Most people don’t think about securing their identity when they’re moving. Surprisingly, more than 12…
When most people think of Bellevue, they tend to think of it as nothing more than a suburb of Seattle. But, while Bellevue is a part of the Seattle metropolitan area, it’s a vibrant town in and of its own right, and an attractive place to people from all walks of life. If you’ve been considering moving to Bellevue, you’re probably eager to learn a little bit more about it. Read on to discover 10 things to know about living in Bellevue, WA.
20 Things To Know About Living in Bellevue, WA
Living in Bellevue is a great option if you want to be near the center of what’s happening and also not far from beautiful nature scenes.
1. Bellevue is Consistently Voted as One of the Best Places to Live
For years now, Bellevue has shown up near the top of list after list of great places to live. Starting in 2008, CNN Money named Bellevue as the top city for living and starting a new business. In 2010, Bellevue was named the 4th best city to live in America, and in 2014 USA Today named it as the 2nd best place in the country. In short, Bellevue is recognized nationwide as a great place to live.
2. Bellevue Has a Very Mild Climate
When people think of Seattle, they think of rain. In reality, though, the Northwest climate really isn’t as wet as you might think. Bellevue averages 42 inches of rain to the rest of the USA’s 38 inches – not much of a difference. In contrast, Bellevue only averages 5 inches of snow, which is much lower than the national average. In addition, the average July temperature is a very pleasant 75, and in January the temperature rarely stays below freezing.
3. Bellevue is a Major Tech Hub
In recent years, Bellevue has become a major center for tech companies. Expedia, T-Mobile, Microsoft, and Nintendo all have a large presence in Bellevue, with more coming in every year. In fact, over 145 companies are based right out of this city. Even non-tech firms are starting to take notice. All of these companies mean there’s plenty of jobs to be had.
4. Bellevue is an Expensive Place to Live – but the Housing Market is Still on Fire
All the economic growth does mean that housing and living are at a premium here. With so many people moving here to live and work, it’s not hard to understand why houses and apartments in Bellevue are quite a bit higher than the national average. In fact, they’re a bit higher here than in the rest of the Seattle area as a whole. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t move here; it just means you need to do your research before you move, so you can make sure you’re living someplace you can afford.
5. Bellevue Has Great Schools
The Bellevue School District frequently is ranked among the top 100 districts in the nation. In addition, a comprehensive Spanish-language immersion program, a focus on advanced placement courses, a dual-language elementary school that teaches in both English and Mandarin, and a widely diverse student population mean that your kids are practically guaranteed the opportunity to receive a first-class education.
6. Bellevue is Great for A Lover of the Outdoors
One of Bellevue’s nicknames is “The City in a Park.” This is because Bellevue has an enormous park system that provides you with countless places to visit and spend time in the great outdoors. In addition, Bellevue prides itself on the amount of outdoor recreational opportunities it offers. From miles and miles of hiking trails to biking and local camping spots, if you love to spend time outdoors, Bellevue is the place to be. Bellevue also has plenty of outdoor festivals and celebrations to keep you occupied all year long.
Related Article: Bellevue Parks
7. Bellevue Is All About Water
The outdoor life in Bellevue is so great we had to talk about it twice. Situated on Lake Washington, Bellevue has plenty of water-related activities as well. Plenty of public beaches and water access give you opportunities for swimming, kayaking, boating, and skiing. And, if you like something different, the ocean is only a few hours away.
8. Bellevue Has Plenty To Do Inside
If staying inside is more your thing, Bellevue has something for everyone. Theaters, dance, museums, and even an award-winning library system provide plenty of recreation for the more cultural and cerebral-minded. Bellevue even has great indoor stuff for the kids, like the Kid’s Quest Children’s Museum!
Related Article: Bellevue Attractions
9. Bellevue Offer World-Class Shopping
For those who have money to spend, Bellevue is a shopping destination unlike no other. Three major shopping areas boast hundreds of stores, specialty shops, ethnic food, novelty items, and high-end fashion, which means that there’s always someplace new to go and something new to discover.
10. Bellevue is Close to Seattle
Bellevue is technically part of the Seattle Metropolitan Area, and Seattle is basically just a short hop away. However, with everything we’ve already listed and more, Bellevue has so much on its own that you may not even need to cross Lake Washington to enjoy living in the area.
11. High Quality Restaurants
Discovering a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant is thrilling, but there are numerous fun restaurants in Bellevue that also boast the best cuisine money can buy.
One such example is the Sugar Factory, which has gained a lot of popularity due to celebrity influencers making appearances there. The Sugar Factory is a chain, with other locations in Vegas, Orlando, Chicago, and more.
If you’ve never seen the kinds of wild creations on their menu, your mind may be a little blown. Where else can you feast upon chicken and waffles and then wash it down with a cheeseburger bacon milkshake? Such high-calorie escapades are just a typical Tuesday at the Sugar Factory.
12. Beautiful Neighborhoods
West Bellevue, Bel-Red, Factoria… What do these all have in common? They’re home to some absolutely stunning Bellevue Washington houses.
While Bellevue itself is a metropolitan area, it’s still quite possible to find peace within the city. With countless distinct neighborhoods in Bellevue, you’re sure to find one that’s fit to call “home!”
One of our personal favorites is Eastgate, although that may just be due to the fact it’s home to On the Go Moving & Storage’s Bellevue location!
13. Snowflake Lane
Any big fans of the Christmas season out there?
Each winter, the Belle Square Mall hosts Snowflake Lane, which is a massive scale celebration of winter and the Christmas season. With a festive parade and all kinds of seasonal favorites, it’s a popular community event that everybody in the greater Bellevue area eagerly awaits each year.
If you’ve been searching for things to do near Bellevue WA, this is one that you’ll definitely want to slap on your calendar for December.
14. Easy Pipeline to Eastern Washington
As peaceful as Bellevue can be in certain pockets, there are probably going to be times that you just want to get out of the Bellevue city limits.
In that case, you’ll be pleased to know that heading east of the mountains is as easy as 1, 2, 3! (And also hopping on I-90, which Bellevue provides easy access to).
Heading over to Eastern Washington gives you access to the beauty of Wenatchee, Snoqualmie Pass, and so many more places that can give you a change of pace when you need it.
15. Gradually Rising Population
While most areas have seen a substantial increase in population density seemingly overnight, the population of Bellevue has grown at a sustainable pace over the past 10 years.
This allows the city infrastructure to have time to catch up with the increase in population, and ensure that everybody has access to housing and amenities without serious congestion problems like in Seattle.
16. Low Snowfall
I guess this one could be a pro or a con depending on how you feel about snowy seasons. With a moderate climate, Bellevue gets less than 20% of the national average of snowfall each year, at just about 5.1 inches.
Bellevue Washington weather averages out to be some of the most moderate you can find in the Pacific Northwest. If you’re skittish about driving around in the snow, you won’t have to worry about that much while living in Bellevue WA.
17. Constantly Evolving
Due to some highly efficient city planning, Bellevue is always growing and changing. You may know all the best Bellevue locations today, but there will always be more places to visit near Bellevue and within the city itself.
18. Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar
Perhaps I’m a little biased, but I just had to throw this into our blog article. The Seastar is one of my personal favorite restaurants. There is no lack of good places to eat in Bellevue, but you’ve absolutely got to make time to pay them a visit!
Be sure to check out their Surf & Turf box, if you’re looking for the best of both worlds.
19. Local Celebrities
It just so happens that the greater Seattle area is home to Bellevue celebrities of all walks of life. Of course, Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos famously started out in Bellevue, among many other highly successful individuals.
If catching a local sighting is your cup of tea, you may just get your wish in Bellevue.
20. Pace of the City
Bellevue has a distinct beat to it when you spend time downtown. There’s a perfect balance of hustle and bustle along with plenty of opportunities to post up and relax for a while.
For all of you on the move Bellevue goers, there is plenty of activity to keep you captivated.
A Local Business For Your Moving Needs
Founded in Bellevue in 2006, On the Go Moving provides professional and competitively priced moving services for individuals, families, businesses, moving apartments in Bellevue, and more. If you are moving to or near Bellevue, let our experienced team take the stress of moving off of your shoulders. Contact On The Go Moving and Storage today.
