Willow-Rose Hill - Redmond, WA Area Guide

Redmond evolved from a logging and agricultural center to a tech-heavy Seattle suburb. More than any other, the Willows/Rose Hill neighborhood represents the city's expanding high-tech population, as evidenced by the 2010 annexation of Northeast Rose Hill into the Redmond city limits. The area continues to rapidly take on more residents while retaining a rural atmosphere.

Evidence of bike culture pops up everywhere, and locals often recommend July's Derby Days festival as one of the most authentic local experiences. What began as an annual bike race has grown into a full-fledged citywide fair, complete with contests, carnivals, outdoor movies and parades. Nearby Marymoor Park has become Seattle's main outdoor venue for music, hosting events, including the Warped Tour, as well as big-name talent from around the world. The park also hosts Cirque du Soleil whenever the troop comes to town.

An upscale, bedroom community, Willows/Rose Hill entices people who like a little separation between nightlife and home life. To the north, a cluster of local wineries get lots of attention on weekends with tours and tastings, while neighborhood denizens find their way to downtown Redmond for a variety of dining options. Farm-to-table menu staples represent the keystone of the local cuisine, and unique spots, such as Pomegranate Bistro. This bistro ranks low on environmental impact and off the charts in taste. Downtown eateries also experiment with a variety of authentic ethnic cuisines from Indian to Italian, Tapas to Thai.

No nightclubs or bars can be found in the neighborhood, so locals head to Redmond or Seattle to hit the nightclub scene. The 405 commuters mingle with locals in neighboring Kirkland at the audaciously named Yuppie Tavern, where cowboy karaoke comes together with tasty barbecue and cheap drinks. Local teens hang out at the Old Redmond Firehouse, the hub of the local music scene, and live concerts dominate the summer schedule at Marymoor Park.

As the city that has earned the title "bicycle capital of the northwest," Redmond's neighborhoods stay inherently bike-friendly. Willows/Rose Hill residents do a lot of bike riding around their secluded loops and cul-de-sacs. Motorists and cyclists share the roadways skirting the neighborhood via generous bike lanes, while the quiet surface streets welcome cyclists. Neighborhood streets provide parking on a first-come, first-served basis, but check signage for street sweeping days.

Commuting to Seattle ranks high in stress, whether taking Redmond Way through downtown to access the 520 toll road or 124th Street to Interstate 405. Rush hour commute times for the approximately 18-mile trek can average over an hour. Many Willows/Rose Hill residents moved here precisely to avoid that mess, as they work in the Redmond area.

Bus riders are not common in Willows/Rose Hill. Most locals bike, drive or use work shuttles for their commute, though buses in and out of Redmond run regularly along Redmond Way and Willows Road Northeast. Since the King County Metro buses servicing these routes remain outside the Seattle city limits, fares hit slightly higher. Cabs can be hard to come by in this commuter neighborhood, so phone, text or Uber when you need a lift.

Only a few of the area's 23 parks grace the Willows/Rose Hill Neighborhood, but greenery graces every street corner. The Willows Creek Neighborhood Park sprawls over 1.4 acres of forest and rolling hills with picnic tables, a basketball half-court, a kids' play area and plenty of open space for Frisbee golf, jogging and nature hikes. Locals can reach much larger parks by bike or car within a few minutes.

Hikers, runners, cyclsists and equestrians love the Power Line Trail, a windy path that runs under the PSA power lines, dodging through forest and woodsy suburban clusters. Locals often end up in Farrell-McWhirter Farm Park at the trail's end. The park features a children's animal farm, tire swings, covered shelters and nature trails.

The biggest expanse for off-leash dog runs may be Marymoor Park, Redmond's premiere spot for all things outdoors just a few miles south. Locals enjoy the quick pace and decent price of an afternoon round at the Willows Run Golf Complex, conveniently bordering Willows/Rose Hill.

Willows/Rose Hill residents choose lifestyle over affordability. Lawns and manicured gardens surround upscale apartment buildings. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment averages at $1,198 per month. However, you get what you pay for. This secluded neighborhood sits away from bustling downtown Redmond with quick commutes to the area's tech campuses and plenty of natural beauty right outside your door.

Decent happy hours can be found in the downtown Redmond area, with several local breweries. Average price for a pint in Redmond runs around $6. Locals find the best gas prices in neighboring Kirkland but still pay about 12 percent higher than the national average at the pump.

Local shoppers frequent the nearby Redmond Saturday Market along Leary Way, an institution since 1937. Open May through October, the market features local produce, baked goods and more, as well as live entertainment, demonstrations and classes.

Name brand shops, such as Macy's and Bed Bath & Beyond, can be found at Redmond Town Center a few minutes south of Willows/Rose Hill. The complex remains less crowded than the malls in neighboring Bellevue and has many of the same national shopping and dining chains. Shoppers head north of Redmond Town Center and Redmond Way for grocery shopping at Trader Joes and an adjacent QFC. For unique additions to your grocery list and a quick, tasty lunch along the same block, locals recommend the British Pantry, one of the only British shops in the Seattle area.

A couple of distinctive shops have a Redmond accent that isn't quite the same anywhere else. Scooters of all shapes and sizes can be found at Pro Scooter Shop. Choose from over 10 brands, plus lots of pro scooter parts and gear. The high number of engineering and tech-savvy residents in the neighborhood has given rise to a gaming shop for serious gamers. Community oriented Games and Gizmos not only sells all manner of role playing games, but the shop brings the local gaming community together with a great gaming space on site, whatever your taste in games.