Having trouble with Craigslist Kirkland? Can't find that special apartment for rent on Apartment Finder or Zillow? Apartment List is here to help!
An Eastside classic, Kirkland is the land of waterfront parks, small-town downtown diversions, and brilliant feats of local culture. It's a Seattle suburb worth scoping out, preferably from your paddleboard on a gorgeous summer day. Without further ado, let's find you some property to rent! But first, a few notes...
For those reliant on public transportation, Metro Transit and Sound Transit can get Kirklanders just about anywhere they need to go. Pedestrians and cyclists are in luck as well, with miles of lakeside trails, plenty of nice, wide bike lanes, sidewalks, and a central district full of amusing rest stops.
When fighting through traffic in the Kirkland area, there are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind:
• If at all possible, avoid commuting North-South.
• The traffic before 8:15 a.m. and after 6:30 p.m. is much, much easier.
• Steer clear of I-405. Don't look at it, don't think about it, don't even acknowledge its existence.
• If you have to go to Seattle, take the train. Just about every neighborhood has a Park & Ride close by.
• If you have to have your car in Seattle, then take the I-90 bridge.
• Put simply: There are no good shortcuts. Traffic on the highways will be the same as moving through slow streets and sitting at stop lights. So, plan ahead and always give yourself an extra 10 minutes to get to where you are going.
Between the cool waters of Lake Washington, the unique lakeside downtown, and the beach parks, this is a city that gets heavily congested during the warmer summer months. Between people toting their kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards around and kids running throughout the grassy areas like little energizer bunnies full of nitrous oxide, things get pretty crowded pretty quickly. So, if you're looking for some lakeside peace and quiet during the summer, then head away from the city center.
Oskams Corner: A less dense, lower rent neighborhood, with plenty of trees, streams, and open park space. $$ - $$$
Finn Hill: On the lake, Finn Hill is a neighborhood of wealthy, sophisticated businessmen and Microsoft programmers sipping wine from their upscale waterfront mansions, and farther inland, a neighborhood of college students and young families living cheap in real estate from the 70's. $$ - $$$$$
Sweetbriar: This is a relatively small neighborhood of suburban homes on the outskirts of town. Be sure to take a scenic bike ride over to the nearby Chateau Ste. Michelle, a beautiful winery with concerts in the summer. $ - $$
Juanita: The neighborhood for people who want to have it all: awesome lakeside parks, lakefront houses and condos for rent, affordable apartments and town-homes for rent, easy access to the Sounder Rail, plenty of places to shop, drink, and eat... you get the idea, it’s got most everything. Speaking of eating, you’ll surely eat well with food from Thailand, China, Japan, Mongolia, the Mediterranean, and some good ol' greasy American-fried fish and chips. Be sure to check out the Juanita Friday Market for local fruits, flowers, and the like. $ - $$$$$
Totem Lake: Car dealerships, tire stores, strip malls, discount gun sales, pawnshops, and the classic 24-hour Denny's. You'll find some cheap apartments here, and it’s little wonder why. $
Rose Hill: Some amazing apartments for rent on Forbes lake, some equally amazing trails to the wilderness of the Sammamish Valley, and plenty of apartments for students going to the nearby Lake Washington Technical College. $ - $$$
Market: Million dollar waterfront homes next to downtown. Good luck finding a rental here, and good luck paying for it if you do. $$$$$
Highlands: Next to downtown, with some stylish house rentals and just a couple of apartments. $$$ - $$$$$
Norkik: Next to downtown, with lots of park space on the water and a couple of nearby Park & Rides. $$$ - $$$$
Downtown: A lively waterfront downtown, complete with outdoor cafes, art galleries, neat little boutiques, symphonies, operas and other sophisticated indulgences. For those who prefer a less sophisticated lifestyle, stop by the Wilde Rover for some live foot-stomping, beer-swilling Irish music. For those too young to enjoy having too much to drink, there are plenty of places to have too much to think, such as the public library (ZING!). Another option is Peter Kirk Park where music stages, a recording studio, a darkroom, year-round activities and programs challenge young minds. $$ - $$$$$
Moss Bay: Just south of downtown, this is another neighborhood of pricey waterfront condominiums and rental homes, affordable apartments, beautiful parks full of public art, paddle boarders, and crazy kids, as well as some of the best coffee on the eastside. $$ - $$$$$
Everest: A busy neighborhood of college students and young urbanites in between downtown and I-405. Here, you can find some of the cheapest apartments right next to downtown, with instant access to public transportation and Northwest University. $ - $$$
Lakeview: Southwest of Northwest University, we have another great neighborhood for students, with plenty of lakefront parks, some great eateries on the water at Carillon Point, and a couple of marinas with boat rentals. The annual classic car show, Kirkland Concours d'Elegance, takes place in this neighborhood as well. $$$
Bridle Trails: Besides the amazing Brazilian coffee, chocolates, groceries, and hair products at Kitanda Brazilian Espresso, the main attraction here is the expansive Bridle Trails State Park. Here, you will find some of the last horseback riding trails around, as well as the annual Party in the Park, a popular old fashioned county fair filled with old timey bluegrass, horse shows, and a bunch of kids having a freakin' awesome time. $$$
Houghton: Adjacent to Northwest University and Bridal Trails State Park, this neighborhood is a local favorite. Seahawks fanatics need to stop by the hometown favorite, Sarducci's, for some great subs and a wall full of Seahawk autographs from when the training camp was still nearby. $$$
So, whether you are looking for mountain views, lake views, Seattle skyline views, or just want to view your T.V. all day, Kirkland has the rentals you are looking for. Good Luck!
-By Katy Comal
