Bellevue is the belle of the ball! The National Civic League gave Bellevue an All-America City Award in 2021, praising the city for its diversity, economic prosperity, and community spirit.
Another major factor in the high quality of life in Bellevue is Bellevue neighborhoods. You can find dozens of formal and informal neighborhoods all throughout the city, each with something to offer. Yet the diversity of Bellevue neighborhoods can make finding the right place to live a little tricky.
Try to look at a few different options, including choices for families, commuters, and couples, as well as suburbs in Bellevue. Here are some of the best neighborhoods in Bellevue.
Somerset | Hip Homes in One of the City’s Largest Asian Communities
- Population: 7,942
- Average rent: $2,610
- Median home price: $1,660,000
- Somerset crime: 816 offenses per 100,000 people (77% lower than the city average)
Somerset is in southern Bellevue, bordering the Coal Creek Natural Area and Eastgate Park. It’s a predominantly residential neighborhood with many winding streets, giving you plenty of options to buy a house. Most properties in Somerset are single-family units with luxurious features, like spa-style bathrooms, brick fireplaces, and custom-made atriums.
Somerset Elementary School is in the center of a cluster of streets in northern Somerset. US News and World Report ranks Somerset Elementary in the top 10 elementary schools in the state and as one of the best schools in Bellevue. More than 90% of students test at or above the proficiency levels in math and reading. 85.1% of students identify as a racial minority, with 72.5% identifying as Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander.
You can also send your children to Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart. Forest Ridge is an all-girls Catholic school with a student-to-teacher ratio of 7:1, giving students individualized attention and support.
Somerset is one of the best neighborhoods in Bellevue Washington for residents of Asian descent. 43% of residents identify as being Asian. Somerset is particularly popular amongst immigrants from China and India, and you can find Chinese and Indian grocery stores, community centers, and educational programs in and around the neighborhood.
Bridle Trails | Convenient Access to Transportation and Green Spaces
- Population: 10,908
- Average rent: $2,247
- Median home price: $1,757,000
- Bridle Trails crime: 1,879 offenses per 100,000 residents (48% lower than the city average)
Bridle Trails lies at the borders between Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond. Most addresses in southern Bridle Trails are in Bellevue, but some homes in the north may fall under the jurisdictions of Kirkland or Redmond. Look at the addresses while searching for homes, and make sure your property is in Bellevue. Bridle Trails is one of the best neighborhoods in Bellevue WA for commuters, as it also borders Interstate 405 and State Route 520. 405 provides direct access to Kirkland, while 520 provides direct access to Redmond and Seattle.
Bridle Trails is named after Bridle Trails State Park, which lies entirely inside the borders of the neighborhood. The park contains 28 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and dog walking. The neighborhood also contains Bellevue Golf Course, a casual 18-hole golf course with an on-site restaurant.
The large green spaces in Bridle Trails mean there is less room for residences. However, you still have plenty of options for luxurious homes. Many properties contain at least five bathrooms and bedrooms and cover more than 5,000 square feet. These properties cost over $4 million, but they contain unique features like temperature-controlled wine cellars and guest suites.
Lake Hills | One of the Best Bellevue Washington Neighborhoods for Young People and Churchgoers
- Population: 14,615
- Average rent: $2,217
- Median home price: $1,182,000
- Lake Hills crime: 2,889 offenses per 100,000 people (19% lower than the city average)
Lake Hills is just north of Interstate 90, which provides access to Sammamish and Seattle. The community is best known for being the home of Bellevue College. Bellevue College offers associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and certificate programs in a number of areas, including health sciences and business. Many people take programs at Bellevue and earn college credits at four-year schools in Washington.
Sammamish High School is in northern Lake Hills. US News and World Report ranks it in the top 25 high schools in Washington. The school has a graduation rate of 92%, and more than half of students pass at least one AP exam.
Lake Hills is home to a number of churches and religious institutions. The Seattle Washington Temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is in southern Lake Hills. You can also find St. Louise Catholic Church, Lake Hills Baptist Church, and Saint Andrew’s Lutheran Church.
Eastgate | One of the Best Neighborhoods in Bellevue WA for Hispanic Residents, Seniors, and Affordable Apartments
- Population: 6,798
- Average rent: $2,282
- Median home price: $1,850,000
- Eastgate crime: 3,111 crimes per 100,000 people (13% lower than the city average)
Eastgate is south of Interstate 90. The community is predominantly residential, though it has a few small stores, creating a quaint and quiet place to live. Eastgate is smaller than other Bellevue neighborhoods, so there are fewer Eastgate homes for sale than in other places. You can purchase large single-family homes for sale in Eastgate with five bathrooms and fully-furnished kitchens.
If you want to rent a home or Eastgate apartments, you have plenty of options. Several four and five-bedroom homes are available for rent for less than $4,000 a month. Many properties are pet-friendly and kid-friendly, and they contain great features like fully-fenced yards and covered patios. You can also find studio and one-bedroom Eastgate apartments in properties like Vasa Creek Woods Apartments, which caters to seniors, making Eastgate one of the best neighborhoods in Bellevue WA for older people.
13.6% of residents in Eastgate identify as being of Hispanic origin. You can find Spanish language immersion programs in schools like Monarca Spanish Academy, which serves Eastgate and Lake Hills residents.
Downtown Bellevue | Nice Bellevue Neighborhood for Shopping and Attractions
- Population: 8,906
- Average rent: $2,875
- Median home price: $962,500
- Downtown Bellevue crime: 8,858 offenses per 100,000 residents (147% higher than the city average)
Downtown Bellevue is the commercial and tourist hub of Bellevue. It contains the headquarters for numerous major companies, including Valve, Puget Sound Energy, and Symetra Financial. The neighborhood contains major shopping centers like Bellevue Square and The Bellevue Collection, which has over 200 stores and dozens of downtown Bellevue restaurants. Family-friendly attractions in the Bellevue downtown district include Bellevue KidsQuest Children’s Museum and Lucky Strike Bellevue.
Downtown Bellevue is a well-developed area, yet it contains several of the city’s best parks. Bellevue Downtown Park covers 21 acres and has a play area, community gardens, and a 240-foot-wide waterfall and reflecting pond. Meydenbauer Bay Park contains a beach, fishing dock, and picnic areas.
You can find apartments and condos throughout the area. Most condos contain one to three bedrooms and cover 1,000 to 2,000 square feet, making them good for singles and couples. You can purchase your condo for less than $1.5 million, and you can pay HOA fees to receive concierge, cleaning, and other services.
Though the overall crime rate in Downtown Bellevue is higher than the city average, there are many safe places to live and spend time in the neighborhood. The overwhelming majority of offenses are non-violent property offenses that affect businesses, not residents, shoppers, or visitors.
Wilburton | Family-Friendly Bellevue Neighborhood With Good Schools and Gardens
- Population: 3,756
- Average rent: $2,707
- Median home price: $927,500
- Wilburton crime: 2,077 offenses per 100,000 people (42% lower than the city average)
Wilburton is just east of Downtown Bellevue, on the other side of Interstate 405. If you want the amenities of the downtown district with safer and quieter streets, Wilburton is a terrific alternative. Wilburton is larger than the downtown area and has large green spaces like Glendale Country Club and Kelsey Creek Park, giving a quaint aesthetic.
US News and World Report ranks International School in Wilburton in the top 100 high schools in the country. The school has a seven-year curriculum with various core subjects, including French-language classes and international studies. Students participate in focus weeks where they pursue projects outside the formal classroom structure, traveling abroad or finishing creative works. Each senior must complete a senior project with a research paper and an activity that involves the local community.
Factoria | One of the Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Bellevue Near Trendy Stores
- Population: 2,783
- Average rent: $2,610
- Median home price: $494,000
- Factoria crime: 11,204 offenses per 100,000 residents (212% higher than the city average)
Factoria is the best neighborhood in terms of the Bellevue cost of living, especially if you’re looking to buy a house or condo. Several condos are available between $300,000 and $400,000, though they cover less than 1,000 square feet, making them good for single professionals. Most condos are fully furnished with laundry hookups and central heating.
The neighborhood is also a terrific choice for shoppers and people looking for work. The Marketplace at Factoria is the leading Factoria mall with dozens of stories and restaurants, including Target and TJ Maxx. You can also shop at Jing Jing Asian Market, one of the largest Asian markets in the city. Newport Corporate Center covers nearly one million square feet and is home to numerous companies.
The high crime rate in Factoria is due to non-violent property offenses. The violent crime rate is 17% lower than the state average and 37% lower than the national average.
Newport Shores | Wealthy and Luxurious Neighborhood in Bellevue Perfect for Retirees
- Population: 1,796
- Average rent: $2,610
- Median home price: $2,000,000
- Newport Shores crime: 4,153 offenses per 100,000 people (16% higher than the city average)
Newport Shores is one of the most prosperous communities in Bellevue. The median household income is $173,300, more than $70,000 more than the city average. This makes the cost of living in Newport Shores very high; nearly all homes for sale cost at least $2.5 million. But the area has amenities and luxuries you cannot find anywhere else. Newport Shores borders Lake Washington, and you can find waterfront properties with docks for yachts and boats. The community also has several canals, making boating and swimming easy.
Even if you’re not directly on the water, you can enjoy incredible views of the lake and sunset. Newport Yacht Club is one of the leading boating clubs in the city. The club’s marina contains more than 100 slips, all equipped with 30-amp power. The club has a 1,700-square-foot banquet space members can rent for special events as well as three regulation-size tennis courts.
The neighborhood is a great choice for older adults and retirees. Roughly 36.3% of residents are 55 years of age or older, while only 18.2% of residents are children.
Bellevue Neighborhoods Map
You can take a look at the best places to live in Bellevue WA using this map!
Move to the Best Bellevue WA Neighborhoods
Each neighborhood in Bellevue has something to offer! You can find incredible homes in Newport Shores, enjoy exhilarating attractions in Downtown Bellevue and Factoria, and send your kids to great schools in Somerset.
Living in Bellevue neighborhoods can change your life, but you must figure out moving to the city first. All Ready Moving has a team of more than 20 background-checked and trained Bellevue movers. Get a free Bellevue moving quote by calling 360-507-2447.
