Bellevue, Washington
What It Is Like to Retire in Bellevue
Bellevue is a growing and prosperous city of 151,854, people (2020 census) across Lake Washington from Seattle. It is the second largest city center in Washington, often characterized as an "edge-city" to Seattle. The city's long-term development plans include the Bel-Red Corridor Project, a large-scale planning effort to encourage the redevelopment Bellevue's northern portion. Bellevue has many different neighborhoods and communities within it, such as Bridle Trails. The city abuts Redmond, home to Microsoft. There are two colleges in town - Bellevue College and City College. Photo of Bellevue Downtown Park courtesy of Wikipedia and Spicypeper999, Licensed under CC0
Where to Retire in Bellevue and Home Prices
There are active communities in the area. The National Association of Realtors reported the median home sale price was $699,300, during the 1st quarter of 2023 in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area.
What Is Special about Bellevue
Bellevue is fast growing suburb of Seattle and home to many technology companies, but the city's development has allowed for many parks and open spaces, beach parks and trails. In 2021, Bellevue won the All-American City Award by the National Civic League, and was once ranked as the 4th best place to live in America by CNN (2010).
What Is Not Special about Bellevue
Housing is expensive, cost of living is high.
Who Will Like Retirement in Bellevue
Retirees who want to live in a college town with a good transit system. Shoppers would enjoy Bellevue as it has the largest shopping centers in the region. It is also considered a very safe city.
Local Economy Is Driven by
Technology, commercial development
Climate and Physical Environment
The city lies between Lake Washington to the west and the smaller Lake Sammamish to the east. The city's name is French for "beautiful view". Under favorable weather conditions, scenic vistas of the Olympic Mountains and Cascade Mountains can be viewed from hilltops within the city. Bellevue's average July high is 75 degrees, average January low is 35 degrees.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Bellevue is the site of the popular annual Bellevue Arts and Crafts Fair, the Bellevue Arts Museum, and a biennial Sculpture Exhibition.
Crime
Crime is below the U.S. average and low for a city of this size.
Medical facilities
Overlake Hospital Medical Center
Transportation
Sound Transit is the regional transit system. A light rail system is planned to run from Bellevue, Seattle, and Redmond. Bellevue is about average in walkability when compared to other cities.
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