Imagine you could live in an urban neighborhood with an international flavor without having to brave the hustle and bustle of Seattle. With Kent’s East Hill neighborhood, you’ll have the benefit of a diverse, vibrant community without the craziness of the big city.
For a large chunk of its 120+ year history, Kent, Washington was a prosperous farming community. In fact, the city was originally named after the County of Kent in England, as both shared a talent for growing quality hops. However, even after aphids destroyed the hop crops in the late 1800s, Kent continued to prosper, becoming a major supplier of produce and dairy, and for a time the city was known as the “Lettuce Capital of the World.” Today, Kent is a thriving urban center with unique neighborhoods, including East Hill.
East Hill is known for being a diverse neighborhood in an already diverse city. In fact, the households in East Hill speak many languages in addition to English, including Russian, languages from South Asia, and languages from a variety of African countries. Overall, the presence of many different ethnicities and nationalities gives East Hill a culturally rich character, and it’s an important addition to the overall international identity of Kent as a whole, in which it’s estimated almost 140 languages other than English are spoken.
East Hill isn’t only known for being diverse, of course; in fact, the neighborhood is also known for its close proximity to some truly beautiful parks and recreation areas, and it is especially close to several lakes. Meridian Lake Park is a popular location for boating, fishing, and swimming, and it also has ample space for picnics, grilling, and family gatherings. Also, on the 4th of July the park holds its annual SPLASH fireworks celebration. East Hill is also just west of Clark Lake Park, which has a boat launch, green space, trails, and sensitive wetland habitats. Elementary school students have planted trees at Clark Lake Park for the last several years as part of the Plant the Planet, the Youth Tree Education Program.
Since East Hill is close to the heart of Kent, this neighborhood benefits from the many sites and attractions located in Kent’s core. Kent Station offers a unique take on the American shopping mall by adopting an “open air urban village concept” supporting many different businesses and restaurants. Additionally, you can visit the ShoWare Center to watch a Thunderbird hockey game or attend numerous other community events or concerts. Art lovers will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy some culture at the Centennial Center Gallery, while downtown hosts an Art Walk on the 3rd Thursday of every month.
When you’re hungry, there are more than enough eateries to satisfy even the pickiest of diners. Family-run BBQ Pete’s has been a popular destination for authentic, wood-smoked meals since the early 1970s, while Reds Wine Bar offers seasonal menus with fantastic wine pairings in an elegant atmosphere.
During the last 30 days, the average sold price for homes in Kent was $381,639, while the average time on the market was about 41 days. To find your perfect home in East Hill or the greater Kent area, contact Pickett Street at (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com.