Waterfront & Views
Compare Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish communities based on shoreline access, sun exposure, boating, parks, and elevated water or mountain views.
Discover the communities, lifestyles, and real estate opportunities that shape Greater Seattle—from Lake Washington waterfront living to walkable urban centers and wooded Eastside retreats.
Explore Greater Seattle
Greater Seattle offers a remarkable variety of places to call home. Some buyers are drawn to the energy and convenience of Bellevue or Downtown Seattle. Others prioritize Lake Washington waterfront, established Eastside neighborhoods, wooded properties, or easy access to trails and open space.
This guide brings together Cindy Kelly & Associates’ primary service areas so you can explore each community’s setting, housing styles, daily conveniences, and connection to the wider region.
Use the neighborhood guides below as a starting point, then compare current homes and local market opportunities with a search tailored to your priorities.
Explore communities shaped by Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, private docks, shoreline parks, and elevated water or mountain views.
Compare walkable city centers, condominium living, major employment hubs, restaurants, shopping, and regional transportation.
Discover established neighborhoods near wooded trails, parks, mountains, wineries, and some of the Eastside’s most scenic outdoor destinations.
As the third largest city in the Seattle metropolitan area, Bellevue is the high-tech and retail center of the Eastside.
Read MoreDiscover Why Medina Is One of the Most Desirable Places to Live
Read MoreHome to a beautiful blend of outdoor recreation, art, boutique shopping, and more.
Read MoreLocated on a plateau, it is bordered by Lake Sammamish to the west and the Snoqualmie Valley to the east.
Read MoreHome to some of the nation's top tech companies, downtown Seattle is a mix of old and new -ever evolving.
Read MoreAlso known as a center for technology and is home to a number of nationally known high-tech and biomedical companies.
Read MoreKnown for their beautiful river valley, a small town feel, and an expanding community of wineries and craft breweries.
Read MoreJust 16 miles east of Seattle, it is a destination for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and paragliders.
Read MoreWith its charming Main Street, riverfront trails, and great commuting links, Bothell is the perfect blend of small to...
Read MoreBest known as the home of Snoqualmie Falls and Mount Si, you'll find boundless recreational opportunities.
Read MoreLocated in the southern portion of Lake Washington, Mercer Island is a tight-knit community with both waterfront prop...
Read MoreCompare Communities
Each community offers a different combination of housing, transportation, outdoor access, and everyday convenience. Use this comparison to narrow your search before exploring the detailed neighborhood guides.
Community | Living Experience | Common Property Types | Explore |
|---|---|---|---|
Bellevue | Urban Eastside living with employment access, shopping, dining, parks, and regional transportation. | Condos, luxury homes, single-family homes, and limited waterfront properties. | |
Medina | A quiet residential setting near Bellevue with privacy, mature landscaping, and Lake Washington access. | Luxury estates, waterfront homes, and single-family residences. | |
Kirkland | Walkable waterfront living with restaurants, parks, marinas, and established neighborhoods. | Condos, townhomes, view homes, waterfront homes, and single-family residences. | |
Sammamish | Lake-oriented residential living with parks, trails, and access to the Snoqualmie Valley. | Single-family homes, luxury properties, and waterfront homes. | |
Downtown Seattle | Dense urban living close to employment, entertainment, dining, arts, and transportation. | High-rise condos, lofts, and luxury residences. | |
Redmond | Technology employment, light rail, a growing downtown, parks, and an extensive trail network. | Condos, townhomes, new construction, and single-family homes. | |
Woodinville | Wine country, wooded surroundings, river-valley scenery, and more space outside the urban core. | Acreage, equestrian properties, luxury homes, and private retreats. | |
Issaquah | Mountain access, trails, established neighborhoods, and connections to Bellevue and Seattle. | Townhomes, planned communities, condos, and single-family homes. | |
Bothell | Main Street character, riverfront trails, and connections to Eastside and North Seattle employment centers. | Townhomes, newer construction, condos, and established single-family homes. | |
Snoqualmie | Mountain scenery, outdoor recreation, newer neighborhoods, and access to the Snoqualmie Valley. | Newer single-family homes, view properties, townhomes, and land. | |
Mercer Island | Island living between Seattle and Bellevue with waterfront access, parks, and regional transportation. | Waterfront estates, luxury homes, mid-century residences, and condos. |
Choose By Lifestyle
The right location depends on how you want to live day to day—not simply how a home looks online.
Compare Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish communities based on shoreline access, sun exposure, boating, parks, and elevated water or mountain views.
Explore communities where condominiums, restaurants, shopping, parks, employment centers, and everyday services are concentrated nearby.
Look beyond the urban core for larger properties, established landscaping, quieter streets, acreage, and wooded surroundings.
Consider proximity to light rail, regional bus service, I-90, SR 520, I-405, and the employment centers you travel to most often.
Explore custom estates, contemporary residences, historic homes, Northwest architecture, and distinctive mid-century properties.
Compare access to wooded trails, lakes, mountains, parks, river corridors, and year-round recreation across the Eastside.
Begin Your Home Search
Once you have narrowed your preferred communities, compare current homes by location, property type, views, waterfront access, and lifestyle.
Helpful Eastside Guides
Explore local market, lifestyle, transportation, and waterfront considerations before narrowing your search.
Waterfront Buying Guide
Learn how inventory, competition, weather, and buyer priorities can influence a Greater Seattle waterfront search.
Read the GuideEastside Transportation
Compare Eastside communities based on regional access, employment centers, and common transportation routes.
Read the GuideEastside Home Comparison
See how location, lot size, housing style, views, and amenities can differ across Eastside markets.
Read the GuideNeighborhood FAQ
The Eastside generally includes communities east of Lake Washington, such as Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Medina, Sammamish, Woodinville, Issaquah, Bothell, and nearby cities. Mercer Island sits within Lake Washington and provides direct connections to both Seattle and Bellevue.
Waterfront opportunities can be found in Kirkland, Medina, Mercer Island, Bellevue, Sammamish, and other communities near Lake Washington or Lake Sammamish. Inventory, shoreline conditions, docks, views, and access vary by individual property.
Bellevue offers a larger urban center with major employment, shopping, high-rise residences, and regional transportation. Kirkland provides a more waterfront-oriented setting with marinas, shoreline parks, restaurants, and an established walkable downtown.
Direct light rail service is available in Downtown Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue, and Redmond. Buyers should confirm current station access, schedules, parking, and connections based on the specific neighborhood they are considering.
Woodinville, Sammamish, Issaquah, Snoqualmie, and portions of Bothell may offer more opportunities for wooded surroundings, larger properties, or additional outdoor space. Lot sizes and development patterns vary within each community.
Mercer Island is positioned between Seattle and Bellevue with access through I-90 and the regional transit system. Actual travel convenience depends on the property’s location, traffic conditions, schedule, and destination.
Start with the factors that affect your daily routine: preferred property type, budget, transportation, waterfront or view priorities, outdoor space, walkability, and proximity to the places you visit most often. Touring several neighborhoods at different times can provide a clearer comparison.
Cindy Kelly and Associates pride ourselves on delivering concierge level service with impressive results for our clients. Whether you are buying, selling or investing, we are committed to a seamless process from list to close; because your success is our success!
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