City of Redmond & Redmond Real Estate

Redmond, Washington is located 16 miles east of Seattle. A smaller community than many of its neighbors, the 2017 census estimates the full-time residents numbering just under 65,000. Redmond is the “Bicycle Capital of the Northwest” and hosts an annual bike race through the city streets each year. It is home to the states only velodrome, an indoor arena for bike racing which feature banked sides to allow for speed and ease of movement.

Residents of Redmond are proud of their town and this community spirit is evident throughout the city. Community participation and planning is higher than most other cities of similar size and local shops and businesses embrace influx of visitors for the cycling events. The park system includes multiple walking and biking trails, many of which are used for the race each year which winds through the city streets.

History

Artifacts found in the area show that Native Americans have lived in the vicinity for over 10,000 years. The first European settlers arrived in the 1870s when Luke McRedmond filed a Homestead Act claim for land in what is now Richmond. Originally named after a local inn, Melrose House, McRedmond ran and was elected to postmaster and successfully changed the name from Melrose to Richmond in 1883.

Redmond quickly grew as the logging and fishing industries of the area needed supplies, goods and services. Merchants sprung up in the city and in 1889 the Seattle Lake Shore & Eastern Railway built a new station in Redmond, trade increased more dramatically. In 1920, Redmond experienced a downturn when Prohibition forced the close of the town’s saloons which had provided significant tax revenues from miners and loggers. Logging was also declining during this time due to the removal of so much of the area’s forests. Fortunately, local residents realized the denuded land was fertile for farming and Redmond because an agricultural center for the region.

With the completion and opening of the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge over Lake Washington, Redmond gained access to Seattle and expansion really began. Companies like Microsoft and Nintendo of America made Redmond their headquarters and the town has blossomed into a tech-savvy community.

Things to Do

Centrally located between Seattle and the Sammamish River Valley, Redmond sits at the heart of the region and offers some of the best attractions of the area. Cycling of all kinds is at the heart of the community with extensive bike trails and other cycling opportunities, including clubs and special events. As with other areas of the Pacific Northwest, the natural beauty of the city beckons residents outside to enjoy the fresh air and scenic environment.

From hot air balloons to wine tours, Redmond entertains its guests with a wide variety of entertainment, shopping and dining options. Each year as the city swells with cyclists from around the globe, local restaurants and shops gear up to offer the best the region has to offer with specialty gifts, foods and experiences.

Arts and Culture

Redmond is home to an extensive outdoor public art collection. With over 100 works which include sculpture, fountains, structures and paintings, Redmond has an impressive permanent collection which is carefully preserved for its historic and cultural significance. Two of the most recent installations are Sky Painting and Signals. Sky Painting is now considered the largest painted surface in the state of Washington and features ten-foot rings in alternating blue and yellow designed to draw the viewer’s eye to the patch of adjacent trees. Signals is a site-specific installation by artist John Fleming who used decommissioned train signals to create a structure of steel, colored LED lighting and signals which lights up the evening sky.

Local artists can connect and display their work at VALA, Venues for Artists in the Local Area, located in the Eastside section of Redmond. This non-profit provides the public with a place to experience the creations of local artist from the region. Music lovers can enjoy the summer concert series at Marymoor Park. This 5000 person concert venue welcomes acts from all over each year to delight visitors wanting to hear great music in a beautiful, outdoor setting. For classical music enthusiasts, the Eastside Symphony is a community-based orchestra which presents four concert programs each year ranging from well-known classics to newer, innovative selections.

Outdoor Activities

Outdoor activities in Redmond centers around cycling and residents and visitors enjoy the great selection of parks and trails. Bicycling guides are available which provide suggested routes which range from a relaxing afternoon peddle to more challenging climbs. The mild climate in Redmond allows for outdoor activities throughout the year.

The Redmond City Parks and Recreation Department owns and manages 23 city parks which include over 1000 acres of open green space. In addition to biking trails, they maintain picnic areas, ball parks, playgrounds, equestrian trails and facilities and the velodrome. The Redmond Watershed Preserve is a popular trail system which includes a carefully designed horseback riding trail and interactive hiking trail. Along the Sammamish River is a multi-purpose trail with a soft surface which invites bicyclists, skaters and hikers to enjoy the almost 10 miles along the river. There is also a soft surface trail for horses and the path extends from Marymoor Park to the Burke Gilman Trail in Bothell.
Lake Sammamish offers beach lovers a place for summer activities. With a swimming beach and small ramp for launching a car-top sized boat, families are seen enjoying the cool water during the warmer months.

Shopping

The heart of the Redmond shopping scene is the Redmond Town Center. This outdoor shopping experience offers far more than just great retail stores. Offering national chains such as Macy’s, Petco and Restoration Hardware, Redmond Town Center also offers a variety of local and specialty shops showcasing unique products and crafts. May through October, the Redmond Town Center hosts a local farmer’s market each Saturday from 9am to 3pm. There residents and visitors can stock up on fresh local produce, nuts, jams, crafts and art. Everything is made, grown or produced in Washington State.

Other popular events hosted by the Redmond Town Center are the annual Arts Festival and the Pacific NW Chalk Fest and Sidewalk Sale which showcases chalk artists from across the Puget Sound region. Other events from winter festivities to a Halloween trick or treat evening provide more community involvement and are just some of the many reasons the center has become part of the community framework of the city.

The healthy lifestyle of the community is enhanced with many natural food shopping stores. Redmond has a beautiful Whole Foods Shopping Center which not only has the grocery store section for also an onsite restaurant and extensive prepared food section. Keep it Simple Farm is another one-stop shop dedicated to sustainable and organic farming practices. The farm offers a variety of seasonal produce, fresh eggs and other foods but also sells all the supplies and plants needed to create a sustainable, organic garden at home.

Dining and Entertainment

The Pacific Northwest has become a leader in food innovation and Redmond is home to a myriad of restaurants offering unique tastes and flavors. The increasingly diverse population has inspired international dining experiences which include French, Mediterranean and Thai. Delicious vintages from Washington State’s collection of local wineries can be found in the city’s tasting rooms along with a number of small-batch and micro-breweries.

So Bazaar Night Market is held on three Thursdays in August which fills downtown Redmond with music. Each year the market showcases food, drinks, art and shopping reflecting the year’s theme. Located at the Redmond Central Connector Trail, the So Bazaar Night Market features nationally renowned chefs and entertainers each year and is one of the most anticipated events of the area.

The K1 Speed is the best indoor go kart racing facility in the region. Unique in the sense that the raceway surface is made of concrete instead of asphalt, the K1 Speed allows for “drifting” adding a heart-pounding thrill to the sport. This 1/5 mile track is one of the area’s most popular activities in Redmond.

Schools

Redmond is serviced by the public schools of the Lake Washington School District. This high-ranking district is the fifth largest school district in the state with a student population of about 26,000 students. The district is known for its low teacher-to-student ratio and focuses on creating opportunities unique to each child in order to assure a successful entry to either secondary education or the workforce after graduation. The Lake Washington School District includes 53 schools including 31 elementary schools, 12 junior high schools, 4 traditional high schools and 6 non-traditional high schools.

One of the most innovative non-traditional high schools is located in Redmond and attracts students who want to focus on math and science. The Tesla STEM High School offers a curriculum whose core program focuses on STEM fields; Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

There are several private and parochial schools in the Redmond area for those seeking a private education including Brightmont Academy, Medina Academy and Bear Creek School.

Economy

The largest employer in the city is Microsoft. In 1986, Microsoft moved its headquarters to Redmond and employs almost 35,000 local full-time employees and occupies more than 8 million square feet of office space, most of which is in Redmond. In 2006, Microsoft purchased the former Safeco campus and expanded their operation even further.

Redmond has attracted other technology companies as well. Nintendo of America, Genie Industries, Wild Tangent and Data I/O are just a few of the companies who call Redmond home. In 2015, SpaceX and Hyperloop Genesis announced a new facility in Redmond. This research and development location will focus on a proposed internet communications satellite constellation and new transport system. AT &T Mobility is also located in Redmond as are other non-tech companies such as Honeywell, United Parcel Service and Aerojet.
With an unemployment rate of fewer than 4%, Redmond citizens enjoy a robust job market right in their own backyard which makes commuting less necessary. As a result, residents report a very high home-work balance and high quality of life.

Transportation

The compact size of Redmond makes getting around town easy. Many residents have embraced its cycling image and ride bikes to and from work, recreation and shopping. The city is located on State Highway 202 which connects Redmond to Bethel and Bellevue. Both King County Metro and Sound Transit provide regular service to the city and many residents use public transportation for all of their main commuting needs. Located less than 45 minutes from Redmond is the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and downtown Seattle which provides over 100 daily non-stop flights to destinations all over the country and Canada.

Redmond, Washington Real Estate

Redmond is filled with housing options which range from stylish condos to large ultra-modern homes. Traditional neighborhoods include beautiful gardens and huge, lush greenery while the downtown area features a variety of mixed-use, urban-style lofts and townhomes. Truly a blend of urban and rural, Redmond even offers farm properties with beautiful grounds, views equestrian amenities.

Featured Neighborhoods in Redmond, Washington

Bear Creek – One of the most interesting neighborhoods in Redmond is Bear Creek. Named after the creek which runs through the development, Bear Creek includes 489 acres which shares residential areas with resource lands. A fairly new community, builders have created comfortable and affordable housing options which take advantage of new, environmentally friendly building techniques.

North Redmond – North Redmond is a residential area situated within the King County Urban Growth Area which limits urban growth and emphasizes development plans which include open spaces and rural areas. As a result, North Redmond includes trails, parks and expansive green areas.

Overlake Village – Overlake Village is the center of employment and commerce in Redmond. The mixed-use community includes business, shopping, dining, entertainment and housing options. The distinctly urban feel has special appeal to younger residents who enjoy the quick access to local nightlife and amenities. With easy access to SR-520 and the public transport services of downtown Redmond, Overlake Village is a popular choice for commuters.