Sammamish
Serene lake living, wooded neighborhoods, top schools, and peaceful family retreat
Redmond
Microsoft headquarters, urban downtown, extensive trails, tech-forward community
Eastside Elite Living Comparison
Two of the Eastside's most desirable communities. One offers serene nature retreat; the other delivers tech hub convenience. This guide helps discerning buyers choose their perfect Eastside home.
By The Numbers
The Elite Verdict: Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Sammamish If You...
- Want a peaceful, nature-immersed lifestyle
- Need a larger home with more land
- Value Issaquah School District's #2 ranking
- Love lake access (Pine Lake, Beaver Lake)
- Prefer established, quiet neighborhoods
Choose Redmond If You...
- Work at Microsoft (5-15 min commute)
- Want more house for your money
- Prefer urban amenities and dining options
- Love biking (Marymoor Park, trails)
- Value light rail access to Seattle/Bellevue
Experience Eastside Elite Living
Cost of Living Comparison
How does your budget stretch in each community? See the real numbers.
Sammamish Median
$1.8M
Larger lots, more land
Redmond Median
$1.3M
Urban convenience value
You Save in Redmond
$500K
On average home purchase
Both Districts Rank in Washington's Top 5
Unlike other comparisons where cities share a district, Sammamish and Redmond offer different but equally excellent educational options.
Issaquah School District
Ranked in Washington State
- Skyline High School - Top 1% nationally
- Issaquah High School - STEM excellence
- Pine Lake Middle School
- 97% graduation rate
Lake Washington School District
Ranked in Washington State
- Redmond High School
- Tesla STEM High School - Innovation focus
- Redmond Middle School
- Tech industry partnerships
Top Neighborhoods
Sammamish Neighborhoods
Pine Lake
Lake access, swimming beach, boat launch. Family-focused. $1.7M-$2.2M range.
Beaver Lake
Nature preserve, hiking trails, fishing. Peaceful retreat. $1.5M-$1.9M.
Klahanie
Master-planned community, pools, trails. Active HOA. $1.4M-$1.8M.
Sahalee
Golf course community, luxury estates. Most prestigious. $2M-$4M+.
Redmond Neighborhoods
Education Hill
Top schools, newer homes, young families. Most desirable. $1.3M-$1.8M.
Downtown Redmond
Light rail access, urban living, restaurants. $800K-$1.3M condos/townhomes.
Overlake
Closest to Microsoft campus, newer construction. $1.1M-$1.5M.
Idylwood
Established, wooded lots, character homes. $1.0M-$1.4M.
Commute Comparison
Where do you work? This could be the deciding factor.
Work at Microsoft?
Redmond wins decisively. Living near the Microsoft campus means:
- 5-15 minute commute from most neighborhoods
- Option to bike via trails to campus
- Skip traffic entirely on good days
- From Sammamish: 20-40 min depending on traffic
Work Remote or Flexible?
Sammamish becomes very attractive when commute is secondary:
- Better home office space (larger homes)
- Peaceful environment for focus work
- Easy I-90 access to Bellevue/Seattle when needed
- Nature breaks between calls
Outdoor Recreation
Different But Equally Excellent
Sammamish
Lake Living & Nature Immersion
-
Pine Lake Park
Swimming beach, boat launch, fishing, picnic areas
-
Beaver Lake Park
78 acres, trails, wildlife viewing, fishing
-
Sammamish Commons
Community events, farmers market, trails
-
Tiger Mountain Access
10 minutes to extensive hiking/biking trails
Redmond
Trails & Active Recreation
-
Marymoor Park
640 acres - concerts, dog park, climbing wall, trails
-
Sammamish River Trail
11 miles paved, connects to Burke-Gilman
-
Sports Complexes
Multiple fields, youth leagues, community sports
-
Idylwood Beach Park
Lake Sammamish access, swimming, boat launch
Lifestyle Score Comparison
Pros & Cons
Sammamish
Pros
- Larger lots and more privacy
- Pine Lake & Beaver Lake access
- Issaquah School District (#2 in WA)
- Quieter, nature-immersed lifestyle
- Strong sense of community
- Less traffic and congestion
Cons
- Higher home prices ($400K+ more)
- Longer commute to most tech jobs
- Fewer dining/entertainment options
- Limited public transit
- Can feel isolated for some
Redmond
Pros
- Short Microsoft commute (5-15 min)
- More affordable ($400K+ savings)
- Light rail to Seattle/Bellevue
- Marymoor Park & extensive trails
- Growing downtown & dining scene
- Tech community networking
Cons
- Smaller lot sizes
- More traffic congestion
- Tech-campus feel less charming
- No private lake access
- Can feel corporate/transient
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are exceptional for families but serve different preferences. Sammamish offers larger lots, more nature access, and a quieter residential feel with excellent Issaquah School District options. Redmond has Lake Washington School District, more activities and amenities nearby, and is better for families wanting community sports leagues and programs. Sammamish families prioritize space and nature; Redmond families value convenience and activities.
Redmond is significantly more affordable. Sammamish's larger lots and exclusive residential feel push median home prices to $1.6M-$2.0M, while Redmond ranges from $1.1M-$1.5M. However, Sammamish homes often have larger square footage and more land, offering better value per acre. Both cities benefit from Washington's no state income tax.
From Sammamish to Microsoft's Redmond campus is typically 15-25 minutes via Issaquah-Pine Lake Road and local roads during off-peak hours. During rush hour, expect 25-40 minutes. Living in Redmond near the Microsoft campus can reduce this to 5-15 minutes. Many Sammamish tech workers adjust their schedules to avoid peak traffic or work hybrid.
Yes! Despite Lake Sammamish being technically in Issaquah/Bellevue, the City of Sammamish offers excellent lake access through Pine Lake and Beaver Lake parks. Pine Lake Park has swimming, boat launch, and picnic areas. Beaver Lake Park offers hiking trails and fishing. These smaller lakes are less crowded than Lake Sammamish and provide a more intimate community feel.
No. Sammamish is served by Issaquah School District (ISD), while Redmond is served by Lake Washington School District (LWSD). Both are highly ranked - ISD ranks #2 in Washington with exceptional STEM programs, while LWSD ranks #3 with strong tech industry partnerships. School quality is excellent in both cities, just with different districts.
Sammamish is generally better for remote workers. The larger homes provide more space for dedicated home offices, the peaceful environment supports focused work, and you get more value from the premium since commute is no longer daily. Redmond's advantages (short commute, transit) matter less for remote work. However, Redmond offers more coffee shops and coworking spaces if you prefer working outside the home occasionally.
The Final Verdict
Both Sammamish and Redmond represent Eastside elite living, but they serve distinctly different lifestyles:
Sammamish is for you if...
You want a peaceful nature retreat, larger property, lake access, and value Issaquah School District. Perfect for remote workers, established families, and those who prioritize quality of life over commute convenience.
Redmond is for you if...
You work at Microsoft or in tech, want urban amenities, love trails and biking, and prefer a vibrant tech community. Ideal for young professionals, families wanting activities, and those who value transit access.
Ready to Make Your Eastside Elite Move?
Whether you choose Sammamish's serene nature retreat or Redmond's tech-forward convenience, Next Phase Moving knows these communities inside and out. We've helped hundreds of families find their perfect Eastside home.
Get Your Free Moving QuoteOr call: (253) 365-4846