On the eastern banks of Lake Washington, Kirkland is an active suburb with a vibrant job market. “A lot of young professionals are moving into Kirkland, especially if they work in the tech sector,” says Maggie Sun of Keller Williams Realty, who has nearly a decade of experience in the area. “Google has two major offices here, and then you have Microsoft, Amazon and Nintendo all within a short drive.” Health care is another major industry in this town 11 miles outside of Seattle; Evergreen Health has a large campus employing over 3,500 residents. When the 93,000 residents of Kirkland aren’t at work, many like to stay active with outdoor activities. “One of the biggest advantages to Kirkland is the fact there’s a massive dock to park boats here,” says Sun. “Most of the cities along the lake have launches, but don’t necessarily have docks.” Kirkland has over 50 parks, two high-end shopping and dining districts and homes with water views.
Many shops and restaurants set along the main corridor in the Downtown Kirkland neighborhood.
Aerial image of the Lakeview neighborhood in Kirkland, Wa.
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Homes with dock access
As of January 2025, the median price for a single-family home in Kirkland was $1.6 million, while the median townhouse price was $1.1 million. Single-family homes have seen a value increase of 68% over the past five years. “The prices are high, but you can still find some value in Juanita or Totem Lake,” Sun says. On the flip side, homes in the Market neighborhood have a surging median value of $3.2 million because of their private docks and waterfront views. Architectural styles range from modern, Craftsman-style homes to traditional ranch-style builds to midcentury cottages. Many homes in the northern part of the city were built over the past ten years; they’re in quiet subdivisions and have large, private, front and backyards.
Angular modern homes can be found within the Downtown Kirkland neighborhood.
Established condominiums are common on the waterfront near Lake Washington.
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Summers on Lake Washington
The lakeside lifestyle draws people to Kirkland. Lake Washington is a hotbed for boating and water sports like water skiing and jet skiing. Locals also paddleboard and fish year-round. The city has more than 50 total parks; some, like Juanita Beach Park and Waverly Beach Park, offer swimming access. Residents get exercise on the Cross Kirkland Corridor, a 6-mile multi-use trail traveling north and south throughout the city for running and cycling. Art installations, including sculptures and murals by local artists, are stationed along the path. Nearly 50 golf courses sit within 20 miles of the town center, including 15 public courses. Snoqualmie Ski Resort is 35 miles away. “We’re also just a couple miles from St. Edward State Park, which is a great place for hiking,” says Sun.
Get out for some fresh air at the Marina Park Public Beach near Lakeview Kirkland.
Capture the sunset at Marina Park Public Beach near Lakeview Kirkland.
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Wine tasting at Kirkland Uncorked
Marina Park, near downtown Kirkland, hosts events throughout the year. The annual Kirkland Summerfest, held each June, has live music and food and drinks from local vendors on the waterfront. In July, Washington’s finest wineries are represented at Kirkland Uncorked, and Marina Park also hosts movies in the park and a summer concert series.
Locals can enjoy the festivities at the annual Kirkland Uncorked wine festival at the marina.
The Kirkland Evening Summer Concerts brings the community together to enjoy live music.
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Shopping at The Village at Totem Lake
Located near Marina Park, downtown Kirkland is a bustling area packed with shopping and dining options. Central Way and Park Lane are lined with upscale boutique clothing stores, art galleries and antique furniture shops. Residents can grab a glass at a downtown wine bar or eat an upscale meal with views of Lake Washington. Steakhouses, sushi spots and Italian bistros are sprinkled along Lake Street. Further north along Interstate 405, The Village at Totem Lake is a new mixed-use lifestyle center. “They did a great job with the shopping at Totem Lake,” says Sun. “It’s my favorite place to shop in the city.” The 400,000-square-foot area has some housing, but it’s mostly a cluster of big box retail outlets including Nordstrom, Sephora, Athleta and Whole Foods. Residents can shop at the Kirkland Wednesday Market, a weekly farmers market at Marina Park with produce and crafts from local business owners.
Shoppers walk from store to store in The Village at Totem Lake.
Totem Lake residents have an abundance of dining options in The Village at Totem Lake.
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Lake Washington School District has an A-minus grade
Kids in Kirkland attend the Lake Washington School District, which holds an A-plus Niche grade. “There are a lot of young families that move here for the schools,” Sun says. Niche named the district, which serves over 31,000 students, as the third-best school district in Washington state. Lake Washington High School earns an A Niche rating, while Juanita High has an A-minus grade. Lake Washington Technical College is a two-year institution, and Northwest University is a private Christian university in Kirkland.
Northlake Academy located in the Totem Lake neighborhood of Washington.
Lake Washington High School is in the South Rose Hill neighborhood.
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Quick access to Seattle
King County Metro buses provide quick transportation to surrounding areas like Seattle and Bellevue. Commuters can drive 11 miles on Highway 520 and Interstate 5 south to downtown Seattle or head 5 miles down Interstate 405 south to Bellevue. Interstate 405 also provides access to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which is 20 miles south of Kirkland.
Wet winters and a low crime score
Kirkland experiences mild summers, with temperatures topping out in the high 70s. Winters are wet, and temperatures are typically in the high 30s. The area experiences 40 inches of rain annually, spread over 160 days. Violent crime rates in Kirkland are much lower than the national and state averages. Property crime is also below the Washington average. “You feel safe here,” says Sun. “It has that quiet suburban feel.”
Kim has a varied professional background, having worked as a professional organizer, bookkeeper, graphics designer, and property manager. Her husband is a general contractor, and they combine their businesses to help her clients transform their homes and get them ready to sell by doing repairs, minor remodeling and home staging. Payment can be deferred if needed. They have a concierge service where you move out, and they take it from there, including cleaning out the fridge! She is well-known for her Before and After photos of houses that have been transformed so the sellers can maximize their return on the sale of their home. She was voted Best Real Estate Broker and Brokerage in Snohomish County this year. She has two grown children and two grandchildren. She lives aboard a 48’ motor yacht with her husband of 41 years in the Everett marina.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
