Bothell, WA

Bothell, Washington, is located just 12 miles from Seattle, enabling residents to enjoy a small-town atmosphere while still being close to big-city amenities. Interstates 5 and 405 provide easy access to Seattle's downtown and waterfront, as well as to nearby mountains and wine country. That said, there's still plenty to do in Bothell itself. Tree-lined streets lead to a scenic waterfront and a historic downtown that is full of shops and restaurants.

Bothell began as an isolated logging camp and steamboat stop in the 1870s. A number of businesses, a newspaper and a bank arrived in the ensuing decades, and the town was incorporated in 1909. Lumber and shingle production fueled the early economy, although by 1950 logging faded away and was replaced by agriculture. Many of Bothell's historic homes still stand today and welcome visitors.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

In recent years, the life sciences and technology industries have become central to Bothell's growing economy. The city has been home to several of the fastest-growing tech companies in Washington, as well as a substantial portion of the state's life-sciences businesses. Some of Bothell's largest private employers are:

• AT&T Wireless
• ATL Ultrasound
• Washington Mutual
• Matsushita
• Seattle Times

EDUCATION

Bothell has a reputation for excellent public schools. Additionally, the city is home to a community college and a university:

• Cascadia Community College: This two-year public college is known for its small classes and high-tech computer labs. Students take classes in fields of study that include computer applications, technical support, database development and accounting.
• University of Washington-Bothell: Known for its diverse student population, the university was founded in 1990 and is located on a 128-acre modern campus that has won awards for its architecture. Courses are offered in subjects that include business, computing and software systems, education, interdisciplinary arts and sciences, and nursing.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

The heart of Bothell is its historic downtown, with streets lined with trees and flower baskets. Visitors can walk through galleries and quaint shops, eat at one of the city's many restaurants or view heritage-themed murals that adorn area buildings.

Some of Bothell's residential neighborhoods:

• Canyon Park is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Bothell. It is made up mostly of three- and four-bedroom single-family homes. The quiet neighborhood is home to a large number of well-educated families with children.
• Kennard Corner is another neighborhood that is popular with families. Three- and four-bedroom single-family homes and some apartments line the streets.
• Wayne is a suburban neighborhood that draws executives, managers and other professionals. Most homes were built between 1970 and 1994 and have three or four bedrooms.

BEST BETS

Bothell is a city with more than 20 parks, great shopping, and several historic and cultural points of interest. They include:

• Bothell Landing, a riverside park with grassy lawns and a playground. It is also the location of a historic log cabin that was built in 1884 and Bothell's first schoolhouse, which dates to 1885.
• Burke-Gilman Trail, a 27-mile recreation trail that is perfect for biking, hiking, walking and enjoying the outdoors.
• Country Village, a shopping center with a wide variety of shops and restaurants. A compound of rustic farmhouse buildings is now home to a modern spa. A landscaped picnic area, children's play area and railroad, and ponds and winding paths make it a great place for families.
• Northshore Performing Arts Center, a world-class theater that hosts professional concerts and productions. Musicians, comedians and dancers are regular performers.
• University of Washington Bothell Wetlands, an excellent example of floodplains restoration. This popular ecotourism destination is home to a large number of birds and wildlife.
• Willow's Edge Horse Farm, a place where animal lovers delight in the golden-colored Norwegian Fjord horses. There is no charge for visiting the farm, and the horses love the attention.

SPORTS TEAMS

Residents of Bothell root for their local high school teams, area college teams and professional teams from Seattle, including:

• Seattle Mariners, a Major League Baseball team that plays at the 47,000-seat Safeco Field. The team began playing in Seattle in 1977.
• Seattle Seahawks, a National Football League franchise that plays at Qwest field, a 67,000-seat stadium that opened in 2002.
• Seattle Supersonics, a National Basketball Association team, played at Seattle's Key Arena until 2008, when the team moved to Oklahoma City. A WNBA team, the Seattle Storm, still plays there.

LOCAL MEDIA

Bothell is served by one newspaper, Bothell Kenmore Reporter. Additionally, Bothell is part of the Seattle-Tacoma television market, the 14th-largest in the country. Major television stations are:

• KOMO, Channel 4 (ABC)
• KING, Channel 5 (NBC)
• KIRO, Channel 7 (CBS)
• KCTS, Channel 9 (PBS)
• KSTW, Channel 11 (CW)
• KCPQ, Channel 13 (FOX)