Talus

With mature evergreens and natural-looking stone features, it would be easy to miss the Talus neighborhood while driving along Renton Issaquah Road. This mixed-use development tucked into the hillside might seem far from civilization, but it’s just minutes from all your daily needs. “The location is great. It’s close to Costco and the highways,” says Irene Mendoza, a managing broker with Keller Williams. “It has a very good school nearby. It’s one of the top-rated schools in the area.” The highly-rated schools and convenience to shopping, dining and recreation make Talus a desirable neighborhood in the Seattle suburb of Issaquah.

Talus is a relatively new community, and most homes have been built within the last 20 years, with several new areas of the neighborhood still being developed. There is a mix of town houses and single-family homes, often with several stories. “Because of the topography, most of the homes will be multi-level. You want to maximize the views you can get from your home,” says Mendoza. The hilly terrain offers pristine views of the surrounding mountains and countryside.

Many houses have Craftsman features such as spacious porches and square columns on the front of the home. Exteriors often feature a mix of wood siding and stone accents. Most houses in Talus come in shades of blue, green or gray, matching the natural landscape. Other styles of homes include modern contemporary with large windows that let in plenty of light and sharp, defined edges. Houses are close together, giving the neighborhood an urban feel. Young trees line the streets, adding to the natural beauty of the surrounding forest. Homes in Talus typically cost at least $800,000 and often cost more than $1 million.

Students in Talus might attend Issaquah Valley Elementary School, rated an A-minus by Niche, Issaquah Middle School, rated an A, and Issaquah High School, which gets an A-plus rating. Issaquah High is rated as one of the best public high schools in the state and offers several programs to help students prepare for college, including the Running Start and College in the High School programs. Students participating in these programs can earn college credit while working on their high school diploma. The school also has a thriving sports medicine program that has won the state and national competitions 10 times.

Talus residents are never far from recreational opportunities. Harvey Manning Park is a small 10-acre neighborhood park located at the northern edge of the development. This green space has a half-court basketball court, a playground and natural open space. Nature lovers will enjoy living in Talus, as the neighborhood is surrounded by state and local parks. Several trailheads in and nearby the neighborhood link residents to Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park and Squak Mountain State Park. Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is a 5,000-acre park with more than 35 miles of trails for residents to explore. The park features forests with mature trees, streams, wetlands and cliffs. You can trek along the Shangri-La Trail to the Million Dollar View Pergola, offering sweeping views of nearby Lake Sammamish and the Cascade Mountains.

You’ll have plenty of options for nearby dining. You can start your morning at L’Experience Paris, a local café chain located in the heart of the neighborhood. Residents enjoy the upscale, cozy atmosphere at this restaurant, known for its cappuccinos and croissants. For lunch or dinner, head to WildfFin American Grill in town. This lively restaurant serves Pacific Northwest fare like fresh salmon and halibut, locally raised ribeye and crab-stuffed rockfish. Locals enjoy the happy hour menu, which features discounted drinks and appetizers seven days a week.

You can shop for groceries at the local Trader Joe’s on Gilman Boulevard. For any other household needs, stores such as Target and Costco are just minutes away. With convenient access to Interstate 90, you’ll be just 16 miles from downtown Seattle. “A lot of people are moving out of downtown Seattle, and this is the best place for them because they can still get to Seattle easily,” says Mendoza. You’ll also be just 11 miles from the thriving business community in Bellevue. Anytime you need to catch a flight, you can take Renton Issaquah Road south to Interstate 405 to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Written By

Matthew Atkins

Photography Contributed By

Noah Lubin

Video By

Luke Mancari