Discovering Issaquah, WA
The perfect basecamp to outdoor adventure, Issaquah sits right at the base of the Issaquah Alps and Cascade Mountains, and is home to Lake Sammamish State Park, a regional haven for water activities and beachfront access.
Living in Issaquah
For the outdoors inclined, there is quite possibly no better place to live than beautiful Issaquah, Washington. Tucked between and upon the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, and home to one of the largest waterfront State Parks in the region, accessible recreation is a keynote feature of Issaquah. What was once a quaint town, Issaquah has grown a lot over the past decade, but hasn’t lost it’s historic charm. The urban-suburban mix feel of the area draws primarily families and retirees, but as larger employers move to the area more and more young professionals and finding themselves at home in the city as well. Over 4,000 of the city’s homes are located in the Issaquah Highlands community, a planned community full of parks, trails, and retail located on Grand Ridge.
If you’re just getting to know Seattle’s Eastside, check out parts One, Two, and Three of our Eastside Cities Comparison series for more information on things like climate, landscape, demographics and more.
Issaquah in Numbers
11.4
square miles
17
miles from Seattle
39k+
residents
Issaquah Fast Facts
Major Employers
Major employers in Issaquah include SanMar Corporate, Costco Wholesale Corporate, Microsoft, Siemens, and Swedish Hospital.
Housing
As of September 2020, average monthly rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in Issaquah was $2,351 per month according to apartments.com.
Education
Residents of Issaquah are serviced by the Issaquah School District.
Crime
Crime rates in Issaquah in 2018 were 1.4 times lower than the National average according to city-data.com.
Top Attractions in Issaquah
Lake Sammamish State Park One of only three State Parks on the Eastside, Lake Sammamish State Park offers year-round fun at two large sandy beaches, multiple play areas, and walking trails. It is also a top spot for motorized and non-motorized water sports.
Issaquah Alps The Cougar, Squak, and Tiger Mountains comprise the main trio of hillsides that form the mountainous surroundings of Issaquah. A vast network of trails make the Alps an incredible asset for local outdoor enthusiasts.
Gilman Village For over 40 years Gilman Village has been home to restaurants, boutiques, and services based out of renovated historic houses and buildings. A charming outdoor shopping center, Gilman Village is a perfect spot to spend a casual weekend afternoon.
More Things to Do in Issaquah
Restaurants: A handful of gastropubs have recently emerged in Historic Downtown offering local craft beers and scratch made food – our favorites being Levitate and The Black Duck Cask and Bottle. A growing food scene in the Issaquah Highland showcases gourmet ethnic eateries Chinoise, Aji Sushi and more. For a nostalgic fare be sure to visit Triple XXX Root Beer for a burger, fries and float. As one of only two remaining Triple XXX Drive-In locations in the country, it is must-visit in Issaquah.
Parks and Trails: In addition to the hiking found in the Issaquah Alps, and the immense beach front recreation area of a large State Park, Issaquah offers an abundance of city parks and trails, a massive mountain bike park (Duthie Hill), and easy access to the regional East Lake Sammamish Trail. For those looking to venture a little further into the mountains for hiking and snow sports, Snoqualmie Pass and The Summit at Snoqualmie Ski Resort are just a quick jaunt down the freeway.
Events: The signature event of Issaquah is the historic Salmon Days Festival. Held the first full weekend in October, Salmon Days draws over 100,000 attendees each year with live music, arts, food vendors, a carnival and more. Issaquah also hosts an annual summer Farmers Market.
Moving to Issaquah
Ready to call Issaquah home? Check out the below resources to help you get started!
Helpful Links
Check out these helpful links for getting started on your move to Issaquah:
Facebook Groups to Join
Getting plugged-in to your new community doesn’t have to be hard. Make new connections, find childcare resources, and ask questions of current residents in these active local Facebook groups:
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