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REAL ESTATE
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h\Y GhUhg 1953: year Bellevue was incorporated 5,950: city’s 1953 population 120,600: approximate 2009 city population 6,000: current number of housing units (condominiums and apartments) downtown 2,000+: current businesses with offices in downtown Bellevue (includes Microsoft, Expedia, Eddie Bauer and Puget Sound Energy) $550,000: median sale price in 2009 for a Bellevue single-family home $324,975: median sale price in 2009 for a Bellevue condo 96: number of parks and recreational facilities in the city PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY CITY OF BELLEVUE
<95FH C: H<9 95GHG=89 WRITTEN BY RACHEL GALLAHER
DOWNTOWN LIVING
OVER THE BRIDGE and across the lake from Seattle lies Bellevue, a 31-square-mile city that is now the fifth most populous city in the state. What is now the city of Bellevue was mostly dense woods and boggy terrain—with few homes—until the early 1900s. The discovery of coal in 1867, followed by a logging boom, encouraged an influx of settlers over the next 40 years. In the early 20th century, the area became a thriving and prosperous farming community, and the 1940 opening of the Lake Washington floating bridge (now known as the Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge) attracted people from Seattle. Bellevue was incorporated as a city in 1953. In the past 20 years, Bellevue has experienced rapid growth that has made it one of the most populated cities in the state. Yet many of its neighborhoods still boast the small-community feel of the early years. Each section of the city has its own unique attractions, making for diverse real estate options within the city limits. Property in Bellevue ranges from chic downtown condos to suburban midcentury ramblers, according to Windermere media contact Sonja Riveland. “Moving here 25 years ago was one of the best decisions my husband and I ever made,” says Leslie Lloyd, president of the Bellevue Downtown Association.
“Looking back, the great schools for our kids, strong sense of community and proximity to jobs are reasons we’ve stayed and continue to love our city.” At less than one square mile, Bellevue’s downtown is only a fraction of the city’s total land area but is the hub for a flourishing community. It is the city’s fastest-growing neighborhood, with a current population of more than 6,000 and an employee base of almost 45,000, Lloyd says. Though dominated by condos and apartments, downtown Bellevue is a family-friendly place to raise children. The area boasts a low violent-crime rate, feeds into Bellevue’s highly ranked public school system and is very walkable, with gyms, grocery stores and other amenities just blocks away from many residences. Although the economic downturn led to a significant decrease in unit sales, Windermere real estate agent Matt Deasy says sales in Bellevue are up 19 percent from 2008. Bellevue’s rapid commercial development and population growth of the past few years don’t have an end in sight—Lloyd predicts that the number of city residents will more than double by 2020—and her description of the area might explain why: “Vibrant, thriving, livable—a great place to be. Downtown Bellevue is the economic and cultural heart of the Eastside.”
8ckbhckb 6Y``YjiY ZYUhifYg aUbm UhhfUWh]cbg. : Stores such as Hèrmes, Neiman Marcus and Jimmy Choo at The Shops at The Bravern, plus more shopping nearby at The Bellevue Collection (Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square and Bellevue Place)
+$ MAR. & APR. 2010
SEATTLEHOMESMAG.COM
: Bellevue Arts Museum and the Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art : Ballet, theater, symphony and more at Meydenbauer Center, which holds dozens of monthly shows, exhibitions and events
: Seasonal events such as the Bellevue Farmers Market (May through October), the Bellevue Jazz Festival (June), the Bellevue Festival of the Arts (July), Symetra Bellevue Family Fourth (July 4) and Bellevue Magic Season and Snowflake Lane (late November through early January)