Suburbs often evoke staid developments (and staid populations), but move in any direction from Seattle and you’ll find something a little different. To the west, the nautical Bainbridge and Bremerton corridor. To the east, big-tech bastions and palatial retreats. To the south, burgeoning, diverse communities. And to the north, coastal but commuter-friendly locales. These Seattle-adjacent cities and towns harbor their own cultural riches, from restaurants to recreation to retail, worth exploring—perhaps on a permanent basis.

In This Feature:

What to Know about Seattle’s Suburbs

Pithy summaries of communities in the Puget Sound region, including every city in King County.

03/08/2021 By Seattle Met Staff

What $675,000 Buys You in Three Seattle Suburbs

In 2020, the typical Seattle-area home sold for roughly $675,000. But "typical” looked different in Bainbridge Island, Sammamish, and Kent.

03/08/2021 By Sarah Anne Lloyd

Don’t Call Bellevue a Suburb

And other follies in labeling the communities around Seattle.

03/08/2021 By Benjamin Cassidy

How Shubert Ho Turned Edmonds into a Dining Destination

A town once starved for a scene now boasts Italian, sushi, and even a seafood market.

03/08/2021 By Allecia Vermillion

This STEM School in Redmond Is One of the Country's Best

Why Microsoft won’t have to look far for new talent.

03/08/2021 By Benjamin Cassidy

North Bend Trades Happy Hour for Après

At the mountains’ edge, recreation beckons any day of the week.

03/08/2021 By Benjamin Cassidy

White Center's Nightlife Is Quietly Growing

Gay bars, roller rink rock shows—the southerly suburb is suddenly a good place to go out.

03/08/2021 By Stefan Milne

The Pleasures and Pains of Bremerton Ferry Commuting

It's not all sunsets and Sound ripples.

03/08/2021 By Benjamin Cassidy

A Guide to Shopping in and around Seattle's Suburban Malls

Suburbia may be known for retail hubs, but its small businesses are worth the drive, too.

03/08/2021 By Zoe Sayler

Are Exurbs the New Suburbs in Washington?

Why moving way out is way in, and other real estate trends to watch in 2021.

03/15/2021 By Benjamin Cassidy