Moving from Seattle to Redmond? (Bellevue, Kirkland: apartment complex, condo, house)

[runningforthehillz]

In my mid-30s and thinking about selling my smallish condo for a house on the Eastside. I don't know a lot about the eastside but it seems like Redmond would be a fit? I'd love a house with a yard and easy access to the highway and restaurants.

Would Redmond be a good place for someone who is currently single but wants to settle down in a few years?

My employer is in Bellevue but I switch jobs every couple of years. What is the commute like from Redmond into Seattle?

Any other locations I should explore?

[mike62pp3]

Completely depends on what your hobbies are.

Redmond has a small selection of decent restaurants and is where 520 starts/ends, so it's roughly a 30/40min commute to Seattle (without traffic). If you enjoy mostly hanging around the Eastside and don't need to head into Seattle that often, you should be fine. I have friends who moved from Seattle to Redmond to be closer to work (and avoid the commute) but found that they're always commuting to Seattle during the week/weekends and found it a little boring (they're also single in the mid-30s, but also living in an apartment complex with nothing within walking distance). If you prefer walking distance to restaurants then RTC would be a good option. Those are also the more expensive locations.

If you would like to be closer to Seattle but still on the Eastside then Bellevue + Kirkland would be a great (but pricey) location.

[homesinseattle]

Kirkland might be better. More restaurants, close to 405 (and 520, if your job ever changes to Seattle), close to parks and Lake Washington.

[misscross]

either Bellevue or Kirkland would be better than Redmond for a single guy