A one time “bedroom” community, Bellevue, Washington has quietly become one of the largest regional job centers in the Evergreen State. It has one of the region’s leading retail sectors and a very high concentration of service-related industries. But of all of the city’s successes, it’s the quality of its neighborhoods that it’s most proud about. In Bellevue, WA, renters can find a host of apartments to choose from, from affordable apartments to luxury apartments, in neighborhoods that are beautiful and vibrant.
Bellevue’s Economic Boom
Over the course of the 1990s, Bellevue transformed into one of the state’s top economic performers. The city is home to several of Washington’s top 25 companies, including Microsoft, Yahoo!, Eddie Bauer, Valve, T-Mobile USA, Puget Sound Energy and PACCAR, a truck and heavy equipment manufacturer. The city is also home to many companies in the real estate, finance, engineering and computer software development industries. Many of the newer companies in Bellevue are included on the list of the top 50 fastest growing public companies in Washington.
Things to Do in Bellevue, WA
From museums and public art displays to community-based performing groups and outdoor activities, Bellevue has plenty to offer renters to make their off-hours fun and exciting. Lovers of art will appreciate The Bellevue Arts Museum and the Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art, along with the Bellevue Sculpture Exhibition. And as if that’s not enough, the city also hosts many annual arts and crafts fairs all throughout the year.
Many renters in Bellevue enjoy walking the clean city streets while taking in the city’s gorgeous buildings and 50-plus displays of public artistry.
For theater and music aficionados, the city has the Cascadian Chorale, the Bellevue Opera and the Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra to choose from, along with the Theatre at Meydenbauer Center and the Bellevue Youth Theatre for regular stage productions.
Outdoor activities are in abundance in Bellevue, as the city has nearly 100 parks to choose from. Renters can enjoy everything from tennis, golf and boating to nature trail walks, swimming and skating.
What can be better than picking fresh blueberries and strawberries? The city has a number of local farms such as Larsen Lake Blueberry Farm and Mercer Slough Blueberry Farm where residents can spend the day picking their own fruits and veggies. Also, the Bellevue Farmers Market offers bushel-loads of fresh foods every Thursdays and Saturdays.
From the Strawberry Festival and the Kelsey Creek Farm Fair to the Wild’n’Woolly Sheep Shearing Event and the Seafair Marathon, Bellevue Washington creates a wonderful community for families weekend events all year round. In this city, there’s always something going on!
Located in Downtown Bellevue is the Bellevue Collection, one of the largest shopping malls in the entire state. Also nearby is the Bravern, a mixed-use shopping center that also includes condominiums and a hotel.
Finding a Rental in Bellevue, WA
In Bellevue, more people work in the city than live in it, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a dependable rental apartment here. The Downtown area has a number of high-rise apartment complexes and a host of condos to choose from. The Avalon Towers is home to 400 apartments and The Ashton is another apartment tower 20-stories in height.
In southern Bellevue, renters can find a range of apartment choices in a setting that is more residential in tone. Neighborhoods like Somerset, Newport Hills, Mockingbird Hill, Woodridge and Greenwhich Crest offer plenty of quality, affordable apartments in Bellevue. Each of these areas is based around Factoria, the area’s commercial center.
Lakemont is on the western face of Cougar Mountain and it is a neighborhood of moderate means. Comfortable living along with mid-range rental costs are common here. Other neighborhoods that follow this motif include Silverleaf, Sky Mountain, Vuemont and Cougar Crest.
If you want to rent a place that’s a little more free-roaming, then you might want to look near Bridle Trails. This area is filled with sprawling properties mostly used for equestrian purposes, but there are rentals occasionally available in and around this area.
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