities in the country, including New York University, the University of California-Berkeley, and Stanford University.
If you’ve made up your mind that Bellevue is the right place for you, you’ll want to start planning your move! Be sure to request free moving quotes from our Bellevue movers, so you keep your move on track and under budget.