Bellevue Boardwalk Posts: Washington: Redmond: Swan Lake

It's no surprise that Redmond's Union Hill is one of the most popular locations for people on Seattle's Eastside to call home.  This area of Redmond is home to many Microsoft employees since it offers a good balance of lifestyle, location, quality schools, together with natural beauty and a semi-rural character.  The quality of the lifestyle on Union Hill is unmistakable, and if you enjoy your privacy, you'll feel right at home here.  

Typical non-plat home sites would be a horse acre to well over an acre, up to 10 or more acres.  There is a broad spectrum of individuality here, as expressed in home style, gravel or paved driveways, or different plats with connecting neighborhood streets. The Union Hill median home sale in November, 2010 was $715,000.  The least expensive home now on market is a short sale priced at $229,950 with the most expensive home offering now at $2.9 million. 

There's a comfortable mix of equestrian estates with some riding arenas and horse boarding facilities, lots of homes on acreage, terrific Lake Washington schools, with the common theme of abundant conifers and deciduous trees.  You won't see sidewalks here, it's not within the City limits of Redmond. For those who prefer a neighborhood setting, there are five well established homogeneous neighborhoods where you can achieve more connection with your neighbors and belong to a homeowners association.  

Today the spotlight is on Swan Lake Estates, easily reached from either the Redmond-Fall City Road via 236th Ave. NE, or heading east along Union Hill Road.  As Union Hill residents have come to understand,having a secondary route comes in handy in case of winter storm tree blockage.  At the foot of 236th at Redmond FC Road is the Albertson's Center, where many residents shop.  The plat consists of 36 home sites platted in 1989, encircling the wetland Swan Lake, thereby giving this community its name.  The homes here range in value from $700,000 to $1,500,000, and were built between 1989 and 1999.  Homes in Swan Lake Estates range in size from 3200 to just over 8,000 square feet.  The homesites are mostly level to gently sloping, with some homes on cul-de-sacs. 

There is a full circle maintained lake path within Swan Lake Estates, private to the community, with a picnic area for residents along the lake shore.  It's a great place to walk the dog without having to go out on the surface roads.  One mother told me she moved in during the middle of summer and was thrilled this area was available so her children could safely explore within the community.  Swan Lake Estates is 13 miles from downtown Bellevue, and only 6.2 miles from downtown Redmond.