The Power of Good Living

Issaquah is the model of how to live in the Northwest, combining access to woods, trails, open space and parks with an urban-village lifestyle of convenience. Issaquah downtown is pedestrian and alternative transportation friendly with a network of sidewalks and trails, making it easy to walk or to bike from place-to-place.

Architecture and streetscapes are scaled for walking and biking with something interesting to look at and experience each step of the way. Many neighborhoods have front porches and homes close to the sidewalk to encourage social interaction.

If the Issaquah lifestyle is what you've been looking for, look no further.

The Issaquah Experience

Issaquah was born in the mid-19th century and was based primarily upon mining. As history has shown us, towns in beautiful places such as this never go away, they change and become valuable places where people are born, where people grow up, and where poeple find a place to hang their hearts.

Located on the southern edge of Lake Sammamish, Issaquah is a fair-sized town with a lot to offer the world. Removed from the hustle and bustle of Seattle, 16 miles West and across Lake Washington, Issaquah is a quiet place near the foothills of the Cascades boasting a population of about 14,000 people.

Issaquah is proud of its history and heritage. Gilman Village, a collection of renovated farming and mining buildings moved from their original locations, is a collection of more than 40 distinct shops and eateries. It is celebrated as a local landmark, despite the controversy of the idea when the village was first put together in the early 70s. Incidentally, Issaquah wasn't the town's original name: it was once known as Gilman.

In early October each year, the town celebrates its history, culture, and diversity with Salmon Days. When the salmon return to their place of birth, the community celebrates life with live music on four stages, numerous artists displaying and plying their wares, athletic events, and food from around the world. The first day each year is kicked off with a parade!

The Cougar Mountain Zoo is one of Issaquah's noted attractions. Housing not only the 2 cougars that give the zoo its name, its also home to a number of endangered species, including lemurs from Madagascar.

Recreation in the Issaquah area is fantastic. With a local parks and recreation department that has many diverse programs to take part in, there is also the nearby "Issaquah Alps," the foothills of the Cascades that are home to a number of trails and stunning displays of natural beauty. With lake Sammamish at the north end, Lake Washington only 20 minutes away, and the Puget Sound laying at the far end of Seattle, there is plenty of boating and water activity to enjoy. Skiing is also nearby, with 4 ski resorts within a couple hours drive. It's hard to be bored in Issaquah.

Jim Thompson
Office Phone: 425-392-0590
Fax: 425-391-1682
Email: landbyjt@msn.com