A secluded small town within commuting distance of Seattle
With a population of over 19,000 residents, Monroe offers a vibrant place to call home. Its location in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains and its proximity to the Skykomish and Snoqualmie Rivers create beautiful views and many activities in nature. Monroe also has an artistic streak. All around the city, the hyper-realistic murals done by local David Hose demonstrate its colorful and rich identity. Its diversity can also be seen in its string of local businesses and several houses of worship, including Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Seattle and Kriga Yoga Institute Monastery. Historically, the city has been home to the Carnation condensed milk plant as well as a timber hub and local manufacturer. Today, it has become more metropolitan and in more recent years, it has refocused on improving resident well-being. In 2021, the city rolled out a new vision called Imagine Monroe, based on collected feedback. This emphasized a need for affordability, sustainability and inclusivity, among many others. As the city continues to thrive, these clear-cut objectives optimistically point Monroe to a busy future.
Monroe living - where dreams become reality.
The Monroe Chamber of Commerce building features a mural in Monroe.
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Monroe's hot housing market
Homebuyers can find properties as old as the early 1900s, mostly concentrated around Old Town. Some of these homes are walkable to the shops and businesses along Main Street. The Fryelands neighborhood is a popular one on the west side of town. Most construction here took place in the 1990s, and the neighborhood is distinctly more suburban, with winding streets that are walkable to parks instead of businesses. New construction is concentrated on the north side of town, in similarly suburban communities but with higher prices. Properties on the city's outskirts have generous acreage and these tend to be the most suitable for equestrians.
Condos may cost anywhere from $428,000 to $600,000. Single-family Craftsman and ranch-style homes can cost around $700,000 to $2 million. Values have been steadily appreciating since 2020. According to Marlene Rouleau, a Realtor with Windermere Real Estate who worked in the Monroe office for 20 years, the market is competitive, with multiple-offer situations occurring frequently because inventory is so low. “The only people selling are selling because of death, relocation or divorce,” Rouleau says. “It’s hard to take your 3% interest rate and trade it in for 7%. There are not many people doing that unless they have to.”
Single-family Craftsman and ranch-style homes range from $700,000 to $2 million in Monroe.
Newly built modern traditional homes are concentrated on the north side of Monroe.
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The gateway to recreation around the Cascade Mountains
Monroe is referred to as the “Gateway to Recreation,” Rouleau says. This is because it's just north of where the Skykomish and Snoqualmie Rivers converge to form the Snohomish River. Al Borlin Park has graveled forest paths and access to the Skykomish, which is popular for swimming and kayaking. With its abundant salmon, steelhead and trout population, it's also a popular fishing spot. The man-made Lake Tye provides more opportunities to swim and fish, while the Blue Boy West Golf Course's 18 holes are open for play every day from dusk to dawn. Venturing just outside the city, the Cascade Mountains offer plenty of opportunities for hiking, and nearby Stevens Pass has skiing.
Monroe residents enjoy fishing in the peaceful waters of Skykomish River.
Stevens Pass near Monroe features a popular skiing and snowboarding resort.
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The Evergreen State Fair and other Monroe events
For the 12 days leading up to Labor Day, hundreds of thousands of visitors head into town for the Evergreen State Fair, the second-largest event of its kind in the state. Events range from monster truck shows to live music performances. The event is held at Evergreen State Fairgrounds, which hosts other events throughout the year like NASCAR and autocross races at its 7,000-seat racetrack and horse shows at its equestrian center. The Monroe Chamber of Commerce organizes events throughout the year, including a farmers market from May to September, a Music in the Park series in July and a tree-lighting ceremony in December.
Enjoy watching sport events like the Monroe Auto X race.
Residents shop at the Monroe Farmers Market every Wednesday during spring and summer time.
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Spots for shopping and dining in Old Town
Chains and big-box stores are primarily located along Route 2 in Monroe. Nearby is the city’s downtown, or “Old Town,” which encompasses a few blocks along Main Street. Several mom-and-pop businesses and restaurants are concentrated around this part of Monroe, including cozy spot Lewis and Main which serves upscale comfort food by a fireplace.
Shop 'till you drop at Black Barrel Vintage Co. in Monroe.
The City of Monroe downtown area offers shopping and dinning.
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Getting in and out of Monroe
Route 522, Route 2 and Route 203 are the biggest thoroughfares around the region. Route 2, which leads into the mountains toward hot spots like Stevens Pass and Leavenworth, brings travelers through town on the weekends. Community Transit operates three commuter bus lines in Monroe with options heading toward Everett and Seattle. The nearest major airport is the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which is about 45 miles of Monroe. The airport offers flights to 91 nonstop domestic destinations and 28 international destinations, serviced by 31 airlines; however, Rouleau says lots of people use the smaller Paine Field airport in Everett for shorter flights to destinations on the West Coast, like Las Vegas.
Monroe's public education system
Students attend schools in the Monroe School District, which Niche gives an overall grade of C-plus. The district serves more than 84,000 students and operates five elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, and two alternative schools.
Park Place Middle School delivers top-notch education and after school activities.
Monroe High School helps students plan for graduation and beyond.
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Crime and climate trends for Monroe
According to data provided to the FBI by the Monroe Police Department, there was an 18% decrease in property crime in 2023. While the number of violent crimes varied up and down throughout the months, it both began and ended the year at 15 cases reported. First Street data reports that Monroe has a major air quality risk and moderate heat and wildfire risks.
Over my years of experience, I have learned that people are what matters most! As a Windermere broker, I have loved helping all kinds of people in Snohomish and Skagit Counties and beyond!
After graduating from Pacific Union College with a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing I have been in marketing ever since! I love what I do ~ helping people achieve their real estate dreams! I chose real estate as my full-time career and believe in going the extra mile for my clients.
Homebuyers and sellers feel confident with my guidance due to my commitment to education. They love that I have earned the designations of Master Certified Negotiation Expert and Certified Residential Specialist. But most importantly they appreciate the professional, responsive, and attentive care I provide to each one. Want an agent who will really listen to what you want in a home? Need an agent who knows how to effectively market your home, so it sells? Give me a call ~ I'm here to explain the process, so you can make the best decisions, and I will guide you through the transaction step by step until you achieve your real estate goals.
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.
