Moving to Seattle for Work? Where You Should Actually Live

By Jon Hodgson, Hodgson Homes - John L. Scott | Last updated November 2026

Short answer: Start with where your office is, not with the city name on your offer letter. A job "in Seattle" might be in Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Everett, Renton or Kent, and each one points you to different neighborhoods. Then factor in how many days a week you'll actually commute, your budget, and where anyone else in your household works.

If you're moving to the Seattle area for a job at Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Costco, Boeing or another major employer, where you live will shape your daily life more than almost any other decision. And taking a job in Seattle doesn't necessarily mean you should live in Seattle. Someone working at Microsoft in Redmond may look at completely different neighborhoods than someone working at Amazon in South Lake Union, and two people at the same company can have very different commutes depending on their office.

Below, I break down where the region's biggest employers are and where I'd start looking if you're buying a home. These aren't your only options, just the areas that usually make the most sense for each commute, with a range of housing types.

Prefer to watch? Here's the video version:

Quick guide: where to start looking by employer

Office locations change. Confirm where you'll actually be working, and how often, before you choose a neighborhood. Hodgson Homes is not affiliated with any of these employers.

How the Seattle area is laid out

Seattle sits on the west side of Lake Washington. Across the lake is the Eastside: Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah, Sammamish and several other communities. Two floating bridges connect them: SR 520 to the north and I-90 to the south. I-405 runs north and south through the Eastside, connecting Renton, Bellevue, Kirkland and Bothell.

Don't judge a commute by mileage. A home 10 miles from your office can take longer to reach than one 15 miles away, depending on the route and the traffic. Light rail is also expanding across the region, so depending on your office, transit may be a real option. Check Sound Transit for current routes.

Microsoft: Redmond

Microsoft's headquarters is in Redmond, and if you're working on the main campus, you have several good options.

• Redmond: Education Hill and Grass Lawn are established neighborhoods with detached homes. Downtown Redmond has more condos and townhomes, plus restaurants, shopping and a more walkable setting. Detached homes in Redmond can get expensive, especially with four bedrooms, a decent yard and updates.
• Kirkland: Rose Hill is especially convenient to Redmond. Kingsgate and Finn Hill are established areas with a variety of housing. Downtown Kirkland puts restaurants and waterfront parks within walking distance, at a premium.
• Sammamish: For a traditional suburban setting, look at Klahanie, Pine Lake and Beaver Lake, with parks, trails and detached homes. The trade-off is a longer commute than Redmond, and some parts of Sammamish aren't close to a major highway.
• Bothell and Woodinville: Worth keeping on the list if you want a larger home or a different kind of neighborhood.

Something I see often with relocation buyers: people start by looking in the city where they'll work, and once we compare homes and neighborhoods, another community turns out to be the better fit.

Amazon: Seattle vs. Bellevue

Amazon has major offices on both sides of Lake Washington, so the first thing I'd ask is which one you'll be working in.

If you work in South Lake Union or Downtown Seattle

• Queen Anne: A mix of condos, townhomes and detached homes, with restaurants, parks and some incredible views.
• Ballard: Restaurants, breweries, shops and established neighborhoods. It's fairly close to South Lake Union, but the commute can still be frustrating at rush hour.
• Capitol Hill: Close in, with lots of restaurants and things to do.
• For a suburban setting: Mercer Island, Bellevue or Kirkland. Crossing the lake every day can add significant time, and SR 520 has tolls.

If you work in Downtown Bellevue

• Bellevue: Downtown is mostly condos and newer high-rises. Eastgate, Newport Hills and Somerset are more traditional residential areas.
• Newcastle: Just south of Bellevue, with established neighborhoods, parks and easy access to I-405 and I-90.
• Issaquah: Farther east, but if the commute works for you, there's a mix of housing and lots of outdoor recreation.
• Kirkland and Redmond: Worth a look if you prefer the north end of the Eastside.

An example: two buyers relocating for Amazon, both with about $1.2 million to spend. One works in South Lake Union five days a week; the other works in Downtown Bellevue. Same company, same budget, and I'd probably show them completely different neighborhoods. If you only go in two or three days a week, even more options open up.

Google and Meta

Google: Kirkland

If you work at Google's Kirkland campus, Kirkland is one of the first places I'd look, and its neighborhoods feel very different from each other. Downtown Kirkland has restaurants, coffee shops and waterfront parks within walking distance, but detached homes near Downtown come at a premium. Farther north, Juanita, Finn Hill and Kingsgate have established neighborhoods with a range of housing styles and price points.

Juanita is one of my favorite areas to show relocation buyers, with Juanita Beach Park, restaurants and coffee shops close by (see my walkable Eastside neighborhoods guide). Rose Hill is a good balance between Kirkland and Redmond. If Kirkland doesn't have what you need, I'd expand into Bothell, Kenmore and Redmond.

Meta: Bellevue

For Meta's Bellevue offices, I'd look at many of the same areas as Amazon Bellevue: Bellevue, Newcastle, Kirkland, Redmond and Issaquah. Downtown Bellevue works if you want restaurants and shopping nearby. If you want a four-bedroom detached home with a yard, you'll likely be searching outside Downtown. For more on Bellevue, see why tech workers are moving to Bellevue and Bellevue vs. Kirkland.

Two neighborhoods a few miles apart can feel completely different in person, so explore them yourself rather than relying only on listing photos and maps.

For a deeper look at Bellevue, read Is Bellevue worth the money? And for the trade-offs of the whole area, see Eastside pros and cons.

Costco: Issaquah

Costco's corporate headquarters is in Issaquah. If you like the outdoors and a suburban setting, you have some great options.

• Issaquah Highlands: Detached homes, townhomes and condos, with parks, trails, restaurants and shopping. Parts of it are walkable, which isn't true of every Eastside neighborhood.
• Larger lots or more privacy: Squak Mountain, South Cove and the areas around Lake Sammamish. More in my living in Issaquah guide.
• Sammamish: Around Klahanie and Pine Lake, close to Issaquah, with lots of residential neighborhoods, parks and trails. See Issaquah vs. Sammamish.
• Snoqualmie Ridge: A planned community with mountain views, parks, trails and a small commercial area. See my Snoqualmie Ridge guide.
• North Bend: Established neighborhoods, larger lots and beautiful scenery. It's farther from Bellevue, Redmond and Seattle, which matters if someone else in your household commutes west.

Boeing: Everett vs. Renton

Boeing has facilities across the region, including major operations in Everett and Renton. These are far apart, so knowing which facility you're assigned to matters a lot.

Boeing Everett

• Mukilteo: On Puget Sound, with waterfront areas, parks and established neighborhoods.
• Mill Creek: A suburban setting with parks, trails, and restaurants and shopping around Mill Creek Town Center.
• Everett, Bothell and Lynnwood: Bothell and Lynnwood make sense if you want to be a little farther south.

Boeing Renton

• Renton: Kennydale is one of my favorite areas, near Lake Washington, Gene Coulon Park and I-405 (see living in Kennydale). Renton's neighborhoods and prices vary a lot.
• Maple Valley: A suburban setting with detached homes, parks and trails.
• Newcastle: Access to both Renton and Bellevue.
• Kent: A wide variety of housing options.

SpaceX, Blue Origin and T-Mobile

• SpaceX (Starlink, Redmond): The same areas as Microsoft: Redmond, Kirkland, Bothell, Woodinville and Sammamish.
• Blue Origin (Kent): Kent, Renton, Newcastle and Maple Valley. Kent has a wide range of housing, and Maple Valley is worth a look for a detached home with a yard. Watch Kent Valley traffic at commute times.
• T-Mobile (Factoria, Bellevue): Factoria sits near I-90 and I-405, so you can look in several directions: Eastgate, Newport Hills and Somerset in Bellevue, plus Newcastle, Issaquah and parts of Renton. Newcastle stands out for its proximity to Factoria and its established neighborhoods.

What if two people in your household work in different places?

This is where relocation gets more complicated. A few examples:

• Microsoft in Redmond + Amazon in Downtown Seattle: I'd start with Bellevue or Kirkland. Depending on the neighborhood, you have SR 520 or I-90 and may find a spot that balances both commutes. Mercer Island is another option, but look closely at the drive to Redmond.
• Costco in Issaquah + Microsoft in Redmond: Sammamish is a good starting point, especially around Pine Lake, Klahanie or Beaver Lake.

I'd also ask how often each of you actually goes into the office. If one person commutes five days a week and the other goes in once or twice, I wouldn't weigh both commutes equally. If you both work remotely most of the time, you could look farther out, in places like Snoqualmie, North Bend or Woodinville.

Your budget narrows it down

Your commute tells you where to start; your budget decides which of these areas actually work. For what different price points buy around the Eastside, see where to live on the Eastside at every budget, and before you buy, read 6 things to know before you choose a neighborhood.

Frequently asked questions

Should I live in Seattle if I work in Seattle?

Not necessarily. It depends on where your office is, how often you go in, and what kind of home you want. Many people who work in Seattle live on the Eastside and cross the lake on SR 520 or I-90, but that crossing can add a lot of time.

Where should I live if I work at Microsoft in Redmond?

Start with Redmond (Education Hill, Grass Lawn, Downtown Redmond), Kirkland (Rose Hill, Kingsgate, Finn Hill), Sammamish, Bothell and Woodinville.

Does SR 520 have a toll?

Yes, the SR 520 bridge across Lake Washington is tolled. Check WSDOT for current rates.

Is it far from Everett to Renton?

Yes. They're at opposite ends of the metro area, so if you're relocating for Boeing, confirm which facility you'll work at before you pick a neighborhood.

How far ahead should I start planning a relocation?

It's never too early. Whether you're moving next month or a year from now, narrowing down areas, your budget and your commute ahead of time makes the move much easier.

Relocating to the Seattle area for work?

Jon Hodgson leads Hodgson Homes - John L. Scott in Renton. He was born and raised in the Seattle area and has been licensed in Washington since 2012. He helps relocation buyers and sellers, first-time buyers, move-up buyers, downsizers, investors and developers across Seattle and the Eastside.

I've been helping people buy and sell homes around Seattle for nearly 15 years, and I work with relocation clients all the time. Tell me where you'll be working and I'll help you narrow down neighborhoods. Call or text (425) 449-0442, email jonhodgson@johnlscott.com, or schedule a Zoom call.

Client Focused, Results Driven.

Hodgson Homes - John L. Scott | 4735 NE 4th St Ste 92603, Renton, WA 98059 | WA License #110447. Office locations and commute times change; confirm current details before making decisions.