If you're in the neighborhood...

Bellevue's neighborhoods are a diverse mix of downtown condos, wooded enclaves, new developments and mature communities.

Bridle Trails

Distinguished by the predominance of single-family homes and the second-growth timber that covers nearly two-thirds of the area. Boasts equestrian facilities, a golf course and Bridle Trails State Park. The single-family homes are surrounded by multifamily housing along the east and commerce on the south.

Crossroads

Bellevue's most diverse and densely populated neighborhood, with many large apartment complexes and abundant shopping. Crossroads Shopping Center, at Northeast Eighth Street and 156th Avenue Northeast, is the retail, cultural and recreational focal point, with a popular ethnic food court, multiplex cinema, game areas and entertainment stage. The city operates a mini-city hall, community center and community police station here.

East Lake Hills

One of Bellevue's older, established residential areas; contains much of Bellevue's affordable single-family housing. Enjoys extensive open space and parks, including Weowna Park with its old-growth forest, and Phantom Lake. Originally built as a planned community with the Lake Hills Shopping Center at its core. Plans to revitalize the shopping center are under way.

Eastgate/Cougar Ridge

No area of the city has grown as rapidly in the past 15 years as the recently developed neighborhoods in the higher elevations of Eastgate/Cougar Ridge. Hilltop neighborhoods such as Lakemont and Vuemont feature spectacular views of Lake Sammamish and the Cascades. A pedestrian trail system links homes to a nearby commercial center.

Newport

Includes two distinct parts: the Newport Hills/Lake Heights neighborhoods east of Interstate 405 and the Newport Shores district lying along the Lake Washington shore, west of I-405. Resting atop a plateau between Coal Creek and Lake Washington, Newport Hills has both single- and multifamily neighborhoods oriented toward the retail center on 119th Avenue Southeast. Newport Shores is built around man-made inlets, with homes oriented toward lake activities.

Northeast Bellevue

Another established single-family neighborhood. Several subdivisions have private recreational facilities such as tennis courts and a golf course. The southeastern portion features lakeside or lake-view homes oriented toward Lake Sammamish, while the northern portion is a mix of residential, office, manufacturing, warehousing and corporate headquarters.

Northwest Bellevue

Just south of Highway 520, this is a mixed residential area of low to moderate densities, with the Northtowne Shopping Center conveniently at hand. Bellevue Way bisects the community into eastern and western halves, with neighborhoods on the west side abutting Medina and Clyde Hill.

Somerset/Factoria

One of Bellevue's most easily identifiable neighborhoods, covering hillsides on the city's south end, just east of Interstate 405. To the north is Factoria, home to Factoria Shopping Center and its surrounding retail development and a number of corporate headquarters. The neighborhood has a significant amount of multifamily housing next to office development, with a scattering of single-family development along I-405.

West Bellevue

The original Bellevue. High-rise mixed-use buildings and a thriving regional retail center (Bellevue Square and surrounding retail) downtown, plus restaurants, theaters, a convention center, an art museum and a growing residential population as more high-rise condos and apartments are built. Well-maintained single-family neighborhoods to the north and south. Mercer Slough Park, a vast, unique wetlands habitat and recreational area, is here.

West Lake Hills

Also one of Bellevue's older neighborhoods, with a mix of single-family and multifamily homes. Near the Interstate 90 corridor are office and research facilities as well as Bellevue Community College. Larson Lake, wetlands, small clusters of neighborhood retail and an extensive open-space and trail system also define this area.

Woodridge/Wilburton

Known for its views, woods and major parks, including Kelsey Creek Park and Bellevue Botanical Garden, Woodridge includes Wood-ridge Hill, a strictly residential area with a strong neighborhood association enforcing protective covenants. Many homes have views of Lake Washington, downtown Bellevue and Seattle. To the north, Wilburton is another enclave of single- and multifamily housing.

Includes information provided by Bellevue Department of Planning and Community Development.