A few years back, one of our family goals was to visit as many states as we could in one year. During that year, we traveled to 17 states. To make the concept manageable, I sat down and wrote out each state, cities of interest, as well as things to do in that area that were family-friendly.
One of the cities that I took notes on was Bellevue. So, in today’s post, I want to share with you the joys of living and playing in Bellevue, Washington.
Bellevue, Washington
For starters, Bellevue is a gorgeous city in the state of Washington, not to be confused with Washington, DC. It is located just across Lake Washington from Seattle. While this city is gorgeous, it comes with a higher cost of living than the national average. 64% higher that is.
But, keep in mind that cost of living can vary based on various factors such as your career, family size, and the real estate market.
Nevertheless, Bellevue is a lively city and has so much to offer for tourists, as well as those that live there. For example, the Downtown Park has a large lawn, beautiful gardens and a lovely waterfall.
Nearby, you will find the Bellevue Arts Museum which features craft and design exhibitions, as well as a sculpture garden. What I appreciate about the sites in Bellevue is that so many of them are able to be enjoyed outdoors and in the fresh air. This is especially important during times where social distancing is a must.
Aside from these local gems, there are two other family-friendly attractions that are perfect for families – which include The Bellevue Botanical Garden and KidsQuest Children’s Museum.
The Bellevue Botanical Garden
The Bellevue Botanical Garden is a botanical garden east of downtown Bellevue, Washington on Main Street. It first opened to the public in 1992. It is a partnership between the City of Bellevue Parks and Community Services and the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society.
What I appreciate about the botanical garden is that there is no cost. Local organizations work together to maintain the garden to keep it free of charge. However, this does not include special events and online events.
KidsQuest Children’s Museum
Another gem in Bellevue for children and families is the KidsQuest Children’s Museum. This museum is a hands-on, interactive children’s museum that encourages learning through play with an emphasis on STEM.
I appreciate museums that offer STEM related learning. Exhibits and programs at the museum are geared towards children 10 and under and their families.
It’s important to note that the Museum is only open for virtual experiences at this time.
Settling Down in Bellevue?
With Bellevue being so beautiful and having a lot to offer, I can see why people would want to settle down here. If settling down in Bellevue is something you would want to consider, it’s important to know about the real estate market, in which I mentioned early.
But, for starters, you could always rent first and learn more about the area before choosing to buy property. If renting is an option, try Zumper.
Zumper
Zumper is a widely used apartment search resource for the Bellevue area. It is used by millions of renters to find houses, rooms, condos, or apartments for rent.
With Bellevue being so close to Seattle, it is important to have a good rental search tool that is updated daily and in real-time, so that you can monitor listings as you are preparing for your move.
Benefits of Using Zumper
One of the many benefits of using Zumper is that it can save you time and allow yourself to see a larger amount of property listings in a shorter amount of time.
The site also allows you to use a variety of filters to assist you in your search such as by location and price range. You can also set an alert to get notifications when a new listing is posted.
Final Thoughts on Bellevue, Washington
So, whether you are looking to simply spend a few days in Bellevue visiting the gorgeous sites, or relocating and settling down, Bellevue has something for you.
Just keep in mind a few things. For example, the cost of living is higher than the national average, therefore, things that you purchase such as food, admissions, gas, rent, etc., will likely be higher than what you are probably used to paying.
And, if you are choosing to settle down in Bellevue, try using Zumper for your rental needs until you are certain you are ready to buy.
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