Somerset | Assets range far past scenic beauty

There is more to Somerset than the view, says Linda Tjelle of her sprawling hilltop community.

While Somerset is primarily known for its stunning sunsets and views of Seattle, Bellevue, Lake Washington and both the Cascade and Olympic mountains, many residents say that was not the primary factor in their decision to live there.

"Somerset offered the complete package for us for raising a family," says Valerie Fritz, who moved to Somerset in September with her husband and two young children.

"It exceeded our criteria in many ways. It is an established neighborhood with excellent schools, is centrally located and has a recreational center and pool. It seemed like everybody we talked to had the same goal. They were here to put their kids in great schools," says Fritz, who notes that nearby Newport High School made last year's list in Newsweek magazine as one of the 100 best public high schools in the nation (along with three other Bellevue high schools — Bellevue, Interlake and International School).

Tjelle, who is raising four boys in Somerset, says it is a tight-knit community where neighbors help one another.

"I love being able to call someone to lend me a cup of sugar, or to ask for help with an emergency," she says.

Since Somerset is on a large hill, access is limited and traffic is primarily residential. However, it is close to freeways, stores and Factoria Mall.

Doc Olson, a real-estate agent with Windermere Real Estate, has lived in a Somerset home since it was built in 1971.

"We tracked the first mud into the house," he says and explains that the privacy and convenient location were two primary factors in the decision to live in the neighborhood.

The Somerset Community Association is active with a monthly newsletter and Web site (www.somerset98006.org). There are some social clubs, such as the bridge club.

"It is quite private, but given a party, people love it," says Olson, who chairs the welcoming committee.

Somerset was developed in the early 1960s as a view community and is made up of 22 subdivisions.

People tend to stay in the neighborhood, too.

It has about a 4.6 percent turnover of homes each year, says Olson, compared with a typical Seattle-area turnover of about 10 percent.

Add to that the fact that some sales are just residents moving further up the hill or to a more spacious home, and Olson says that turnover figure is even lower.

While the views may not be the central focus for many, they are still important.

Residents' views are currently being archived in photographs by the community association so they can be protected, particularly as new buyers demolish or remodel older homes.