Sammamish

First-time visitors to Sammamish are usually struck by the beautiful backdrop of green, rolling hills. Spoiler alert: that feeling never goes away. This growing suburb is bordered by Lake Sammamish to the west, Redmond to the north, Issaquah to the south, and the Snoqualmie Valley to the east. Many report that this is the perfect neighborhood to raise a family, own a house, and settle down. People who are attracted to this growing city are the kind who don’t pay attention to the weather— they swim, bike, and hike regardless of the season.

 

The balmy summer months see every outdoor activity imaginable, including lake swimming, bird watching, waterskiing, and boating. Beaver Lake Park is a well-maintained getaway that is really more of a paradise than a public park.

 

Sammamish is consistently a great place to live, and it receives its rightful recognition. Money Magazine recently rated Sammamish the ninth-best neighborhood in America, based on the economy, diversity, public education, cost of living, crime rates, and more. Nestled conveniently between the city and the mountains, this young city offers easy access to Seattle’s tech giants to the west and incredible hiking trails to the east. Most people drive their own cars, and commute thirty minutes on average.

 

It is rare to find a city that cares this much about its communities, but that’s what makes Sammamish so special. The area’s public schools are well-known for being ultra-competitive in both academics and sports. In fact, Sammamish schools invest over $3,000 more per student than the U.S. average. A brand new library hosts community events and the Farmers Market that sells fresh flowers and produce during the summer months. New residents usually set down roots and get involved, which helps to build an even stronger sense of community; neighbors have enough time to get to know one another.