Another possible relo to Seattle and begging for advice (Bellevue: middle-class, for sale)

[mcyentyre]

We might be faced with a relo to Seattle. Yes, another one of those cases. Sorry but we don't know a lot of people there, and absolutely clueless about the area so we need your help. Based on my prioritized criteria, would you all mind replying with your thoughts/suggestions? Many, many thanks in advance!

Here it goes- here's what we're looking for (listed in order of importance):
1. REASONABLE COMMUTE: Looking at a maximum commute of 30-45 minutes for each person (by car or public transport): one person's working in Redmond and the other may be working around western Seattle- near Pike's Place Market, Pioneer Square, Seattle Art Museum, the Aquarium, etc. What would serve as a mid-point for these commutes?
2. GREAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS (SO I DON'T HAVE TO RELY ON LOOKING AT PRIVATE SCHOOL): My definition is based on test scores, solid curriculm, high parent/community involvement, and acceptable student to teacher ratio.
3. THREE OR FOUR BR SINGLE-FAM HOUSE @ $550K-ish: NOT a ramshackled fixer-upper but a solid bungalow with great bones that's ready for move-in but might have one or two reasonable projects to tackle down the road (bathroom re-do, finish the basement, etc.)
4. TRANSPLANT FAMILY-FRIENDLY: Families with kids down the street, friendly neighbors, middle-class values, parks near-by, etc.
5. WALKABLE OPTIONS: Don't need walkability-score of 99.9 but just wanting an area that has some very basic options near-by: a coffee house, a restaurant or two, dry cleaners, etc.
6. BALANCED POLITICAL VIEWS: Yes, I know it's SEATTLE, but just looking for a reasonably (for Seattle) balanced area of lefters and righters. We're conservative-lights and probably won't be happy with lots of granola and crunch.

I love these discussion boards, and probably rely on them way more than I should. Thank you all!

[mcyentyre]

Oops- sorry for a few additional thoughts to add:
- We're city folk so probably focused on looking in the city of Seattle, but will say a bit intrigued by Mercer Island (don't think we could afford it tho'). Any thoughts on Mercer Island? Would it fit our criteria?
- Again, we are city people so a good house is critical, but lot size, lawn-mowing, lots of green is NOT important to us.

Thank you all!

[Ira500]

If you really want to be with the city of Seattle, I'd focus on northeast Seattle, such as Wedgewood, Ravenna, and Bryant, but....given your criteria:
Schools tend to be better outside of the city, and the political orientation is also less full on lefty, so...you might want to consider Bellevue or Issaquah. Bellevue is a city of over 100,000 and has a variety of neighborhoods, some more urban than others. You will be able to find a decent enough home there for under 500k.
Issaquah is really pretty and has plenty of stores and restaurants, and is probably equidistant between Redmond and downtown Seattle.
Mercer Island? It's lovely, a nice place. 550k will get you a major fixer there.

[mcyentyre]

Thank you for your advice, Ira500!

[AlohaHuey]

Seattle schools are generally weak. You're probably better off in Redmond/Bellevue/Kirkland.

[texastrigirl]

I agree with the previous posts of Redmond, Belleuve, Kirkland and Issaquah but you should consider Samammish as well, particularly the south end so you can use I-90 to get downtown. It fits all your criteria, except for the commute downtown which can be up to 50-55 minutes in rush hour sometimes but is a good commute to Redmond. Half of Sammamish is in the Issaquah School District and the other half (the north) in Lake Washington School District, both of which are highly regarded. Here is a website that ranks schools in Washington state at all levels. I think it's primarily based on state test scores which is obviously only one indicator but certainly a starting point.

Washington school rankings by the Fraser Institute

[seattlenextyear]

An Issaquah-Redmond commute is a little crummy, as is a Sammamish-downtown commute. I might suggest Redmond itself. Then at least one person would have an easy commute. The other can take a Sound transit bus downtown. There are some less expensive communities in Redmond that might be in your price range: e.g. Education Hill

Bellevue would also work well because its between both jobs. But you'll get less house for your money. Its worth looking at though.

Also, basements aren't very common here.

[mrsincredible]

Originally Posted by seattlenextyear

Also, basements aren't very common here.

I've noticed that about the houses for sale. Why is this? Just a regional thing? I grew up in an area w/o basements at all but where we live now, it's extremely unusual NOT to have a basement. I've come to love my basement as a place to send the kids when they want to play loud and rowdy and I need some quiet time. I also love having some extra storage space to cycle out my seasonal decorations, clothing, and extra supplies. I seriously have hundreds of dollars worth of diapers stacked up in my basement bedroom as well as enough toilet paper to last me through 2010. I'm a serial Target clearance hound and I'd be so sad passing up bargains because I don't have the space for it.

[tobester]

I think most of the older homes (pre 1970's) in Seattle proper have basements. The cookie cutter homes in suburbia don't have them - built on concrete slabs.

[Swigchow]

Originally Posted by mcyentyre

We might be faced with a relo to Seattle. Yes, another one of those cases. Sorry but we don't know a lot of people there, and absolutely clueless about the area so we need your help. Based on my prioritized criteria, would you all mind replying with your thoughts/suggestions? Many, many thanks in advance!

Here it goes- here's what we're looking for (listed in order of importance):
1. REASONABLE COMMUTE: Looking at a maximum commute of 30-45 minutes for each person (by car or public transport): one person's working in Redmond and the other may be working around western Seattle- near Pike's Place Market, Pioneer Square, Seattle Art Museum, the Aquarium, etc. What would serve as a mid-point for these commutes?
2. GREAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS (SO I DON'T HAVE TO RELY ON LOOKING AT PRIVATE SCHOOL): My definition is based on test scores, solid curriculm, high parent/community involvement, and acceptable student to teacher ratio.
3. THREE OR FOUR BR SINGLE-FAM HOUSE @ $550K-ish: NOT a ramshackled fixer-upper but a solid bungalow with great bones that's ready for move-in but might have one or two reasonable projects to tackle down the road (bathroom re-do, finish the basement, etc.)
4. TRANSPLANT FAMILY-FRIENDLY: Families with kids down the street, friendly neighbors, middle-class values, parks near-by, etc.
5. WALKABLE OPTIONS: Don't need walkability-score of 99.9 but just wanting an area that has some very basic options near-by: a coffee house, a restaurant or two, dry cleaners, etc.
6. BALANCED POLITICAL VIEWS: Yes, I know it's SEATTLE, but just looking for a reasonably (for Seattle) balanced area of lefters and righters. We're conservative-lights and probably won't be happy with lots of granola and crunch.

I love these discussion boards, and probably rely on them way more than I should. Thank you all!

Consider Ravenna.