DISCOVER
WHY REDMOND, WASHINGTON?
Redmond pairs trail-lined parks with one of the Eastside's best-connected commutes. The Light Rail line now runs from Downtown Redmond through Bellevue and, since March 2026, across Lake Washington to Seattle. Add Marymoor Park, a walkable downtown, and SR 520, and it's easy to see why so many people are taking a closer look at Redmond.
- Light rail: Redmond stations on the Light Rail line include Redmond Technology, Marymoor Village, and Downtown Redmond. The Downtown Redmond extension opened May 10, 2025, and crosslake service to Seattle began March 28, 2026.
- Marymoor Park: a large King County park with summer concerts, an off-leash dog area, and connections to the Sammamish River Trail and East Lake Sammamish Trail. The Marymoor Station Trail links the Marymoor Village light rail station to the park.
- Trails: the Bridle Crest Trail runs from Westside Park in Overlake down to Marymoor Park.
- Downtown Redmond: Redmond Town Center, restaurants, and a wine lounge, all near the Downtown Redmond light rail station.
- Schools: Redmond is served by the Lake Washington School District (see Schools page).
CONSIDERING OTHER EASTSIDE COMMUNITIES?
Explore my city guides for Kirkland, Bellevue, and Woodinville.
CLIMATE
WEATHER IN REDMOND
SUMMER HIGHS
High 70s°F
July and August
WINTER LOWS
Mid to upper 30s°F
December
RAIN
Roughly 40 in.
a year, wettest in November
SNOW
A few inches
usually, a year
Late spring through early fall is the best time for Marymoor concerts, trail days, and patio dining. Locals keep a good rain jacket handy the rest of the year.
Averages based on 1991–2020 climate normals; actual weather varies year to year.
ADVANTAGES
PROS AND CONS OF LIVING IN REDMOND
HIGHLY RATED SCHOOLS
Redmond is served by the Lake Washington School District, and both Redmond High School and Tesla STEM High School are rated 10/10 on GreatSchools (November 2026).
LOW VIOLENT CRIME
Redmond's violent crime rate was about 131 per 100,000 residents in 2024, roughly 64% below the national rate (FBI data).
PARKS AND TRAILS
Marymoor Park, Grass Lawn Park, Westside Park, and trail connections like the Bridle Crest Trail and Sammamish River Trail.
OUTDOOR LIVING
Concerts and a 40-acre off-leash dog area at Marymoor, plus forested trail systems in communities like Redmond Ridge.
MAJOR EMPLOYERS CLOSE BY
Microsoft, SpaceX, and Nintendo of America all have major operations in Redmond.
LIGHT RAIL
Three Light Rail line stations in Redmond, with direct service to Bellevue and, since March 2026, Seattle.
TRADE-OFFS
THE CONS
HOME PRICES
Redmond's median sale price was about $1.19 million for the three months ending September 2026 (Redfin), well above the national median.
Medians can swing with only a handful of sales. Ask Veronica for a current, address-level analysis.
PROPERTY CRIME
Car prowls and theft push Redmond's property crime rate above the national average (about 2,740 per 100,000 residents in 2024, FBI data).
COMMUTE TRAFFIC
SR 520 and major routes around the Microsoft campus can back up at rush hour.
UNINCORPORATED AREAS
Some east Redmond communities, like Union Hill, Redmond Ridge, and Gunshy Ridge, are in unincorporated King County, so services and regulations differ from the City of Redmond.
FREEWAY ACCESS
SR 520 runs through Redmond, but I-405 and I-5 are farther away than they are from Bellevue or Kirkland, so north-south trips can take longer, especially from east Redmond.
Sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024 data), Redfin (three months ending September 2026), GreatSchools (November 2026).