East Renton Highlands

Located approximately 15 miles south-east of Seattle, the East Renton Highlands neighborhood is a suburban retreat for residents of the up-and-coming city of Renton, though much of the district, including the school system, is still considered Issaquah. Small portions of the neighborhood have started to incorporate with the city of Renton in recent years, likely drawn in by the rapid business and residential growth around the downtown center.

The East Renton Highlands are a dream come true for nature-loving professionals. While it has all the convenience of the nearby city and is a none-too-rough commute to Seattle, the big draw of the region is its quick drive to a chain of state parks and wildlife preserves to the east. Squak Mountain State Park is a mere six miles from the Highlands. Squak Mountain itself is connected to Cougar Mountain Wildlife Park and vast Tiger Mountain State Forest.

For those looking for smaller, tamed green spaces, the East Renton Highlands have plenty. Highlands Park is a 10-acre family center with a playground, basketball and tennis courts, a gymnasium with spectator seating, a baseball field and a picnic area. The Renton Municipal Arts Commission regularly holds events there, including displays of student art projects. Windsor Hills Park in south-central Highlands is a popular destination for dog owners and is also a fine tree conservatory. Just across state route 405, residents can also enjoy Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park on Lake Washington.

East Renton Highland schools fall into the westernmost portion of the Issaquah district. Elementary students attend either Apollo Elementary or Briarwood Elementary, the latter having slightly higher test scores and parent ratings. These two schools graduate to Maywood Middle School, then to Liberty High School. There are private options in the K-6 Highlands Christian School and Hillcrest Elementary.

As central Renton has been experiencing a recent boom, the East Renton Highlands have remained relatively quiet. The area is overwhelmingly residential with homes in the upper price range of the city. Much of the entertainment, dining and shopping options in the district are in nearby downtown Renton. The Highlands are popular for employees at the nearby Boeing facilities and the many other large businesses that have put down roots in and around the city in the past few decades.

For those in search of a quiet, spacious neighborhood with a strong sense of Pacific Northwestern nature, but close enough to a growing downtown to still have access to all of the convenience of a city, the East Renton Highlands are a good place to look.