The Bear Creek Bulletin

Hiking Trails in Redmond, WA: A Local's Guide

Saturday morning in Redmond. You grab your water bottle, lace up your shoes, and head out for a few miles of fresh air without having to turn your weekend into a road trip. Maybe you're looking for a quiet wooded trail or a paved route for a morning walk. Around here, you have options. Redmond has 59 miles of public trails, connecting neighborhoods, parks, natural areas, and some of the city's most popular destinations. There's a good chance you haven't walked all of them yet, especially if you're still getting settled in Redmond . Below are the local trails we'd point you to first and what makes each one different. Living here at The Colony at Bear Creek puts most of them within easy reach. Why Redmond Is a Great Place for Hiking You don't have to drive into the mountains to find a good trail around Redmond. The city's trail system includes paved paths, soft-surface trails, neighborhood connections, and routes through parks and natural areas. Some are perfect for a quick after-work walk, while others give you enough mileage to make hiking the main event. For our residents, that's part of the appeal. You can choose your trail based on your mood and how much time you have instead of spending half the day getting there. Looking for a quick walk? There's a route for that. Want a longer weekend outing? There are trails for that too. Prefer biking or bringing the family? Many of Redmond's trails accommodate multiple types of recreation. Education Hill Loop If you're looking for a local route that gives you a little more distance without turning into an all-day adventure, start with the Education Hill Loop. The three-mile loop combines several local trail segments, including Hartman Park Trails, Abbey Road Nature Trail, and the Puget Power Trail, which you'll also see signed as the PSE Trail. The route includes both compacted gravel and paved sections, giving you a mix of surfaces as you make your way through the area. It's the kind of trail that works well when you want some real exercise and still have plenty of your Saturday left afterward. Best for: A moderate walk, weekend exercise, and exploring the Education Hill area. Farrel-McWhirter Park For a trail day with a little more going on, head to Farrel-McWhirter Park. The 68-acre park includes multi-use trails, natural areas, picnic areas, playgrounds, an animal farm, a horse arena, and an orienteering course. The Farrel-McWhirter Loop itself is about 1.5 miles on a soft-surface trail. That mix makes the park an easy place to build your own outing. Take a walk, wander the park, bring the family, or spend a little longer enjoying the surroundings. The park also connects with the Puget Power Trail, so your walk doesn't necessarily have to end when you finish the loop. Best for: Families, casual hikes, nature walks, and turning a short hike into a longer afternoon. Sammamish River Trail and Redmond Central Connector If "hiking" to you means putting on comfortable shoes and walking for a few miles without worrying about steep terrain, the Sammamish River Trail and Redmond Central Connector should be on your list. This three-mile loop combines the Sammamish River Trail, Redmond Central Connector, and Puget Power Trail. The Redmond Central Connector is especially convenient because it doesn't feel like you're leaving the city behind. The trail corridor connects areas including Redmond Town Center, Downtown Redmond, the Grass Lawn neighborhood, and the Willows business district. You can get your steps in and still have plenty of options for what to do when you're finished. Grab coffee. Run an errand. Meet a friend for lunch. Or just keep walking. Best for: Walking, jogging, biking, and exploring Redmond without leaving town. Puget Power Trail Ready for something a little longer? The Puget Power Trail runs 3.1 miles and connects the Sammamish River Trail with Farrel-McWhirter Park. Unlike some of Redmond's paved routes, this is a soft-surface trail that accommodates hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Redmond's trail system isn't just a collection of short neighborhood walking paths. You can actually connect different parts of the city and build a longer outdoor adventure without getting in the car. Best for: Longer walks, hiking, biking, and exploring multiple Redmond destinations in one outing. Redmond Watershed Preserve Sometimes you don't want to hear traffic. You don't want to run errands. You don't want to check another notification. You just want to walk through the trees for a while. That's where the Redmond Watershed Preserve comes in. The preserve offers soft-surface trails through a more natural setting and is one of the better choices when the goal is simply to slow down and spend some time outside. Dogs are not permitted at the Watershed Preserve, so check the rules before you bring your four-legged hiking buddy. Best for: Quiet walks, nature, and getting a break from the busier parts of Redmond. Downtown Park Tour Loop Not every hike needs to involve a drive, a backpack, and a carefully planned itinerary. The Downtown Park Tour Loop is about 2.7 miles and takes you through five Redmond parks. It's a great option for those days when you want to get outside but don't necessarily want to commit your entire afternoon to it. Think of it as the local version of a reset button: walk for a few miles and get back home before your weekend disappears. Best for: Casual walks, exploring local parks, and fitting outdoor time into a busy schedule. What Should You Bring on a Redmond Hike? One advantage of hiking around Redmond is that most local outings don't require a trunk full of specialized gear. A few basics will usually do the job. Water: Keep yourself hydrated, especially on longer walks or warmer days. Comfortable shoes: Redmond's trails vary from paved paths to gravel and soft surfaces, so comfortable footwear matters. Weather layers: Pacific Northwest weather can change quickly. A light extra layer is rarely a bad idea. Your phone: It's useful for maps, directions, and checking trail information before you head out. Dog supplies: If your destination allows dogs, bring waste bags and follow the posted leash requirements. And before heading out, check the current rules for the park or trail you're visiting. Not every Redmond trail has the same regulations. Hiking With Your Dog Around Redmond For many of our residents, a good trail is even better with a dog. Redmond has several parks and trails where dogs are welcome, but it's important to check the rules for each destination. Some locations have leash requirements, while others have restrictions on dogs altogether. If you're looking for more places to walk with your pup, check out our guide to dog-friendly parks in Redmond . That way, you can find a route that works for both of you instead of arriving at the trailhead and discovering that your dog needs to stay home. Making Hiking Part of Your Redmond Routine The easiest way to get to know Redmond's trails is not to wait for the perfect weekend. Make it part of your routine. Take a short walk after work. Pick a new trail every Saturday. Walk with a friend instead of meeting at a restaurant. Take the dog out for an extra loop. Or use a paved trail to get some exercise while seeing a different part of the city. With that much trail mileage nearby, you don't have to hike the same route every week. Easy trail access is one of the quieter perks of living in Redmond , and when you live here with us at The Colony at Bear Creek, a walk outside can be part of an ordinary weekday. Your Next Redmond Trail Is Close By Redmond's trails cover a lot of ground, from paved routes for an easy few miles to soft-surface loops through the trees. Pick the one that matches the time you have and check the posted rules before you go. We're in the Bear Creek area of Redmond, close to the parks and trails in this guide along with the shopping and restaurants around them. Come home from a morning outside and our pool and other amenities are right here when you're ready to sit still for a while. If that sounds like your kind of weekend, take a look at our available floor plans or give us a call at (425) 278-4885 and we'll set up a time to show you around. More local guides live on The Bear Creek Bulletin , so check back before your next Saturday out. Common Questions About Hiking in Redmond Are dogs allowed on Redmond trails? Dogs are welcome at many Redmond parks and trails, but the rules are not the same everywhere. Dogs are not permitted at the Redmond Watershed Preserve, and some other locations have leash requirements, so check the rules for your destination before you head out. Where dogs are allowed, bring waste bags and follow the posted leash rules. How many miles of trails does Redmond have? Redmond has 59 miles of public trails. They connect neighborhoods, parks, natural areas, and several of the city's most popular destinations, which means many routes link together into longer walks. The system includes paved paths, soft-surface trails, and neighborhood connections. What's a good short hike in Redmond? The Farrel-McWhirter Loop is about 1.5 miles on a soft-surface trail inside a 68-acre park with picnic areas, playgrounds, and an animal farm. The Downtown Park Tour Loop is about 2.7 miles and passes through five Redmond parks. Either one leaves most of your afternoon free. Which Redmond trail is best for a longer hike? The Puget Power Trail runs 3.1 miles and connects the Sammamish River Trail with Farrel-McWhirter Park. It is a soft-surface trail that accommodates hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Because it links two other destinations, you can build a longer outing without getting in the car. Do I need special gear to hike in Redmond? Most Redmond outings do not require specialized gear. Water, comfortable shoes, and a light extra layer for changing Pacific Northwest weather will usually do the job. Check the current rules for the park or trail you're visiting before you go, since regulations vary by destination.

Redmond's 2 Line Light Rail: A Local's 2026 Guide

Picture a Friday. You leave home, bike to Downtown Redmond Station or make the short drive to the Marymoor Village garage, and let a train carry you into downtown Seattle for dinner while somebody else is stuck in traffic on SR 520. That's not for some big event, it's a random weeknight. Now that the 2 Line light rail runs the whole way across Lake Washington, our stretch of Redmond sits within an easy trip of Eastside's biggest employers and the heart of Seattle. Below, we'll walk you through how the line works, what a trip costs, where residents actually park, and how to reach the campuses that probably brought you to town. Quick note before we roll: the 2 Line is Sound Transit’s light-rail route connecting Downtown Redmond with Bellevue, Mercer Island, downtown Seattle, the University District, Northgate, and Lynnwood. How Did the 2 Line Change in March 2026: The Crosslake Connection For a good while, riding the light rail out of Redmond meant a train that stopped right at the water's edge. On March 28, 2026, that ended. Sound Transit opened the Crosslake Connection, the seven-mile segment that finally knit the Eastside to Seattle across Lake Washington. The project added Mercer Island and Judkins Park stations and connected the 2 Line to downtown Seattle and the existing Link network, creating direct 2 Line service north to Lynnwood and a transfer to the 1 Line for SEA Airport and Federal Way. Here's the detail our team can't help bragging about. The 2 Line is the first light-rail line in the world to carry passengers across a floating bridge, riding over Lake Washington on I-90. The full Link network stretches 63 miles across 50 stations, and downtown Seattle to Redmond lands at about 40 minutes. Most guides you'll stumble across were written before all of this clicked into place, which is exactly why we wanted to give you the current picture. How the 2 Line Works and Where It Runs The Downtown Redmond stretch of the 2 Line opened in May 2025, building on the first Eastside segment that started running in April 2024. So the trains have been humming through Redmond for a while. What the Crosslake Connection unlocked was the crossing to Seattle, which turned a handy Eastside shuttle into a genuine regional line. The route runs from Downtown Redmond through Bellevue, Mercer Island, and downtown Seattle before continuing north through the University District and Northgate to Lynnwood; riders heading south to SEA Airport or Federal Way transfer to the 1 Line at International District/Chinatown. If you're new to the city and mapping out a car-light or car-free life, this is the backbone that makes it possible. More of the region opens up and gives residents better accessibility to the greater Seattle area. Where Are The Redmond Light Rail Stations, and Where to Park Redmond anchors the eastern end of the line with a few stops worth knowing by name. Downtown Redmond Station sits at 16620 NE 76th St beside the Redmond Central Connector, a segment of the broader Eastrail regional trail network, with bike lockers and bus bays on site. Here's the local heads-up that saves newcomers a frustrating loop: there's no parking at this station. Riders drive to the Marymoor Village garage instead. Marymoor Village Station at 17300 NE 70th St has 1,403 general parking spaces and 31 ADA spaces and sits next to Marymoor Park and the East Lake Sammamish Trail. It is the nearby park-and-ride Sound Transit directs drivers to use because Downtown Redmond Station does not have dedicated Sound Transit parking. Redmond Technology Station at 3929 156th Ave NE serves the Microsoft side of town and offers its own garage, 323 spaces plus 8 ADA stalls. Where do I park for the 2 Line light rail? Since The Colony sits in the Bear Creek and Education Hill area, Downtown Redmond Station is about 1.8 miles away, a short drive or a pleasant bike ride down the Redmond Central Connector trail rather than a walk. That's where our on-site parking shines. On workdays, drive to the Marymoor Village garage , park, and let the train handle the rest. On weekends, some of our residents skip the garage entirely and pedal the trail straight to the platform. If you want the specifics on how parking works with your particular home, we're glad to talk it through when you visit. 2 Line Fares and How to Pay Here is some good news for your wallet: the fare is refreshingly simple. A one-way adult ride (ages 19 to 64) is a flat $3.00 on every Link trip, whether you're rolling one stop to Marymoor Village or the full run into Seattle. A day pass costs twice the one-way fare and is valid only on the day you buy it. Discounted fares are also widely available. ORCA LIFT riders and eligible seniors or riders with disabilities pay $1.00, while youth 18 and under ride free. As for tapping in, you've got options: an ORCA card, which is the region's reloadable transit card, a contactless credit or debit card with tap-to-pay, the ticket machines at every station, or the Transit GO Ticket app on your phone. The Schedule: How Often Do 2 Line Trains Come? Trains arrive often enough that you generally do not need to plan around a single departure. The 2 Line typically runs about every eight minutes during weekday peak periods and every 10 to 15 minutes at other times. Service generally operates from approximately 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and from 6 a.m. to midnight on Sundays, although riders should check Sound Transit’s current schedule before an especially early or late trip. The schedule works for some morning flights, but travelers should confirm the first available connection to SEA Airport before booking an early departure. Grab a coffee from a downtown Redmond café before you tap in, then settle in for views of the Eastside, Lake Washington, and the Seattle skyline as the train heads west. Getting to the Big Eastside Workplaces This is what a lot of Redmond residents care about most, and it's where the line really shines. 2 Line to Microsoft Ride to Redmond Technology Station, where the Microsoft campus is a short walk away via the standout pedestrian bridge, a 1,100-foot span that crosses SR 520 and connects the station with Microsoft’s east and west campuses. Microsoft funded the bridge, which connects its east and west campuses across SR 520 along with the transit stop and a regional bike trail. Overlake Village Station puts you within a short walk of the campus too, with big-tech offices and good lunch spots close by. If you're here for a summer at Microsoft, our guide for Microsoft interns digs into the housing side of that move. 2 Line to Meta Spring District Station opens directly into a mixed-use neighborhood in Bellevue’s Bel-Red corridor, home to Meta’s Spring District campus, making the last leg of the commute about as easy as it gets. Bellvue 2 Line Stops Bellevue Downtown Station drops you in the middle of the city’s core, near Amazon’s major downtown presence. It is also a gateway to The Bellevue Collection, including Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square, and Bellevue Place. When the errand list piles up, Wilburton Station’s skybridge puts Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Target, REI, and PCC within a short walk, making it one of the line’s most convenient stops for shopping and errands. Curious how the daily commute fits into life here more broadly? Our full Redmond moving guide covers neighborhoods, costs, and the rhythms of settling in. Living Right By the Line Here’s the quiet upside of where we sit. The Colony at Bear Creek is roughly two miles northeast of Downtown Redmond Station, putting the 2 Line within a short drive or bike ride. Come home from a train day and the amenities do their part. We've got a resort-style pool, a fitness center, and a clubhouse lounge for when you'd rather unwind two floors down than two cities over. Inside, homes come with a full-size washer and dryer, a dishwasher, stainless appliances, and a private patio or balcony on most plans. You can see everything that comes with living here , or take a look around with our photo gallery and virtual tours . We offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and availability changes frequently, so it's worth checking what floorplans we have available right now . New to Redmond and figuring out a car-light routine from scratch? That transition feels smoother when the station is a short trip away and every adult Link light-rail ride costs a flat $3.00. For a wider lay of the land, our Redmond apartment-hunting guide will help you choose your perfect housing fit and how to prepare for a move to the region. Ride the 2 Line, Come Home to The Colony at Bear Creek The 2 Line turned Redmond from a nice place to live into a launch pad for the entire region. Microsoft without the 520 headache, Meta without the parking hunt, Seattle dinners without a designated driver, all for the price of a fancy latte each way. The last piece of the puzzle is a home that puts you close to the platform, and that's exactly what we offer here at The Colony at Bear Creek. Check our current availability, then give us a call at (425) 278-4885 or see how to get here in person. We'd love to show you around! For more neighborhood guides, transit tips, and the occasional bad pun, browse the rest of The Bear Creek Bulletin. Your train's always a few minutes out. Frequently Asked Questions How much is the Redmond light rail? A one-way adult fare on the 2 Line is a flat $3.00 , no matter how far you travel, so Redmond to Bellevue and Redmond to Seattle both cost the same. Riders using ORCA LIFT and eligible seniors or disabled riders pay $1.00 , and youth 18 and under ride free . Does the Redmond light rail go to Seattle? Yes . Since the Crosslake Connection opened on March 28, 2026, the 2 Line has run from Downtown Redmond across Lake Washington and through downtown Seattle before continuing north to Lynnwood. The ride takes about 41 minutes to International District/Chinatown and about 46 minutes to Westlake; riders heading to SEA Airport or Federal Way transfer to the 1 Line at International District/Chinatown. How often do 2 Line trains run? Trains typically arrive about every eight minutes during weekday peak periods and every 10 to 15 minutes at other times . Service generally operates from approximately 5 a.m. to 1 a.m . Monday through Saturday and from 6 a.m. to midnight on Sundays . Where do you park for the Downtown Redmond Station? There is no Sound Transit parking at Downtown Redmond Station, so drivers can use the Marymoor Village Station garage , which has 1,403 general parking spaces and 31 ADA spaces. How do I get to Microsoft on the light rail? Ride the 2 Line to Redmond Technology Station and walk to campus over the 1,100-foot pedestrian bridge that spans SR 520. Overlake Village Station is also a short walk from the campus.

4th of July in Redmond, WA: Where to Celebrate in 2026

There's a particular kind of evening that rolls around just once a year. The charcoal's hot, American flag towels are draped over balcony railings and pool chairs, and a few doors down a Bluetooth speaker is getting a serious workout. The 4th is almost here, and the only question left is where you're actually going to be when the fireworks light up the sky. Here's the good news for anyone celebrating Independence Day in Redmond, WA: you're sitting right in the sweet spot. Some of the best fireworks shows in the region are a short, easy drive away, which means you get a calm home base and a front-row seat to the fun. Since July 4 lands on a Saturday in 2026, the whole weekend is yours to play with. We've pulled together where to go, when the fireworks actually start, and a few parking tricks that'll save your evening. Grab a cold drink and let's map out your Fourth. Does Redmond Have Its Own Fireworks Show? Unfortunately, Redmond does not currently list a municipal July 4 fireworks display, and lighting your own is a no-go inside city limits any time of year. Before you frown, hear us out, because this is the local insider's secret weapon. What it really means is that you skip the gridlock and keep your evening relaxed at home, then point the car toward whichever show fits your crowd. You're minutes from the largest celebration on the Eastside and a quick hop from the big one on the water in Seattle. Think of Redmond as basecamp: easy in, easy out, and no fighting for a parking spot two blocks from your own front door. One neighborly note, since we love this community and want it staying friendly: those personal firework bans hold all year. If a stray bottle rocket disrupts the peace, Redmond's non-emergency line is 425-556-2500. Now, onto the fun part. Bellevue Family 4th: The Eastside's Biggest Night If you want the marquee event without a long haul, this one's a roughly ten to fifteen minute drive away. Bellevue Family 4th takes over Downtown Park, a fountain-ringed gathering spot in the heart of downtown Bellevue, and it's the largest fireworks show on the Eastside. Activities get underway at 5:00 PM, although food vendors open around 3:00 PM. The fireworks burst overhead at 10:05 PM, choreographed to a live score from the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra. Picture the first shell going up right as the strings swell. It's the kind of moment that makes the whole drive worth it, plus it's free! One tip worth its weight in gold: park free after 5:00 PM at The Bellevue Collection properties. Roll in, grab dinner nearby, and stroll over with your blanket while there's still daylight to claim a good patch of grass. Fourth on the Plateau: Family Games in Sammamish About fifteen minutes out, Sammamish throws its hat in the ring with Fourth on the Plateau at Sammamish Commons. This is the easygoing, kid-friendly pick, with family games and activities starting at 5:00 PM and fireworks show at 10:00 PM. It's free, it's relaxed, and it's tailored for families who'd rather chase their toddlers across a lawn than navigate a downtown crowd. Pack the camp chairs, let the kids run themselves ragged before dark, and settle in for the finale. Lake Sammamish Fireworks at Vasa Park Resort Want your fireworks reflected on the water? Then head to Vasa Park Resort on the shore of Lake Sammamish, roughly fifteen to twenty minutes away from The Colony at Bear Creek . The lakeside setting turns the show into a double feature, once in the sky and once shimmering across the lake. The party warms up at 6:00 PM with food trucks, live music, and face painting, then the fireworks take over at 10:00 PM. Come hungry, snap your fingers to the beat, and let the kids get a butterfly painted on a cheek before the sun dips. Keep in mind that Vasa Park has free admission after 6 PM, limited capacity, limited onsite parking for a $5 cash fee, and a free shuttle so be sure to plan accordingly! Log Boom Park: A Lakefront Show in Kenmore A little north, about fifteen minutes from home, Log Boom Park in Kenmore hosts a free community show right on the water. Things start rolling at 7:30 PM with music, food trucks, and activities, and the fireworks light up at 10:00 PM. This is a lovely option if you'd like a shorter run-up than the all-evening events. Arrive as the music starts, grab a bite, and you're settled in with time to spare before the first boom rolls across the lake. Seafair 4th of July on Lake Union Ready for the regional headliner? Seafair, Seattle's long-running series of summer festivals, brings its Fourth of July celebration to Lake Union, about twenty-five to thirty minutes from our doorstep. This is the big one, the show people plan their whole evening around. Gates run 3:00 to 9:00 PM, split across two spots: Gas Works Park, with a kids' zone, music, and food, and Lake Union Park, with games and a beer garden. The fireworks crown the night at around10:20 PM over the water. Do yourself a favor and register ahead for your free entry ticket, or grab reserved seating if you'd like a guaranteed spot, so you breeze past the day-of scramble. You can reserve your spot by checking out the Seafair website here ! Start and End the Day Right at Home in The Colony at Bear Creek The smartest play on the Fourth happens before you ever start the car. Sleep in, then kick the day off at one of our luxury amenities like the pool while the burgers thaw and the playlist shuffles. When the afternoon winds down, the whole region is just a quick drive from our community, up in the Bear Creek and Education Hill area northeast of downtown, with quick access to SR-520 and the rest of the Eastside. And the Fourth is only the opening act of the season. Redmond's historic summer festival, Derby Days, rolls into the Redmond City Hall campus on Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25, 2026, and the free, all-ages Rockin' on the River concert series brings live music to the great lawn by City Hall on select Wednesday evenings this August. There's a reason so many folks fall for settling into life in Redmond. The Easy Choice for Your Fourth So here's the shape of your holiday: a slow morning at home, a short drive to the show that suits your group, and a sky full of color over Bellevue, Sammamish, Kenmore, or Lake Union. Redmond gives you the calm; the Eastside and Seattle bring the fireworks. That balance is exactly what makes this corner of Washington such a fine place to live. If you've been thinking about putting down roots near all of it, we'd love to help you find your place in Redmond. Take a look around our community , or give our team a call at (425) 278-4885 and we'll walk you through what's available. Either way, keep an eye on The Bear Creek Bulletin , where we round up the best of Redmond all year long. Frequently Asked Questions Does Redmond, WA have a 4th of July fireworks show? Redmond doesn't host its own municipal fireworks display, and personal fireworks are not allowed within city limits. The upside is that several excellent shows are a short drive away, so Redmond makes an easy, relaxed home base for the holiday. Where can I watch 4th of July fireworks near Redmond? The closest big show is Bellevue Family 4th at Downtown Park, about ten to fifteen minutes away, with fireworks at 10:05 PM. Other strong options nearby include Fourth on the Plateau in Sammamish, Vasa Park Resort on Lake Sammamish, Log Boom Park in Kenmore, and Seafair on Lake Union in Seattle. What time do the fireworks start near Redmond? Most area shows light up around 10:00 PM, with Bellevue at 10:05 PM and Seafair on Lake Union at around 10:20 PM. Activities at most events begin in the late afternoon or early evening, so there's plenty to enjoy before dark. Are the 4th of July events near Redmond free? Many are. Bellevue Family 4th, Fourth on the Plateau, and Log Boom Park are all free to attend. Seafair offers free ticket registration along with paid reserved seating if you'd like a guaranteed spot. What's the best parking tip for the Eastside fireworks? For Bellevue Family 4th, park free after 5:00 PM at The Bellevue Collection properties. For Seafair, register ahead for your free ticket so you skip the day-of hassle.

Best Summer Activities in Redmond, WA

If the first warm Saturday of the year arrives and you're standing in your living room wondering what to actually do with it, you're in good company. Pacific Northwest summer is short and packs a lot in, so making the most of it matters. Here's a guide to help you plan for the best summer in Redmond! Marymoor Park Quick orientation if you're new to the area: Marymoor is King County's largest park, 640 acres at the north end of Lake Sammamish, drawing more than three million visitors a year. Most of our summer plans end up starting here. The park is just a short drive from The Colony , and a first visit usually turns into a regular one. Marymoor Live Concert Series Marymoor Live is the outdoor amphitheater tucked inside the park, and the 2026 season runs deep. June opened with The Dead South, Iration, and Buju Banton with Stephen Marley on the Roots and Rhymes Tour. July picks up with Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms, the Marcus King Band, Young the Giant on the Victory Garden Tour with Cold War Kids, and Slightly Stoopid closing the month. August gets loud: ZZ Top with Cheap Trick on the 11th, Trombone Shorty and St. Paul & The Broken Bones on the 19th, and NEEDTOBREATHE on the 21st. The series wraps in September with Squeeze, Adam Ant, and Haircut 100 sharing a single stage in what may be the most 1980s evening of the calendar year. Pack a blanket, grab dinner before you head over, and leave yourself a buffer for parking on the bigger nights. And if you're a fellow concertgoer like some of our staff, then you'll want to read our Live Music in Redmond blog post to stay informed on all things loud in the area! Outdoor Movies at Marymoor Park KeyBank Outdoor Movies at Marymoor enters its 22nd season in summer 2026, and the lineup opens July 8 with Ferris Bueller's Day Off. You bring a chair or a blanket, the food trucks are already there, and dogs on leashes are welcome. Tickets are $12.50 per person, and kids five and under (along with your pup) get in free. There aren't many things more satisfying than a 1986 movie on a giant screen with the sun still going down behind it. Climbing, Trails, and the Off-Leash Dog Area Marymoor doesn't only offer ticketed events. The climbing wall stands about 30 feet tall with bouldering problems and bolted sport routes, free and open to the public during park hours. There's a 400-meter velodrome (the only one in Washington), the Audubon Bird Loop Trail (where birders have recorded more than 200 species), a radio-control aircraft field, and a 40-acre off-leash dog area that's probably the most beloved square footage in the county. The Redmond Saturday Market The market opens its 2026 season on Saturday, May 2 and runs through October on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm at 9900 Willows Rd NE in the lot at Overlake Christian Church. Stalls cover locally grown produce, cheese, eggs, fish, meat, fresh flowers, baked goods, and prepared food (for those with a little less cooking expertise like yours truly). If you go early, you'll catch the best flowers and skip the mid-morning line at whichever stall is selling the prettiest scones that week. Residents who keep a Saturday market habit will tell you it changes the rhythm of summer. There's something about walking home with a paper bag of peaches you genuinely intend to bake into a pie. Redmond Derby Days Derby Days is Redmond's signature summer festival, and 2026 lands on Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25. Friday runs 4pm to 10pm, Saturday runs 8am to 11pm, all centered on the Redmond City Hall campus and the Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome at 15670 NE 85th St. The weekend packs in live music, bicycle races at the velodrome, parades, a craft market, food vendors, and a beer and wine garden. Saturday closes with a drone light show above City Hall, a quietly futuristic way to wrap a hot July evening. If you're newer to Redmond, this is the weekend that introduces you to the rest of the city. Half the people you'll meet at the velodrome have lived here for two decades. Free Summer Concerts: Rockin' on the River Rockin' on the River is the City of Redmond's free Wednesday-evening concert series, held on the Great Lawn between Redmond City Hall and the Senior & Community Center starting at 6pm. It's about as low-effort as a summer plan gets. Bring a blanket, pick up takeout from somewhere in town, sit on the grass, listen to the band. Redmond Town Center runs free concerts of its own across the season and also hosts the Exotics at Redmond Town Center car show on Saturday mornings in June, which is the only place we know of where you can drink coffee next to a row of vehicles worth more than the building. The Redmond Arts Festival anchors a separate weekend at Town Center with about 60 artist booths, a community art project, and live entertainment. The Sammamish River Trail The Sammamish River Trail runs 10.1 paved miles from Blyth Park in Bothell up to Marymoor Park in Redmond, following the river through what amounts to a long, flat, green hallway. It's relatively flat the whole way, which makes it equally workable for a casual evening walk and a serious training ride. On a clear day, you'll see the Cascades, and if the light cooperates, Mount Rainier on the horizon. You can walk a mile of it. You can bike the whole length. You can rollerblade like it's 1998. Our community sits a short walk from the trail, which is probably the closest thing we have to a Redmond summer cheat code. Make Our Community Your Summer Home Base A great Redmond summer rewards people who live close enough to act on the spontaneous stuff. A Marymoor concert someone mentions at 4pm. A market run on Saturday morning before the heat lands. A slow trail walk after work that turns into dinner outside. We're a few minutes from Marymoor, a short drive from Town Center, and right off the Sammamish River Trail, which makes us a pretty natural home base for the summer . For more local guides, neighborhood notes, and reasons to stay outside until the streetlights come on, find more in The Bear Creek Bulletin . Frequently Asked Questions What are the best summer activities in Redmond, WA? The headliners are Marymoor Park (concerts at Marymoor Live, outdoor movies, climbing, the off-leash dog area), the Redmond Saturday Market, Derby Days in late July, and the free Rockin' on the River concerts. The Sammamish River Trail ties most of them together. Is there an outdoor concert series in Redmond? Two, actually. Marymoor Live runs major touring acts through summer at Marymoor Park, and Rockin' on the River brings free Wednesday-evening concerts to the Great Lawn at Redmond City Hall starting at 6pm. Redmond Town Center also runs its own free summer concert series. When does the Redmond Saturday Market open in 2026? The 2026 season opens Saturday, May 2 and runs through October on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm at 9900 Willows Rd NE. When is Redmond Derby Days 2026? Derby Days 2026 is Friday, July 24 (4pm to 10pm) and Saturday, July 25 (8am to 11pm) on the Redmond City Hall campus and at the Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome. Saturday wraps with a drone light show over City Hall. Is Marymoor Park free to enter? Marymoor Park itself is free to enter, and the climbing wall and off-leash dog area are free to use during park hours. Ticketed events inside the park (Marymoor Live concerts, KeyBank Outdoor Movies) require a paid ticket. Also, vehicle parking is $1 per day. Concert parking is separately listed at $20 per vehicle by Marymoor Live. I’d revise the FAQ so you don’t imply driving/parking is free.

Microsoft Intern's Guide to Apartment Search in Redmond, WA

If you've just accepted a Microsoft summer internship, the apartment question is probably next on your list. We're a few minutes from the Microsoft campus, and we help interns work through this every spring. Below, we'll cover how Microsoft's housing options work, getting to campus without a car, and what to know about the Redmond rental market before you sign anything. How Microsoft Internship Housing Works Microsoft's Early in Profession internship is the company's summer pipeline of students who work alongside full-time employees at the Redmond campus. The summer runs about 12 weeks and if you're in the Discovery Program specifically, your dates are already locked in: July 13 through August 7, 2026. Other cohorts land in the same general summer window. The first practical decision Microsoft hands you is housing. Interns choose between a housing stipend they spend on their own apartment, or company-arranged corporate housing where Microsoft does the sorting for you. The stipend gives you control over location, layout, and the question of who you're sharing walls with. Corporate housing chooses those for you. Whether you decide to reflect your personality with a specific apartment, or choose to be housed with other Microsoft interns, we'll help you through the tough part of being in a new city! Where the Microsoft Campus Sits in Redmond If you've never visited, picture this. Redmond is located east of Seattle, across Lake Washington, in the Eastside cluster that also includes Bellevue and Kirkland. Microsoft's main campus sits in the Overlake neighborhood, which is the southern part of Redmond. The campus is enormous, with more than 100 buildings split into East Campus and West Campus, connected by a 1,100-foot pedestrian bridge that runs straight to a light rail station. It's truly a sight to behold! Downtown Redmond, where you'll find restaurants, the farmers market, and the Sammamish River Trail, sits a few miles northeast of campus. The Colony is north of downtown in the Bear Creek area on Education Hill, which puts us between Microsoft's campus and the quieter residential side of town. If you're scouting on a map, the stretch of Redmond between Downtown Redmond Station and Redmond Technology Station is the corridor with the most direct light rail access to campus. Getting to the Microsoft Campus Without a Car This is the question we hear most often, and as of 2026, its better than it's ever been! Two transit options will be your most likely go to, the 2 Line and Microsoft Connector. The 2 Line Light Rail to Redmond Technology Station The 2 Line is Sound Transit's east-side light rail, and it's fully operational across the route with the addition of a link to Redmond's tech corridor (Redmond Technology Station, right at Microsoft) across the bridge to downtown Seattle, Mercer Island, and Bellevue, as of May 2026. If you live near our community, your closest stop is Downtown Redmond Station at 16000 NE 80th St. From there, Redmond Technology Station is one stop away. Trains run about every 8 minutes during peak hours and every 12 to 15 minutes otherwise, with service from about 5 AM to 1 AM. You'll pay with an ORCA card or just tap your phone or contactless bank card. A one-way ride from Downtown Redmond to Westlake in Seattle runs about $3.25 to $3.75 so your best bet would be opting for a long-term PugetPass. The pedestrian bridge is another architectural beauty. When you step off at Redmond Technology Station, a covered 1,100-foot bridge takes you over to either side of campus without crossing a single road. On a rainy Monday in July, it'll save you a waterlogged outfit! The Microsoft Connector Shuttle Microsoft also operates its own private shuttle network called the Microsoft Connector, and interns are eligible to ride. You'll get a Redmond-specific bus pass as part of your intern benefits package, so transit costs aren't something you'll be tracking line by line. Connector routes shift seasonally, so for the current pickup points nearest a particular apartment, the Connector team will get you the latest details when you arrive. If you want to know what's closest from our address specifically, call us at (425) 278-4885 and we'll point you toward the best commute options for your start date. What Apartments Near the Microsoft Campus Cost As one of the Seattle area’s most sought-after suburbs, Redmond offers a great mix of convenience, natural beauty, and career access. Knowing the local rental market can help you find a home that feels like the right fit. One-bedrooms across the city are running roughly $1,800 to $2,400 a month, with two-bedrooms in the $2,400 to $3,500 range and climbing from there. Our community fits inside that market and offers one-bedrooms, and two-bedrooms floorplans with the features that matter when you're moving fast. A full-size washer and dryer in your unit, stainless appliances, dishwasher, central heating and cooling, and a private patio or balcony on most floor plans. The fastest way to see what we have available right now is to check our current openings, since the lineup shifts week to week. Scouting a Redmond Apartment from Out of State You're likely making this call from a campus a few thousand miles away. Here are some things to make the decision easier. A virtual tour is your friend. Take a look around our community online before you land, and you'll get a real sense of floor plans, finishes, and the property. Pay attention to the commute, not just the address. A place that's three miles from campus on paper can feel like twenty minutes by car at 9 AM and forty-five at 5 PM. A place near the 2 Line stays consistent regardless of traffic. Ask about move-in timing early. Summer is the busiest stretch of the year for every leasing office in town, and locking in your dates a few months ahead saves real stress. In-unit laundry, parking, package receiving, and a working gym sound small until you're hauling clothes to a laundromat on a Sunday before the work week. One of the best things you can do for yourself before making the move is keeping track of your wants and needs, and even something as simple as making a pros/cons list can help reduce some of the stress that comes from this venture. If you want the bigger picture beyond the intern-specific stuff, our broader Redmond apartment-hunting guide goes deeper on neighborhoods, daily life, and the moving checklist most newcomers wish they'd had. A Day in the Life Near the Microsoft Campus A typical Tuesday in July looks something like this. You head to Downtown Redmond Station and you're on the 2 Line by 8:30. One stop later you're at Redmond Technology Station. You walk the pedestrian bridge, take in the beautiful Redmond surroundings, and you're in your building. The whole commute is roughly twenty minutes, door to door, without ever sitting on 520 freeway. After work, your evening opens up. The Sammamish River Trail runs through downtown Redmond. Marymoor Park hosts outdoor concerts a short drive away. The 2 Line carries you to Westlake in Seattle in roughly forty minutes for a few dollars when you want a weekend in the city. You come back to a place that feels like yours for the summer. Your laundry is running while you cook dinner. The pool is open until evening. The whole point of finding the right apartment is so that when the workday ends, home is the easy part. Picking the Right Apartment for Your Microsoft Internship You don't have unlimited time, but you do have enough time to make a good decision. The interns who land softest into a Redmond summer tend to have a commute they trust, an apartment with the basics they need, and a leasing contact they've already talked to. We can be that contact. Have a peek at the community to see if it feels like a fit, then contact our leasing team and we'll talk through dates, floor plans, and the parts of the move that always feel bigger from far away than they are up close. Our full Redmond moving guide is there too if you want more context on the city before you land. We've helped a lot of interns through this exact stretch of the year, and we'd be glad to help you through yours. See how to get here from campus, or just call. And if you're looking for more ideas on what to do in the city, check out all our blogs in the Bear Creek Bulletin . Welcome to Redmond! Frequently Asked Questions Where should a Microsoft intern live in Redmond? Redmond, Bellevue, and Kirkland are all served by the 2 Line, which makes any of them workable depending on your priorities. The most direct commutes to campus run along the 2 Line corridor between Downtown Redmond Station and Redmond Technology Station, which is where our community sits. How do Microsoft interns get to campus? Most interns use the 2 Line light rail, the Microsoft Connector private shuttle, or both. The 2 Line drops you at Redmond Technology Station, where a 1,100-foot pedestrian bridge crosses directly into East and West Campus. Interns receive a Redmond-specific bus pass as part of their benefits, so transit is already covered. Should I take the Microsoft housing stipend or the company-arranged housing? Microsoft offers a choice between a lump-sum stipend you spend on your own apartment and corporate housing the company arranges for you. The stipend route gives you control over location, layout, and roommates, which is why many interns choose it. We're happy to help you weigh whether a Redmond apartment near our community fits your plans. Can I find a furnished apartment for the summer at The Colony? We don't offer furnished units, and we'd rather have an honest conversation about your move-in setup than send you searching elsewhere. Give our leasing team a call and we'll help you figure out the simplest way to land in Redmond ready to go. How far is The Colony from the Microsoft campus? We're a short drive or a 2 Line ride away, with Downtown Redmond Station as your closest light rail stop and Redmond Technology Station one stop down the line. For a precise drive time from your starting point, find your way to our community with The Colony directions .

Moving to Redmond, WA for a New Job: Apartment Hunting Guide

Last updated: May 2026 TL;DR: If you just accepted a job in Redmond and need to find an apartment from out of town, this guide walks you through the neighborhoods worth considering, the real monthly cost of renting here (hint: it's more than the base rent), how to vet a building without ever stepping inside, and a move-in timeline that keeps things from getting stressful. If you'd rather skip ahead to floor plans, you can see current Colony 1- and 2-bedroom layouts here . In This Guide Redmond Neighborhoods at a Glance Build Your Must-Have List The True Cost of Renting in Redmond, WA The Neighborhood Primer How to Vet an Apartment Remotely Daily Life: Groceries, Commute, Safety A Note on Community Your 30 / 14 / 7 Day Moving Checklist Frequently Asked Questions A new job is already a major life change. Trying to find a place to live in a city you barely know can make it feel overwhelming fast. Whether you're a summer intern at Microsoft, a recent grad starting full-time at one of Redmond's tech companies, or someone relocating for a role at a smaller employer in the area, the same questions tend to come up: Which neighborhood should I live in? Is my budget realistic? What's a fair price once parking and fees are added in? And how do I evaluate a building I can't tour in person? If you're specifically a Microsoft intern, read this guide alongside our Microsoft intern's guide to apartment search in Redmond . It goes deeper on the intern-specific timeline, transportation options, and budget norms for summer hires. In this post we explore these questions and expand on what you need to know before you move — written for people who want to make a good decision the first time rather than scroll through 100 listings hoping one sticks. Redmond Neighborhoods at a Glance Redmond sits about 16 miles east of downtown Seattle, across Lake Washington. It's small enough that you can drive across town in 15 minutes outside of rush hour, but it's also dense with employment opportunities. Microsoft's main campus, Nintendo of America, Honeywell, Physio-Control, plus a long list of startups and contractors call the city home. An industry hub like this shapes almost everything about the rental market: prices track company hiring cycles, summer inventory is tightest, and the best-value buildings are usually the ones a short drive from the main campus rather than directly across the street. A few geographic anchors worth knowing before you start looking: Microsoft Main Campus: bordered roughly by 520, 40th St, and 156th Ave NE. This is most commonly what people mean when they say "near Microsoft." Redmond Town Center: the walkable shopping, dining, and apartment hub just south of the main campus. Downtown Redmond: older and more residential than the Town Center, with the newly opened 2 Line light rail stops making transit-based commutes genuinely viable for the first time. SR 520 and I-405: the two highways that dictate your commute. If you'll be driving to Bellevue or Seattle regularly, your apartment choice should be made with 520 and 405 traffic in mind, not just distance. Once you can picture those anchors on a map, neighborhood comparisons start to make sense. Build Your Must-Have List Before You Scroll a Single Listing The biggest mistake people make when moving to a new city is browsing endless listings before considering what they actually need. By the time you're clicking around on Zillow, you're comparing granite countertops instead of commute times, and the listing photos do a lot of the thinking for you. Before you start, write down: Your real budget ceiling: total monthly housing cost, not just base rent. A healthy rule of thumb is 30% of gross income, though in high cost-of-living areas like the Eastside, many new hires run closer to 35%. Bedrooms and bathrooms: a 1-bedroom floorplan is usually enough for a single professional; consider a 2-bed if you're bringing a partner, roommate, or home office. Non-negotiable unit features: in-unit washer/dryer, dishwasher, and parking (covered or garage, if you have a car) are the three most common necessities. Air conditioning is worth asking about; not every Redmond building has it. Commute tolerance: 10 minutes? 35? Be honest. A 45-minute commute looks fine on paper and feels different at 7:45 AM in winter rain. Lease flexibility: interns and short-term transfers especially should ask about short-term or furnished options up front. Keep that list open while you browse. If a listing doesn't check your non-negotiables, don't rationalize around it. The True Cost of Renting in Redmond, WA Rent is only part of the monthly number. When you're building a budget, factor in: Parking: often a separate charge, especially at newer downtown buildings. Utilities: electric, gas (if applicable), water/sewer/trash, and internet. Pet rent and deposit: a per-pet monthly charge plus a one-time fee. Renter's insurance: usually required by the landlord and generally inexpensive. Amenity or "common area" fees: some buildings bundle gym, pool, or package-room access into a separate monthly line item. Move-in costs: application fee, admin fee, sometimes a non-refundable move-in fee, plus the security deposit. When you compare buildings, compare the all-in monthly number and the total upfront cost, not the headline rent. A rule of thumb to live by when looking for a new apartment, make sure you have a detailed idea about every expense from trash pickup to pest control. The Neighborhood Primer There's no single "best" neighborhood in Redmond, only the best neighborhood for your situation. Here are the six locations that come up most often in apartment searches, with honest tradeoffs. 1. Downtown Redmond / Redmond Town Center This is the most walkable part of Redmond. You can grab coffee, pick up groceries, and walk to the Sammamish River Trail without getting in your car. It's also where the newer, amenity-heavy apartment buildings are concentrated. The tradeoff is cost: expect rents at the top of your budget and add-on parking fees. Light rail service at the new Downtown Redmond Station also makes this neighborhood viable for a car-free lifestyle. It's worth considering if you don't want to deal with parking at all. 2. Overlake Overlake sits roughly between Microsoft's main campus and Bellevue, and it's the most obvious answer for "shortest Microsoft commute." You'll find newer mid- and high-rise buildings, good access to the 2 Line and the RapidRide B, and a growing dining scene. Downsides: some areas feel more office-park than neighborhood, and prices are climbing quickly. 3. Bear Creek / Education Hill East and northeast of downtown, this area trades a few minutes of drive time for noticeably more space, greenery, and a quieter residential feel. Apartment communities here tend to be suburban-style. You'll notice detached garages, scenic courtyards, and pools rather than high-rise buildings. It's a common sweet spot for people who want a real 1-bedroom with in-unit laundry and parking included without paying downtown-core prices. You'll drive to most things, but nothing is far. 4. Grass Lawn / Willows Road Tucked between Redmond and Kirkland, this corridor is heavy on small tech offices and mid-size apartment communities. Good value, decent commute to main campus, and easy access to 520. Less walkable than downtown or the Town Center so you'll plan quick trips rather than stroll for coffee. 5. Sammamish (just south of Redmond) Sammamish is a separate city, but it's close enough that a lot of Redmond-based employees end up there, especially families. Expect larger units, quieter streets, better schools, and a longer commutes, usually 15–25 minutes to Microsoft depending on traffic. 6. Kirkland (just west of Redmond) If you'd rather live somewhere with a small-downtown-on-the-water feel and don't mind a slightly longer drive, Kirkland's Juanita and Totem Lake neighborhoods are worth a look. Costs vary wildly; Totem Lake mid-rises tend to be the best value, while downtown Kirkland and Moss Bay command a premium. How to Vet an Apartment Remotely Most people moving for a new job sign their lease sight unseen, or at most after a rushed weekend visit. At a high level, these five steps lower the risk: Request a live video tour . Some properties will offer leasing agents to FaceTime or Zoom to show you the actual unit you'd be renting, including closets, windows, and the view from the balcony. Read reviews for patterns , not individual stars. Recurring names and themes are signal; one-off rants are noise. Older reviews reflect a different management team and different market. Get the total monthly cost in writing with every line item specified — base rent, parking, pet rent, utility setup, move-in fees, and any amenity fees. (Remember the rule of thumb we mentioned) Read the lease carefully for the lease-break clause and the renewal pricing policy. Both vary widely building to building. Reconfirm parking separately from rent. "Available" and "included" are different words, and they cost different amounts. These small steps can make a big difference when you’re choosing an apartment from another city. The goal isn’t to remove every unknown, but to get enough clear information upfront so you can feel confident signing a lease before your first day on the job. Daily Life: Groceries, Commute, Safety The things you can't judge from a listing photo tend to matter most after you move in. Groceries and essentials Redmond is well-served for groceries. You'll find Whole Foods and PCC Community Markets for organic and specialty, Fred Meyer and QFC for full-service one-stop runs, Trader Joe's in the Town Center, and Costco nearby in Kirkland. If you care about walkability to a market, downtown and Overlake are the strongest picks; farther-out neighborhoods mean a quick drive. Commute The Microsoft Connector shuttle network covers a wide radius of the Eastside and Seattle, and for many employees it's the difference between "commute is fine" and "commute ruined my mornings." If you'll be eligible, pull the route map before choosing a building — a stop within a five-minute walk is genuinely life-improving. The 2 Line light rail extension into downtown Redmond has also added a real transit option where one didn't exist before. Safety Redmond routinely ranks among the safer cities in Washington, but like any city, specific blocks and buildings vary. Rather than rely on anecdotal advice, cross-reference city-level data on the Redmond Police Department site, and review recent tenant reviews that mention break-ins, package theft, or security response times. A Note on Community (and One Option Worth Touring) Most of the advice above is non-localized. But once you've narrowed down your criteria, touring communities that actually fit those criteria is a much better use of your weekend than touring ten that don't. If your list looks anything like "1- or 2-bedroom, in-unit laundry, dishwasher, parking included, a short drive to the Microsoft main campus, and a quieter feel than a high-rise on a busy corner," The Colony at Bear Creek is one of the communities worth having on your shortlist. It sits at 18100 NE 95th St in the Bear Creek neighborhood, with one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans (including a 1 Bed + 1 Bath Plus with extra storage), wood-burning fireplaces, full-size in-unit washer/dryer, quartz counters, private patios, and a mix of detached garages, covered parking, and EV charging. Community amenities include two seasonal heated pools, two whirlpool spas, two 24-hour fitness centers, a sauna, a clubhouse with a fireside lounge, a pet park, and a basketball court. The honest tradeoff: you'll drive to coffee and groceries rather than walk. For renters coming from a car-dependent part of the country, that's often a non-issue; for someone set on city street walkability, downtown Redmond or the Town Center is a better fit. You can review all of The Colony amenities here or take a virtual tour through the photo gallery . Your 30 / 14 / 7 Day Moving Checklist 30 days out Shortlist 3–5 buildings that pass your non-negotiables. Request live video tours and written quotes that include all fees. Lock in renter's insurance and forward it to the leasing office. Set up mail forwarding with USPS. If driving cross-country, map the route and book any overnight stops. Start downsizing what you won't take with you; it is always more than you think. 14 days out Confirm move-in date, time, and elevator reservation if required. Set up utilities: electric (Puget Sound Energy), water, internet. Update your address with employer, bank, and any subscriptions. Book movers, rental truck, or shipping containers. If you're bringing a car from out of state, review Washington's vehicle registration rules for new residents . 7 days out Pack a first-night box: bedding, a change of clothes, chargers, toiletries, medications, basic kitchen. Confirm arrival logistics with the leasing office (keys, access codes, after-hours contact). Transfer prescriptions to a local pharmacy. Take photos of every room as you move out of your old place for deposit purposes. Schedule a grocery delivery for your first evening in the new apartment — future you will thank you. Frequently Asked Questions What's a realistic budget for a one-bedroom apartment in Redmond? As a general range, expect one-bedroom apartments in Redmond to start in the upper $1,000s for older suburban-style communities and climb into the mid-$2,000s and up for newer downtown or Overlake buildings. When you add parking, utilities, and insurance, most renters end up budgeting $2,300–$3,000/month total for a comfortable one-bedroom. Always confirm current pricing directly with a property because it moves with the market. What are the best neighborhoods in Redmond for someone working at Microsoft? Overlake and downtown Redmond give you the shortest commute and the most walkability. Bear Creek and Grass Lawn trade a short drive for more space and typically better value. Sammamish and Kirkland work well if you prefer a slightly longer commute in exchange for a specific lifestyle; family-friendly streets or a walkable downtown on the water. Do I need a car in Redmond? It depends on your neighborhood. Downtown Redmond with the 2 Line light rail and the Microsoft Connector network make a car-free life genuinely possible. In Bear Creek, Grass Lawn, or Sammamish, a car will make your day-to-day much easier. What hidden fees should I watch for when renting in Redmond? The most commonly overlooked ones are: non-refundable move-in and admin fees, parking fees that aren't listed on the rent comp, pet rent, and amenity fees for gym, pool, or package rooms. Always ask for a written all-in quote before signing. Are furnished or short-term apartments available for interns? Yes, though inventory tightens during the summer intern wave. If you're on a 10–14 week internship, ask each community directly whether they offer short-term or corporate housing options, and ask early. The best units are typically spoken for months in advance. Settling In The first week in a new city is always a little disorienting, even when the move itself goes smoothly. Give yourself a weekend to do nothing apartment-related. Walk the Sammamish River Trail, try one of Redmond's top restaurants , stop into one of the local coffee shops , or catch a show if that's your thing (our live music guide is a good place to start). Redmond is a small enough city that a couple of casual weekends will make it feel like home faster than you'd expect. If The Colony at Bear Creek is on your shortlist, you can get in touch with our leasing team for current availability or to schedule a virtual tour. Either way — good luck with the move. A thoughtful first month sets the tone for the whole year.