Thoughts on living in this area of Eastgate / cougar hill?

Hi all – we are looking at a house in the Eastgate area and wanted to learn about the area a bit more. Moving from Queen Anne so very much a city life for the last few years.

1. How bad do the winters get here relative to other area of Bellevue or Seattle? We are hearing the hills tend to get a bit tougher weather but that also feels weird given proximity to city areas?

2. We noticed how it can get pretty dark in the evening with all the trees? Do you notice that, especially when the day light hours are short in the fall and winter months? Is it a bit scary to drive or walk around when it’s dark int he winters?

3. We will be driving to Seattle and Redmond for work. Anything noteworthy traffic wise, we have read the online reports and it actually seems like a convenient spot?

4. Do you see a lot of wildlife (deers, bears, coyotes)?

5. What do you really like or really don’t like about this area?

https://preview.redd.it/ksbmgs6vs96h1.png?width=1458&format=png&auto=webp&s=9fbd5f64859539570df6f35440b6ac119bfb714a