Can a family really have it all living in the Seattle area? (Tacoma: housing)

[Phoenix vs. Austin]

I used to live down in Lakeland next to lake Tapps. Prices up on the plateau there are much more reasonable. I would also look at Bonney Lake / Buckley area. There's a lot of new construction out there and you get a lot of home for your money. Neighborhoods are very new, clean, and more upscale. I can't answer any questions about the schools though, but it's far enough away from the city that I think there tends to be more of a small town feel, so you're not up to your ears in gangs and drugs. Travel times to Seattle from this area are about 45 minutes with no traffic. However, you'll need to buckle down for a 1.5 hour commute during rush hour. It's miserable....which is why I moved back to Seattle.

I totally agree that the East side is the best place to raise a family....if you can manage to afford to live there. I heard top notch compliments about the Lake Washington school district. I was out looking at Snoqualmie ridge area, and I was very impressed with the area. Most of it is very rich golf course lots, but there is some more affordable homes in the $400s. It's only 10 minutes from Issaquah and 25 minutes to Seattle with good traffic.

Good luck. Seattle is raging into a very unaffordable rat race right now, which is very sad.

[Seattleborn]

Originally Posted by 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!

Some of Renton, not most is in the Issaquah school district. There's a little slice. I have some friends that live there and their kids are in the Issaquah school district. The high School kids go to Liberty High. If you live in the Renton side next to Newcastle and Issaquah it's much better.

[Seattleborn]

We live in Snoqualmie Ridge and it takes hubby 30 mins in the morning and 45 home from Seattle. He has several clients in Tacoma that he takes HWY 18 to. It takes him on average 45 minutes to get to Tacoma. There is a nice mix of houses that range high 400k's -2 mil. Schools are good, and there are kids everywhere, and Parks are all over. Obviously I'm biased because I love it. But it might be worth looking at. Go to snoqualmieridge.org

The downside is major services like target and stuff like that are 15 mins away.

[bmsea]

Brunmom,

I think that there are lots of nice communities in South Seattle, but clearly I'm the minority here. But I like diversity - of ethnicity, politics, economics, and thought. I loved living in the Central District of Seattle, which was immensely diverse. It's true the school systems are challenged, but I'm a huge believer in making the most out of it. I grew up in a really mediocre school district, and even though 80% of my classmates didn't go to college, those of us that did benefited from the experience. I don't believe in judging schools by statistics. I think parents that are engaged in their kids education are going to have successful kids... period. I was just reading a study about Cal Tech, and how most of their students came out of public schools from mediocre school districts, that managed to exhibit their intellectual curiosity and be successful, more than applicants from private schools... something about the fact that students in picture perfect private schools not having to try as hard.

Anyway, that is a bit off topic, what I wanted to suggest was that since you are in Dupont, and you like it, that you might consider utilizing your marketing communications skills with a job with the State in Olympia. There are so many state jobs, which pay well and have amazing benefits, and I am sure there is something there where you can use your skills (I'm thinking a change of focus from marketing to PR, but still under the communications umbrella). Just a thought.

Good luck!

[BrumMom]

Wow, great feedback. Yes, I did look at Snoqualmie, and true...fab schools... but I think it's over an hour drive from where my husband is working in Tacoma. We have looked at Olympia pretty closely and it seems to have good schools with some affordable housing. Makes me sad to be so far from Seattle though!! Looks like a lot of goverment-related jobs in Olympia which is what I would expect...but I'm a British citizen. I have my Greencard, but I wonder if I need citizenship to work in government. I found this was a problem when my husband was active duty. There are so many DOD jobs out there, but no chance for me without citizenship.

[bmsea]

Originally Posted by BrumMom

Wow, great feedback. Yes, I did look at Snoqualmie, and true...fab schools... but I think it's over an hour drive from where my husband is working in Tacoma. We have looked at Olympia pretty closely and it seems to have good schools with some affordable housing. Makes me sad to be so far from Seattle though!! Looks like a lot of goverment-related jobs in Olympia which is what I would expect...but I'm a British citizen. I have my Greencard, but I wonder if I need citizenship to work in government. I found this was a problem when my husband was active duty. There are so many DOD jobs out there, but no chance for me without citizenship.

I don't think you will have that same problem with state government. The issues are not classified generally, but it would be easy to find out.

[Belinda Walker]

I have to agree about the south side. I've only ever lived in Kenmore, Bothell, Shoreline & Edmonds (current), but am a real estate agent and have shown homes in Burien, Federal Way, Des Moines, Kent, Covington, et al. Funny my husband lived in Boston area for a long time.

Anyway, if you want to get somewhere in the middle, you could try Puyallup of Bonny Lake. I don't know if you're planning to rent or buy. I know home prices in that area are fairly reasonable as compared to Seattle and the east side. I have to tell you that the traffic to Bellevue from there is a nightmare, though.

If your hubby didn't work in Tacoma (is it possible for him to find another job? LOL) you could live in Lynnwood, Brier, Bothell, Shoreline, N. Seattle reasonably and it's not such a bad drive to Bellevue.

Wish I had more to offer.

[Elyse33]

Gig Harbor was our only option as the schools are very good here (with exception of the math program that is currently a huge debate all over the US....google CMP math..it has been a serious problem for our daughter and lots of other kids I may add...what a shock it has been). Gig Harbor is expensive however, but a good option for Tacoma commute. Not Bellvue however

Good Luck,
Elyse

[ness]

I think it is interesting how so many would not consider living south of seattle. i grew up in a SUPER desireable and pricey area in So Cal (Malibu) and i would consider living in many of the areas surrounding Tacoma, like University Place, Gig Harbor, Steilacoom, Ruston. I think Tacoma is really in an upswing....and although there are undesireable parts I would think someone could find a nice place with good schools and reasonable housing. I think Brown's Point might be a good area for the OP to check out. Their schools rank pretty high and I hear it is a good area. I believe the commute would be shorter for husband than Gig Harbor. - which is one of my favorite places....but that would be a bad commute for him.

[back2sa]

I have to agree with Ness. There are surrounding areas of Tacoma that are nice. My kids go to the UP schools and they are highly rated. Steliacoom schools are supposed to be good too, as are Gig Harbor.

I think since your husband works in Tacoma that one of these places (with the good schools) would be a good choice. That way you both wouldn't have to commute (save money on gas). There is public transportation out of Tacoma to Seattle (and back). Housing is cheaper here than further north. Seems like a win-win.