Bellevue's Neighborhoods
Bellevue is a community of diverse and vibrant neighborhoods. The city has 16 neighborhood areas, each with unique neighborhood character and identity. Bellevue’s neighborhoods are home to a diverse community of neighbors with connections to schools, stores, parks, trails and the natural environment. Find out which neighborhood you live in by viewing the Neighborhood Area Map.
1. Bel-Red
BelRed is being transformed from a light industrial area into a collection of mixed-use, transit-oriented neighborhoods. The transformation will include the addition of three Sound Transit light rail stations, new arterial street improvements, pedestrian and bike facilities, an arts district, parks and open spaces, and the daylighting of Kelsey and Goff creeks. Between downtown and Redmond's Overlake neighborhood, this neighborhood provides convenient access to the entire region.
BelRed is already known for Overlake Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, as well as numerous small businesses that provide essential home supplies and specialty services. Within BelRed is the hidden treasure of Highland Community Center, with its “log cabin” building and rustic charm. Highland Park is also home to Bellevue’s indoor and outdoor skate parks.
The Spring District is bringing new residential and office space, as well as a new brewpub. BelRed is home to the campus of the Global Innovation Exchange (GIX), a partnership between the University of Washington and Tsinghua University, with foundational support from Microsoft.
2. Bridle Trails
As the name implies, Bridle Trails is Bellevue's equestrian neighborhood area, with acres of residential property devoted to pastures and trails for horses. Although many Bridle Trails residents aren't part of the equestrian culture, most enjoy the vast green spaces and peaceful ambience found here.
Bridle Trails is heavily wooded, with an extensive trail system and a predominance of large single-family lots. Nearly two-thirds of the area is covered with second-growth timber and residents have accepted extra regulation to protect trees on public and private property. Local residents also have taken the initiative to preserve Bridle Trails State Park, a 482-acre preserve with 28 miles of equestrian and pedestrian trails.
While most of Bridle Trails has a quiet, semi-rural appearance, with horses grazing in lush green meadows, the area includes multifamily communities of apartments and condominiums along 148th Avenue Northeast, across from Microsoft’s main campus.
3. Cougar Mountain/Lakemont
A mix of single-family and multi-family homes rise up the slopes of Cougar Mountain in this scenic neighborhood area that includes natural, untamed stretches of countryside. While cougars are rare, it isn’t unusual for residents to spot raccoons, deer, birds, bobcats and even bear strolling through the area. A pedestrian trail network provides an oasis of natural beauty for all to enjoy, linking homes to neighborhood parks, neighborhoods to each other and to Lewis Creek and Cougar Mountain parks, as well as the neighborhood shopping center at Lakemont.
Steep grades, upscale developments with large newer homes and spectacular views are characteristic of Cougar Mountain/Lakemont. The area is home to a large number of planned neighborhood communities, including the Summit, Forest Ridge, Vuemont and Cougar Mountain/Lakemont developments. Cougar Mountain also provides a great place for uphill biking climbs. About half of this area is in the Bellevue School District; students in the other half attend schools in the Issaquah and Renton districts.
4. Crossroads
In many ways, Crossroads area is the heart of Bellevue. It’s the focal point for entertainment, cultural exchange, shopping and community services for area residents. Bustling, densely populated and richly diverse, Crossroads is characterized by an abundance of large apartment complexes, established single-family neighborhoods and restaurant and retail establishments.
Crossroads Shopping Center, at Northeast Eighth Street and 156th Avenue Northeast, is kind of in the heart of the heart of Bellevue - a hub of activity that features regular stage entertainment and special events, a seasonal farmer’s market, a popular ethnic food court. There's even an activity area where residents play chess and other games.
The city operates three major facilities to address the needs and interests of Bellevue residents: Mini City Hall, offering information and referral services in many languages; the Crossroads Community Center; and the Crossroads Police substation. The Bellevue Youth Theatre hosts year-round productions, including theater in-the-round and outdoor amphitheater shows. Crossroads Park features a skate bowl, a nine-hole golf course and a water spray area for children. Many community nonprofits and state agencies have offices in Crossroads.
5. Downtown
Downtown Bellevue is the primary economic and employment center for the city and the region – and has become Bellevue’s fastest-growing residential neighborhood. Downtown sets a high bar for urban living, including upscale retail and a wide variety of dining and entertainment options. Downtown is now home to an intergenerational community, all enjoying the walkability, safety and energy of living in the heart of Bellevue’s city life.
Downtown Park with Inspiration Playground, the new Meydenbauer Bay Park on the shores of Lake Washington and KidsQuest Children's Museum next to the Bellevue Library are all within walking distance. Something fabulous is always close by. It could be a new exhibit at the Bellevue Arts Museum, a show during summer's Jazz Festival, the cutting-edge Bellwether arts experience, the Wintergrass music festival in January or some winter family fun at Snowflake Lane. Old Bellevue on Main, the Bellevue Collection, the Bravern or any of the specialty stores and restaurants downtown provide opportunities to discover something new year-round. Downtown is also home to the Meydenbauer Convention Center and City Hall.
6. Eastgate and Factoria
The Eastgate and Factoria neighborhood areas are located along Interstate 90 and its intersection with I-405, providing a mix of commercial office space and retail, multifamily communities and established single-family neighborhoods. The Marketplace at Factoria provides an assortment of retail services, a movie theater and a number of local restaurants to enjoy. The Eastgate Park and Ride transportation hub provides commuters with easy access throughout the region.
The neighborhoods are rich with diversity and culture from all over the world and desired by young families and adults seeking to access Bellevue’s top-rated schools. Neighborhood schools include Eastgate Elementary School, Puesta Del Sol Elementary School (offering Spanish immersion), Tyee Middle School and the award-winning Newport High School. In addition, Bellevue College is located nearby, offering a range of opportunities for associate and bachelor's degrees, and for continuing education.
For recreational opportunities, the South Bellevue Community Center provides a climbing wall, basketball courts, a fitness center and an assortment of camps and classes for children and adults. It also is the location of Bellevue’s zip line. Nearby, the Mountains to Sound Greenway provides bicyclists with a trail system connecting to Seattle and the Cascades.
7. Lake Hills
Originally developed in the late 1950s as a planned community with the Lake Hills Shopping Center at its core, the area retains much of its original single-family charm and community connections. Lake Hills is Bellevue’s most populous residential neighborhood area, including a number of smaller neighborhoods and multifamily communities. Lake Hills has two recently redeveloped shopping centers, Lake Hills Village and Kelsey Creek Center. It is also home to the growing campus of Bellevue College.
The richness of the community lies in its extensive system of open space, trails and wetlands. The Lake Hills greenbelt is a wetland corridor which connects Phantom Lake on the south with Larsen Lake and its surrounding blueberry fields on the north. It encompasses more than 172 acres of woods and wetlands, home to coyotes, muskrats and an array of songbirds. Robinswood Community Park is a community gathering space with its indoor tennis center, lighted athletic fields and off-leash area for dogs.
8. Newport
The Newport area includes four distinct communities all known for their strong sense of neighborhood identity; the Newport Hills and Lake Heights neighborhoods east of I-405, Greenwich Crest uphill to the west of I-405, Lake Lanes nestled along Lake Washington and the Newport Shores district, which is built around a series of man-made inlets. Newport Shores and Lake Lanes are neighborhoods built with homes oriented toward the waterfront, boating and lake activities. The Lake Heights and Newport Hills neighborhoods are cohesive communities with strong neighborhood traditions and activities. Greenwich Crest is a hidden gem of a neighborhood with beautiful views.
Once a secluded area of woods and wetlands, Newport provides a home or migratory corridor for an abundance of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, mountain beavers, raccoons, squirrels, redtail hawks and eagles. The 146-acre Coal Creek Natural Area provides a natural wilderness buffer for the residential community and great walking trails to explore.
9. Northeast Bellevue
Stretching from Lake Sammamish to the Microsoft campus in Redmond, Northeast Bellevue is a tapestry of neighborhoods, parks and schools. Most of the neighborhoods in the western portion of Northeast Bellevue were built in the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, reflecting a woodsy character in subdivision names such as Sherwood Forest, Lakewood Park, Bretton Wood, Tam O’ Shanter and Ardmore. Northeast Bellevue is home to three elementary schools: Ardmore Elementary, Sherwood Forest Elementary and Bennett Elementary, as well as Interlake High School.
The southeastern portion of the area features two miles of frontage along Lake Sammamish, with large homes hugging the lakeside and other homes nestled in the heights above the lake, where they enjoy scenic views of lake and mountains beyond. Some of the subdivisions include private recreational facilities such as tennis courts, golf course and swim clubs. The northern, triangular portion of this neighborhood juts into Redmond. Many residents are employed by Microsoft and other high-tech companies.
The future of Northeast Bellevue will be served by easy access to the Redmond light rail station at the Microsoft campus. It will also provide close proximity to the Overlake Village, a major new urban center on the Bellevue/Redmond border.
10. Northwest Bellevue
Northwest Bellevue maintains a diversity of neighborhood charm, with distinct neighborhood communities, ranch estates, single-family ramblers, extensive remodels and larger newly built residential homes. Northwest Bellevue includes some of the city's oldest neighborhoods, including Meydenbauer Bay, Vuecrest, Diamond S Ranch, Bellewood Farms, Apple Valley and Northtowne. Located adjacent to downtown, residents have easy access to the downtown amenities, as well as freeway access to I-405 and 520.
Visitors from the entire region enjoy Meydenbauer Beach Park, including waterfront activities and beach access to Lake Washington. Bellevue’s Farmer’s Market is located at Bellevue First Presbyterian Church from May through November, and there is a wide range of programs offered at The Northwest Arts Center. Hidden Valley Park provides athletic fields and activities with Bellevue’s Boys and Girls Club.
Students within Northwest Bellevue attend Bellevue School District elementary and middle schools within the city limits of Clyde Hill and Medina. High school students attend Bellevue High.
11. Somerset
Residents say that Somerset is what the founders of Bellevue – French for "beautiful view" – had in mind when they named the city. The hill called Somerset, which rises about 1,000 feet, is a favorite spot to gaze across Lake Washington to the Olympic Mountains. The beautiful view today includes Somerset's vantage point from which to watch the Blue Angels during Seafair, enjoy Fourth of July and New Year's Eve fireworks, or to take in panoramic views of Bellevue and Seattle.
Somerset is home to one of Bellevue’s most cohesive neighborhood associations. Somerset has many neighborhoods, including Somerset, Forest Hill, Eaglesmere, Westwood Highlands, Forest Park, Forest Park Meadow, Forest Glen and the Woods. Due to its proximity to I-90 and I-405, Somerset provides quick and easy access to employment, entertainment, shopping and recreation. Somerset also benefits from a network of trails and proximity to the Coal Creek Natural Area and Cougar Mountain trail system.
Somerset is home to the premier Somerset Elementary School, with students also attending Tyee Middle School and Newport High School.
12. West Bellevue
Located south of Downtown Bellevue, west of I-405 and north or I-90, West Bellevue is home to some of Bellevue’s most established and historic neighborhoods. Bordering on Lake Washington and the Mercer Slough, the neighborhoods are nestled in the wooded beauty of Bellevue’s natural environment. Neighborhoods of Enatai, Bellecrest, Surrey Downs, Killarney Circle and Meydenbauer Point all provide strong neighborhood associations that work to build community and preserve their distinct neighborhood character.
Residents and visitors enjoy the waterfront at Chism Beach, Chesterfield Beach and Enatai Beach, as well as Sweylocken boat launch, providing a place for kayaking and canoeing. The historic Winter’s House provides a glimpse into Bellevue’s past, and trails for birdwatching through the Mercer Slough.
West Bellevue will be served by the South Bellevue light rail station and South Bellevue Park & Ride, providing easy access to Seattle and downtown Bellevue. With close proximity to the Mountains to Sound Greenway, bicyclists enjoy a short trip to Seattle or east to Issaquah.
13. West Lake Sammamish
The West Lake Sammamish area is oriented toward the waterfront of Lake Sammamish and Phantom Lake. Including the neighborhoods of Spiritridge, Phantom Lake, Sammamish Heights, Rosemont Beach, Lake Manor and West Lake Sammamish, residents and visitors enjoy a variety of shoreline activities and mountain views, bike and walking trails, and the beauty of the trails within Weowna Park. Home to the Little Store, one of the oldest independent grocery stores, West Lake Sammamish retains much of its small-town neighborhood charm.
West Lake Sammamish is known for its original waterfront vacation homes, as well as the newer neighborhoods along the slopes of the hillside or at the waterfront, with panoramic views to the Cascade Mountains.
14. Wilburton
Bellevue’s historic Wilburton neighborhood is an enclave of single-family and multifamily housing known for its rich history and its parks and wooded areas. with close proximity to downtown Bellevue, Wilburton is also surrounded by major parks, including the acclaimed Bellevue Botanical Garden and the 160-acre Kelsey Creek Park. Wilburton provides a strong community and a place to call home near the heart of Bellevue, but with the quiet of a residential neighborhood.
The Wilburton neighborhood area reflects Bellevue’s past and its future. With the historic Wilburton Trestle on the south, it promises to be a key landmark for the development of the north-south EasTrail walking and biking corridor. Wilburton’s business district will provide the destination for the Grand Connection linking to the pedestrian corridor across I-405, through downtown to Meydenbauer Bay. The Wilburton light rail station on Northeast Eighth Street will provide easy access around the region.
15. Woodridge
Woodridge is characterized by quiet streets and family homes – many with views of Lake Washington, downtown Bellevue and Seattle. Much of the community’s daily life revolves around Woodridge Elementary School, at the top of the hill. Both Woodridge and Norwood Village developed their own community swimming pools, which still attract families to the neighborhood.
Local architects designed Norwood housing to take advantage of outstanding views. By varying home design and creatively placing homes on lots to maximize views, developers managed to avoid the uniform look of tract housing – and the project was praised in a 1952 issue of Better Homes & Gardens magazine.
Woodridge has easy access both to downtown Bellevue and Factoria Marketplace, as well as to I-405 and I-90. The future of Woodridge will be served by King County’s development of the EasTrail corridor, providing pedestrians and bicyclists easy access to downtown and throughout Bellevue.
