Welcome to the Eastside
INVESTED IN THE COMMUNITY
A long-time Eastside resident, Robin has witnessed the explosive growth and expansion across the region and is excited for its continued growth and future development. For more than a decade, she’s lived in Downtown Bellevue and is enthusiastic about redefining urban living as the landscape of the city and its beautiful skyline continues to evolve. Robin works with condo and townhouse buyers and sellers across the Eastside.
Bellevue
Meaning “beautiful view” in French, Bellevue’s expanding skyline certainly lives up to its namesake. The city has grown from a rural suburb into the thriving residential and business community it is today. Before the construction of the first bridge across Lake Washington, Bellevue was no more than a rural suburb where wealthy Seattle families built summer cabins and vacationed along the western shore. Now the economic epicenter of the Eastside, Bellevue has a thriving arts, entertainment and shopping scene. For outdoors aficionados, Bellevue has an extensive park system with more than 90 miles of trails and 2,700 acres of open space.
Kirkland
Incorporated in 1905, Kirkland’s early industries focused on wool milling and ship building on the shores of Lake Washington. The Lake Washington Shipyard (at the site of what is now Carillon Point) constructed ferries, repaired boats and built warships for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Fast forward a century and Kirkland has grown to the 13th largest city in the state with its own business identity as home to tech giants Google, Wave, and Tableau. With a robust arts and entertainment scene, the Kirkland waterfront has maintained its quaint beach village charm complete with lakefront bistros, locally-owned boutiques, beaches, marinas, kayak and paddleboard rentals. The city is also home to over 25 miles of horse and hiker friendly trails and dozens of neighborhood parks.
Redmond
Situated about 20 miles east of Seattle on the north end of Lake Sammamish, Redmond got its start in logging, lumber mills and, later, agriculture. Best known as the home of Microsoft, the city’s path as the center for high-tech began in the 1960s when it became home to companies specializing in aircraft electronics. Nintendo settled here in 1982 and Microsoft soon followed in 1986. Redmond’s growth expanded further with the arrival of high-tech and biomedical companies. Redmond has a healthy economic base, excellent schools, expansive parks and recreation system and diverse shopping, dining and entertainment choices. The Lake Washington School District, which also serves Kirkland and Sammamish, is one of the largest in the state and is consistently ranked in the state’s top 10%.
Issaquah
Initially a small mining town, Issaquah focus shifted to lumber in the late 1980s. A rural outpost on the Eastside, growth was slow for the following century and was fueled primarily by Boeing employment. The city expanded in the late 1980s with the arrival of Microsoft in nearby Redmond and the relocation of Costco’s global headquarters from Kirkland. Nestled at the foot of the “Issaquah Alps” with easy access to the Cascade Mountain’s ski resorts and hiking trails, the city offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities and is a year-round haven for biking, hiking, hang-gliding, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and trail riding. It’s quaint preserved historic downtown business district to home to fine and casual dining, pubs and the popular Village Theater while its quiet neighborhoods and highly rated schools making it a popular suburban destination.
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