North Bellevue - Bellevue, WA

Bellevue was founded in 1869 by William Meydenbauer. With a relatively low population, the area remained predominantly rural until the construction of the Lake Washington Floating Bridge in 1940. This construction brought more residents to the area looking for a suburban lifestyle outside of the city. In the early 1980s, the development of Bellevue Square as a major shopping center brought more businesses and shops to the neighborhood.

Those interested in the arts find plenty of outlets in Bellevue for expression. The Bellevue Arts Museum hosts various exhibitions year round with art from all over the country. In addition, the Bellevue Arts and Crafts Fair draws huge crowds every year for this cultural celebration occurring at the end of July.

Most of the restaurants in the area lie south of the neighborhood, near Downtown Bellevue. The area contains an abundance of ethnic cuisine, with a particular emphasis on Thai and Japanese food. Located on the main street of downtown, Din Tai Fung acts as one of the busiest Thai restaurants in Bellevue. People on Yelp rave about the dumplings here, with the pork dumplings remaining a popular crowd favorite. With most dishes ranging in the mid-level price range, this eatery becomes packed on the weekends. Din Tai Fung does not accept reservations over the phone, so be prepared to come a little early in order to secure a table.

Of all the high-end restaurants in Bellevue, John Howie Steak Restaurant stands out as one of the best. Due to the high prices of meals here, John Howie’s should be reserved ahead of time for special occasions and celebrations. Treat yourself to the 28-day ribeye for a memorable steak dinner experience. Dishes at this restaurant are served a la carte, so be sure to get a few sides to split with the rest of your group. Those looking to grab an afternoon snack can stop by the bar area during happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. for cheaper prices on appetizers and small plates.

North Bellevue residents enjoy living close to one of the most popular music venues in the city, Bake’s Place. This restaurant and bar serves as host to all kinds of musicians throughout the week. Tuesday and Thursday nights include free entry to see the show with the purchase of a drink. Many people enjoy dining on the outdoor patio during the summer nights to catch a live show and a meal.

While the area includes a few dive bars and breweries to grab a drink at, those looking for the all-encompassing nightlife experience should check out Lucky Strike. This bowling alley appeals to all ages, with family friendly bowling happening during the daytime and the bar opening up during evening hours. Lucky Strike also includes a dance floor with live DJs. Prices here can get pretty expensive on the weekends, but weekday nights usually mean cheaper rates.

In general, North Bellevue residents remain fairly dependent on cars for getting around the neighborhood. With most amenities lying south of the neighborhood, many residents must drive to go about daily errands. Parking in Downtown Bellevue can prove fairly expensive, but spaces in North Bellevue are usually free due to the residential nature of the area. Residents can easily merge onto either Highway 520 or Interstate 405 by way of Bellevue Way NE.

The area includes some public transportation stops, with a few bus lines running through the area. The main bus lines run north and south on Bellevue Way. Those who prefer to bike can use the cycling lane going south on 100th Avenue towards downtown. Yet, the area lacks many other dedicated bike lanes. Once downtown, the neighborhood proves very walkable; however, traveling from North Bellevue usually requires a vehicle of some kind.

Located a few blocks north of the neighborhood, Yarrow Bay Wetlands Park provides plenty of outdoor space for recreational activities. The highlight of this park is the extensive amount of trails for walking, jogging and biking throughout the area. Dogs are welcome at this park, but must remain on a leash at all times. The park also borders Lake Washington and includes a few beach areas. Bellevue Downtown Park acts as another popular park for residents. Located directly next to Bellevue Square Mall, this park includes a children's playground, garden area, and open fields for sports or picnics. In the winter time, the park also includes an ice skating rink.

The cost of living in North Bellevue proves to be its biggest downfall. On average, this neighborhood ranks 5 percent higher than the Bellevue average in terms of expenses. Compared to the Washington state average, North Bellevue is over 30 percent more pricey than most neighborhoods. The key contributor to high costs in this neighborhood is the high cost of housing. A one-bedroom residence can typically be found for an average price of $1,500 per month.

When it comes to other expenses, North Bellevue still outranks most areas, though not by quite so much as housing rates. Gas around this area comes out to about 13 percent more expensive than the national average. A bus ticket to Downtown Bellevue costs $2.50, with cheaper rates available to those who purchase monthly passes. If you’re headed out to a pub, expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $7 for a beer on tap.

Bellevue Square acts as the main area of commerce for the neighborhood, with over 100 different stores located inside. This mall places an emphasis on high-end stores, with most shops including high prices. However, deals can still be found at household name stores, such as Macy’s and Nordstrom.

Located inside the mall, Bellevue Lifespring stands out among the rest of the stores due to its unusually affordable prices. This consignment-style store features clothing from designer brands at non-designer brand pricing, with lightly worn or used clothing, accessories, and jewelry. Shoppers at Bellevue Lifespring can leave feeling good about their purchase, as all proceeds of this volunteer-based store go to helping at-risk families in the Bellevue area.

La Ree Boutique serves as a popular local boutique for women's clothing. Prices here range on the expensive side, but the store usually runs seasonal sales for those looking to grab a deal. Shoppers love the well-thought out selection of designer brands found at this boutique, with clothes from designers, such as Mike & Chris and Mint to browse.

The local QFC acts as the closest grocery store to North Bellevue. Some people prefer to shop at other grocery stores, such as Trader Joes or Whole Foods in Downtown Bellevue. Those looking for a grocery alternative should check out Amazon Fresh for custom food delivery services. In the summer months, the Bellevue Farmers Market attracts crowds looking for local produce every Thursday afternoon. The market also features live music from time to time along with the famous wood-oven pizza food truck. Come early and make a day out of trying different samples of foods and browsing the artisan goods at this market on 16th Street and 100th Avenue.