City of Sammamish & Sammamish Real Estate

Sammamish is located on a plateau bordered by Lake Sammamish and the Snoqualmie Valley. Locally referred to as the Sammamish Plateau, the peaceful environment offers a feeling of wellness and relaxation. Located on the eastern shore of Lake Sammamish, the town is one of Seattle’s most distant suburbs.

High above the congestion of its more populous neighbors, Sammamish has cool, pure air and an extremely low crime rate of less than 8%. In fact, on a nationally scaled safety index, the city rates a high 86 of a possible 100. As a result, Sammamish has become popular with families seeking to raise their children in a healthy and safe environment.

Sammamish was originally a regional resort and recreation area and the shores of Lake Sammamish are lined with large estate properties with some having over an acre of shoreline land. With a population numbering approximately 45,000, Sammamish has made an appearance on the “best places to live in the US” by several national publications.

History

The land on which the city of Sammamish now sits was first settled in the 1870s and 1880s. By the late 1880s the area had gained popularity and the population starting growing in real numbers. As with other cities in the area, the Sammamish Plateau benefited from the lumber industry that was thriving in the region. When the loggers moved out, the community shifted to tourism and the southern half of the Sammamish Plateau near Pine Lake became a thriving resort area. By the late 1930s there were three separate resorts on Pine Lake as well as a Four Seasons Resort on the Beaver Lake.

In the 1960s a modest amount of business growth was starting, including Boeing and by the 1970s, the resorts had disappeared and residential development took off. By the mid-1980s growth accelerated as more homes, schools, parks and infrastructure were built. Despite its long history, Sammamish did not incorporate as a city until 1999. The relatively remote location and its smaller size, kept it from gaining much attention. Now the community is attracting new residents who want to escape the hectic lifestyle of its neighbors.

Things to Do

While the community of Sammamish has some wonderful dining, shopping and nightlife options, the neighborhood’s laid back lifestyle centers on the outdoors. Community parks and trails wind through the city and residential developments also offer plenty of green space and recreation areas. Water lover can enjoy the shoreline along Lake Sammamish which is popular for picnics and swimming. Outdoor entertainment in the summer and great winter sports make it an all-year destination.

Arts and Culture

Celebrating local artists and musicians is a community value. The residents and city leaders take great pride in the quality and quantity of local work. The Arts Commission, a part of the City Council, is devoted to creating opportunities for the community to share its culture and city character. The city’s diversity is evident in the annual Sammamish ARTS Fair. The fair invites local artists to share their unique views of the area through fine art, music, performance, classes and activities.

The Eastside Heritage Center has displays and events which commemorate the history of the area. The largest collection of artifacts, photographs and other historically significant materials can be found at the Center. Special events are ongoing, including tours of local homes and buildings which date back to the early days of Sammamish.

Outdoor Activities

The abundance of outdoor activities and opportunities is what lures so many people to the city of Sammamish. Its location is close to mountains, lakes, parks and other areas of outdoor fun. Many of the housing developments have private or public trails, parks and green space dedicated to the enjoyment of its residents and their guests. The City of Sammamish maintains 9 different city parks and several hiking, walking and biking trails. There are also two city managed nature preserves dedicated to protecting the local wildlife and fauna while offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy the land in its native state.

Pine Lake Park offers a boat launch and fishing piers as well as a swimming beach and picnic tables. Big Rock Park offers winding walking and biking trails which run for 1.5 miles through the terrain. Sammamish Landing Park offers the only public property along Lake Sammamish in the city. This 8 acre site is comprised of three beach areas as well as two docks from which one can launch a boat, kayak or paddle board. The park offers a sheltered picnic area with barbecue grills and restrooms, so visitors can enjoy an entire day at the shore.

Winter weather does not keep residents indoors. Not only are the ski slopes a short drive away, but outfitters offer snow shoe and snow mobile tours of the mountains and winter trails. For cold weather fun any time of year there is the Mini Mountain Indoor Ski Center.Offering lessons and classes for all ages, the instructors teach skiing in a warm, indoor environment as skiers glide down ramps and practice getting on and off the chairlift.

Shopping

The downtown revolves around 228th Ave. Here is located the newest addition to the community, the Saffron Center. The center offers 50,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. A mixed-use property, there are also 100 apartment units and is just across the street from Trader Joe’s. The city has all the big city retails stores for convenience and small, local boutiques which carry more specialized goods and treats.

Dining and Entertainment

When weather permits, Sammamish entertainment moves outdoors. During the summer months, the city of Sammamish hosts Concerts in the Park, located at Pine Lake Park. This weekly concert takes place every Thursday from 6:30 to 8pm and is free to the public. Another opportunity to enjoy the warm summer evenings is the Outdoor Movie on the Plaza which takes place at Sammamish Commons Plaza at City Hall. Family friendly movies are shown on the big screen while attendees can enjoy tasty treats from the food vendors or try their hand at craft stations.

Outdoor theater is another popular city activity. Shakespeare in the Park is presented on the green at Klahanie Park. Performed by the Seattle Shakespeare Company, the classics come to life under the stars while residents and visitors lounge on their picnic blankets or low-back chairs. Local vendors provide food and beverage refreshments and pre-show musical acts add to the festive environment.

The Pacific Northwest is a foodie haven with celebrity chefs pushing the culinary world with new techniques and tastes. Sammamish restaurants reflect this innovative approach and attitude. The diversity of its population ensures that there is a wide variety of options, from Spanish tapas to hearty micro-brew houses.

Schools

Sammamish is known for its top performing schools. Children attend schools from either Issaquah or Lake Washington School Districts, both offering outstanding educational programs. Sammamish students achieve a high rank in testing for excellence in math, language arts and science.

Over the past decade, a special educational push has been to close the achievement gap and grow the graduation rate, with great results. By focusing on the student’s needs and bringing teachers, educators, parents, administrators and students together to support the process, the outcome-based goals are being achieved.

Sammamish has 20 preschools, 11 elementary schools, 11 middle schools and 4 high schools. With a mix of 13 public schools and 22 private schools, the city has an impressive selection of fine academic options available for local parents.

Renaissance School of Art and Reasoning at Eastlake High

One of the Choice schools offered by the Lake Washington School District is the Renaissance School of Art and Reasoning, located on Eastlake High School in Sammamish. The school offers students grades 6-8 the opportunity to learn in unique environment which emphasizes the full development of the student, including the basics, arts, sciences and language arts. Learning in a creative environment, the students focus on the visual and performing arts use this lens to learn more about their community. Strong ties are developed with the local environment as social responsibility is stressed and encouraged.

Arbor Montessori Schools

Started in 1993 when founder, Mary O’Brien, wanted a Montessori Elementary School option in the Plateau area. The school started with only 8 students and now serves over 150 children from 6 weeks old to 6th grade. The child-centered educational programs allow the students to explore their studies based on interests and learning patterns. By providing the curriculum in a child-driven manner, the love of learning is established at an early age.

Economy

Sammamish has a very low unemployment rate of less than 4%. Over the past few years, the city has grown at an astonishing rate of 28.4%, significantly above regional, state and national growth rates. The boom in the local economy is seen across the industries which call Sammamish home. An impressive rate of growth especially given the fact that there are few major employers inside the city boundaries; the only two major companies in Sammamish are Safeway and QFC. The other largest employers are the Lake Washington School District and Issaquah School District.

Many residents do seek employment outside the city limits, however. The easy access to roads and public transportation make Sammamish and ideal place for commuters. While Seattle is less than an hour away, most commuters make a much shorter drive to nearby Issaquah or Redmond and still make it home in time to enjoy an evening bike ride or walk. Residents report a high quality of life and great work-home balance, compared to other cities of comparable size outside the Puget Sound region.

Transportation

Sammamish is served by two major north-south roads, East Lake Sammamish and 228th Avenue. They connect to State Route 202 and provide access to neighboring Redmond and Issaquah along Interstate 90. Public transportation is provided by King County Metro and Sound Transit Express buses. The Metro also began running a dial-a-ride bus system to the Sammamish Plateau in 1993 and expanded the commuter services in the early 2000s and now serves residents working to ditch their private vehicle and enjoy the perks of public transportation. The prevalence of public transportation options is evidence of the community’s emphasis on environmental concerns.

Sammamish, Washington Real Estate

Real estate in Sammamish consists primarily of modest, affordable single family homes built from the 1950s to 1960s. For those who crave a more mountainous environment, the forest areas of Sammamish offer a more remote-feeling forest location. Sammamish is known for its varied array of architectural styles and design, with even the luxury homes priced at affordable prices.

Featured Neighborhoods in Sammamish, Washington

Summer Ridge – Summer Ridge is one of the most popular communities in Sammamish due to its close proximity to Redmond which is home to Microsoft and many of the residents’ jobs. Developed between the early 1980s through 1994, there are 350 homes and in most markets, houses sell quickly, often with multiple offers.

Heritage Hills – With homes that rarely come up for sale, Heritage Hills range in size from 2400 to 3500 square feet. The neighborhood is comprised of custom homes which add to the eclectic style of the area. Houses sit on spacious lots that have retained their forested atmosphere. The neighborhood has a private 6 acre park for resident use.

Vintage – Located at the far end of Sammamish, the Vintage subdivision is only 22 miles from Seattle and many residents make the quick commute daily. The neighborhood has long winding roads and a distinctly rural feel with large trees and larger lots than many of the other areas of the town.

Trossachs – The lifestyle of residents of Trossachs is centered around outdoor activities. Bordering the northern edge of the Trossachs is the Soaring Eagle Park which is over 600 acres of mature forests, wetlands and wildlife habitat. Another local recreation attraction is the Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park which offers a 6-mile loop.

Sahalee – Sahalee is a private, gated community which has over 500 homes and residents enjoy the exclusive Sahalee Country Club. The community has a private golf course and many of the homes are place on or with a view of the course. The Sahalee Golf Course has hosted several noteworthy tournaments including the 1998 PGA Championship and the 2010 US Senior Open.