What’s Bellevue really like? Movoto, an online real estate brokerage based in San Mateo, Calif., has an online post that lists what it calls “10 Bellevue Stereotypes That Are Completely Accurate.”
Here’s what they think. We welcome your comments in our comments section below or at letters@bellevuereporter.com.
1. People Here Are More Fanatical About The Bellevue Wolverines Than They Are About The Seattle Seahawks
If you thought Washington state residents were crazy about their Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks, you haven’t seen anything yet. People here are truly fanatical for the Bellevue Wolverines, the local high school team. The team received national recognition after being ranked No. 1 among high school teams in the entire country by both ESPN and Sports Illustrated in 2012.
2. If You Were Born And Raised In Bellevue, You Keep It A Secret
People who were born and raised in Bellevue usually keep that information to themselves. When you’re outside of the area, you might say you’re from the Pacific Northwest, or maybe even the Seattle area simply because most people think you’re referring to the psychiatric institution in New York if you say Bellevue.
3. Bellevue Is The Home Of The Yuppie
Almost everywhere you look in Bellevue, yuppies can be seen fiddling with the latest and greatest tech device, toasting to their most recent achievement, or figuring out the next step in their plan to conquer the world.
4. And It’s A Microsoft Town Through And Through
Bellevue is sometimes referred to as Microsoft Town, not because the majority of the company is there, but because the richest of the rich at Microsoft decided they were too good for Redmond and bought massive-sized lots for their mansions.
Bill Gates’ large estate is in the Medina neighborhood overlooking Lake Washington. The 66,000-square foot home has a swimming pool with an underwater music system, a 2,500-square foot gym (among a long list of other extravagant features) — and, when guests come to visit, they’re given a pin that interacts with sensors in each room; depending on the user’s preference, the temperature, music, and lighting changes wherever they happen to be.
5. If You’re A Bellevue High Student, Your Car Is Probably Fancier Than Your Teacher’s
Visiting Bellevue High’s student parking lot is like taking a stroll through a high-end car sales showroom. You’ll definitely see plenty of shiny new BMWs and Lexus vehicles.
6. Bellevue Locals Are A Little OCD About Keeping Things Clean
No dirty parking lots allowed here. Everything in Bellevue almost seems a little too clean, with lots of sparkly upscale shopping, glistening buildings and practically spotless sidewalks. The city’s homeless are quickly removed and dropped off across the bridge in Seattle. Let’s just say you won’t see any public urinating or crack deals on the streets here.
7. People From Bellevue Like Their Martinis Shaken, Not Stirred, Thank You Very Much
If you’re going out for a drink it’s all about the martini, or maybe a nice glass of Opus One. Budweiser? Coors? You might just have to head west back over the bridge for that.
8. And They’re Far More Likely To Be Shooting Birdies On The Golf Course Than Guns In The Woods
While Spokanites over in eastern Washington are known for their love of hunting — and, well just about anything to do with guns, over in Bellevue, it’s virtually the opposite end of the spectrum. Here, you’d much rather be out on the golf course on those rare, bright sunny days.
9. You’ve Probably Got A Job In The High Tech Industry
…or you’re married to someone who does. With so many high tech companies headquartered right in Bellevue like Expedia, Drugstore.com, Nintendo and T-Mobile, in addition to Microsoft and businesses in neighboring communities, statistics show that two-thirds of all high tech jobs are located on the Eastside.
10. Everyone From Bellevue Aspires To Live On Mercer Island
While Bellevue locals may look down on Seattle and many of its suburbs, they probably aspire to live on Mercer Island one day. It may be even cleaner than Bellevue (if that’s possible), it’s got beautiful waterfront scenery and several large beach parks — and for those who want to surround themselves with the upwardly mobile, it may just be a utopia.