Living in Kennydale, WA: Homes, Commute, Schools & What It’s Really Like

If you’re considering moving to the Seattle area and want to be close to Lake Washington and Bellevue without paying Bellevue prices, Kennydale in Renton, Washington is a neighborhood worth knowing about.

Located along the southeast side of Lake Washington, Kennydale offers a combination that can be difficult to find on the Eastside: quick freeway access, waterfront parks, established residential neighborhoods, Lake Washington views, and homes that can be considerably less expensive than nearby Bellevue, Mercer Island, or Newcastle.

I’m Jon Hodgson, a local Seattle-area real estate agent, and I regularly help people relocating to the area compare neighborhoods based on their budget, commute, and what they want from their day-to-day life.

Here’s what you should know about living in Kennydale, WA, including the location, commute, schools, home prices, Lower vs. Upper Kennydale, and what you can expect when buying a home here.

Where Is Kennydale?

Kennydale is located in north Renton along the southeast shore of Lake Washington, immediately south of Bellevue and Newcastle.

The neighborhood is generally divided into two areas:

Lower Kennydale is west of I-405 and closer to Lake Washington. This is where you’ll find waterfront properties, Lake Washington views, newer luxury homes, and established neighborhoods closer to the water.

Upper Kennydale sits east of I-405. Homes here generally become more affordable as you move away from the lake, while residents still have convenient access to I-405, Bellevue, Renton, and the surrounding Eastside.

That location is one of Kennydale’s biggest advantages, especially for buyers who like Bellevue and the Eastside but want to see how much farther their housing budget can go.

Lake Washington and Outdoor Recreation

One of my favorite things about Kennydale is how easy it is to enjoy Lake Washington without actually owning waterfront property.

Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park is one of the largest waterfront parks on the south end of Lake Washington. It offers a swimming beach, boat launch, fishing pier, playgrounds, picnic areas, waterfront walking paths, and marina access.

During the summer, you’ll see people paddleboarding, launching boats, walking along the water, or simply spending the afternoon at the park.

Another option is Kennydale Beach Park, which has more of a neighborhood feel.

A walking and biking trail connects the area around Kennydale Beach Park toward Gene Coulon and continues north past the Seattle Seahawks' practice facility.

As a Seahawks fan myself, I think having their facility right down the road is a pretty cool bonus.

More importantly, you don't need a multi-million-dollar waterfront home to make Lake Washington part of your everyday life.

Shopping, Restaurants and Everyday Life

Kennydale itself is primarily residential, but you don't have to travel far for shopping, restaurants or entertainment.

The Landing in Renton is about five minutes away from much of Kennydale and offers grocery shopping, restaurants, coffee shops, fitness options, a movie theater and other everyday conveniences.

One of my family's favorite nearby restaurants is Exit 5 Korean BBQ, which we visit pretty regularly.

You also have Topgolf Renton nearby if you're looking for something to do with friends, family or coworkers.

One random thing people relocating here may not realize is that Renton doesn't have its own Costco. The closest options for many Kennydale residents are generally Issaquah or Tukwila near Southcenter, depending on traffic and where exactly you live.

Overall, Kennydale gives you a quieter residential environment while keeping most of your everyday necessities within a short drive.

What Is the Commute From Kennydale Like?

For relocation buyers, this may be one of the biggest reasons to consider Kennydale.

The neighborhood sits directly along I-405, providing relatively straightforward access to Bellevue and the rest of the Eastside.

You can also head toward Seattle, Sea-Tac Airport, Kent, Tacoma and other parts of the region without having to spend a long time driving through local streets before reaching the freeway.

Kennydale can also be particularly convenient for people working at Boeing's Renton facility, which is just south of the neighborhood.

Of course, this is still the Seattle area. I-405 traffic can become significant during the morning and evening commute.

But having freeway access almost immediately after leaving your neighborhood can make a noticeable difference compared with communities where reaching a major freeway can add another 15 or 20 minutes to your drive.

Schools in Kennydale

School assignments vary depending on the individual property, so buyers should always verify the schools for a specific address.

For the Lower Kennydale home featured in my neighborhood tour, the assigned schools were:

• Hazelwood Elementary

• Risdon Middle School

• Hazen Senior High School

School ratings in this part of Renton may not be as high as some you'll find in neighboring communities such as Bellevue, Sammamish or Issaquah.

However, school ratings are only one data point. If schools are an important part of your move, I recommend researching the individual schools, visiting them when possible, and deciding what works best for your family rather than relying entirely on an online rating.

Lower Kennydale vs. Upper Kennydale

Understanding the difference between Lower Kennydale and Upper Kennydale is important when you're looking at homes for sale.

Lower Kennydale is generally the more expensive side because of its proximity to Lake Washington. Depending on the street, you can find everything from older established homes to new luxury construction and multi-million-dollar waterfront properties.

Some properties also have Lake Washington views without being directly on the water.

Upper Kennydale is east of I-405. You'll generally find lower prices here, particularly among older homes, while still maintaining easy access to the freeway and the amenities around Renton.

If being close to Lake Washington or having potential views is high on your list, I'd focus more heavily on Lower Kennydale.

If price is the bigger priority, expanding your search into Upper Kennydale can open up additional options.

How Much Do Homes Cost in Kennydale?

Home prices can vary substantially depending on which side of I-405 you're on, the home's age and condition, lot size, views, and proximity to Lake Washington.

In Lower Kennydale, you'll find everything from multi-million-dollar waterfront estates to newer luxury construction that can sell in the $2 million to $3 million range.

But Lower Kennydale isn't exclusively a luxury market.

Established homes can often fall somewhere around $800,000 to $1.3 million, depending on their size, condition, lot and views.

In Upper Kennydale, prices can come down considerably. Older homes can sometimes sell in approximately the $600,000 to $700,000 range.

Real estate prices change constantly, so these numbers should be viewed as a general snapshot rather than a guarantee of what homes are selling for today.

What Can Under $1 Million Buy in Lower Kennydale?

A recent Lower Kennydale listing is a great example of why I think buyers should keep this neighborhood on their radar.

The home offered:

• More than 2,300 square feet

• 4 bedrooms

• 2.5 bathrooms

• An attached two-car garage

• Lake Washington views

• A private backyard

• Lower Kennydale location

• A price under $1 million

The property hadn't been on the market in more than 40 years and needed cosmetic updating inside.

However, several of the more expensive exterior projects had already been addressed, including the roof, gutters, exterior paint, decking, landscaping and portions of the siding. The downstairs bathroom had also been remodeled, and the home had a newer water heater.

For the right buyer, homes like this can create an opportunity to purchase in a desirable location and gradually update the interior rather than paying the premium for a fully remodeled property.

Is Kennydale Walkable?

This is one area where it's important to have the right expectations.

Kennydale isn't a neighborhood I'd choose if your goal is to walk out your front door and have dozens of restaurants, coffee shops and stores surrounding you.

Most residents will still use their car for everyday errands.

The tradeoff is that you get a more residential setting while remaining close to The Landing, waterfront parks, I-405 and the surrounding Eastside.

If you're comparing Kennydale with a neighborhood like downtown Bellevue or downtown Kirkland, the experience is very different.

Who Should Consider Living in Kennydale?

Kennydale can make a lot of sense if you've been searching in Bellevue, Newcastle or Mercer Island but want to see if your budget can buy you more space or a larger lot nearby.

It can be particularly interesting for buyers who prioritize:

• Easy access to I-405 and Bellevue

• Proximity to Lake Washington

• Larger homes or lots for the money

• A quieter residential setting

• Parks and outdoor recreation

• Potential Lake Washington views

On the other hand, Kennydale may not be the best match if having a highly walkable downtown environment is at the top of your list.

That's why I always recommend comparing neighborhoods based on how you're actually going to live rather than simply looking at a map.

Is Kennydale a Good Place to Live?

Kennydale is one of those Seattle-area neighborhoods that can be easy to overlook when you're relocating here.

Many buyers immediately start their search in Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah or Sammamish. But depending on your budget and commute, expanding your search slightly south into Kennydale can give you some interesting alternatives.

You can be minutes from Lake Washington, close to Bellevue, near I-405 and surrounded by parks while potentially getting more home for your money than you would in several neighboring Eastside communities.

For the right buyer, that combination is what makes Kennydale worth considering.

Thinking About Moving to Kennydale or the Seattle Area?

If you're relocating to the Seattle area and trying to decide between Kennydale, Bellevue, Newcastle, Renton or another Eastside neighborhood, I'd be happy to help you compare your options.

I work with buyers relocating here every week, and a big part of my job is helping you understand not just the houses, but how the different neighborhoods compare when it comes to commute, pricing, amenities and everyday living.

Jon Hodgson
John L. Scott Real Estate
Call or Text: (425) 449-0442
Email: jonhodgson@johnlscott.com

Whether you're moving next month or you're still a year away, feel free to reach out with questions about living in Kennydale or anywhere else in the greater Seattle area.