Sammamish rain versus Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond (Seattle, Mercer Island: low crime, homes, unemployment rate)

[Tall Traveler]

According to what I read on Wikipedia, Sammamish gets 62" of rain annually versus Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland in the mid to upper 30's. My question for those who've lived or worked in both areas, does that seem right and how does that affect the amount of sun?

I'm considering buying some land overlooking Sammamish Lake on the Sam side close to the Redmond (North) area of the lake. When I read that rain total, it gives me pause to build there. Not sure if where they gathered that 62" was in the Highlands where it gets more rain. Maybe since this property is 2 miles from Redmond, it doesn't get 62".

We are going to be retired so not concerned about jobs, schools, etc...just proximity to our son and grandson in Kirkland but we wanted acreage and a view.

[flyingsaucermom]

I'm convinced a difference exists, but it's still subtle. I can't tell you the number of times we have rode home on I-90 from Seattle, emerged from the tunnel on Mercer Island to notably different weather. From that point you can tell that it continues to change as you approach Issaquah. In fact this happened yesterday afternoon... we were coming home from Seattle around 3pm.. a few pockets of sun around Ballard and Capital Hill... came through MI: completely cloudy.. arrived in the Highlands and had sprinkles.

If you want the least amount of rain I would stay on the Bellevue side of Lk Sammamish.

[Tall Traveler]

Originally Posted by flyingsaucermom

I'm convinced a difference exists, but it's still subtle. I can't tell you the number of times we have rode home on I-90 from Seattle, emerged from the tunnel on Mercer Island to notably different weather. From that point you can tell that it continues to change as you approach Issaquah. In fact this happened yesterday afternoon... we were coming home from Seattle around 3pm.. a few pockets of sun around Ballard and Capital Hill... came through MI: completely cloudy.. arrived in the Highlands and had sprinkles.

If you want the least amount of rain I would stay on the Bellevue side of Lk Sammamish.

What about just on the Sammamish side overlooking the lake....it seems like the difference would be the elevation (as in Issaquah and Samm Highlands) and as long as you are around the level of the lake, it shouldn't matter which side of the lake you are on? I don't see acreage on the Bellevue side or at least, it would be more cost prohibitive for us.

[Hemlock140]

I have been in Sammamish 21 years, about as high up as there is on the plateau and not far from the lake as the crow flies. We definitely get more rain than Seattle, where I work now. For the first 16 years I worked in Bellevue, near downtown, and the rain was less there but not enough that you would notice. Sammamish has the lake on one side, the Snoqualmie Valley (rivers) and then the mountains on the other. I would think the clouds pick up more moisture and start dumping it here before it lessens as the storm moves away. Because we are at about 600' elevation, those rare snows can fall here while Bellevue and Redmond get none. As soon as there is a threat of snow, the TV trucks show up to wait for it. It's well worth a it more weather to live here.

[flyingsaucermom]

Originally Posted by Tall Traveler

What about just on the Sammamish side overlooking the lake....it seems like the difference would be the elevation (as in Issaquah and Samm Highlands) and as long as you are around the level of the lake, it shouldn't matter which side of the lake you are on? I don't see acreage on the Bellevue side or at least, it would be more cost prohibitive for us.

Honestly, that distance you're talking about... lake level up to the plateau... I don't really think it would be significant enough to make or brake a decision to buy in Sammamish. In fact, it seems that N. Sammamish has less of a elevation difference than, say, where I'm at in Issaquah Highlands. For an overwhelming majority of the year it simply wouldn't make a difference at all... and there are also hours in many days where the valley actually has more clouds and fog than we do.. I can see it from my upstairs windows.

Now where you do notice a difference is in freezing precipitation. We haven't really seen it in a couple years (and at the rate climate change is happening maybe it'll continue to be a rarer occurrence) but the plateau will freeze sooner than lowlands.

Sammamish is a lovely community. The area around the lake is wonderful, if you can afford it I still think you'd really enjoy it despite a little extra moisture. I certainly would.

[pnwguy2]

upslope Cascade foothill locations receive more rainfall than most. This is even true on Capital Hill, which is certainly not part of the Cascades, though you get the idea. The trade-off is, (and we have seen this as recently as the past week), these areas tend to be warmer in certain seasons, mainly fall, but not unheard of in the spring and summer.

[Hemlock140]

Another example this morning, raining when I left Sammamish, continued through Issaquah, Bellevue was wet but not raining, Seattle bone dry.

[Tall Traveler]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

I have been in Sammamish 21 years, about as high up as there is on the plateau and not far from the lake as the crow flies. We definitely get more rain than Seattle, where I work now. For the first 16 years I worked in Bellevue, near downtown, and the rain was less there but not enough that you would notice. Sammamish has the lake on one side, the Snoqualmie Valley (rivers) and then the mountains on the other. I would think the clouds pick up more moisture and start dumping it here before it lessens as the storm moves away. Because we are at about 600' elevation, those rare snows can fall here while Bellevue and Redmond get none. As soon as there is a threat of snow, the TV trucks show up to wait for it. It's well worth a it more weather to live here.

So what are the benefits to living in Sammamish that make it worth living there? I'm aware that it's beautiful and has low crime and good schools (but we don't have any school age)....what other things make it a place that people obviously choose to live there?

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by Tall Traveler

So what are the benefits to living in Sammamish that make it worth living there? I'm aware that it's beautiful and has low crime and good schools (but we don't have any school age)....what other things make it a place that people obviously choose to live there?

The worst thing about Sammamish is lack of things to do for teens and young adults, especially if they don't drive, with only commuter bus service. For us, in addition to those things you mentioned, one high on the list is the potential for those benefits to remain. Some of the reasons for this include: There is a high percentage of owner-occupied homes; a city that tends to at least attempt to preserve trees, has low debt and high revenue reserves; very low unemployment rate (3.5%), home appreciation rate of 13%, some diversity with 68.9% white, 22.4% Asian; many families with children (85.2%); Highly educated population (Bachelor's degree or higher: 73.8%). We also have what many consider an ideal location, with very few business areas, yet major shopping available 5-6 miles away in either end at Issaquah or Redmond, and a reasonable commute to much of the Puget Sound area.

[pnwguy2]

I should add that while the eastern highlands of Puget Sound can offer warmer temps during the fall, they are also the first to freeze and even produce snowfall during the winter, well before Seattle and Bellevue even see a flake. Again, trade-offs...