Sahalee

There's a good chance anyone thinking about buying a home in the affluent Seattle suburb of Sahalee works for Microsoft or Nintendo of America, both of which are based nearby. Or maybe they're just drawn to the quality schools, natural amenities, world-class golf course, diverse restaurants and unique retail options. Sahalee is based in Sammamish, which U.S. News & World Report ranked as the second wealthiest city in the nation in 2023.

Locals most commonly identify Sahalee Estates as the defining neighborhood of the Sahalee area. In this gated community, most houses range from $1.2 million to $3 million and overlook the greens and fairways of the 27-hole Sahalee Country Club. This private club has hosted the 1998 PGA Championship, the 2002 World Golf Championship, the 2010 Men’s Senior Open and the 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. It is set to host the 2024 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. “The highly rated golf course is a treasure of the area, and it’s a big draw for homebuyers,” says Stephanie Hunziker, a lifelong resident of Sammamish and agent for Windermere Real Estate

In the Sahalee area, there is a wide selection of homes outside the gated borders of Sahalee Estates. A 1980s four-bedroom traditional-style home with an attached two-car garage is valued at $1.35 million. A 1990s four-bedroom with a backyard patio and a gas fireplace is listed for about $3 million. There are 1990s four-bedrooms with back porches overlooking Lake Sammamish valued from $3.5 million to $7 million.

Many local children attend Margaret Mead Elementary School, which has an A Niche rating, an 88% reading proficiency and an 81% math proficiency. Evergreen Middle School also has an A Niche rating and an 18-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Tesla STEM High School has an A-plus Niche rating and requires applications for enrollment. U.S. News & World Report ranked Tesla as the best high school in Washington in 2022. Many teens also attend Eastlake High School, which has an A-plus Niche rating and a 93% graduation rate.

“When you’re living in Sahalee Estates, you’re still surrounded by options that make you feel connected to the rest of Sammamish,” says Hunziker. Locals shop for groceries at Safeway and Trader Joe’s. The area also has a McDonald’s and a Starbucks. People buy stuffed and fried turnovers at Rocky’s Empanadas. Pomegranate Bistro offers comfort classics like burgers, fried chicken, plates of fish and tacos. Residents dine on kabab entrees at Tanoor, an authentic Lebanese restaurant.

The area has no shortage of retail options. Anali sells embroidered items like towels and cocktail squares. Rosenfield Flowers is the place to purchase roses, dahlias, snapdragons, sweat peas and sunflowers. JCT Quilting offers courses that teach locals the art of patchwork. The professional quilters there assist locals by putting the finishing touches on their homemade quilts using an edge-to-edge machine.

Sammamish has multiple bus routes. Residents can also use the city’s on-demand shuttle. Some residents drive 23 miles to Seattle via I-90 for work or amenities. “Most folks drive,” says Hunziker. “Public transportation in general in the area is not robust like it is in other metro areas.”

Evans Creek Preserve offers 213 acres of meadowlands, forests and wetlands. East Sammamish Park is next to Margaret Mead Elementary School and offers barbecue grills, a playground, space for soccer, a picnic shelter and tennis courts. The 40-acre Marymoor Off-Leash Dog Park allows dogs to roam freely through woods and high grasses 2 miles from the Microsoft campus. Permit applications are required.

Written By

William Palicia

Photography Contributed By

Brandon Wong

Video By

Celeste Thoms