Welcome to Medina
Living in Medina, WA
Medina sits on the western shore of Lake Washington, tucked between Bellevue and Seattle, and it's long been known as one of the most exclusive addresses in the Pacific Northwest — sometimes called the "Gold Coast" of Lake Washington. With just under 3,000 residents spread across roughly 1,000 households, it's a small, quiet city defined by waterfront estates, mature tree cover, and some of the strictest zoning in the region, all of which keeps the character consistent from block to block.
Its location is a major part of the draw: SR-520 puts downtown Bellevue minutes away and downtown Seattle under 15 minutes out in typical traffic, all while the city itself feels secluded and calm.
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Medina's recreation leans quiet and scenic rather than crowded, which fits the city's overall character.
Medina Park: Trails, bocce courts, tennis, playgrounds, ponds, and dog-friendly areas
Medina Beach Park: Sandy lakeside access and summer swimming
Fairweather Nature Preserve: Wooded trails and additional tennis courts
Golf: Overlake Golf & Country Club, a short drive away
Shopping & Dining: World-class options just minutes away in downtown Bellevue
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Medina is almost entirely residential, with virtually no commercial zoning — a deliberate choice that has long protected the privacy and quiet character the city is known for.
The one notable exception is the Green Store, a small building with genuine local history that now houses a boutique grocery offering local produce, curated wine, and prepared meals — Medina's only real day-to-day convenience within city limits. For anything beyond that, downtown Bellevue's full retail and dining scene sits less than a mile away.
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Getting Around Medina
Medina sits directly along SR 520, with the Evergreen Point Bridge connecting straight into Seattle — one of the most direct Eastside-to-Seattle routes on the lake. The Evergreen Point Freeway Station, right on the Medina/Clyde Hill line, offers bus access via several Sound Transit and King County Metro routes, including connections toward the University District and downtown Seattle.
That said, Medina is overwhelmingly a car-dependent community by design — there are no everyday retail or transit destinations within the city itself, and daily errands mean driving into Bellevue.
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What school district serves Medina? The Bellevue School District, widely regarded as one of the top districts in the state. Medina Elementary holds a 10/10 GreatSchools rating.
Is Medina a gated community? Not as a whole, though many individual properties are private or gated, and the city maintains vehicle surveillance systems as part of its security approach.
What kind of homes are in Medina? Predominantly luxury waterfront and estate homes, many with private docks, spanning styles from contemporary to Mediterranean to classic Northwest design.
How far is Medina from Bellevue and Seattle? Downtown Bellevue is just minutes away via SR-520, and downtown Seattle is typically under 15 minutes depending on traffic.
Are there parks in Medina? Yes — Medina Park, Medina Beach Park, and Fairweather Nature Preserve all offer different flavors of outdoor recreation within the city.
What's the population of Medina? Just under 3,000 residents across roughly 1,000 households, with an average household size of about 2.86.
Is Medina family-friendly? Yes — despite its exclusivity, residents describe a close-knit, family-friendly atmosphere, reinforced by community events like Medina Days.
What private schools are near Medina? St. Thomas School (pre-K-8) has served the community since 1951, and Bellevue Christian School is also nearby.
What's the real estate market like in Medina? Inventory is typically very low with high demand, especially for waterfront and estate properties — homes often sell quickly to well-qualified buyers.
Who should I talk to about buying or selling in Medina? Reach out to Melissa — Medina's ultra-low inventory and high price points mean working with an experienced agent matters more here than almost anywhere else on the Eastside.
Medina Real Estate
About Medina
Medina represents the top tier of Eastside luxury real estate — waterfront estates, expansive lots, and a level of privacy and zoning control that keeps the city's character consistent over time. It draws high-net-worth buyers, including tech executives, looking for a serene, secluded setting that's still minutes from two major cities.
Medina Housing Market
Medina stands as the crown jewel of the Eastside's Gold Coast — an ultra-exclusive, intensely private enclave where exceptional real estate and enduring value go hand in hand. Because the city is home to just over 1,100 total properties, Medina operates on its own rhythm, largely insulated from the rate cycles and inventory swings affecting the broader region. Typical home values run $4.52 million to $4.63 million, with active listings currently priced between $4.99 million and $5.69 million — and at $1,247 to $1,312 per square foot, Medina commands pricing nearly double that of neighboring luxury markets like Bellevue or Redmond, a clear reflection of just how rare and coveted this address truly is.
With homes typically taking 17 to 54 days to sell and a sale-to-list ratio right around 100%, Medina's pace reflects exactly what you'd expect from a market this exclusive: a deliberate, discerning pool of buyers finding precisely the right property, not a sign of softening demand. Active inventory stays exceptionally limited, with only 26 to 37 homes available citywide at any given time.
Medina's range spans several distinct worlds. The city's true entry point sits around $2.2 to $2.6 million, largely original mid-century homes or smaller parcels purchased for their land value and future potential. Move-in ready luxury estates away from the water command $4 million to $8 million, anchored by access to the top-ranked Bellevue School District. And true west-facing Lake Washington waterfront — with direct Seattle skyline views — exists in a category entirely its own, with estates trading between $10 million and $30 million and beyond, many transacting quietly through private, off-market channels. Add in Medina's dedicated private police force and unmatched privacy infrastructure, and it's clear why this community continues to hold its position as one of the most secure and desirable addresses in the entire region.
Why Buy a Home in Medina?
Medina offers a rare combination: genuine waterfront privacy and estate-level space, paired with a commute to Bellevue or Seattle that's shorter than many suburban neighborhoods much further from the lake. For buyers at the top of the market prioritizing seclusion, top-tier schools, and long-term value preservation through strict zoning, Medina is hard to match.
Why Melissa Waller?
Melissa Waller is a Sammamish-area real estate agent with 10+ years of experience helping buyers and sellers throughout Sammamish, Klahanie, and the greater Eastside. She has closed over $250 million in Eastside real estate sales, holds the Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) designation, and is a RealTrends Verified Top Real Estate Professional in Washington, ranking in the top 1.5% of RealTrends-recognized agents nationally. She carries a verified 5.0-star rating across 78+ Zillow reviews, including confirmed closed transactions in Klahanie, Trossachs, Sahalee, and Pine Lake.
Melissa lives in Klahanie and brings resident-level, street-by-street knowledge of the Sammamish Plateau's neighborhoods — not just general Eastside market familiarity. She works with Compass, one of the nation's largest residential real estate brokerages, and specializes specifically in the Sammamish, Issaquah, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Woodinville, Medina, and Clyde Hill markets.
Quick Facts
Experience: 10+ years serving the Sammamish and greater Eastside real estate market
Sales volume: $250M+ in closed Eastside transactions
Credentials: Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE); RealTrends Verified Top Real Estate Professional in Washington; top 1.5% of RealTrends-recognized agents nationally
Reviews: Verified 5.0-star rating across 78+ Zillow reviews
Neighborhood-specific experience: Klahanie (resident), Trossachs, Sahalee, Pine Lake
Brokerage: Compass
Service area: Sammamish, Klahanie, Issaquah, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Woodinville, Medina, Clyde Hill