Move to Bellevue from New Jersey (Redmond, Kirkland: renting, condos, townhouse)

[NJ908]

I'm considering a move from NJ to WA to for my career advancement. I will be moving with my wife and daughter. What's the city life like? How's public transportation from to Bellevue? What are some of the good neighborhoods around Bellevue? We're looking to buy under $500k.

[Redline]

Bellevue is nice especially the area around Bellevue Square Mall. Lots of "new money" and yuppies there. Bellevue also has Factoria and Crossroads area that are a little "older" and not as flashy.

For $500k you might be able to get a smaller 2 bdrm condo. For a house you have to live 10-20 min away and the house will probably be older, smaller (maybe 1200-1500 sq ft) and have almost no land. $500k will get you an ok townhouse too. For anything bigger you have to look at Issaquah or go further north but your commute will be longer if you're working in Bellevue.

[Redline]

http://www.city-data.com/forum/seatt...ashington.html

[NJ908]

Thanks. Do you know which area would qualify you to send kids to Bellevue Highschool? I understand there are like 5 highschools in area and I don't know which area of town belongs to which school.

[scirocco22]

The district has four high schools (plus International School*). Bellevue High School is located in central Bellevue ...just a few blocks from downtown Bellevue.

Here is a map from the district's website:


District Map : All Schools Directory : Schools : Bellevue School District

I don't know the exact boundaries for each school, however. Perhaps somebody who lives in the district can comment on that.

Finding a house for under $500K will be virtually impossible in central Bellevue and will be difficult at best, in other parts of Bellevue. There will be a few fixer-upppers, I'd guess somewhere within the Bellevue city limits where you might be able to find. I'll take a quick look at the MLS and report back.

* International School : Middle Schools : Schools : Bellevue School District

--'rocco



edit: Not as bad as I first thought. I counted over 20 houses and many more condos in the city limits of Bellevue which are currently listed at below $500k. Did not look closely at central Bellevue but I would still think that you wouldn't find anything below $500k within the boundaries of Bellevue HS but who knows.

[NJ908]

Thanks Rocco
Do you know anything about property taxes in these area? I'm expecting to pay alot but hopefully not as much as what I've seen in NJ.
My work is going to be on NE 8th Street and I'm looking to commute using public transportation if possible. Do they exist at all or everyone drives?

[scirocco22]

I've been out of the area for several years now but I'm going to guess --and folks actually paying property taxes there now can feel free to correct this guess-- for a $500k home in Bellevue, property taxes will be in the range of $3,000 to 3,500/yr.

Transit service on the NE 8th corridor is very good. Is your work on NE 8th in downtown? If so, NE 8th is within a block of the the Bellevue Transit Center where buses from all over the three counties meet. It will be within walking distance to any downtown Bellevue location.

--'rocco

[41Willys]

Originally Posted by scirocco22

I've been out of the area for several years now but I'm going to guess --and folks actually paying property taxes there now can feel free to correct this guess-- for a $500k home in Bellevue, property taxes will be in the range of $3,000 to 3,500/yr.

Transit service on the NE 8th corridor is very good. Is your work on NE 8th in downtown? If so, NE 8th is within a block of the the Bellevue Transit Center where buses from all over the three counties meet. It will be within walking distance to any downtown Bellevue location.

--'rocco

Chicken feed in New Jersey.

[Globe Trotter]

Why not consider renting at first? It's the best way to learn a new town and in a year's time you can purchase your own property. Do a search on Craigslist. I've found some wonderful single family homes in Bellevue for $2400 or less. You'll be amazed at the prices compared to NJ, NY and CT (and I've lived in all). By the way, we may be relocating to Bellevue or Redmond and definately think renting for a year is the way to go!

[AzDreamer]

My son works on NE 8th and he takes an express bus from Kirkland. It takes about 30 minutes I think.