Working in Bellevue but want to live in Seattle (Wilbur: apartments, neighborhood) - Washington (WA) -Seattle and King County Suburbs - City-Data Forum

CirculateRX · 12-17-2021, 04:45 PM

Hi, we thought we were working at uw montlake or Harborview but…
We will be working at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue but want to live west. We want to experience the walkable lifestyle. What area could we look at that would be an easy access and drive across the 520 bridge and also be in a place that has many restaurants, shops, and grocery options to walk to from our apartment. Madrona? Madison park? Cap hill? Eastlake?
We don’t wanna go on the south bridge our family members live in the northern suburbs so we don’t wanna be too far away.

CrazyDonkey · 12-17-2021, 07:56 PM

CirculateRX · 12-17-2021, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

Hi thanks so much! Isn’t the east link being built across the south bridge?

leastprime · 12-17-2021, 10:51 PM

Yes, LINK is over the I-90 bridge (south end of Ldub).
Why pay the toll over 520 bridge if you take a personal vehicle?
Other options-Carpooling, vanpooling, Soundtransit.org, KingCounty.gov will give you the vehicle for transportation pooling.

If you can get to Husky Stadium Link/TC it's easy; Take the bus #271 over 520 bridge to Bellevue TC-OLH; Walk the 5 blocks from B-TC to OLH or #250/#271bus. Overlake H. will give you an ORCACard whether you use it or not.

Area around Overlake-Bellevue is pretty good. Draw a circle 1mile around OLH. JMO, I think downtown Bellevue is expensive. Lots of grocery and ethnic restaurants on 148 & 156 vicinity, couple of small malls. Older, +10yrs, apartments in eastside will more likely have free parking. Apartments newer buildings ,6over1, will likely have fee parking.

Keep your options open by keeping your 1st abode shortterm.
YMMV

homesinseattle · 12-17-2021, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CirculateRX

Hi, we thought we were working at uw montlake or Harborview but…
We will be working at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue but want to live west. We want to experience the walkable lifestyle. What area could we look at that would be an easy access and drive across the 520 bridge and also be in a place that has many restaurants, shops, and grocery options to walk to from our apartment. Madrona? Madison park? Cap hill? Eastlake?
We don’t wanna go on the south bridge our family members live in the northern suburbs so we don’t wanna be too far away.

We live in Madison Park, nice little village, quite walkable and easy 520 access. Madrona has the same feeling although a little farther to 520.

Kayela · 12-18-2021, 08:08 AM

When I lived by the light rail in Capitol Hill, it was a few minutes to UW, and then a walk across the street to grab a bus to the Bellevue TC. Never had to wait more than 5 minutes (and the link to Bellevue won't be long). Also, Capitol Hill is an easy commute since there are actual options for surface streets once you're across 520. We did this for a good decade, and commuted from Queen Anne (didn't like the Mercer Mess), DT Seattle (best commute, hated how on guard you felt walking out your front door), and then Capitol Hill, which is an easy commute with lots of transit options, and also lots of walkable everyday stuff - better than DT in that regard. It's one thing to walk to some retail and restaurants, but it's even better to have options for things like multiple gyms, eye doctor, dentist, many grocery options, plus all the retail, and restaurants that range from food trucks to higher end dining. We typically drove to work, but then walked for all of our everyday errands. Best wishes finding your new place!

jabogitlu · 12-18-2021, 10:07 AM

If you're planning to drive, want easy access to SR-520, and want a walkable lifestyle, I'd look at Greenlake, Wallingford and Capitol Hill as my first three choices.

Secondary would be Phinney-Greenwood (drive around the SW side of Green Lake, hit 50th or 45th, onto I-5 and then onto SR-520), or Madison Beach/Madison Park (small commercial strip, very posh and cute neighborhood, no through traffic since it's the "end of the road"...)

Eastlake is also an option but that neighborhood feels very dense. It's super walkable but it lacks some basic amenities, street parking is incredibly difficult, etc. I'd urge you to visit the neighborhood first before you decide on that one.

If you're looking for an intensively urban lifestyle, then South Lake Union has it all: very walkable, easy parking (if your building has a parking garage), relatively easy access to SR-520. But it is truly an urban experience, so if you want some breathing room, this ain't it.

ETA: Someone else mentioned this, but just so you're aware, SR-520 is a tolled bridge.

CrazyDonkey · 12-18-2021, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CirculateRX

Hi thanks so much! Isn’t the east link being built across the south bridge?

Yes, but could still be quicker (and cheaper than driving - say Roosevelt Station to Wilburton Station - or at least a lot less stressful (than fighting traffic on the Montlake Bridge or at the 520-Exit off I-5). The key is being close to a station or having a quick-and-reliable "feeder" connection. If close to the Burke-Gilman Trail, you could ride your bike to the UW station.

t. raleigh fingers · 12-18-2021, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CirculateRX

Hi, we thought we were working at uw montlake or Harborview but…
We will be working at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue but want to live west. We want to experience the walkable lifestyle. What area could we look at that would be an easy access and drive across the 520 bridge and also be in a place that has many restaurants, shops, and grocery options to walk to from our apartment. Madrona? Madison park? Cap hill? Eastlake?
We don’t wanna go on the south bridge our family members live in the northern suburbs so we don’t wanna be too far away.

Downtown Bellevue is very walkable. The bonus is that there are no needles strewn about, and rapes and assaults are very rare.

jabogitlu · 12-20-2021, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t. raleigh fingers

Downtown Bellevue is very walkable. The bonus is that there are no needles strewn about, and rapes and assaults are very rare.

Ever been to Montlake, Madrona, Madison, Leschi, Wallingford...? Or are you just spewing text?