Comments on: Best Places to Live and Launch 2008: No. 1, Bellevue, Wash.

By: Joe, Bellevue, WA

Joe, Bellevue, WA — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:31:22 +0000

"but not yet a crowded, expensive metropolitan hub."

HAHA, Bellevue? Not expensive? HAHAHA.

By: tangledsynapses

tangledsynapses — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:23:53 +0000

I arrived to Bellevue, Washington, in 1986. I lived in the Puget Sound area from 1986 throu 1995. I was very happy there, but unfortunately I had to move out of the Seattle area. My main culprit? I suffer from SAD(Seasonal Affective Disorder). In the Pacific Northwest the amount of sunlight is very scarce. I then moved to San Diego, where I remained until 2000. I am in South America now, but both places, Bellevue and San Diego, in my opinion, are the best places to live. Unfortunately both are very expensive. I now live in the Brazilian rainforest, an area called the Pantanal do Matto Grosso. What a contrast!!!

By: D. Loveridge, Oklahoma City, Ok

D. Loveridge, Oklahoma City, Ok — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:54:03 +0000

I grew up in Bellevue, specifically 9812 Belfair Rd, (in Vuecrest). I left in 1972 to attend college in southern Calif…. worked there as a computer scientist for 20+ years. Neither place is good for raising a family, since the next generation can't afford to buy homes. The cost of living and the standard of living is far better in the "fly-over" country of the mid-west….. and jobs are starting to move there. Currently Oklahoma has the lowest unemployment rate in the country…. and the people (all of 'em) are nice!

By: Sarah, Redmond WA

Sarah, Redmond WA — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 23:18:15 +0000

I grew up in Redmond so I spent a lot of my time driving through or shopping in Bellevue. The city is beautiful and clean. The traffic can be bad but isn't worse than any other city. Sure, the weather is rainy and cold but we deal with it. If you want to start a great new business then go to Bellevue, but if you want to have a good tan then get a new goal.

By: Kyle, Bellevue WA

Kyle, Bellevue WA — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:31:34 +0000

Living in Bellevue, it makes perfect sense to me why my city is #1. In the last 5 years downtown has grown so much! Prices are fair actually. Houses can be expensive, but most come with great extras. Work is plentifull here, and you can find any sort of structure to start your own business. Good Luck finding your place!

By: Joshua, Burlington, VT

Joshua, Burlington, VT — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:00:02 +0000

I lived in Bellevue, WA for one year. It is a boring place to live. The 'nice' park was just recently developed and its 'ok'. The library is great. The access to higher education is great UW extension in Ballard, Bellevue Community College (which is now a university). The jobs you can find there 'can' be cool. Socially the city is dead. Recently they have been attempting to develop the scene with opening some night clubs, adding a bowling alley, and a pool parlor/night club which as of recently has been drawing the wrong crowds for the image of Bellevue.

You are honestly better off living in either West Seattle or Queen Anne then living in Bellevue. You'd rather commute, trust me.

By: rvv Bellevue, WA

rvv Bellevue, WA — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:33:40 +0000

Bellevue, WA looks nice, but it's not worth the price. Homes and Condos are overpriced, and apartments still are trying to charge outrageous prices even though prices are going down.

I swear half of India lives here and works at Microsoft. Microsoft should be boycotted for there continued practice of hiring people from India rather than hiring US workers especially in this economy.

Also if you don't work in the computer field, I wouldn't move here. It's ridiculous how low companies pay here if you aren't working in tech.

By: Cathy Sammamish WA

Cathy Sammamish WA — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:10:17 +0000

Bellevue Washington is a beautiful city, but the rain, cold and snow is a definite deterrent. I used to live there, too bad a common complaint is depression and obesity due to the weather conditions.

Posted By Scott Hornsby, Hollywood, CA : March 26, 2008 11:08 am

The Bellevue/Seattle area has cloudy skies frequently, but the total rain fall per year is well below many major cities. WE just tell everyone it rains all the time so more people won't move here. Also, the Seattle area is rated #8 nationwide in a 2009 survey of "fittest" cities.

By: Brent, Portland Oregon

Brent, Portland Oregon — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 05:51:36 +0000

TOOOO much rain and very liberals. The traffic is horrid also.

By: Marco Gonzalez-Serrano

Marco Gonzalez-Serrano — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:57:34 +0000

So much bashing of the weather in Washington state. I sense jealousy, I mean really the only reason people are writing nasty reviews about Bellevue is because they are upset or envious that their precious little hometown suburb didn't receive any accolades. Give it a rest, people in the Northwest deal with the weather, if it was such a problem there wouldn't be 4 million people living around Seattle or 2 million living around Portland. Sure the weather falters compared to Southern California but the standard of living (if you an afford it) is excellent and the city itself is beautiful. Downtown seems to be transforming itself as well into a destination of its own. So everyone, the only reason you bash this city is because you are a little hurt that maybe your Boulder or your Yonkers or your Santa Rosa didn't top the list. This is all coming from a Madrileño (citizen of Madrid) who has visited the city on a number of occasions. Wonder what the next decade holds for Belleveue…

By: Melodie Bailey

Melodie Bailey — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:24:01 +0000

I grew up in Bellevue and have lived there 38 of my 50 years on this planet.
No matter where I relocate, I ALWAYS come back to Bellevue. It IS the best.
Clean. Metropolitain. Green. Progressive. Great schools. Great community. Just wonderful. I wish it would stop growing though…. go ahead and stay where you are!

By: geof barrington

geof barrington — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:31:42 +0000

i think instead of bellevue , i would rather invest in asia someplace , maybe india or china

By: George Penos

George Penos — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:48:51 +0000

The main difference between Bellevue and Seattle is that Bellvue is the landing pad for rich foreigners or ones smart enough to escape their home countries. Seattle has a beating heart of compassion when it comes to low-income families and the schools suffer under that crushing weight. Bellevue is not faced with half the burdens that a large city like Seattle is. Bellevue is a tabula rasa whereas Seattle has deeper systemic problems.

By: Derek Geldenhuys, Bellevue WA

Derek Geldenhuys, Bellevue WA — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:31:29 +0000

Bellevue is an absolutely wonderful little city. Downtown is gorgeous, clean and safe. City Council has made all the right moves! It's a great place to live!
Derek Geldenhuys

By: A-King, Medina, Wa/Tucson, Az

A-King, Medina, Wa/Tucson, Az — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 03:22:19 +0000

We're balling in Bellevue. Settle down in Medina and you're set. We chill with Bill and the rest of my homies here all day and just kick it hard. Much love for the M and for all of the eastside.

By: Bellevue WA

Bellevue WA — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:29:28 +0000

Bellevue is the most affluent city in Washington. The result of this affluence has been, skyrocketing home prices and over building for the past 10 years. We are just now feeling the effects of the real estate down turn, with hundreds of high rise condo projects in mid construction and multimillion dollar homes being built on speculation, the prices are falling fast and hard. Short sales are now the norm and builders and home owners are feeling the sting. The bubble has burst in Bellevue, Seattle and most of Washington. Homes priced in $1,000,000.00 or higher range, have dropped in value as much as 40% and there is no bottom in sight. Real estate inventories are high and buyers are scarce. This combined with the inability to obtain mortgages; the ridiculous interest rates charged for Jumbo and Super-Jumbo loans, has made it a buyers’ market for those who have the cash.

By: eazter,Burien,WA

eazter,Burien,WA — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:48:02 +0000

I work in Bellevue. I live in Burien which just south of Seattle. Coming from California just a year ago ( to seek refuge due to California being 'deep in it' and the hot weather LOL) I guess I'm so new that I see Bellevue as an suburb east of Seattle. Whats with all this rivalry it's just across the bridge, geez it's like you people are talking about two different countries. I will agree it's expensive but so is the city of Seattle, and it is a bit WASPy but you can find towns like that anywhere in the U.S not just Bellevue. It's kinda like the Beverly Hills of Seattle. I sure can't live there but would in a heart beat. I'm hispanic and do not feel a bit of racial tension, the WASPy-ness comes from the socio-economic factor.

By: Rick - Bellevue, Wa.

Rick - Bellevue, Wa. — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:10:11 +0000

Who can enjoy Bellevue ? – it is impossible because the traffic of hords of yuppies that choke the arterials. Anyone who lives here avoids downtown because of it. As far as culture – what culture ? Seattle's culture is rooted in prostitution and logging. Diveristy ? Diversity comprises East Indian H1 slave labor who work at Microsoft. They are note worthy in that they are the only ones who actually use the sidewalks in Bellevue. Unlike other U.S. established cool places to live – there are no established hangouts or clubs. There seems to be little crime in Bellevue so the cops have little to do but write tickets. Then of course there is the well reported "Seattle Chill" – Bellevue-ites are polite but not friendly. I havent figured out whether it attracts those types – or whether Washington-Seattle-Bellevue causes those types. This place sucks – Im moving to the sun shine – summer start on July 24 last year – the weather here is dismal – hence it being the suicide capitol of the U.S.

By: Molly, Bellevue, WA

Molly, Bellevue, WA — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:33:34 +0000

I've lived in Bellevue my whole life and feel very claustrophobic. I understand why Bellevue ranks #1 for a promising financial future–if such a thing exists these days. Bellevue is covered in housing in all sizes and prices, has great schools, and is rich with racial diversity. However, Bellevue's culture is sour. While we enjoy every luxury we could ever need at our fingertips, we can never have enough. Compared to other American towns to which I've traveled–financially promising or otherwise–Bellevue's inhabitants are particularly rude and self-servient. If you're a new family looking for Wysteria Lane, Bellevue is he spot for you. For those of us who love the real world-try East of the Cascades.

By: Todd Charske, Beavercreek Ohio

Todd Charske, Beavercreek Ohio — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 15:21:53 +0000

What's the weather like?

- Todd Charske