Today Bellevue is much more than just another sleepy suburban bedroom community;
it has metamorphosed into a large and increasingly cosmopolitan commercial,
retail and residential powerhouse that is the core of the region to the east of
Lake Washington that is referred to locally as the Eastside. This is the result
of a number of factors that have converged to make Bellevue not just a unique
place but also an outstanding one in which to live, work, visit, run a business
and even retire. A key to these factors is its excellent location.
For example, the region is blessed with a generally pleasant climate, due in
part to the moderating effects of Lake Washington and Puget Sound. Winters are
relatively mild with only occasional snowfall (except in the nearby mountain
ranges) and few severe storms. Summers are warm and sunny, and only a few days
each year are hot enough to make people want air conditioning.
Moreover, the region is surrounded by vast (and largely protected) wilderness
areas, including the rugged Cascade mountains a short distance to the east and
the Olympic mountains further to the west. These unspoiled open spaces provide
outstanding recreational opportunities and pleasant views from much of Bellevue.
The Cascades also provide an ample (in most years) supply of high quality
drinking water.
Bellevue also features proximity to three of the cities widely considered to be
among the best places to live in all of North America. It is only about 15 or 20
minutes to the east of Seattle, the largest city in the U.S. northwest, just a
few hours north of Portland, Oregon, and just a few hours south of Vancouver,
B.C., the biggest city in Western Canada.
Situated on 31 miles of rolling landscape between Lakes Washington and
Sammamish, with the Cascade Mountain range to the east and the Olympics to the
west, Bellevue is a picture postcard of heart-stopping vistas.
A Unique History and Geography
Founded in 1869 by William Meydenbauer and incorporated as a city in 1953,
Bellevue spans 31 square miles between Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington. To
the East are the snow-capped mountains of the Cascades. To the South, Mount
Rainier dominates the horizon, and to the North, Mount Baker marks the proximity
of the Canadian border. To the West, two floating highway bridges link Bellevue
to Seattle.
Bellevue's neighbors on the Eastside of Lake Washington are Yarrow Point, Clyde
Hill, Hunts Point, Beaux Arts, Medina, Kirkland, Bothell, Newcastle, Redmond,
Issaquah, Woodinville and Sammamish.
Climate
Bellevue's climate is uncommonly temperate. "Comfortable" is an often-used
description, along with "mild, gentle and calm." Summer daytime temperatures
average just under 70 degrees, while winter lows tend to be in the 40's. Average
precipitation totals only around 38 inches per year.
A Dynamic Population
Bellevue's population is right around 107,000 and is projected to continue its
upward trend. Bellevue is the largest city on the Eastside, the second largest
in King County, and the fourth largest city in Washington state.
Employment
It is estimated that there are 121,000 jobs in Bellevue. This comprises about 11
percent of the county's total. Bellevue's employment is expected to grow between
25 and 30 percent over the next 20 years, resulting in an increase of 30,000 to
35,000 new jobs.
Cost of Living
Bellevue has experienced an overall growth in incomes, placing it well above the
county average. Home ownership is also high. In spite of a higher regional cost
index than the national average, Bellevue remains an affordable place to live,
with incomes continuing to outpace inflation. Most recent data suggest the
average household income for Bellevue is about 30 percent higher than the median
household income for the region, and significantly higher than the county
average.
Downtown also contains several major bookstores, including Barnes & Noble
Downtown Bellevue, which is one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest, and
University Bookstore, which is associated with the prestigious University of
Washington. Meydenbauer Center is a full-service convention center and theater
on the eastern edge of downtown. Right in the center of downtown is the new and
distinctive Bellevue Arts Museum, which, despite some initial teething problems,
promises to become a major regional cultural resource. The downtown core also
contains several movie theaters and art galleries.
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Days Inn Bellevue
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 Embassy Suites Bellevue
- just minutes from downtown
Bellevue, and within walking distance of Bellevue's Eastgate
Corporate Business Park |
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Homestead Bellevue |
 Coast Bellevue Hotel
- Three-Diamond Coast Bellevue Hotel offers
176 guest rooms with complimentary high speed wireless Internet,
and free parking. A fully equipped fitness center, a heated
outdoor pool (seasonal), a business center, and a terrific
restaurant, for your convenience. |
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Red Lion Bellevue Inn |
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Paragon Hotel Bellevue Center |
 Hilton Bellevue
- Guestrooms, suites
and executive accommodations surround the Hilton hotel's
seven-story atrium filled with trees and beautiful foliage.
Spacious guestrooms include amenities like high-speed internet
access.. |
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Homestead Bellevue
(rEDMOND) |
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Bellevue Downtown Courtyard |
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Courtyard Bellevue |
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Residence Inn Bellevue |
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Silver Cloud Inn Bellevue
- Within walking distance of the heart of Bellevue's business
district, the hotel is just 3 blocks from the renowned upscale
Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square Shopping Centers with fine
shops and restaurants and 6 blocks from Meydenbauer Center.
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Bellevue Club Hotel |
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Bellevue Lodge |
 Hyatt Regency Bellevue
- located on Seattle's fashionable "eastside" in the
Bellevue Place complex and in the heart of downtown Bellevue |
 Westin Bellevue
Westin Bellevue is an anchor of Bellevue's newest
and highly anticipated community, Lincoln Square — a mixed-use
hotel, luxury condominium, and retail center |
 Sheraton Bellevue Seattle
- Seattle East Hotel
provides first
class accommodations in the heart of the Seattle area corporate
communities |
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Oakwood Bellevue |
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Larkspur Landing Bellevue |
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Fairfield Inn
bellevue - 144 spacious rooms with free wireless
internet. Enjoy the complimentary "Early Eats" deluxe
continental breakfast, indoor heated swimming pool, and health
club to please both the corporate and leisure travelers. |
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Extendedstay Seattle Bellevue |
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Silver Cloud Eastgate |
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