Elementary
Rose Hill Elementary
Top 5% in Washington. 77% math proficiency, 79% reading. GreatSchools 7/10. Located 1.1 miles from the home.
— Neighborhood / Kirkland
The block.
The area.
Rose Hill is a quiet, well-established neighborhood in Kirkland's 98033 ZIP — positioned between Downtown Kirkland and the Totem Lake regional center, with Lake Washington just to the west.
01 — What makes this area distinct
Three things you'll notice on day one.
Rose Hill — established and quiet
North Rose Hill is a well-established residential community on tree-lined streets with mature landscaping. The neighborhood features a mix of mid-century ramblers and newer renovations, with pride-of-ownership homeowners who keep their properties and gardens maintained. 126th Avenue NE is one of the primary north-south residential corridors — quiet, with steady traffic but no through-rush.
Walk to Totem Lake, drive to the lake
The Village at Totem Lake is minutes away for daily errands — Serious Pie, Dué Cucina, Hanoon, Silverlake Ramen, and grocery shopping. Forbes Valley Wetlands is half a mile on foot. For Lake Washington, Downtown Kirkland's waterfront parks, marinas, and restaurants are about a 10-minute drive west.
Top-rated schools in every bracket
The home sits in the Lake Washington School District — one of Washington's best. Rose Hill Elementary (Top 5% in WA, 77% math proficiency) is 1.1 miles away. Lake Washington High School (GreatSchools 10/10, SAT 1330) is 2.1 miles. Magnet options include International Community School (#3 in the state, 90% math proficiency).
02 — Perfectly positioned
How far is anything, really.
10 min
Downtown Kirkland
15 min
Bellevue / I-405
20 min
Microsoft / Redmond
03 — Schools
Lake Washington School District.
Middle / High
Lake Washington High
GreatSchools 10/10. SAT 1330, ACT 29. Top 10% in Washington. Niche Grade A. 2.1 miles from the home.
Magnet
International Community School
#3 in the state. 90% math, 95% reading. Niche A+. Selective enrollment — a top-tier public alternative within the district.
04 — Neighborhood favorites
Four named spots the locals actually use.
Coffee & Brunch
DERU Market
A Kirkland staple at 723 Market St — farm-fresh salads, pizza, seasonal cakes, and a weekend brunch that draws a loyal crowd. The pastoral white-cottage setting feels like a secret.
Dinner
Serious Pie Totem Lake
Tom Douglas's artisan pizza restaurant at the Village at Totem Lake. Wood-fired pies, seasonal toppings, and a casual enough vibe for weeknight dining — steps from the front door.
Outdoors
Totem Lake Park
A 17-acre urban wetland park 1.5 miles away — accessible all-abilities playground, 10-foot boardwalk, wetland trails, and a lake viewing point. Connects to the Cross Kirkland Corridor for a 5.75-mile walking and cycling trail.
Weekend
Downtown Kirkland Waterfront
Marina Park and Park Lane are 3 miles west. Sandy beach, public dock, boat launch, seasonal outdoor pool, and a walkable strip of restaurants and cafés along the lakefront.
05 — Getting around
The commute, honestly.
I-405 is the spine. The NE 85th Street and Totem Lake interchanges are both within 2–3 miles, giving you direct freeway access to Bellevue (south), Bothell and Everett (north), and connections to WA-520 and I-90.
To Downtown Bellevue: 15–25 minutes via I-405 south or surface streets along Lake Washington Blvd. Bus Route 535 from Totem Lake Transit Center takes about 30 minutes.
To Microsoft / Redmond: 15–25 minutes via NE 85th Street east, or 20–30 minutes via I-405 south to WA-520 east. Many residents take surface streets via 148th Ave NE without needing the freeway.
To Downtown Seattle: 25–35 minutes off-peak via WA-520 west (toll) or I-405 south to I-90 west (toll-free). Peak rush hour stretches to 45–75 minutes. The Route 255 express to UW Station + Link Light Rail runs about 60–75 minutes.
To SeaTac: 27–35 minutes off-peak via I-405 south to I-5 south. Sound Transit Route 560 from Bellevue Transit Center covers it in 75–90 minutes.
Bike commute: The Cross Kirkland Corridor connects to the regional Eastrail network — an e-bike ride to the 520 bridge takes about 45 minutes on dedicated multi-use trail.
06 — On the map