Thinking of moving to the Seattle area? Emerald City great suburbs with family-friendly Seattle neighborhoods, affordable housing options, and job opportunities in the Pacific Northwest metro. Whether you’re looking to buy a home or rent a home in The Evergreen State, here are the five best Seattle suburbs to call home!
Offering a mix of urban and suburban dwellings, Bellevue is the fifth largest city in Washington and the perfect suburb for those looking to live in a small city without giving up big-city amenities. There are also plenty of good schools in the area, including Interlake High School, Spiritridge Elementary School, and Bellevue High School, making Bellevue a hot spot for families. But that’s not all this Seattle suburb has to offer! You can earn your degree at local university Bellevue College, shop and dine in the expansive Bellevue Collection district, or find employment with companies like T-Mobile, Paccar, and Expedia.
Take a stroll through the 21-acre Bellevue Downtown Park while admiring the views of Mt. Rainer. Check out gardens like Fuchsia Garden or Urban Meadow, or see the Garden d’Lights holiday show at Bellevue Botanical Garden. Stop by the Bellevue Arts Museum to see great works of modern and classic art. Head to the Bellevue Collection—Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square, and Bellevue Place—to get in some retail therapy, watch a movie, or grab a bite to eat. Take the family to KidsQuest Children’s Museum, where kids can engage with interactive exhibits like the Art Studio, Bellevue Mercantile, and Atrium Climber. Stop by local favorite Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar for seafood like Fresh King Salmon, Mahi Mahil, or Chilean Sea Bass. Enjoy a date night in Seattle with delicious specialty steaks like the Delmonico, Bone-In New York Strip, or USDA Prime Chateaubriand at John Howie Steak. Pick up some grub at Mediterranean Kitchen, and be sure to try the Lamb Shawarma, Algerian Chicken, and Kafta Kabobs. Or order Thai Spring Rolls, Thai Passion Tofu, and Indian Butter Chicken at Asian restaurant Wild Ginger.
Photo via @alina_araujore
About half an hour north of Emerald City, Bothell is one of the best Seattle suburbs to live in! Not only does the city of Bothell offer lower housing costs and good safety ratings, but its continuous downtown development initiatives, growing job market, and University of Washington campus have made it a great spot for entrepreneurs, young professionals, and students alike! While Bothell offers a blend of urban-suburban living, it does have excellent outdoor recreation spots close by, too—North Creek Forest is a local favorite! And residents can stay busy with community events like the Summer Nights in Bothel or the Fourth of July Parade & Pancake Breakfast.
Pick up fresh produce and homemade goods at the Park Ridge Community Farmers Market from June to September. Learn more about the history of the Pacific Northwest and the town of Bothell at Bothell Historical Museum. Take paddle-surfing and kayaking lessons, rent your own boat, or explore the Sammamish River with WhatsSup. Play board and card games while enjoying craft brews on tap at Zulu’s Board Game Cafe. Grab breakfast with dishes like the California Benedict, Pulled Pork Breakfast Burrito, or Corned Beef Hash at Crystal Creek Cafe. Get some of the best Italian food in the Seattle area at Amaro Bistro, where you can order their in-house specialty Stone Hearth Pizza. Enjoy classic American eats like a Grilled New York Strip, Double Cut Pork Chop, or Pan Seared Chicken Breast at Russell’s. Or stop by Carolina Smoke BBQ for BBQ plates like a Pulled Pork Sandwich, Brisket by the Pound, or a 1/2 Rack Baby Back Ribs.
Photo via @weaverconstructionllc
If you want to live in a safe Seattle suburb with luxurious homes, Mercer Island has everything you’re looking for! Not only does its location on Lake Washington make this suburb an escape for those wanting to avoid the city, but its convenient access to I-90 also means commuting into Seattle and Bellevue is easy! Additionally, some of the best public and private schools in Seattle can be found on Mercer Island, including Lakeridge Elementary School, Northwest Yeshiva High School, and Mercer Island High School. And Mercer Island hosts many community get togethers throughout the year like Island Lanterns, Mostly Music in the Park, and Shakespeare in the Park.
Take in beautiful art from various cultures around the world at CLARKE & CLARKE Art + Artifacts. Observe gorgeous views of Lake Washington and enjoy waterside recreation like fishing, swimming, and boating at Luther Burbank Park. Find your next favorite book or participate in thought-provoking book clubs at Island Books. Experience some of the best restaurants in the Seattle area with the Taste of Mercer Island Food Tour. Grab a Ham & Swiss or Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Panini at Shawn’s Cafe and Bakery. Order savory pizzas like the Clam Bake, Quattro Formaggi, or Pepperoni Puntura at Mioposto Pizzerias. Sink your teeth into an Unbelievable Burger or Meatball Sub at Island Crust Cafe. Or sit down for dinner in the lively local Roanoke Inn, where you can order favorites like the Southwest Chicken Salad, Patty Melt, and Carne Asada Tacos.
Photo via @mh_seattle_realestate
Redmond is a no-brainer for those looking to break into the competitive Seattle job market! In addition to professional development offered at nearby Lake Washington Institute of Technology, some of the best tech job opportunities can be found within Redmond itself at companies like Terex, Nintendo, and the Microsoft Millennium Campus headquarters. This Seattle suburb also offers great shopping and dining at Redmond Town Center and expansive green spaces—47 parks and over 1,351 acres—like Sammamish Valley Park and Marymoor Park.
Test your inner secret agent by trying the Museum Heist and other escape room scenarios at Flee. Attend an outdoor concert, have a picnic, or take your furry friend to the off-leash dog park at Marymoor Park. Check out the Microsoft Visitor Center to learn about the history of one of the biggest tech companies in America, play a game of Minecraft, or attend a visual presentation for product demonstrations. Admire the river and Cascade foothills while biking down the Sammamish River Trail. Grab a Lox & Cream Cheese Breakfast Sandwich, Honey Cardamom Latte, or Vanilla Cream Cold Brew from Mercurys Coffee Co. Try delicious Italian dishes like the Chicken Caprese, Bolognese, or Riccota Gnocchi at Blu Sardinia. Pick up desserts like the Mini Mousse Cakes, Coffee Honey Cake, or Strawberry Mint Lemon Tartlet at La Cherie Bakery. Or stop over at Postdoc Brewing to try some delicious local brews like the Equifinality, Demon Star, and Spacewalk.
Photo via @pnwhomephotography
An ideal Seattle suburb for families, Sammamish features tree-lined streets, some of the best safety ratings in the metro, and great schools like Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, Creekside Elementary School, and Eastlake High School. But what really makes Sammamish stand out is the convenient access to Washington’s natural beauty and outdoor recreation. This Seattle suburb is bordered on the west by Lake Sammamish, and it’s home to Evans Creek Preserve, Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park, and several local parks! And less than 30 minutes east is Snoqualmie Valley, featuring the 270-foot Snoqualmie Falls and Snoqualmie Valley Trail.
Participate in public outreach projects like food drives and celebrate with monthly festivals at the Vedic Cultural Center. Take a hike through the 12 miles of scenic woodland trails at Soaring Eagle Regional Park. Laugh yourself to stitches during a Whimsical Wednesday comedy show and partake in various special events put on by the city. Challenge friends or family to tennis or pickleball or just enjoy a picnic at East Sammamish Park. Become a member at one of the best golf courses in Washington to gain access to fine dining and 27 holes of championship-grade green at Sahalee Country Club. Savor authentic Vietnamese dishes like the Steak or Chicken Pho and Lemongrass Pork Spring Rolls at Vinason Pho Kitchen. Stop by Tanoor for Dajaj Mishweh, Tanoor Lamb Chops, or Tanoor Ribeye Steak. Get sushi in Seattle at Big Fish Sushi, where you can try the Red Surf Clam or Black Lava Spider Roll. Or enjoy the Teriyaki Chicken Burger or Ale House Fish and Chips paired with seasonal beers like Finn River Honey Meadow or Old Stove Blonde at Pine Lake Ale House.
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Moving to the Seattle area? Extra Space Storage has storage facilities located throughout the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro to help make your move a little easier. Find a storage unit near you!
Suburb statistics from AreaVibes
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