Bellevue

Thinking about moving to Bellevue, WA?

Bellevue sits between Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish, just across the I-90 and SR 520 bridges from Seattle. It has a high-rise downtown with condos, shopping and offices, surrounded by established neighborhoods of single-family homes, parks and greenbelts. Since March 2026, Sound Transit's 2 Line light rail also runs across Lake Washington between Bellevue and Seattle.

In this guide, I'll walk you through homes, neighborhoods, parks, commute options and what to know before you buy.

Quick facts about Bellevue
- County: King County
- Location: Between Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish, east of Seattle
- Median sale price: about $1.9 million for single-family homes and about $600,000 for condos (source: NWMLS, September, 2026)
- Main roads: I-405, I-90, SR 520
- Transit: Sound Transit 2 Line light rail to Seattle and Redmond; Bellevue Transit Center

What kinds of homes are in Bellevue?
- High-rise and mid-rise condos in downtown Bellevue and near light rail stations
- Townhomes in and around Crossroads and the Spring District
- Mid-century ramblers and split-levels in established neighborhoods like Lake Hills
- Larger single-family homes, many with territorial or lake views, in areas like Somerset and Newport Hills
- Homes on larger lots, including equestrian properties, in Bridle Trails

What are some of Bellevue's neighborhoods?
- Somerset: A hillside neighborhood in south Bellevue, many homes with views of Lake Washington, the Seattle skyline and Mount Rainier. Close to I-90 and the Factoria shopping area.
- Newport Hills: South Bellevue near I-405, with established single-family homes, neighborhood parks and quick access to the Coal Creek trails and Renton.
- Lake Hills: Central-east Bellevue, known for its mid-century homes and the Lake Hills Greenbelt, with trails, Larsen Lake and Phantom Lake nearby.
- Bridle Trails: North Bellevue near the Kirkland border, with larger lots, many equestrian properties, and Bridle Trails State Park's horse and walking trails.
- Crossroads: East Bellevue around the Crossroads Bellevue shopping center, with a mix of condos, townhomes and single-family homes and a wide range of restaurants.

Parks and outdoor recreation
- Downtown Park and Meydenbauer Bay Park
- Mercer Slough Nature Park
- Bellevue Botanical Garden
- Kelsey Creek Farm Park
- Lake Hills Greenbelt
- Bridle Trails State Park
- Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, a short drive south

Shopping and dining
- Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square and The Bravern downtown
- Crossroads Bellevue
- Factoria Mall
- Restaurants and coffee shops throughout downtown and Old Bellevue on Main Street

What is the commute like from Bellevue?
Typical drive times, depending on traffic:
- Downtown Seattle: 20 to 30 minutes
- Redmond: 15 to 20 minutes
- Issaquah: 15 to 20 minutes
- Sea-Tac Airport: 20 to 30 minutes

Transit: Sound Transit's 2 Line light rail connects Bellevue with Redmond and, since March 2026, crosses Lake Washington to Seattle. King County Metro and Sound Transit buses run from the Bellevue Transit Center (check current routes).

Schools
Bellevue homes are mostly served by the Bellevue School District, with some areas in the Issaquah or Lake Washington school districts. If schools matter to your search, check assigned schools by address with the district and see the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for school information.

Is Bellevue a good fit for you?
Bellevue may be worth a look if you want:
- A walkable downtown with shopping, dining and light rail
- A range of homes, from downtown condos to single-family neighborhoods
- Parks, greenbelts and two lakes nearby
- Quick access to I-405, I-90 and SR 520

It may be less of a fit if:
- You're looking for lower home prices
- You'd rather avoid I-405 and bridge traffic at rush hour

Frequently asked questions

How far is Bellevue from Seattle?
Usually a 20 to 30 minute drive to downtown Seattle, depending on traffic. Since March 2026, you can also take Sound Transit's 2 Line light rail across Lake Washington.

What is the median home price in Bellevue?
The median sale price was about $1.9 million for single-family homes and about $600,000 for condos in September 2026 (source: NWMLS).

Is there light rail in Bellevue?
Yes. Sound Transit's 2 Line runs through Bellevue to Redmond and, since March 2026, across Lake Washington to Seattle.

What are some Bellevue neighborhoods to look at?
Somerset, Newport Hills, Lake Hills, Bridle Trails and Crossroads each offer a different mix of homes, lot sizes and commute options, along with downtown Bellevue for condo living.

What is there to do in Bellevue?
Walk Downtown Park and Meydenbauer Bay, shop Bellevue Square, explore the Bellevue Botanical Garden or Mercer Slough, or hike the trails at Bridle Trails State Park.

Thinking about moving to Bellevue?
Whether you're relocating, buying your first home, moving up or downsizing, I'd be glad to help you compare Bellevue neighborhoods and see what homes are selling for right now. Reach out anytime with questions or to set up a tour.

Jon Hodgson | Hodgson Homes - John L. Scott