Where to live? Kirkland or Issaquah (Seattle, Bellevue: renting, buying a house, neighborhoods)

[Calvin&Hobbes]

We've moved to the Seattle area and are now renting in Klahanie in Issaquah while we consider neighborhoods for buying a house. Good neiborhoods for kids and good schools are key considerations. We're considering Kirkland due to its proximity to the city. Any thoughts on living in Kirkland? Compared to Issaquah?

[seattlenextyear]

I believe it depends a lot on where in Kirkland you're thinking of.

I'd choose these Kirkland neighborhoods over Issaquah: Houghton, Rose hill, Downtown area up through Norkirk. Maybe the Kirkland highlands (an older community just east of Market) or Bridle Trails if you want more backyard space. Bascially, I'd want to live close enough to the downtown area to be able take advantage of it as much as possible.

I'd rather live in Issaquah than Juanita, Kingsgate, Totem Lake, Finn Hill, etc. We used to live near Juanita high school and generally thought the area was depressing.

Since we moved to Issaquah we can get to Seattle faster both by bus and car. Kirkland has better restaurants and "nightlife" than Issaquah, Issaquah has more convenient shopping and better hiking.

I think both places have good neighborhoods for kids if you're looking for that. You'll probably get more for your money in Issaquah.

[Hemlock140]

I agree. If you plan to go to Seattle a lot choose Issaquah, with the I90 bridge still free, that toll both ways on 520 adds up and you don't want to deal with 405 through Bellevue.

Issaquah has no bad schools or areas, Kirkland is great for the most part but does have some less desirable parts. I'm surprised you don't want to just buy at Klahanie, it's one of the most family-oriented areas around and has good schools, community swimming pools, parks, hiking trails, and is close to I90 and shopping.

[wsugrad03]

I would say it varies from person to person. For me, there's a much more narrow margin for living in Kirkland vs. Issaquah/Sammamish. If I could have a place close to the water and near DT, I'd pick Kirkland. Bridle Trails is another nice option. Where you are up on the Plateau is a very good area for raising kids. We live in the Pine Lake area and love it. I would have to say that the Issaquah Plateau edges Kirkland just because I find it's a consistently better community for raising a family. Better schools in general, more amenities, and just a nice and consistent place to live. Being closer to the city is always convenient, but we chose the Sammamish Plateau because of the neighborhoods and schools. The longer commute isn't an issue for us, because I-90 corridor doesn't suffer from the hardships of 405. I rarely get stuck in traffic.