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.

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.