Medina

A lush, green suburb on the eastern bank of Lake Washington, Medina is a residential neighborhood of stunning homes and modern luxuries. It is the second wealthiest area in the state of Washington, just behind nearby Hunt’s Point. Medina is just a short distance from Bellevue and downtown Seattle, so it is an excellent place for commuting professionals.

Settled in the late 1800’s and officially incorporated in 1955, Medina has always been a retreat for Seattle’s elite. The extensive foliage on the shores of Lake Washington continues to be one of its most popular attractions. It is named after the original city of Medina in modern-day Saudi Arabia. The area was initially a landing point established by T.L. Dabney serving as a boat crossing between Seattle and the Eastside. A semi-formal committee from the growing community selected the name “Medeena” for its unique sound. Despite Dabney’s disapproval, the name stuck and eventually adopted its modern spelling.

Throughout its history, Medina has remained mostly residential. With retail and business districts in both Bellevue and Seattle, there’s really no inconvenience to the neighborhood. 8^th street on Medina’s south side connects to State Route 405, a direct route into downtown Bellevue. On the north end, the Evergreen Point Bridge, the world’s longest floating bridge, serves as a main line into Seattle.

Medina has a number of famous residents, most notably Microsoft founder and chairman Bill Gates. His hi-tech mansion on Lake Washington is a real-life House of Tomorrow. Ichiro Suzuki, who plays for the Seattle Mariners baseball team, also makes his home in Medina.

A large portion of Medina is dedicated to the Overlake Golf Course and Country Club. The course is known for its remarkably relaxed atmosphere despite its proximity to a major roadway and it is a favorite of PGA golfer Fred Couples. There are a number of public parks in the neighborhood as well, including Medina South Park, Medina Beach Park and the Fairweather Nature Preserve.

Many of the schools servicing the Medina area are those in the Clyde Hill neighborhood. However, there is the public K-5 Medina Elementary at Medina South Park as well as the private K-6 St. Thomas School in the neighborhood. There is also the Medina Montessori preschool program on 1^st Street.

A relaxing, family-oriented community, Medina is an ideal location for established professionals in the Greater Seattle area. It has a significant amount of lakeside property for boating enthusiasts or those who just like the view. Green, peaceful and convenient, Medina is one of Seattle’s finest neighborhoods.