Discovering Sammamish, WA
A city of trees, Sammamish serves primarily as a residential area for those that work on the Eastside and in Seattle. The city’s gorgeous parks and trails are a highlight of life on the plateau.
Living in Sammamish
If a slower pace of life is what you seek, you’ll find it in Sammamish. Located on a plateau between Lake Sammamish and the Snoqualmie Valley, there are no industrial areas or major employers in Sammamish, making the city a quiet retreat where nature and neighborhoods take center stage. The beautiful lakes, parks, and trails in the city offer easy access to outdoor recreation and several strip mall shopping centers provide groceries, dining and retail without having to leave the city. A thriving and growing “town center” concept creates a central hub where residents come together to utilize a library, community/aquatic center, plaza for events, farmer’s market, skate park, playgrounds, and more. While no direct freeway access means spending a bit more time in the car, those looking for a peaceful place to raise a family or retire will find themselves right at home in Sammamish.
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.
Sammamish in Numbers
18.5
square miles
20
miles from Seattle
66k+
residents
Sammamish Fast Facts
Major Employers
While there are no major sized employers in Sammamish, the City offers easy access to employers in Redmond and Issaquah.
Housing
As of September 2020, average monthly rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in Sammamish was $2,305 per month according to apartments.com.
Education
Residents of Sammamish are serviced by the Lake Washington and Issaquah School Districts, depending on which half of Sammamish they reside.
Crime
Crime rates in Sammamish in 2018 were 5.9 times lower than the National average according to city-data.com.
Top Attractions in Sammamish
Pine Lake Park Swim, fish, picnic, and play at Sammamish’s scenic Pine Lake Park. With no motorized watercraft, Pine Lake is a peaceful place to spend a lazy afternoon.
Sammamish Commons Centrally located in the heart of Sammamish, the Sammamish Commons creates a thriving activity hub for events and recreation at a new community center, library, park and more.
Soaring Eagle Regional Park A wooded retreat, Soaring Eagle Regional Park offers 12 miles of mixed-use trails for hiking, trail running, mountain biking and horse back riding.
More Things to Do in Sammamish
Restaurants: A mix of cultural cuisine, chain restaurants, and a few unique favorites make up the growing dining scene of the Sammamish Plateau. Fabulous views compliment the incredible Lebanese food offerings at Tanoor. Papaya and Vinason offer delicious Vietnamese favorites, and the best tap list you’ll find in the city is at Pine Lake Ale House. Pizza options abound at gourmet favorites Pagliacci, Zeeks, and Pine Lake Pizza.
Parks and Trails: A highlight of the community, Sammamish’s parks and trails range from extensive preserves for walking such as at Evan’s Creek Preserve, to small lakes for swimming including Pine and Beaver Lakes, as well as access to the large Lake Sammamish via the Sammamish Landing Park. Residents also have easy access to the regional East Lake Sammamish Trail for longer walking, running, or biking adventures.
Events: The City of Sammamish Parks and Recreation Department puts on a lively calendar of annual events in all seasons. From Lunar New Year and Earth Day celebrations in the Spring, 4th of July fireworks and outdoor concerts in the Summer, to a “Very Merry Sammamish” festival in the Winter, there is no shortage of activities year-round. Sammamish also hosts an annual summer Farmers Market.
Moving to Sammamish
Ready to call Sammamish 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 Sammamish:
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:
Discover the Eastside 