The truth is out-The Eastside rocks! The latest issue of Seattle Metropolitan magazine has a terrific article entitled, “The Rise of the Eastside.” It’s an interesting read with sections on the eastside’s growing pains, a developer who worked on Crossroads shopping center, and the very latest in things to do.
After reading the “very latest things to do” section, I realized I must go out to eat a lot as I had been to many of the restaurants mentioned on the magazine’s list! It was a little scary for me to see how many of them I’d been to. But then again, I can say it’s all in the name of research. It’s important for me to be knowledgeable about my local community. How else can I “sell” the benefits of living here?
Supporting the local merchants is also huge thing for me, whether it’s trendy restaurants, little lunch places, or unique shops. I come from a family that had many small merchants in previous generations and I know how hard it is to run a small business.
I love seeing local restaurants from Seattle coming to this side of the pond, such as Wild Ginger, El Gaucho and Monsoon. Local restaurants and stores add to our lifestyle and help make the eastside unique and interesting. It keeps us from being indistinguishable from “anywhere USA.”
I was really pleased to see Grasslawn Park in Redmond mentioned as a destination park. It’s undergone an amazing renovation and is very kid, sports, and “green” friendly. Most people think of Marymoor Park, the big kahuna, when they think of the eastside, but Grasslawn is a hidden gem.
Want to learn a little about the history/real estate/economy of the eastside? Check the section out entitled “Growing Pains.” There’s a quick review of the real estate market, with an emphasis on downtown Bellevue and the Bel-Red corridor. Watch for changes in the Bel-Red area (Bellevue-Redmond) over the next decade, now that Safeway has pulled out and left a huge piece of land behind that is crying out to be developed.
Full disclosure here: I love the eastside, but still love Seattle. 
We have the best of both worlds here. The eastside is growing and becoming more interesting, but Seattle has exciting things to offer. It’s only a bridge away and we don’t have to cross it unless we choose to. But the reality is, Seattle and the eastside each benefit from each other.
Eastside Real Estate Buzz
I definitely agree Debra, Seattle definitely benefits from the Eastside and vice verse. Since we live in a somewhat free country, we can all choose where we want to live and so whether you are here on the great Eastside or live across the pond, it is a preference.
Hi Joe,
You are correct. We do have a lot of choices. We are lucky in that respect. The eastside is a wonderful place, and keeps getting better and better. I had to go to Seattle this morning for a real estate class and the traffic, the reverse commute, was terrible. We sailed into the city.
But for some the city is the right fit. There are more bungalow style homes and many more local neighborhood shopping areas. For some it is the better lifestyle.
When I first moved to the eastside in 1986, I found a postcard showing a car crossing the 520 bridge to get to the eastside. The caption on the postcard said, “Honk if you love mauve.” (This was back in the day of the mauve and gray color scheme) Of course, everyone on the eastside adhered to this color scheme then because no one had any individuality over here!
I don’t think anyone would even think of producing a postcard like that today. In the last two decades the eastside has grown up to be an even more vibrant, interesting, and diverse place to live. It always has been, it’s just more so now.