Southwest Bellevue - Bellevue, WA

The community of Bellevue dates back to 1869, when William Meydenbauer founded the city. It was officially incorporated into the King County on March 21, 1953. The area was rural before becoming a burgeoning city. The area began to thrive when the Lake Washington Floating Bridge opened in 1940.

As early as the 1920s, recorded predictions by James S. Ditty foresaw an area with a booming population of over 200,000 people, complete with golf courses and an airport. In spite of Ditty’s prophecies, the area eventually became known as a bedroom community in relation to Seattle.

For fun, gaze at 130 public works of art displayed around the downtown area of Bellevue. To take part in the history of Bellevue, visit the Bellevue Arts Museum, featuring art and crafts exhibits by Northwest, national and international artists alike.

Japanese, Taiwanese, Chinese, Mediterranean, Vietnamese, Italian, American, Thai and Mexican cuisines are just a few of the choices available in and around Southwest Bellevue. Nightclubs sprinkled throughout the neighborhood feature pool tables, billiards, darts and dance floors.

Head over to family owned Yeh Yeh for a grilled pork bahn mi sandwich with papaya salad and fish lime sauce. Let fresh selections of meat or tofu placed between slices of flaky baguette cure your craving for Vietnamese food without breaking the bank. Order sandwiches from a deli-style menu at this hole-in-the-wall restaurant some call the best Vietnamese spot in town.

For crunchy thin-crust pizzas, head over to Seattle-based Mod Pizza. Grab a window seat before you go up to order, and ask for the pesto or balsamic garlic rub to spread over your pizza while it’s hot. Add a milkshake to your order to complement a highly customizable pizza completely handcrafted by you, the customer.

At night, head over to Bake’s Place, for live music, food and drinks. At The Pumphouse Bar & Grill, order a hot cup of coffee, which comes in a beer mug, or enjoy their signature French dip and a burger paired with a fresh draft beer from the bar.

Interstate 90 runs along the southern end of the neighborhood, connecting it up with Interstate 5, which runs along the entire west coast for travel all the way to San Diego. Interstate 405 spans the eastern side of the neighborhood, providing a means of travel to Renton and beyond.

Cover ground within the Seattle-Bellevue area by using Metro Transit, or hop on Sound Transit for destinations outside city limits. Affordable fares start at $1.25 for a single fare pass to ride the bus. Use the Metro to connect with the Link Light Rail, which runs from Sea-Tac Airport to Westlake Station in Downtown Seattle. Bellevue Taxi Service and Yellow Cab service the area, and Uber helps riders get to the downtown Bellevue airport or Sea-Tac for a flat rate.

The city of Bellevue operates a website with printable bike routes for those on two wheels. Bellevue also hosts an annual bike-to-work month, with bike-to-work stations located on routes along the city. Paved walkways lined with breathtaking greenery make traveling the neighborhood on foot a pleasure.

Find more than 100 parks, including ball fields, beach parks, forested wilderness parks with hiking trails, and meadowy parks, within greater Bellevue.

For a sandy beach, swimming area or kid-friendly playground, head over to Chism Beach park or Meydenbauer Beach Park, both located along Lake Washington. Feed the ducks at the pond in Robinswood park, or picnic in the open fields at Newcastle Beach Park. Robinswood, Newcastle and Meydenbauer Beach parks welcome dogs, so don’t forget to bring along your canine companion for water romping and a Frisbee toss.

Visit the Bellevue Community Center, located in 25-acre Eastgate Park, and partake in one of many fitness-oriented activities, including rock climbing, for a nominal membership fee.

Each year, attend The Wintergrass Festival, one of the biggest bluegrass festivals in the country. Mosey on over to the Meydenbauer Center to enjoy at least one of the 40 shows occurring during the annual Bellevue Jazz Festival, and listen to an assortment of great music from known and unknown artists.

Cost of renting a one-bedroom in Southwest Bellevue costs $1,326, slightly less than the average rent in Seattle for similar accommodations. Average cost of beer averages $5 to $6. The cost for gas runs about 9 percent higher than the national average. Metro Transit provides direct routes to downtown Bellevue for only $1.25.

Members of this community head over to Bellevue Square, an art-filled shopping plaza equipped with stores, hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and many other activities to choose from, for boutique clothing needs. With 180 retail stores like JCPenney, Macy's, and Nordstrom along with high-end specialty stores like Tiffany's, Hugo Boss and Armani, this shopping center is your hub for designer and major retail store purchases.

For movies, used books and live music, The Crossroads Shopping Center operates as an additionally popular destination for residents. Visit the farmer’s market tucked into the back of this shopping center, or head over to the Bellevue Farmer’s Market instead to gather fresh produce from farmers in the region.

Sales clerks at high-end boutique Aritzia manually help you put together an outfit specific to your own taste. Adorable, delicate fashions can be found for designer prices at Splendid, another boutique located in Bellevue Square.

Grocery stores throughout the neighborhood cater to the foodie in you by providing the freshest local ingredients. Safeway, QFC, Ashwood Urban Market and Trader Joe’s are a few of the many options.