Around 500 miles south of Seattle begins the Pacific Coast of California. Any mention of the West Coast typically snubs Washington in favor of the sunny shores of Los Angeles and San Diego. It is partly due to the unbeatable weather and because the southern half of the Western part of the United States is home to some of the best beaches in the country.
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Washington might not be the first place that pops into your mind at the mention of beaches and sunshine, but it should be if you’re talking about waterfronts and the great outdoors. In this regard, Kirkland is an example of what makes the Pacific Northwest a paradise all its own.
Beaches and waterfront parks line Kirkland’s coast from north to south. A booming downtown by the water gives residents access to an eclectic line-up of restaurants. Pair this with some of the biggest tech companies in the world that are headquartered here and it is easy to see why Kirkland is one of the best suburbs in Seattle.
Below, the team at Prevu Real Estate put together the top five reasons you should consider a move to Kirkland.
Unrivaled waterfront lifestyle
Boating and waterfront life is Washington’s claim to fame. Many parts of Seattle have access to the water, be it the Puget Sound or Lake Union.
Kirkland is no different and has 25 miles of publicly accessible waterfront beaches and parks that line the coast of Lake Washington. From the quaint and petite David E. Brink Park, which features picturesque trees bowing over the lake’s clear waters, to the 300-acre Saint Edwards State Park, which is carpeted in endless greenery, residents have access to some of the best outdoor escapes in the state.
Possibly the most exciting thing about waterfront access is the opportunity to get on the water. Multiple rental services exist shoreside to provide rental boats, kayaks, and paddleboats. The lucky few who own waterfront homes with built-in docks can enjoy that access whenever they desire.
Easy accessibility to Seattle and Bellevue
Many of Seattle’s suburbs are equipped to offer all the conveniences and entertainment one might want. But sometimes, the city’s pull is undeniable, whether to visit some of the best coffee shops in Seattle or take a ride to the top of the Seattle Space Needle.
Kirkland, located in what Seattlites call the ‘Eastside,’ is one of the closer suburbs to Seattle, and a typical 20-minute drive will get you right into the center of Downtown. The 520 is the best highway to get to Seattle quickly, but there is also the 405.
This highway connects Kirkland directly to Bellevue, one of Seattle's most affluent and desirable suburbs. The 520 then connects drivers to Mercer Island, from which they can easily access Downtown.
Some of the best dining outside of Seattle
While Seattle naturally has an impressive list of top restaurants and bars, the vibrant multicultural influence brings it all to life. Likewise, Kirkland enjoys the same level of the dining experience when it comes to ethnic cuisine.
With its waterfront location, Kirkland naturally benefits from an array of some of the best seafood restaurants in the area. Local favorites like Anthony’s Home Port and the BeachHouse Bar + Grill offer a top-notch menu with iconic waterfront views. But there are many flavors to discover in restaurants such as Kathakali, which serves Indian food with an urban touch, and seafood specialties from southern India.
And spots like Reunion Malaysian Cafe + Kitchen showcase the unlimited restaurant options Kirkland is known for. Here, Malaysian classics are brought to life with a modern twist. Residents get to experience a wide selection of authentic flavors and dishes, such as the roti canai beef rendang.
An unbeatable range of parks and hiking trails
Lush pine trees and green-soaked trails with mountain views make the outdoors of Kirkland some of the most visually stunning in the area. It is also known as a Pacific Northwest beach town.
Living in Kirkland, residents enjoy access to the Juanita Beach Park and Waverly Beach Park thanks to its iconic waterfront. These become summer playgrounds for Kirkland residents in the warmer months, complete with beach volleyball and sunbathing.
But one of the best ways to experience the Pacific Northwest’s outdoors is through hiking. Kirkland is home to Forbes Creek Trail and the Cotton Hill Trail. During the spring and fall, these trails envelop hikers with lush colors of surrounding trees and views of Washington Lake.
You will be neighbors with some of the biggest names in tech
It is common knowledge that tech is embedded in Seattle’s and its surrounding suburbs’ DNA by now. South Lake Union is one of the epicenters of tech HQs that have transformed the flow of The Emerald City. But nearby Kirkland is also home to some of technology’s titans.
Google opened a Kirkland campus in 2004. Since then, the once-humble office expanded into a 375,000-square foot facility. Zemax and Wyze also have offices here, along with top names in gaming such as 343 Industries.
For anyone looking to enter the technology field or apply for jobs for some of the biggest names in tech, Kirkland provides an unprecedented opportunity.
Interested in buying a house in Kirkland? Browse listings and see how much you can save with Prevu’s Smart Buyer Rebate.
