North Creek - Bothell, WA

Named for the tributary that runs through it on the way to Lake Washington, most of North Creek is a new development. The city of Bothell purchased what had been a large dairy farm and wetland and, with the assistance of the State of Washington and the University of Washington, turned it into a high-tech corporate center, natural open space and a branch campus for the University of Washington.

While there aren't any museums to speak of in North Creek, some historic buildings were saved in the redevelopment of the area and during construction of the University of Washington campus. Check out the Monte Villa Farmhouse, a fully restored 1927 home that is used as a year-round wedding and events destination to get a sense of the history of this area.

The area's proximity to larger neighborhoods provides residents with ample event entertainment throughout the year, from the Husky 5K to Freedom Festival every fourth of July.

The center of the North Creek neighborhood consists of a large, technology-focused business park, and as such, does not have much in the way of dining or entertainment options. Fast food chains like Subway and Starbucks are juxtaposed by a few small delis and the occasional food truck. Lori's Deli and Espresso is a popular lunch stop for employees at nearby Google and AT&T. Most of the restaurants, pubs and bars lie in nearby Bothell and Woodinville.

Less than a mile from North Creek, Bothell boasts several excellent eateries ranging from comfort food to sushi, along with several pubs and taverns for the late night crowd. On the quaint Main Street, locals flock to Hana Sushi for fresh fish and unique rolls, all served by chefs who seem to know everyone by first name. Order your sake in a traditional wooden box, write your name on it, and it will be waiting for you on your next visit. Just across the street is Pen Thai, with elevated Thai food options and innovative cocktails. Order off-menu and ask for the Heavenly Beef, a local favorite.

Also nearby is the wine country of Woodinville, which has dozens of wineries, breweries, distilleries and fine dining restaurants. A little rough around the edges and always crowded, the Hollywood Tavern can't be missed. Fried pickles, gourmet onion rings and signature cocktails featuring local Woodinville whiskey punctuate the menu here. The ever-popular Redhook Brewery & Forecasters Pub is right across the street, serving several beers made on the premises and elevated Northwest pub food like the Jalapeño Black Bean Burger.

Nightlife is a mostly muted affair in this bedroom community, but the usual complement of taverns, sports bars and chain restaurants offer weekend live music, pool tables and dart boards, and live sports on television. The nearest clubs and music venues are in Bellevue and Seattle.

North Creek is bisected by Interstate 405, which is the main freeway corridor on the east side of Seattle. As a purpose-built business center, freeway access is easy and ample. Public buses serve the area from all nearby cities, and the University of Washington - Bothell on the west side of the neighborhood has a transit center that connects to all major cities in the region.

Most residents and employees drive private cars, however, as parking is easy, and many who work here have short commute times from adjacent bedroom communities. A good number of locals commute by bicycle or on foot, using the expansive Sammamish-Burke Gilman Trail system, which connects the area to Seattle, Woodinville, Bothell and Kenmore.

Ride services like Uber are increasingly popular and available here as well. Companies such as Yellow Cab service the area but may require a call ahead of time to ensure a ride.

The City of Bothell owns and maintains five sports fields in North Creek. These are used by local school teams, recreational teams and the public year-round and can be configured for baseball, soccer, football and lacrosse. Several small pocket parks dot the neighborhoods surrounding North Creek, but the true recreational draw for this area is the walking and cycling trails.

Several regional walking and cycling trails run through North Creek. The Sammamish River Trail, which is part of a 27-mile link from Seattle to Redmond, runs along the southern edge of the neighborhood. The North Creek Trail connects the neighborhood to the Sammamish River Trail and to the Interurban Trail in Everett. North Creek itself is carefully managed as an important salmon habitat.

Median rental prices in North Creek are lower than those nearer to Seattle and Bellevue, but they are not considered cheap by any standard, with the median rental price for a one-bedroom apartment hovering at about $1,200. This is in part because there are so few housing options in the neighborhood itself. Most of the residences are single-family homes in the neighborhoods surrounding North Creek, with only a couple of apartment complexes in North Creek itself.

Still, part of what appeals about this area of suburban Seattle is the comparatively low cost of living. Transportation costs are minimal, and a cold beer at a local restaurant will only cost you five or six bucks.

Fuel prices here are generally 5 to 10 percent higher than the national average.

The southern portion of the business district in North Creek sports several big-box retail outlets like Home Depot and Staples. The nearest shopping mall is 15 minutes to the north in Lynnwood.

Bargain hunters love Alligator Purse, a twist on the usual consignment store, which often has top name-brand clothing and hard to find options.

Further into Bothell, you will find the seasonal Yakima Fruit Market, selling locally sourced produce, meats, seeds and plants. They even offer extended hours during Halloween pumpkin and Christmas tree season.

The nearby Safeway serves the area's residents grocery and drugstore needs.