Hi all, My partner and I are The unemployment rate is 2.7%, which is pretty low. With a population of 151K, Bellevue is a mid-size city. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Is this normal for Bellevue?
53 upvotes
11 Replies
tampagirl2020
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 15 years. Moved from Houston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is solid - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Limited high-paying job options. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
Hunter Edwards
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
26 upvotes
Mason Watson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely average and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (South) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. cost of living is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
26 upvotes
Kayden
Used to live on the East side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
24 upvotes
Lydia Lewis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 6 years. Moved from Boston for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Urban sprawl is real. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Luca G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's hit or miss for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in consulting. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
17 upvotes
Eli Moore
wish I knew this sooner
16 upvotes
coastal_quinn90
thanks for sharing
3 upvotes
Luke Martinez
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is decent in most areas.
2 upvotes
Cameron Watson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from San Francisco about 9 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are pricey, gas is excellent.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Happy to answer more specific questions..
0 upvotes
Kinsley Brown
I've lived in Westside for about 15 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- The community vibe scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
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