Wondering where you focus your efforts in 2013? We’ve picked out 5 of the hottest neighborhoods in the Greater Seattle Area that we feel are going to be thriving in the next few years. Whether it’s ease of commute, fantastic schools, commercial development, or views of the Cascades, there’s something for everyone on our list of top neighborhoods of the Puget Sound.
Redmond
Redmond may be home to one of the most innovative companies in the world, but Microsoft isn’t the only thing that makes this neighborhood spectacular. Located between Seattle and the Cascade Mountains, this suburb is an ideal home for exploring the Puget Sound region. Redmond is known as the “Bicycle Capital of the Northwest”, with an annual bike race on the city streets and the state’s only velodrome. Entertainment is plentiful in the downtown, where historic buildings, local shops, eateries, and shopping venues decorate the streets. Even more, Redmond is an attractive place to live due to it’s low crime rate, picturesque neighborhoods, and quality school districts. We aren’t the only ones who think Redmond is magnificent; CNN ranked Redmond as #5 on their top places to live in the U.S.
Bellevue
Ranking as the fifth largest city in Washington, it is no wonder that Bellevue made our Best Neighborhoods list. This high-tech Eastside city proudly boasts high-rise offices and condos, surrounded by astonishing retail in the downtown area. Thanks to top companies including Microsoft, Expedia, Coinstar, and Puget Sound Energy, Bellevue has more employees than residents. The lucky folks who do live in this booming neighborhood enjoy Bellevue’s immense shorelines and waterfront homes. Travel is made easy by the various highways connecting this wonderful area with the rest of the greater Seattle area, and a light-rail system is even in the works. Additionally, Bellevue’s schools are consistently ranked among the best in the country, which makes this prosperous city an attraction for all.
Montlake
When you think of Seattle construction, does Montlake come to mind? Over the past few years, Montlake has been a massive center of development ranging all the way from rebuilding Husky Stadium to working on the 520 bridge. Construction can be a drag at times, but investment simply means increased value for this neighborhood. Montlake already is an affluent residential community, being a little slice of nature in an urban setting. The boundaries of this area are a collection of gorgeous parks, lakes, and waterways, including both Lake Washington and Lake Union. The prime location and natural water features make this vibrant neighborhood a perfect place to call home. The massive plans to enhance the value of this community will pay off in the near future- so if you’re a city person looking to make a smart investment, place this up-and-coming neighborhood near the top of your list.
Some Statistics on the Montlake Neighborhood:
Median Household Income: $89,411
Median Home List Price = $1,495,000 (an increase by 5.84% from February)
Median Price Per Square Foot = $494
Kirkland
As a rapidly growing community, Kirkland has the right to proclaim themselves a economic center with a small-town feel. Kirkland features a unique downtown waterfront area with restaurants, art galleries, a performing arts center, beaches… and more! Like most of the Eastside, many residents of Kirkland area associated with large tech companies like Microsoft and Google. With an already-in-place comprehensive transportation system and bicycle options, this city is undertaking an even more extensive remodel. The 2011 annexation of several small communities increased Kirkland’s population by 31,000. The recent development of the Parkplace Shopping Center added hundreds of entertainment options to this community. Most recently, Google announced that they will be doubling the size of their plant in 2015, creating over 1,000 more jobs for Kirkland residents. It will be exciting to see the progress this city makes in the next 10 years.
Queen Anne
With a dense epicenter and an eclectic and vibrant population, Queen Anne makes our top neighborhoods list. Situated in between the Space Needle, Mount Rainier, and unparalleled views of the Puget Sound, Queen Anne has plenty to offer Seattle residents. The serenity by no means makes this community isolated – Walkscore gave this neighborhood a rank of 97 on their list… that makes Queen Anne the 2nd most walkable neighborhood in Washington. The reputation for this neighborhood is phenomenal, as crime rates are low and the crowd is quite diverse. This diversity may increase rapidly in the next few years – thanks to Amazon’s recent relocation to South Lake Union, this district is promptly expanding and drawing various young professionals to the area. With Queen Anne becoming more desirable, a massive spark of condo and restaurant development has followed. Pleasant increases in population and economic progression will keep Queen Anne on the list of best neighborhoods for many years to come.