The Evergreen Point Floating Bridge - SR-520 to locals - crosses Lake Washington on pontoons, the world's longest floating structure of its kind. The approach rises from Seattle, then drops to water level for the crossing, an unusual sensation for drivers accustomed to bridges that arc overhead. Interstate 90's floating bridge provides an alternative crossing to the south via Mercer Island.

Both bridges are tolled, with rates that vary by time of day and traffic conditions - rush hour costs more, reflecting the congestion that plagues the crossings. The new Link light rail extension will eventually provide an alternative, running from downtown Seattle through Bellevue to Redmond, but for now most commuters still cross by car, their tolls automatically deducted via transponders on their windshields.

Bellevue owes its transformation to the tech industry that has made the Seattle region one of America's economic powerhouses. Microsoft's campus lies just to the east in Redmond, but many of its employees live in Bellevue, and other tech giants have established significant presences in the city itself. The downtown office towers fill and empty with engineers, product managers, and the ecosystem of professionals that supports them.

The influx of international tech workers has changed the city's character. What was once a predominantly white suburb has become genuinely diverse, with a vibrant Chinese community and restaurants representing cuisines from around the world. Some visitors joke that Bellevue has better Chinese food than Seattle - a claim that would have been unthinkable a generation ago.

Bellevue is perhaps the most upscale part of the Seattle metro area. The downtown hosts luxury retail that Seattle lacks - the only Neiman Marcus in the region, for instance. Large homes fill the neighborhoods, many with water views that command premium prices. The city is generally considered safer and cleaner than Seattle, though some find it blander, the sterility of new construction lacking the character of older neighborhoods.

Between the lakes that bracket the city - Washington to the west, Sammamish to the east - the terrain offers natural vistas and park space unusual for such a dense urban area. The Botanical Garden showcases Pacific Northwest horticulture. The parks provide trails and green space for residents seeking relief from the glass towers downtown.

The Mountains to Sound Greenway continues east from Bellevue into the Cascade foothills, offering quick access to hiking trails, ski areas, and the outdoor recreation that draws people to the Pacific Northwest. Interstate 90 climbs through the pass to eastern Washington; weekend traffic can be fierce as city residents flee for the mountains.

Closer to town, Mercer Island sits in Lake Washington between Bellevue and Seattle, accessible by the I-90 floating bridge. Kirkland to the north offers waterfront parks and a slightly more relaxed atmosphere. Issaquah to the southeast marks the edge of the suburbs and the beginning of the foothills, trailheads minutes from the last strip malls.