Discovering Kirkland, WA
This gorgeous town situated on the East shore of Lake Washington stakes claim as the Eastside’s “waterfront destination.” It’s lakeside downtown core offers boutiques, galleries, dining and more.
Living in Kirkland
If waterfront living floats your boat, look to call Kirkland your home. Not only does Kirkland offer an abundance of beach parks, water sports, and lakeside dining, but with easy access to Bellevue and Seattle, and the renovation of Kirkland’s Totem Lake area, employment options abound. For less pricy housing options the suburban neighborhoods removed from Lake Washington’s shores offer tree-lined suburban housing and an abundance of city and state parks. Like Redmond, Kirkland has two urban centers – Downtown Kirkland and the Totem Lake area, which is currently undergoing the largest transformation project of Kirkland’s history. The new Village at Totem Lake will bring over 1,000 new apartment units and 400,000 square feet of dining, shopping, and entertainment to this lively lakeside town.
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.
Kirkland in Numbers
17.8
square miles
12
miles from Seattle
93k+
residents
Kirkland Fast Facts
Major Employers
Google, Tableau, Astronics, and WB Games are some of the largest employers located in Kirkland.
Housing
As of September 2020, average monthly rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in Kirkland was $1,818 per month according to apartments.com.
Education
Residents of Kirkland are serviced by the Lake Washington School District. Kirkland is also home to the Lake Washington Institute of Technology and Northwest University.
Crime
Crime rates in Kirkland in 2018 were 1.8 times lower than the National average according to city-data.com.
Top Attractions in Kirkland
Juanita Bay and Beach Parks Kirkland’s Juanita Bay Park features wetland views and walking trials, while just down the road, Juanita Beach Park offers over 1,000 feet of sandy shoreline and swim access.
The Village at Totem Lake Explore outdoor shopping of global brands such as Lululemon and Athleta, deal hunt at Nordstrom Rack, or grab a bite to eat in Kirkland’s recently renovated Village at Totem Lake.
Downtown Kirkland Waterfront Enjoy boutique shopping, hand-crafted cocktails, and fine dining with waterfront views, in Kirkland’s Downtown core.
More Things to Do in Kirkland
Restaurants: Enjoy waterfront fine dining at Anthony’s Home Port and the Beach Cafe at Woodmark Hotel, sip sublime cocktails at Bottle & Bull of The Lodge, or venture to Chainline Brewing at Kirkland Urban for a cold beer or two.
Parks and Trails: In addition to the signature abundance of beach-front parks in the heart of Kirkland, Saint Edward State Park to the North offers forested walking trails, and the new Cross Kirkland Corridor Trail connects South Kirkland to Totem Lake via a 5.75 mile long hard packed gravel trail.
Events: During the summer Kirkland’s signature Summerfest and Marina Park Festivals bring community together for food, live music and more. Wine lovers unite at the annual Kirkland Uncorked event and Downtown’s Quarterly Wine Walks. Kirkland is also home to two lively Farmers Markets.
Moving to Kirkland
Ready to call Kirkland 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 Kirkland:
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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