Can a family really have it all living in the Seattle area? (Tacoma: real estate, to rent)

[cityx]

What about Tukwila? Its near South Center Mall, seemed pretty safe, and has easy freeway access to Downtown Seattle - only about 15 minutes. I really only lived there for about two months before I moved to First Hill but I thought it was pretty nice when I was there.

[cobolt]

I think Tukwila is pretty hoody itself. Drive around the area---even the high traffic areas there are some shady characters. That's not so bad of a drive to Tacoma as your husband would be going against the traffic southbound. Gosh that 405 interchange is so nasty. It's ALWAYS a headache it seems. I too am on my way out of here. Moved here from Texas about 2.5 years ago. Dupont is a nice area. I lived in UP for a while and it's just really gone downhill. MOved away and the ONLY reason I ever drive there is for Trader Joes. I wish I could make some recommendations for you, but I agree with the previous poster.

Cobolt

[BrumMom]

Hmmm.. Tukwila scores REALLY badly on GreatScools.net (which is now my main source of school info). Schools are important to me. My son is only 4, but we plan to stisck around in Washington for the long-term so finding a good district now is preferable so we don't have to worry about moving house/schools further on down the line, you know? What about Puyallup and Bonney Llake area? Seems ok and not a bad commute because it's closer to I 5.

[Seattleborn]

It's very unlikely you'll get everything you want. Have you thought about Kitsap County? Possibly, Gig Harbor or Port Orchard? My sister lives in Pt. Orchard and her hubby commutes to Seattle and Tacoma every day. I have no personal experience with commuting from there. The house are nice and affordable there. I have no idea on schools.

I will totally agree with Jenbar that if you want good schools it's the eastside. We moved here because of the schools and the safety. But it is soooo expensive! We used to live in Mill Creek. The commute sucked and it was so close to South Everett it was not what we wanted for our kids.

What about Newcastle? I have no idea what the commute to Tacoma is.

Some parts of Renton are in the Issaquah school district.

[BrumMom]

Renton would be a perfect location, but schools part of Issaquah district? How does that happen? Seems strange? And if that's so, we still have to contend with Renton living - high crime..blah, blah.. but that's a really interesting titbit!

[BrumMom]

Gig Harbor looks promising

[CityGirl72]

Gig Harbor is nice

And CityX remember - she has kids. Tukwila is pretty damn crappy if you ask me - and anything around there for schools are ghetto! Remember a person without kids sees a town different than a parent.

[BrumMom]

Isn't it about 45 mins to Seattle from Gig Harbor? But then I guess you have the bridge out of Gig Harbor to contend with. I'm just going by mapquest. If it's a toss-up between putting my kids in crappy schools or doing a 45 min commute I'd rather do the commute and live in a good district.

[cobolt]

Gig Harbor is nice if you can swing it commute wise. The bridge isn't an issue since the new bridge has opened up. Traffic flow is much smoother. Have you thought about doing a park and ride deal to get to Seattle? Taking the sounder maybe? That way you wouldn't have to deal with I-5. That is really a horrific drive to do everyday. My friend did it from this area and she ended up moving up to the city.

Gig harbor is lovely though. You just wouldn't be any closer to Seattle than you are now.

[BrumMom]

Thanks for your comments. No, didn't consider the park and ride. I'm new to the area, can you ellaborate? I was reading a post about Tacoma area earlier today and soemone mentioned Browns Point as a good place to live. comments?