Issaquah Highlands

Issaquah Highlands is only 15 miles from Seattle, but it exists in a world all its own. Found in a valley of the Cascade Mountain foothills, the master planned community offers spectacular views of the Pacific Northwest, easy access to Interstate 90 and a small-town feel. The sprawling mixed-use neighborhood was established in 1989 on 2,200 acres and is divided between city conveniences and open public spaces. Called an urban village, Issaquah Highlands focuses on easy-living in a community-centered space. There’s plenty of public transit options including bus service by King County Metro & routes to Seattle and Bellevue with Sound Transit. Don’t worry about your car if you want to take the train into the city either because the neighborhood is home to a spacious Park & Ride lot too.

“Issaquah Highlands is high-density living. Houses tend to have small yards, but there are large luxury homes there too,” says Ali Mills, a broker with Windermere Real Estate. “It’s got all the amenities you could want with movie theatres, restaurants, and parks. You don’t have to leave the area for days if you don’t want to.”

Traveling the limited sidewalks of the neighborhood, you’re sure to notice the large amount of green space available. This is by design as over 1,000 acres have been set aside for public use including for numerous hiking trails. There are more than 4,000 households in the area which has its own neighborhood website with community events like holiday parties and a pet of the month contest. There are also several Free Little Libraries in Dahlia Park and Forest Ridge as well as public art installations in Ashland Park. Residents can live close to a large retail center or by Grand Ridge Park with over 1,200 forested acres. Condos and townhouses are found throughout the neighborhood as well as various Craftsman and estate homes. Prices range from $465,000 for a two-bedroom condo to $4.25 million for an estate home with four bedrooms on 4.5 acres.

Students in Issaquah Highlands attend schools like Clark Elementary, Issaquah Middle and Issaquah High. They’re part of the Issaquah School District which has a 97% graduation rate. Clark Elementary has an A-grade from Niche as well as a before-and after-care program called Shark Club, which encourages children to learn and socialize in a play-filled environment. Issaquah Middle also has an A-grade from Niche in addition to being one of the top 30 best public schools in Washington state. Issaquah High is an A-plus school founded in 1901. It also has advanced placement and honors programs alongside career and technically focused courses such as graphic design, food science, & cybersecurity.

The neighborhood has nearly a dozen dedicated green spaces peppered throughout different subdivisions. Black Nugget Park is a pocket space with play equipment and tennis courts while Central Park has been divided into three parts for play, sports, and relaxation. The open areas include public art and scenic views with plenty of benches to rest on while taking in the sights. Other ares have play equipment for children and various sports fields for everyone to use. If you’d prefer a quiet walk, there’s a trail through the park where you can rejuvenate at your leisure.

The Highlands has easy access to everyday essentials like grocery stores, retail and even a medical center. There’s also plenty of restaurants to be found. Zeeks Pizza has been serving Northwest-inspired pizza and beer since 1993. The company believes in “ripping Cascade powder” so you know you can stop in before or after hitting the slopes. Choose from a tomato, olive oil or adventurous base for your pie to perfectly customize the flavor. Amarone Ristorante & Bar is known for its incredible Italian fare and comfortable atmosphere. Pouring wines from across the globe and Pacific Northwest, the restaurant offers the Piatti Forti option where a six-course meal can be selected and served at the designated Family Table as well as a full-service bar. Bai Tong Thai Restaurant started as a small eatery by the Sea-Tac Airport with employees of Thai Airways in mind over 30 years ago. Others quickly caught on to the delicious dishes, and the eatery is now a local Seattle-area chain.

Found just outside Seattle, Issaquah Highlands invites residents to relax on its numerous hiking trails, enjoy the pleasures of nearby Lake Sammamish and become part of a growing community in the Cascade foothills.

Written By

K.T. Phillips

Photography Contributed By

Landon Gauthier

Video By

Daric Clarke