Comparing the ultra-exclusive waterfront communities of Medina (home to Bill Gates) and Clyde Hill. Where do you belong among Seattle's elite?
Both communities represent the pinnacle of Pacific Northwest luxury. Here's how they compare.
Median Home Price
Home to Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and tech elite
Extensive Lake Washington shoreline with private beaches
20,000+ sq ft mansions, gates, tennis courts, pools
Gated properties, private security, paparazzi-free
Bellevue SD #1 + Lakeside, Bush private schools
Median Home Price
Heavily wooded, ultra-private, low-profile luxury
Same prestige, more seclusion, slightly lower price
8,000-15,000 sq ft homes on large wooded lots
Fewer homes, more privacy, no tourist traffic
Bellevue SD #1 + access to top private academies
Luxury pricing trends for Seattle's most expensive addresses
Experience the architectural grandeur of Lake Washington's billionaire enclaves
Bellevue School District (ranked #1 in WA). Medina Elementary feeds to Chinook Middle and Bellevue High School. Many families opt for nearby elite private schools: Lakeside School (Bill Gates' alma mater), The Bush School, and University Prep. Proximity to Seattle Children's Hospital and educational resources.
Same Bellevue School District excellence. Students attend the same top-tier public schools as Medina residents. Equal access to elite private academies. Smaller community means intimate school connections and philanthropic involvement. Many Clyde Hill families prioritize education and actively support school foundations.
Gates-level security. Gated estates, private beaches, security patrols. SR 520 bridge brings some public traffic, but residents enjoy waterfront seclusion. Medina's reputation attracts sightseers near Gates' estate, but most properties remain hidden behind walls and landscaping. Private dock access for yachts.
Ultimate discretion. No tourist traffic, no waterfront public access points. Heavily wooded lots (1-3 acres+) create natural privacy barriers. Smaller city (pop. ~3,000) means fewer eyes. Residents value anonymity over prestige. No commercial districts - purely residential sanctuary for those who don't need to announce their wealth.
Prime Lake Washington frontage. Nearly 3 miles of shoreline with private beaches, boat docks, and waterfront parks. West-facing views of Seattle skyline and Olympics. Direct SR 520 access to Seattle (10 min) and Bellevue (5 min). Waterfront homes command $10M-$125M+. Non-waterfront estates still $4-8M.
Minimal waterfront, maximum land. Only a small portion has lake access. Most properties are wooded hillside estates with lake views from elevated positions. Focus on land size (1-5 acres) vs. shoreline. Still 5-8 minutes to downtown Bellevue, 15 minutes to Seattle. Lower prices reflect lack of direct beach access but offer more privacy.
Tech billionaires and global elite:
Successful entrepreneurs & private wealth:
(Assuming you can afford either...)
Both communities represent the top 0.01% of Pacific Northwest real estate. Whether you choose Medina's waterfront prestige or Clyde Hill's wooded seclusion, you're joining Seattle's ultra-elite. The "right" choice depends on whether you want to be seen living luxuriously (Medina) or simply live luxuriously in private (Clyde Hill).
Everything you need to know about billionaire row living
Yes. Medina has a median home price exceeding $6 million, making it one of the most expensive ZIP codes in America. Clyde Hill's median is around $3.5 million. Both are ultra-exclusive, but Medina's waterfront estates and billionaire residents (including Bill Gates) command premium prices. Waterfront Medina properties can sell for $50M-$125M+, while Clyde Hill's top-tier estates typically max out around $15-25M.
Both offer exceptional privacy, but in different ways. Medina has more waterfront estates with private docks and gates, but SR 520 brings some public traffic. Clyde Hill is smaller (pop. ~3,000) and more secluded with heavily wooded lots and no tourist traffic. Medina attracts tech billionaires seeking Lake Washington frontage; Clyde Hill appeals to those wanting ultimate seclusion adjacent to luxury. If you value anonymity over waterfront access, Clyde Hill wins.
Yes, both are served by Bellevue School District, ranked #1 in Washington State. Students attend the same top-rated schools including Medina Elementary, Chinook Middle School, and Bellevue High School. Many families also choose elite private schools like Lakeside School (Bill Gates' alma mater), The Bush School, or University Prep. Educational opportunities are identical between the two communities.
Medina is home to some of the world's wealthiest individuals, including Bill Gates (Microsoft founder, $130B+ net worth) and Jeff Bezos (Amazon founder, former residence). The city has one of the highest concentrations of billionaires per capita globally. Residents include Microsoft/Amazon executives, venture capitalists, private equity investors, successful entrepreneurs, and international business leaders. The average household income exceeds $250,000, with many residents in the eight-figure+ net worth range.
These communities are for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Medina homes start around $3-4 million for modest properties, with waterfront estates exceeding $50-100 million. Clyde Hill entry is around $2.5-3 million. Financial advisors recommend a net worth of at least $10-15 million for Clyde Hill and $20-30 million+ for Medina. Typical buyers are tech executives, private equity investors, and successful entrepreneurs with eight-figure+ net worth. If you're asking whether you can afford it, the answer is probably no—but Next Phase Moving can help you get there if you do!
Medina: Direct SR 520 access provides 10-15 minutes to downtown Seattle, 5-8 minutes to Bellevue, and 20-25 minutes to Microsoft/Redmond campus. Clyde Hill: 5-8 minutes to downtown Bellevue, 15-20 minutes to Seattle, 20-30 minutes to Redmond. Both communities have minimal traffic congestion. Many residents use private drivers or work from home offices in their estates. Proximity to private airports (Boeing Field, Renton) makes helicopter/private jet commuting viable for some residents.
Next Phase Moving specializes in luxury estate relocations across Seattle's most exclusive communities. Our white-glove service ensures your priceless belongings arrive safely at your new billionaire row address.
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