Several Coast Salish tribes lived in the Bellevue, Washington area for thousands of years before European settlers arrived in the 1880s.
The discovery of coal, the logging industry, and rich soil brought many people to Bellevue.
New residents flooded the area in the 1940s, but the city was not incorporated until 1953.
Bellevue continued to grow throughout the rest of the 20th century.
It is now a thriving metropolis that appeals to many people.
Knowing the pros and cons of living in Bellevue, WA is important for anyone who is considering moving to the area.
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Pros of Living in Bellevue, WA
1. Great Parks and Trails
Bellevue has more than 2,700 parks and open spaces.
The city has several nicknames, including “A City in a Park.”
Visit parks that have basketball courts, pickleball courts, and tennis courts.
Take the kids to parks that have great playgrounds and beaches.
Enjoy geocaching in permitted park areas.
Swim in the lake or rent a canoe or paddleboard when you visit Enatai Beach Park.
Enjoy the central green space at Bellevue Downtown Park.
The Bellevue Botanical Garden features woodlands and wetlands, with its own Japanese garden.
Go for a jog, take the dog for a walk, or have fun on the mini zip line at Wilburton Hill Park.
2. Mild Climate
People who want to move to a city that gets plenty of sunshine may want to consider moving to Bellevue, Washington.
The city has a mild climate, with daytime summer temperatures averaging around 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
The winter low temperatures average in the mid-30s.
Bellevue gets slightly more rainfall than the national average.
The U.S. averages 38 inches of annual rainfall.
The city of Bellevue averages 42 inches of annual rainfall.
The area gets little snowfall, compared to the U.S. average.
Bellevue receives an average of five inches of snowfall each year.
The U.S. average snowfall each year is 28 inches.
3. Consistently Receives High Rankings
Living in a city that consistently receives high rankings and wins awards is likely to appeal to some people.
Bellevue ranked #11 on the 2022 Niche Best Cities to Live in North America list.
It ranked #1 on the 2021 WalletHub’s Best Metro Area for STEM Professionals list.
Bellevue received the 2023 T-Mobile Unconventional Award for Innovation in Community.
The city received the What Works Cities silver certification in 2021 and, in 2023, an award from Bloomberg Philanthropies.
4. Employment Opportunities
Many top companies are in Bellevue, providing residents with great job opportunities.
There are an estimated 75 Fortune 500 companies in the city.
Jobseekers will discover that Bellevue has a solid job market, with good jobs available primarily in the technology, retail, tourism, and business services industries.
Some companies in the Bellevue area include Microsoft, Expedia Group, Nintendo, Amazon, and Cambia Health Solutions.
5. Great Public Schools
Bellevue, Washington public schools ranked #3 on the 2021 Niche Cities with the Best Public Schools in America list.
It ranks the school system as #1 of 427 Best School Districts in Washington.
Niche gives an A+ overall grade to the Bellevue public school system.
One reason for the high rating is the academics.
The average graduation rate is 93 percent.
Test scores show that 79 percent of Bellevue’s public school students are proficient in reading.
Scores indicate that 73 percent of students are proficient in math.
6. Proximity to Seattle
The proximity to Seattle is one reason that some people choose to live in Bellevue.
The driving distance from Bellevue to Seattle is 11 miles.
It takes less than 15 minutes to make the trip, so long as there is no heavy traffic.
Skip the risk of heavy traffic and join the other Bellevue residents who choose to take a taxi or a bus the short distance to Seattle.
7. Great Shopping
Shop till you drop when you live in Bellevue, Washington.
The Bellevue Collection has hundreds of stores and about everything a person can look for when shopping at well-known national stores or local shops.
The wide mix of dining options at The Bellevue Collection provides more fun for shoppers.
Experience fine dining while enjoying the views of Lake Washington.
Stop for a more casual meal at one of the other restaurants.
The Marketplace at Factoria offers shoppers a casual shopping experience, while The Crossroads takes shoppers back to a more nostalgic mall experience.
Stop at the 1960s-style food court.
Enjoy your favorite casual foods or international cuisine.
8. Stunning Neighborhoods
Residents and city leaders take pride in the city of Bellevue, and it shows throughout most of the neighborhoods.
The vibrant downtown neighborhood provides great opportunities for residents who prefer to be a part of an active neighborhood.
Bellevue Downtown Park is a 20-acre park where people experience the natural beauty of the green spaces and walking trails.
The charming Beaux Arts Village is a close community of a few hundred residents.
They enjoy the unique and eclectic mix of homes and a private beach.
Eastgate is one of the thriving areas of the city.
People who live in Eastgate enjoy a dynamic, growing neighborhood with many attractions.
Enjoy visiting a state park, wetlands, a beach, great shopping, and dining all in one neighborhood.
Cons of Living in Bellevue, WA
1. Home Prices
People who are looking to purchase a home on a budget are likely to experience sticker shock when they learn the cost of purchasing a home in Bellevue, Washington.
Housing costs have recently increased in the area, which is one of the wealthiest metropolitan areas on the West Coast of the U.S.
The median sale price of a house in Bellevue in October 2023 was $1.4 million, a nearly eight percent increase over the cost of a home in Bellevue the previous year.
Homes usually sell within 15 days.
2. Traffic Congestion
Residents of Bellevue have the convenience of being close to Seattle and other nearby cities.
People who travel to and from work, to shopping and entertainment venues, and to enjoy outdoor experiences may contribute to congested traffic.
Allow a little extra time when driving on roads that have a lot of traffic.
3. Healthcare Costs
The cost of healthcare in Bellevue is a major expense.
Residents of the area pay 33 percent higher healthcare costs than the U.S. average cost of healthcare.
People who have a variety of healthcare plans pay more, on average, in Bellevue, no matter their age or income level.
Some people struggle with health care costs that impact their budget, and that affects other areas of their lives.
4. Crime Rate
Bellevue is generally a safe city.
The local government touts the low crime rate on Bellevue’s official site.
Some crimes in the area have increased in recent years.
The 2020 City-Data statistics show that there were four murders per 100,000 residents in Bellevue in 2020, compared to just one murder per 100,000 residents in 2019.
The rate is still well below the national average.
Burglaries increased significantly, with Bellevue, WA experiencing 597 burglaries per 100,000 people in 2020.
Compare this rate to the 2019 rate, which was 428 per 100,000 people in 2019.
The burglary rate in Bellevue is above the national average.
The number of thefts that occur in the area is much higher than the national average rate for thefts.
5. Cost of Living
Many residents of Bellevue are wealthy people.
The overall cost of living is much higher than in most other areas of the U.S.
The cost of living in Bellevue is nearly 70 times higher than the average cost of living in the U.S.
Residents pay considerably more for groceries, with groceries in the city costing an average of 33 percent more than they do in other U.S. cities.
Utility costs and the cost of public transportation are also higher in Bellevue, compared to the national average.
6. Overcrowded Schools
People who want to experience a lifestyle away from the big city vibe often choose to move to Bellevue.
The highly ranked school system assures parents that their children receive a great education when they attend local schools.
Schools are sometimes overcrowded in Bellevue.
The student-teacher ratio in Bellevue, Washington is 19:1.
The national average for student-teacher ratio is 17:1.
7. Linguistic Isolation
A Seattle Times article highlighted the fact that linguistic isolation exists in Bellevue.
The author explained that a federal government screening tool lists one area as having more than 90 percent linguistic isolation.
The city has a large Ukrainian refugee population and many Latino residents.
Bellevue often wins awards and recognition for its many amenities and efforts to promote the city as a wonderful place to live.
The hidden poverty issue rarely gets attention.
More than 20 percent of public school students in Bellevue are designated low-income, with an average of 50 percent of the students qualifying for free or reduced lunches.
Pros and Cons of Living in Bellevue, WA – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Bellevue, WA | Cons of Living in Bellevue, WA |
|---|---|
| 1. Great Parks and Trails | 1. Home Prices |
| 2. Mild Climate | 2. Traffic Congestion |
| 3. Consistently Receives High Rankings | 3. Healthcare Costs |
| 4. Employment Opportunities | 4. Crime Rate |
| 5. Great Public Schools | 5. Cost of Living |
| 6. Proximity to Seattle | 6. Overcrowded Schools |
| 7. Great Shopping | 7. Linguistic Isolation |
| 8. Stunning Neighborhoods | 8. Hidden Poverty |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the housing market expected to level off soon?
The cost of a home in Bellevue continues to increase, yet it does not affect the fact that homes usually sell in a matter of days.
There is no sign of the market leveling off soon.
Does Bellevue have a vibrant nightlife?
Downtown Bellevue is smaller than the downtown area in many cities.
It still offers a vibrant nightlife scene.
Neighborhoods in Bellevue have many nightlife and entertainment options.
Is there a homeless population in Bellevue?
Few communities escape having a homeless population and Bellevue is no exception.
The homeless population is small, with an estimated 500 people qualifying as being homeless.
Is Bellevue a good place for families?
Bellevue offers families a place to live that has pleasant weather, great schools, and great neighborhoods.
Does Bellevue have casual dining options?
The many fine dining options in Bellevue appeal to residents.
The city has many casual, family-style restaurants and some affordable places to eat or get your morning coffee.
