Top 10 Master-Planned Communities in Washington State in 2027
By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 4 min read
Direct answer
Issaquah Highlands is the best master-planned community in Washington State, with Snoqualmie Ridge at #2 and Tehaleh in Bonney Lake at #3. For a resort lifestyle, Suncadia covers 6,300 acres in the Cascades.
New construction on a budget-friendlier edge of King County
Pick by what you want
Best overall
Issaquah Highlands
Best for golf
Snoqualmie Ridge
Best for trails
Tehaleh
Best resort lifestyle
Suncadia
Best in Eastern Washington
Kendall Yards
The ranking
1
Issaquah Highlands
Photo: Whisper of the heart / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe model walkable community.
Location: Issaquah, at Grand Ridge on the Sammamish PlateauDesign: Planned in the New Urbanism style; mixed-use neighborhoodBranding: A built-green, urban village planned community
Issaquah Highlands is a mixed-use neighborhood planned in the New Urbanism style at Grand Ridge, northeast of downtown Issaquah.
Go ifWalkable village life near Seattle and Bellevue
Skip ifYou want big lots and privacy
Why #1 over #2: Its mixed-use village design beats Snoqualmie Ridge’s farther-out location for walkability.
2
Snoqualmie Ridge
Photo: Joe Mabel / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe mountain golf community.
Location: Snoqualmie, 28 miles east of SeattleSize: 1,300 acres annexed in the mid-1990sHomes: Snoqualmie Ridge I has 2,250 dwelling units, a business park and a retail centerGolf: The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, a private PGA Tour-sanctioned course
Snoqualmie Ridge grew from 1,300 acres annexed in the mid-1990s; Snoqualmie Ridge I has 2,250 dwelling units, a business park, a retail center and a PGA Tour-sanctioned private golf club.
Go ifMountain views with a golf club
Skip ifYou want a short commute into Seattle
Why #2 over #3: Its golf club and business park go beyond Tehaleh’s trails-and-parks focus.
3
Tehaleh
Photo: Netsomniac / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe trail-lover’s community.
Location: Bonney Lake, Pierce CountyOpen space: 1,800 acresAmenities: 40+ miles of trails and 14 parks
Tehaleh in Bonney Lake has 1,800 acres of open space, 40+ miles of trails and 14 parks.
Go ifForested trails and new single-family homes
Skip ifYou want an established neighborhood
Why #3 over #4: Its new homes and trail system beat Mill Creek for buyers who want new construction.
4
Mill Creek
Photo: SounderBruce / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe grown-up planned city.
Location: Snohomish County, about 20 miles northeast of SeattleOrigin: A planned community conceived in the 1970sPopulation: 20,926 (2020 census)Standing: One of the highest-income suburbs in the Seattle area
Mill Creek began as a planned community conceived in the 1970s and now has 20,926 people (2020) as one of the highest-income suburbs in the Seattle area.
Go ifA mature planned city north of Seattle
Skip ifYou want new construction
Why #4 over #5: Its 20-mile distance to Seattle beats Suncadia’s 80 miles for commuters.
5
Suncadia
Answrs VerdictThe mountain resort community.
Location: Kittitas County in the Cascades, between Roslyn and Cle ElumSize: 6,300 acresDistance: About 80 miles east of Seattle
Suncadia covers 6,300 acres in the Cascades between Roslyn and Cle Elum, about 80 miles east of Seattle.
Go ifA mountain resort lifestyle and second homes
Skip ifYou need a daily Seattle commute
Why #5 over #6: Its 6,300-acre resort setting beats Northwest Landing for second-home buyers.
6
Northwest Landing
Photo: Brett VA / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe South Sound planned town.
Location: DuPont, Pierce CountyType: Modern planned community in a former company townPopulation: DuPont: 10,151 (2020 census)
Northwest Landing is the modern planned community in DuPont, a former company town of 10,151 people (2020).
Go ifSouth Sound living in Pierce County
Skip ifYou want to be near Seattle
Why #6 over #7: It is the Puget Sound pick, where Kendall Yards serves Spokane.
7
Kendall Yards
Photo: Jdubman / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictSpokane’s urban village.
Location: Spokane, north of downtownScale: One of the largest construction projects in Spokane’s history
Kendall Yards, north of downtown Spokane, is one of the largest construction projects in the city’s history.
Go ifUrban riverfront living in Eastern Washington
Skip ifYou want a suburban lot
Why #7 over #8: Its urban riverfront setting beats Lakeland Hills for city lovers.
8
Lakeland Hills
Photo: Chris Light / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe hillside planned community.
Location: Southern Auburn, across King and Pierce countiesOrigin: Planned in 1979 on 1,500 acres of hillside southeast of Auburn
Lakeland Hills was planned in 1979 on 1,500 acres of hillside southeast of Auburn, spanning King and Pierce counties.
Go ifHillside homes with Lake Tapps nearby
Skip ifYou want a walkable town center
Why #8 over #9: Its 1,500-acre scale beats Redmond Ridge’s published details.
9
Redmond Ridge
Photo: SuddenFrost / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Eastside tech-commuter pick.
Location: East of RedmondSchools: Lake Washington School District
Redmond Ridge, east of Redmond, is served by the Lake Washington School District.
Go ifEastside schools near tech employers
Skip ifYou want city amenities
Why #9 over #10: It is an established community, while Ten Trails is still being built.
10
Ten Trails
Answrs VerdictThe newest community on the list.
Location: Black Diamond, King CountyType: A new master-planned community with modern homes, restaurants and parks
Ten Trails is a new master-planned community in Black Diamond with modern homes, restaurants and parks.
Go ifNew construction on a budget-friendlier edge of King County
Skip ifYou want a finished community
How we ranked these
We ranked each community on how complete and well planned it is, then on location and scale, using Wikipedia and each community’s own website. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best master-planned community in Washington?
Issaquah Highlands, a New Urbanism mixed-use neighborhood on Grand Ridge in Issaquah.
How big is Suncadia?
6,300 acres in the Cascades, about 80 miles east of Seattle.
How many homes are in Snoqualmie Ridge?
Snoqualmie Ridge I has 2,250 dwelling units, plus a business park, retail center and a private golf club.
Where is Tehaleh?
In Bonney Lake, with 1,800 acres of open space, 40+ miles of trails and 14 parks.
Acres (as published) at a glance
Snoqualmie Ridge1,300 acres
Lakeland Hills1,500 acres
Tehaleh (open space)1,800 acres
Suncadia6,300 acres
Acres (as published), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
