Overall Score
The city of Bellevue is in the state of Washington. To the south-east of it rises Mount Kougari. The westernmost parts are adjacent to Lake Washingtons. Between the city and the natural reservoir are several towns, including Yarrow Point, Clyde Hill, and Medina. The northern edges are bounded by Lake Sammamish. The citys name, in French, means Beautiful View, representing the natural beauty of the area, the great beauty of the lakes glen and the surrounding landfronts. A small bridge connects Beaulieu to Mercer Island, the largest on Lake Washingtons.
Founded in the second half of the 19th century, the community did not become a city until 1953. Its present-day center is located around the city center, now the largest in the state. The first tall buildings appeared in the city in the early 1980s. Now they are the dominant housing estate in the central part of the city. Among them are high-rise residential and office complexes. One street is home to the famous Museum of Puppet Art. Its halls are full of original artifacts. The museum is famous for having the worlds largest collection of dolls.
Overall Score
- Tap water: Yes, safe to drink
- Religious government: Non-religious
- Population: 140,000 people
- GDP: $57,808 / year
- Foreigners can own real estate: Yes
- Power outlets: 115V60Hz
- Internet: 50 Mbps
- Best wireless: Verizon
- Pay without cash: Yes, cards OK almost everywhere
- Tipping: How much should I tip at a restaurant? A gratuity of 15 to 20 per cent on top of the bill (before sales tax) is standard, with 25 per cent given for topnotch service. Servers in America work hard for the money – they’re generally friendly, knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile for customers.
- Apartment listings: Craigslist
- Apartments: Airbnb
- Hotels: Booking.com
- More hotels: Hotels.com
- Best taxi: Uber
- Online electronics shop: Amazon
- Best intl air carrier: United
- Monthly costs for expat: $2200
- Monthly costs for family: $5300
- Monthly costs for local: $1500
- Meal: $13
- Small Cola: $2
- Beer 1 Pint: $6.5
- Coffee: $4
View Larger Map