Seattle has a lot to offer, including a strong economy, serene natural surroundings, and a vibrant culture. However, while the city is an excellent place to live, the big crowds, traffic, and noisiness aren’t for everyone. Many of Seattle’s residents prefer to live outside of the big city in the many suburbs surrounding it.
Many suburbs within driving distance from Seattle offer picturesque and comfortable settings. Let’s look at some of the Seattle suburbs that provide an excellent lifestyle to residents.
Bothell
Bothell is a suburb situated a 25-minute drive northeast of Seattle, just past the northern tip of Lake Washington. It is home to nearly 50,000 residents and is a thriving community with excellent parks and natural scenery. Bothell is loved by residents for its great schools, abundant restaurants, and busy Main Street. It is also a short drive from Washington’s wine country, so there is much to love about living here.
Lake Forest Park
Lake Forest Park is a quiet suburb only a 20-minute drive from Seattle. Lake Forest Park has a community of roughly 13,000 and is a peaceful, safe place for families to live. As the name suggests, this city has picturesque natural settings with numerous parks and trails to explore along the shores of Lake Washington. It also has excellent shopping and dining, with the Town Center a standout.
Woodinville
Woodinville is a Seattle suburb just east of Bothell, a similarly brief 25-minute drive from the big city. While Woodinville has a relatively small population of 13,000, it is known as the center of Washington’s wine country. This city has wineries lining the outskirts, and the town is dedicated to delicious food and drink.
Kirkland
Kirkland is situated on the eastern shore of Lake Washington across the water from Seattle. It is roughly a 15-minute drive to the city, but Kirkland is a major hub in its own right. Home to over 90,000 residents, this city is known for its parks along the water, trendy boutique shops, and thriving arts scene. With numerous galleries, museums, and outdoor art displays, the culture in Kirkland is top-notch.
Mukilteo
Mukilteo is a city roughly a 45-minute drive north of Seattle along the shores of Puget Sound. Mukilteo is known for its strong economy, great schools, and picturesque setting. It has a thriving waterfront area with restaurants and shops, excellent museums and restaurants, and abundant outdoor recreation activities with a mountainous backdrop.
Bainbridge Island
Bainbridge Island is a city across the water west of Seattle, a 35-minute ferry from the city. This island community is home to roughly 20,000 and is one of the most scenic places in Washington State. Bainbridge Island has unmatched views of the Seattle skyline, the Cascade Mountains, and Puget Sound. It is a popular tourist hotspot for its excellent hiking trails, rustic setting, rocky beaches, and quaint restaurants and shops.
Sammamish
Sammamish is a city home to 67,000 residents situated a half-hour’s drive east of Seattle. Sammamish is along the shores of Lake Sammamish, giving it a pleasant waterfront setting. It is one of the more affluent cities in Washington, with excellent real estate options and many residents with high-powered jobs. It has great golf courses as well.
Edmonds
Edmonds is a city of roughly 40,000 residents located a thirty-minute drive from Seattle. Edmonds is based along Puget Sound facing the Olympic Mountains, so residents of this city have some truly jaw-dropping vistas. Edmonds has scenic parks, many outdoor recreation options, and a thriving art scene. It is a perfect city for those that love the water, with easy access to boating, fishing, and beaches.
