Looking for at least 1 acre, while easily commutable to South Lake Union (Seattle: house, buy) - Seattle and King County Suburbs - City-Data Forum

protoclown · 05-31-2011, 06:09 PM

Hi everybody! I'm considering a move to Seattle, for a job in the South Lake Union area. However, my wife and I would like to have at least an acre of land (although a small house is fine), for our two dogs, garden, and possibly a few chickens. Is this even possible while having a commute close to 30 minutes, assuming a fairly flexible work schedule (like 7am-3pm)? Of course, we want to minimize expenses, so $400k or less would be ideal. Schools are not a concern. If it wasn't for the traffic situation, I could definitely find suitable properties about 15 miles north of the office... but I can only imagine that drive. Is it really that bad?

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

AlohaHuey · 05-31-2011, 07:27 PM

The city itself stretches out to encompass a large geographic area, and it is highly unlikely you can get a lot that large for what you want to spend and within your commute time. Take a longer commute and look out toward Black Diamond, Issaquah, Carnation, Auburn, etc.

protoclown · 05-31-2011, 07:34 PM

I did find some nice looking properties in Issaquah online, and I have seen it mentioned in a lot of threads that came up in my searches. Are we talking about an hour drive each way from there to South Lake Union? Also, is there decent public transit between the two areas?

AlohaHuey · 05-31-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by protoclown

I did find some nice looking properties in Issaquah online, and I have seen it mentioned in a lot of threads that came up in my searches. Are we talking about an hour drive each way from there to South Lake Union? Also, is there decent public transit between the two areas?

It's hard to gauge future commute times. With the imminent tolling of 520, the effect this will have on I-90 commutes is unknown. Can't help you with the pub transit aspect, sorry. If a large lot is that important, it'll be worth an extra commute, IMO. But not everyone is as commute-tolerant.

Inkpoe · 05-31-2011, 08:13 PM

If you're doing the 7-3 shift and living in Issaquah, then you're looking at under an hour (most likely 45 mins or so). It does have a great express bus system going between the two.

But minimum of 1 acre under 400K, around 30 mins to the city? Eh... you'd have a better luck if you expand more on the commute part.

There'll be some properties in Issaquah, and eastern Renton (which borders Issaquah). Like the PP mentioned, BD, Carnation, Auburn would do. Also look north, around Lynnwood and east of Lynnwood. But I would imagine Kitsap Peninsula would be what you're looking for... You can even find some property on Bainbridge Island.

Hemlock140 · 05-31-2011, 08:17 PM

From Issaquah you can take I90W to 405N to 5t20 W but then 405 is ALWAYS backed up, and the 520 bridge will have a fat toll starting in two weeks (everyone got their "Good to Go" yet?)

If you went really early, say 4am, that would take about an hour. I live in Sammamish and drive to the waterfront on I90. If you go that route, figure
25 minutes from Front St Issaquah to Seattle, then either 99 or I5 on up to Lake Union. I5 is always backed up, 99 is OK until about 7:30 but then it's going to be torn up for a tolled tunnel. A car or van pool could be used, or the bus, with Amazon just having hired so many people there are bound to be a lot more commuting to that area. Oh, and the $400k homes with acreage in Issaquah are going to be out of town a ways, so add another 20-30 miuntes to get to the freeway.

You'd get a lot more for the money in Black Diamond, Carnation, Auburn, Monroe or Duvall but the commute would be far longer yet with less public transportation available.

I know people that commute from Cle Elum to Microsoft, it's worth it to some people even with 1.5 hours 84 miles each way over a mountain pass.

Ira500 · 05-31-2011, 11:12 PM

Lynnwood is another place where you can buy a home on over an acre for less than 400 thousand. Maybe not under a 30 minute commute, but not much more.
Kent is also a place with homes on over an acre for less than 400 thousand, and also not much more than 30 minutes.
Maple Valley is a little further, and feels " out there" but might have the best selection of lower priced homes on acreage.

nfdsouza2001 · 05-31-2011, 11:19 PM

Showed 2 homes with acreage for under 300 in kent. Needed a little work, but good homes.

protoclown · 06-01-2011, 05:38 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions! I didn't realize all these changes were coming that could have major impacts on commuting into the city. Lynnwood and Kent seem like good options, but they are both near I5, which everyone says is very congested, not to mention the construction by Lake Union. Am I better off driving north from Kent, or south from Lynnwood? Is taking 99 perhaps a better option for now, while it still exists?

Hemlock140 · 06-01-2011, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by protoclown

Thanks for all the suggestions! I didn't realize all these changes were coming that could have major impacts on commuting into the city. Lynnwood and Kent seem like good options, but they are both near I5, which everyone says is very congested, not to mention the construction by Lake Union. Am I better off driving north from Kent, or south from Lynnwood? Is taking 99 perhaps a better option for now, while it still exists?

Actually, if you find something in Lynnwood the 99 there is a surface road, with a lot of lights down to Seattle, and that part will remain unaffected by the construction. Tossup between that and I5, either way 20 minutes at 3am, 45 minutes 7am, hour 5pm.