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Hybrid Work Friendly Light Rail Access

Best Places to Live &
Work at Microsoft

Your data-driven 2025 guide to finding the perfect neighborhood near Microsoft's Redmond campus. Compare commute times, housing costs, schools, and lifestyle factors.

10
Top Neighborhoods
5-45
Min Commute
$700K-$2M
Home Prices
Explore Interactive Map View Rankings
500+
Acres of Campus
125+
Buildings
2-3
Days Remote/Week
4
Light Rail Stations
Interactive Campus Map

Explore Microsoft Area Neighborhoods

Click on any neighborhood marker to see commute times, housing data, and lifestyle information. Concentric circles show 10, 20, and 30-minute drive zones.

Under 15 min
15-25 min
25-35 min
35+ min
Commute Comparison

Commute Times to Microsoft Campus

Compare drive times (peak hours) and transit times across all 10 recommended neighborhoods.

Drive Time Comparison (Peak Hours)

Median Home Price Comparison

Commute Time vs. Housing Cost Analysis

Bubble size represents school district rating. Find your sweet spot between commute and affordability.

Modern tech office interior

Microsoft's Hybrid Work Model

With 2-3 days of remote work flexibility, Microsoft employees have more housing options than ever. Consider neighborhoods that balance in-office commute days with quality of life.

2-3
Days Remote
Flex
Core Hours
Global
Team Options
2025 Rankings

Top 10 Best Places for Microsoft Employees

Ranked by commute convenience, housing value, schools, and overall lifestyle fit for tech professionals.

Redmond Washington tech neighborhood
1
Fastest

Redmond

Light Rail Top Schools

Best for: Minimizing commute and maximizing tech community immersion. Live minutes from campus with excellent schools, trails, and a growing downtown with restaurants and shops.

Drive Time
5-15 min
Transit Time
10-20 min
Median Home
$1.2M
School Rating
9/10

Pros

  • Shortest possible commute
  • Lake Washington School District
  • Marymoor Park access
  • Growing downtown scene

Cons

  • High housing costs
  • Can feel tech-bubble
  • Limited nightlife
  • Traffic on 520 corridor
Pro Tip: Live near downtown Redmond or SE Redmond Light Rail stations for car-free commuting. Education Hill offers the best schools but requires driving.
Bellevue Washington downtown
2
Urban

Bellevue

Light Rail Dining

Best for: Those wanting urban amenities with a short commute. Downtown Bellevue offers walkable restaurants, shopping at Bellevue Square, and excellent transit connections.

Drive Time
10-20 min
Transit Time
15-25 min
Median Home
$1.5M
School Rating
9/10

Pros

  • Best urban amenities on Eastside
  • Excellent Light Rail access
  • Top-rated Bellevue Schools
  • Diverse dining options

Cons

  • Most expensive option
  • Downtown traffic congestion
  • High-rise living predominant
  • Less green space downtown
Pro Tip: The Crossroads and Bridle Trails neighborhoods offer more affordable housing while maintaining easy access to Microsoft via 520 or NE 8th.
Kirkland Washington waterfront
3
Waterfront

Kirkland

Parks Nightlife

Best for: Waterfront lifestyle with walkable downtown charm. Kirkland offers beaches, art galleries, and a vibrant restaurant scene while being just 15-20 minutes from campus.

Drive Time
15-25 min
Transit Time
30-40 min
Median Home
$1.1M
School Rating
8/10

Pros

  • Lake Washington waterfront
  • Walkable downtown
  • Strong community feel
  • Growing tech hub (Google)

Cons

  • No direct Light Rail
  • Parking challenges downtown
  • 405 traffic during rush hour
  • Hilly terrain
Pro Tip: Totem Lake area offers newer housing and direct access to 405. Use Google Campus connector shuttles if available.
Sammamish Washington family home
4
Families

Sammamish

Top Schools Trails

Best for: Families prioritizing schools and safe neighborhoods. Sammamish offers top-rated schools, abundant parks, and a family-oriented community with many Microsoft neighbors.

Drive Time
15-25 min
Transit Time
45-60 min
Median Home
$1.6M
School Rating
10/10

Pros

  • Best schools in region
  • Safe, family-focused
  • Pine Lake, Beaver Lake
  • Many Microsoft families

Cons

  • Very car-dependent
  • Limited dining/nightlife
  • Premium home prices
  • Can feel isolated
Pro Tip: West Sammamish (closer to Redmond) offers shorter commutes. Join Microsoft carpool groups - Sammamish has the highest concentration of riders.
Bothell Washington suburban area
5
Value

Bothell

Northshore SD Burke-Gilman

Best for: Value seekers wanting good schools and tech corridor access. Bothell offers relatively affordable housing in the I-405 tech corridor with UW Bothell campus nearby.

Drive Time
20-35 min
Transit Time
40-55 min
Median Home
$950K
School Rating
9/10

Pros

  • More affordable than south Eastside
  • Excellent Northshore schools
  • Burke-Gilman Trail access
  • Revitalized downtown

Cons

  • Longer commute to campus
  • 405 traffic unpredictable
  • No Light Rail yet
  • Spread out neighborhoods
Pro Tip: Canyon Park area offers the quickest access to Microsoft via 405. Use the 405 Express Toll Lanes for reliable commute times.
Woodinville Washington wine country
6
Wine Country

Woodinville

Rural Feel 100+ Wineries

Best for: Those seeking a semi-rural lifestyle with wine country weekends. Woodinville offers larger lots, horse properties, and 100+ wineries within minutes of Microsoft.

Drive Time
20-35 min
Transit Time
50-70 min
Median Home
$1.0M
School Rating
8/10

Pros

  • Larger properties available
  • Wine tasting lifestyle
  • More nature, less density
  • Sammamish River Trail

Cons

  • Very car-dependent
  • Limited public transit
  • Tourist traffic on weekends
  • Fewer urban amenities
Pro Tip: South Woodinville offers quickest Microsoft access. Great for remote workers who only commute 2-3 days per week.
Issaquah Washington mountain views
7
Mountains

Issaquah

Outdoor Rec Gilman Village

Best for: Outdoor enthusiasts who want mountain access with reasonable commute. Issaquah sits at the foothills of the Cascades with Tiger Mountain, hiking, and ski access.

Drive Time
20-35 min
Transit Time
40-55 min
Median Home
$1.1M
School Rating
9/10

Pros

  • Mountain views and access
  • Tiger Mountain trails
  • Strong community events
  • Costco headquarters nearby

Cons

  • I-90 can be congested
  • Further from Seattle
  • Limited Light Rail access
  • Steeper terrain
Pro Tip: Issaquah Highlands offers newer homes and park-and-ride access. Take I-90 to 520 for Microsoft - often faster than going through Bellevue.
Seattle Washington skyline
8
Big City

Seattle

Culture Light Rail

Best for: Urban lifestyle lovers willing to reverse commute. Seattle offers world-class dining, arts, sports, and nightlife with a manageable eastbound commute against traffic.

Drive Time
25-45 min
Transit Time
40-50 min
Median Home
$850K
School Rating
7/10

Pros

  • Best urban lifestyle in region
  • Reverse commute advantage
  • World-class dining/culture
  • Don't need a car

Cons

  • Longer commute to campus
  • 520 tolls add up
  • Weaker schools than Eastside
  • Higher cost of living
Pro Tip: Capitol Hill and U District offer easiest Microsoft commutes via 520. Take Light Rail to UW Station then Microsoft Connector shuttle.
Mercer Island Washington luxury home
9
Luxury

Mercer Island

Exclusive Light Rail

Best for: Executives and high earners seeking island exclusivity with excellent commute position. Mercer Island sits directly between Seattle and Bellevue on I-90.

Drive Time
15-25 min
Transit Time
25-35 min
Median Home
$2.0M
School Rating
10/10

Pros

  • Strategic I-90 location
  • Top-rated schools
  • Island exclusivity
  • Light Rail station

Cons

  • Highest home prices
  • Limited commercial options
  • Can feel isolated
  • Bridge traffic bottlenecks
Pro Tip: Use the Light Rail station's free park-and-ride for residents. The 2 Line connects directly to downtown Redmond stations.
Kenmore Washington lakefront home
10
Hidden Gem

Kenmore

Lake Washington Burke-Gilman

Best for: Value seekers wanting lakefront living and trail access. Kenmore offers Burke-Gilman Trail, Log Boom Park, and seaplane adventures at lower prices than Kirkland.

Drive Time
25-40 min
Transit Time
45-60 min
Median Home
$750K
School Rating
8/10

Pros

  • Most affordable lakefront
  • Burke-Gilman Trail access
  • Small-town feel
  • Seaplane adventures

Cons

  • Longer commute
  • Limited transit options
  • 522 traffic congestion
  • Fewer amenities
Pro Tip: Bike the Burke-Gilman Trail to Bothell then catch a bus, or drive via 522 to 405 South. Future Light Rail planned for 522 corridor.
Common Questions

Microsoft Employee Housing FAQ

What is the best place to live if you work at Microsoft?
Redmond offers the shortest commute and highest concentration of Microsoft employees, but Bellevue provides more urban amenities while maintaining a 10-15 minute commute. Kirkland offers waterfront living with a 15-20 minute drive to campus. Your best choice depends on lifestyle priorities - families often choose Sammamish for schools, while singles/couples may prefer Bellevue's walkability.

How long is the commute from Seattle to Microsoft campus?
The commute from Seattle to Microsoft's Redmond campus is typically 25-40 minutes via SR-520 without traffic, but can extend to 50-70 minutes during peak hours. The 2 Line Light Rail now offers a 45-minute transit option from downtown Seattle. Many Seattle residents take advantage of the "reverse commute" - eastbound traffic is lighter in the morning.

Is it worth living in Redmond if you work at Microsoft?
Yes, living in Redmond offers a 5-15 minute commute, excellent schools in the Lake Washington School District, abundant parks and trails including Marymoor Park, and a strong tech community. Housing is expensive but comparable to other Eastside cities. The trade-off is less urban excitement than Seattle or Bellevue, though downtown Redmond has improved significantly.

What neighborhoods do Microsoft employees live in?
Popular neighborhoods include downtown Redmond, Education Hill, Grass Lawn, Bellevue (Crossroads, Bridle Trails, West Bellevue), Kirkland (Totem Lake, Juanita, Houghton), Sammamish (Pine Lake, Beaver Lake), Woodinville, and Bothell (Canyon Park). Many younger employees and those without children live in Seattle neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Fremont, and Ballard.

Does Microsoft offer remote work options?
Microsoft offers hybrid work flexibility, with most roles allowing 2-3 days remote per week. Some positions are fully remote depending on role and team. This flexibility has expanded housing options for employees to areas further from campus like Woodinville, Issaquah, and even Seattle, since commuting is only needed a few days per week.

What is the Microsoft Connector shuttle?
The Microsoft Connector is a free shuttle service for employees that connects various Seattle and Eastside locations to the Redmond campus. Routes serve neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, U District, downtown Seattle, Bellevue, and Kirkland. This service allows employees to work during their commute and avoid parking hassles on campus.

Ready to Make Your Move to Microsoft?

Found your perfect neighborhood? Let Next Phase Moving handle your relocation with our professional, tech-friendly moving services. We've helped hundreds of Microsoft employees settle into their new Eastside homes.

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