Seattle Area good suburbs and private schools (Tacoma, Bellevue: house, employment)

[endoscope]

Hi,

We are thinking about moving to Seattle area. I am being offered a job in mount vernon but would like to live in one of the Seattle Suburbs. Given this job option what Suburbs are good on northern side I guess.

Secondly, regardless of mt vernon job , what are few of the best private schools in Seattle? My kids will be going to elementary school at this time.

Thanks.

~Endoscope

[tobester]

Two Seattle private schools that usually rate as top: Lakeside (starts at 5th grade - $25K/year), Bush (has lower grades, $20-$25K/year)

[xcalgal]

Bainbridge Island has great schools

[Inkpoe]

Wow... Mt Vernon is an hour north of Seattle. If you add in traffic, then ick-- it's not even worth the commute. Good neighborhoods closest to Mukilteo, Snohomish... even then it's still a good 45+ mins commute.

This is a link to some information about the top rated school districts: ParentMap Business Directory - Resources for parents, families, and kids in Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue, Washington. - ParentMap.com

[endoscope]

Thanks for your the replies. Actually thats what I am trying to assess, if it is do able to live in Seattle suburbs and work in mt Vernon and that is good neighborhood. Currently i liver 30-35 mins drive from my house. So are these suburbs you mentioned like Mukilteo and Snohomish are good area to have a house in?

[Woof]

here's a nice private school closer to Mt Vernon, up in Bellingham: Whatcom Hills Waldorf School

[Inkpoe]

I agree with Woof... it's better to check out Bellingham. It's only 30 mins north of Mt. Vernon. Seattle and its suburbs are bit far off-- you'd never have a commute less than 45 mins.

[endoscope]

Thanks for the suggestions all. One more question, how is Everett area to live and school wise?

[Woof]

Some people describe it as a sort of white trash city, but not me because I'm white trash. Lower income, a bit shabby. If you're a doctor you can do better, it's more the kind of place someone like me would end up. (All this is just what I've read many times, I haven't lived there, and only worked briefly in an Everett factory for temp employment once.)

[Inkpoe]

Originally Posted by endoscope

One more question, how is Everett area to live and school wise?

The nicer areas of Everett borders Mukilteo and the schools in those areas tend to test better. Everett as a city isn't glittering/impressive. It's a very blue collar town and isn't well regarded because of its reputation and past crime/troublesome history (now not as bad as it was). Casino Rd. is kinda scary, so its always suggested that people don't live near there.

Everett School district is an average school district and they do try to do better. Funny thing and this surprises most people but the top elementary school of the State is actually an Everett elementary school which essentially aced the tests (Cedar Wood Elementary).