Southeast Redmond - Redmond, WA

South Redmond started out largely as a logging and fishing town until heavy logging saw most of the mills close down. The newly cleared land was then farmed, which sustained the community through the Depression until World War II, at which point many jobs were created in the local shipyards. After the war, the city continued to grow at a fast pace through to the '80s and '90s. Tech companies began transplanting their operations to Redmond, and it became known as an area of major technology industry.

No notable museums are to be found in Southeast Redmond, but, as the neighborhood lies close to Seattle, it’s a quick trip to find what you’re looking for. For students of theatre arts, Redmond plays host to the Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts located at 18007 NE 76th Street. Redmond's annual Derby Days also spread into South Redmond every July.

Many of the best dining options for residents of Southeast Redmond can be found in the Downtown Redmond area, which sits very close to the eastern border of the neighborhood. If you’re looking for a quick breakfast or lunch, try Blazing Bagels, a great bagel shop that has expanded into other fresh baked goods and now offers sandwiches and more. No visit to Blazing Bagels should end without trying a Bagel Dog, according to locals. Ask for a plain bagel with toppings, a cheesy bagel dog or, if you’re a vegetarian, a veggie dog.

Be sure to check out Thai65 Cafe. This eatery’s range of Asian cuisine includes a wide selection of starters, sides, rice and curries, with options for lunch or dinner. For a quick fix, try the Pad Thai: thin rice noodles with tomato paste, egoo, bean sprouts, green onion, lime and ground peanuts.

The Sunny Teriyaki Redmond Mart meanwhile ensures a unique dining experience, as the restaurant attaches to a convenience store. The Asian cuisine on this menu can be ordered ahead of time by phone or online and then picked up or eaten at the premises.

Very few nightlife options exist in Southeast Redmond, so most residents stick to the Downtown Redmond area in the evenings. Try the Three Lions Pub for an evening with an authentic English flair, including a range of English cuisine and imported ales and hard cider. For a unique nightlife spot, Salt in Downtown Redmond provides a bar alongside the attached movie theater. Enjoy a movie and order a snack, meal or drink as you do. Visit Malt and Vine for a broad selection of beers and wines available for drinking at the bar or for pickup to take home. For live music, Concerts at Marymoor feature many musical acts over the course of the summer.

While the most common means of getting around Southeast Redmond include personal automobile and public transit, a portion of the neighborhood has extensive biking infrastructure and the City of Redmond even hosts a bike-to-work day and month, with incentives for participants. The neighborhood is serviced by bus routes operated by either King County Metro Transit or Sound Transit for connections between neighborhoods, adjacent cities and the overall region.

Ride-share services such as Uber do not currently operate in the area and taxi cabs cannot be hailed. If you do need to hire a car, many taxi cab services that operate within the Southeast Redmond area but must be called to schedule a pickup. On-street parking may be limited in Southeast Redmond, but find ample parking for customers available at various businesses.

Part of Southeast Redmond’s border abuts Highway 520, which can be accessed in the northeast portion of the neighborhood. As many of the businesses in the area are relatively spread out, the neighborhood isn’t particularly walkable, but find many walking options when visiting nearby Downtown Redmond. Redmond as a whole claims it's the bicycle capital of the Northwest. The western portion of the neighborhood has limited biking infrastructure, but the rest of Southeast Redmond, as well as the surrounding areas, features extensive biking opportunities.

Marymoor Park, the only major green space in Southeast Redmond, takes up a hefty portion of the total area of the neighborhood with its 640-acre grounds. Amenities in the park include a large off-leash dog park section and plenty of opportunities for families and exercise enthusiasts, such as biking, walking or jogging trails, soccer fields, baseball fields, a cricket field, a remote control plane flying field, a 35-foot freestanding climbing structure, picnic areas and more.

Marymoor Park also hosts the region’s only velodrome, which attracts cyclists from all across the country as well as patrons who come to watch the races. One of King County’s most popular parks, more than three million people visit each year. Though entrance is usually free, the park also hosts various events throughout the year, such as Concerts at Marymoor, all of which charge fees in order to pay for the upkeep of all King County parks. Some events and activities also have an associated fee.

Expect a cost of living in Southeast Redmond that’s roughly 40 percent higher than the state of Washington average and slightly higher than the average for Seattle. The average fare to reach downtown Seattle costs about $3 for a one-way trip. The typical rental cost for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1290 a month, while a pint of beer will set you back $9, and the price of gas is just over 10 percent higher than the national average.

Beyond a few chain stores, relatively little by the way of shopping can be found in Southeast Redmond. Fortunately, the neighborhood is not far from Downtown Redmond, the primary shopping area of the city. Within the neighborhood, Cost Plus World Market provides a broad selection of international-themed goods, packaged foods, home decor, furniture and more, all at a reasonable price. Another chain, REI, specializes in the outdoors and selling all the gear and equipment you need for your next outdoor adventure.

Redmond Town Center features a large mall conducive to a great day out window shopping, with stores such as Macy’s, the Comic Stop and Eastside Dog. Southeast Redmond does include some grocery stores, including notable chains such as Safeway at Redmond Way and a Whole Foods Market. Find a farmers market located at Redmond Town Center, open every Saturday from May through October from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.