Get as close to Bill Gates as possible. If you're willing to remodel, you can pick up a fixer in Clyde Hill for $650k.

Fri May 23 2008, 21:53

Ben - Is your question the best area to live?... or the best investment? Best area to live would be determined by the activities you like. If it's best investment, then it's most likely the west side of 405.

Thu May 22 2008, 22:07

Ben
Bellevue is a great place to live! I have been living here for over 17 years. Do you have kids in school? www.schoolmatters.com is a great objective site by Standard and Poor's company. The better the school, the more luck you will have selling your home. School districts play a great deal in the resale value especially if you are looking for a single family residence of 3+bedrooms.
If you would like to live in a vibrant community with lots of night life, Bellevue DT is becoming a great place! Many new restaurants, high-rise residential towers, clubs and parks!

Let me know if you need help finding a place.

Vera Brodsky
Remax Eastside Brokers
Bellevue WA
206 412 7792

Thu May 22 2008, 20:55

Hello Ben

Looks like you are getting some great information.

This is a tough question. Personally, without knowing more about what you
actually need/enjoy in a home... it's tough to answer.

Bellevue has quite a bit of building going on and the amount of money invested with the 10+ building
cranes placing steel beams and windows is amazing. The neighborhoods enjoyed in SF, with walkable independent shops, restaurants, views and water/park access are tough to compare with in any US city.
So the differences of a 'new' city and an established one are given, I would suggest thinking about a trip to explore for yourself if not optioning for a short term rental.

Best of luck with your move-

Wed May 14 2008, 19:58

Hi "Seattle Inspector" and Mike C.,

I'm afraid that such an advertisement for your services is not permitted on Trulia Voices. Please review our Community Guidelines located at http://www.trulia.com/guidelines/ and check out our Agent Best Practices blog post at the link below for more helpful information.

Best Wishes,

Leslie Taylor
Trulia Voices Moderator

Tue Apr 29 2008, 12:40

For Bellevue and Seattle area property inspections give Pacific Northwest Inspections Group,LLC a call 425.608.9553

Serving the Bellevue, Wa Mention this website and get Thermal Imaging added to your inspection for Free:)

Mon Apr 28 2008, 08:57

Hi Ben, You've gotten some great responses. Since you are from the coast & new to the area I would like to invite you to explore the Washington Coast in Westport. (not to buy but as a vacation spot) Westport is the closest ocean beach to Bellevue and is a charming fishing community with the nicest sandy beach in the state, surfing, lighthouse and more. Check the photo gallery on my website. To get here you go south on 405 to I5 then south to Olympia. Follow signs to ocean beaches/Aberdeen then once in aberdeen cross the chehalis river bridge and take 105 to the beach! Welcome to Washington.

Mon Apr 28 2008, 06:46

West of I-405 for convenience, prestige area, shopping, freeway access,better schools, proximity to
Lake Washinton, restaurants,other city amenities. Also this area is less prone to decline in value
compared to outlying areas.

Sun Apr 27 2008, 07:58

Preference would be Bridle trails staying inside the Bellevue district. Closest to the downtown Bellevue Core area.

Fri Apr 25 2008, 22:46

Look at Newcastle, too. Smaller town, mostly residents as opposed to the large businesses, malls, etc. of Bellevue. Borders Bellevue on the South side, so is very convenient to Bellevue. A very nice community. We picked Newcastle for those reasons, as well as quick access to I-405 and I-10.

Fri Apr 25 2008, 16:43

Ben, west Bellevue (west of I-405, north of I-90, and south of H-520) is considered by most as the "prime" location of Bellevue and the prices for homes there reflect it. The central business district of Bellevue is exploding with new developments featuring new retail shops and pedestrian friendly access. The other location considered "prime" is the central Kirkland area (west of I-405, north of H-520, and south of NE 116th Street) which features excellent parks and pedestrian corridors along Lake Washington. For your price point, you can find some excellent values right now in that area. Both of the areas mentioned above have numerous neighborhoods each with their own attributes. If I knew more about your lifestyle and commuting needs, I could give you further direction. Good luck with your move; this is a great area to live.

Thu Apr 24 2008, 13:12

Ben, Bellevue is an outstanding city and the cities around it, which make up the Eastside are all very comparable. The key factors are where you work and how far you want to commute. Do you like the city lifestyle where you can walk to shops and restaurants? If so, living in the core area is fun. Schools are outstanding in Bellevue and also in Kirkland / Redmond, which is Lake Washington school district.

On my website, I have links to School Reports and links to descriptions of all the different neighborhoods under my About the Area Button.

The entire Eastside, which includes Bellevue is a very high demographic area for education and income.

If you like more space, and the commute works for you, you can get a single family home on acreage in Redmond or Fall City. KIrkland and Bellevue have some wonderful condominium projects.

If you want to see exactly what is happening in the market as far as available listings versus what is sold, I have a link on my site called Market Statistics. You can also also search the entire multiple listing service by clicking on the Home Search button at http://www.mcknightrealty.com .

Sun Apr 13 2008, 21:12

I completely agree with the answers you have been getting. Don't discount looking a little outside of Bellevue into the Kirkland area. You can get some nicer homes in a really nice community within your price range. I do love Clyde Hill as well.

Though, if you are concerned about future value keep an eye on what neighborhoods you pick. As Ardell said, communities around Lake Sammamish and Microsoft are a safer purchase generally. I personally love the Redmond area as well...but make sure you factor in commute as crossing 520 in rush hour can be difficult at times.

Ultimately, you asked our opinion...and my opinion is with that budget I would be living in Kirkland. It fits a trendier community lifestyle yet has a slightly more friendly feel. Also...you're minimizing traffic problems slightly and have great access to outdoors and shopping!

Pick where you feel most comfortable though...you should have a good amount of options in your price range.

Mon Apr 7 2008, 10:06

If I were looking for a cheap rental, I'd ive close to Crossroads. Plenty of places to wander around, meet people and enjoy the open Court that often has live entertainment and fun activities. Half Price Books is one of our favortie places to wander and shop.

For a newer townhome, I'd be near Redmond Town Center. The heart of town and Old Redmond yet close to all the amenities of a new and open Shopping District.

If I were buying a house I'd buy as close to Microsoft as possible or towards Lake Sammamish from Microsoft. The values are more consistent there and it's a better hedge against a slowing and down market.

I'm not crazy about Belle Square and Downtonw Bellevue, too expensive and a bit snooty for me. For a great Downtown area on the Eastside, I prefer Downtown Kirkland, the City on the Lake.

Sun Apr 6 2008, 18:44

West Bellevue is generally considered the nicest & most convenient neighborhood in which to live. However, there are lots of nice pockets around that have differn't features. Enetai, Clyde Hill, Medina, Vuecrest & Locklevin all feature wonderful proximity to parks, lake, views of Seattle & excellent schools. Plus, west Bellevue is an easy access point to 520 bridge which goes into Seattle. At your price point you should have a nice selection of properties. I have a listing in Locklevin that is situated three blocks from downtown right above a beautiful beach park on a quiet dead end street. You should check it out. If you have any other questions I am happy to answer them for you or assist in any manner.

All the best,

Sean Goddard

Sun Apr 6 2008, 15:22

The answer is that it depends on what you are looking for....I would prioritize the key factors that you consider important. Schools, commute, neighborhood characteristics, quality and size of home are just a few. If I had 1M to spend I would spend it in West Bellevue, preferable Clyde Hill, Medina, Enatai, Beaux Arts. The reason is location, location, location. Great access to Seattle, very close to Downtown Bellevue, Kirkland. You will have to sacrifice size and quality of the home. The prices are high and you will ultimately have to weigh the pros and cons. If you like newer homes and open floor plans you should look at Lakemont/Newcastle and/or Issaquah. Reason newer homes, I-90 Corridor, great access to Seattle and Bellevue, and plenty of options. Please visit my website athttp:// www.mrclydehill.com to learn more about my services and experience.

Sun Apr 6 2008, 15:11