I reported on my Kirkland blog about Google’s decision to lease about 40% of their new office space out to other hi-tech companies and while researching blogs about the topic, I  found a blog post about the possibility of Microsoft downsizing in mid-January

This  clearly is important information for the neighborhoods around Microsoft.  As I mentioned in a previous post, not every home near Microsoft sells to a Microsoftie, but many homes have in the past. There have been many Microsoft home buyers who liked the idea of living just minutes from work. Changes in  hiring and/or layoffs at Microsoft will no doubt affect the real estate in the area, but the West Redmond/East Bellevue area is still a fabulous location  for those working in Redmond, Bellevue, and Seattle.

Here are the reasons I mentioned in the previous blog post mentioned above:

• Redmond is close to employment centers in Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, and Seattle.
• Redmond’s location provides shorter commutes.
• Available public transportation.
• Some of the more affordable housing on the eastside.  The eastside is not an inexpensive area, but the majority of homes in the Redmond area fall in the $500-750,000 range.  The number of homes available in the $400+ range is also increasing.
• Good schools.
• Convenient shopping centers, such as Redmond Town Center.
• Great parks.

Will next year bring changes to real estate in the neighborhoods around Microsoft?  More than likely, yes. But the area still holds most of the eastside real estate cards.  It’s still one of the best places to live on Seattle’s Eastside.