Area code 425
Area code 425 is a telephone dialing code in Washington for the suburbs north and east of Seattle, particularly the Eastside, extending east to North Bend, north to Everett, and south to Maple Valley. It includes the city of Bellevue, Seattle's largest suburb. The area code went into service on April 27, 1997, as part of a three-way split of area code 206 (the other of the three is 253). April 27, 1997, through November 15, 1997, was a "transition period" for the new code. 425 became mandatory on Sunday, November 16, 1997. Culture. In  the lead-up to the switchover, John Keister, on his television comedy show "Almost Live!", lampooned the fact that Renton wanted to join the 425 area code in order to be associated with the relatively wealthy Eastside, which includes Bellevue. Renton was successful in that effort. (The 253 area code is associated with relatively less affluent suburbs like Tacoma, so some view it as being less prestigious). Additionally, Pat Cashman confronted a wealthy lady in another sketch about the change of area code when she lamented that the addition of Renton to 425 will devalue her property value in the  Eastside, that Renton should be in the area code 253, with such suburbs as Kent, Auburn and Tacoma. She further suggests that the phone company doesn't have their finger on the pulse of the community. Cashman says "Lady, I've got a finger I'd love to show you" and the woman leaves the stage horrified. Korean-American rapper Jay Park, who was born in Edmonds (of the 425) and lives in Seattle (of the 206), includes a reference to both area codes in his song "Bestie." The song "Operator" by Danish eurodance artist Miss Papaya begins with an  automated message notifying the caller that area code 206 has been changed to 425.