What's it like living in Bothell? (Seattle, Bellevue: real estate market, low crime, houses)

[handesign]

I am thinking of moving my family to Bothell. One main reason for this choice is that I see lots of new housing developements around $600k. I have never visited this place so I know very little about this town. So I would like to know as much as possible. How's the daily commute like from Bothell to Redmond? How's the school district? Culture? Is this one of the town that's packed with "cookie cutter" house? Shopping area? General impression about this place? Anything I should know?

[Seattleborn]

I grew up in Bothell. I wouldn't pay 600k for a house around there though. It's a nice safe place to raise kids. The Mill Creek area is very nice. The only problem with the Mill Creek area is that it borders South Everett which a total hole and lots of crime. The Northshore school distrcit is very good. This area is closer to the Canyon PArk Neighborhood of Bothell. Bothell has a lot of cookie cutter homes and some older ones as well. Some nice area are the homes on the Bothell/Kirkland border.

The commute will be hell.If you're thinking of commuting to Redmond try Woodinville. You could try Duvall, or Sammamish. What is exactly your search criteria? I mean be very specific.

There is culture there, but not much. Shopping is very close by.

I'd be happy to help more since I lived there 23 years. We actually lived there for last year. We moved to a different suburb because the commute was awful. We left the state for 5 years and came back, only to find it wasn't what we remebered.

[handesign]

Thank you Seattleborn! This is great information. Here is my search criteria:
-Housing: Single family newer development around $600k(good location where it can hold its value).
-Don't want to spend no more than 30-40minute (one way) commute to work. Work will be located in Redmond.
-Low Crime area. Good place to raise kids.
-Good school district
-Shopping area

With this search criteria where are some good neighborhoods to live?

[Seattleborn]

I would say the following areas:
Woodinville, Sammamish, and possibly Redmond.
The zip codes I would look at would be 98072, 98077, 98074, 98052. All of these places will hold their value. I would not buy a house that expensive out in Bothell. The County just came out and said all major roadways are at capacity out there. So more new construction without an improvement in roads.

The areas I listed are nice family areas. You can find cookie cutter homes or the more remote kind. I am not sure what the remote run. You may want to look at the timberline neighborhood in Sammamish.

All the areas are safe and have great schools and good commutes with the exception of Issaquah.


I hope more will offer you neighborhoods they would suggest!

All have great shopping.

[jwb123]

Search "Bothell" on this forum. Or maybe in the Seattle one. It's been talked about a lot.

The Bothell that is in the "North Shore School District" is different than the Bothell that's in the Edmonds school district. One is in King County (preferable) and one is in Snohomish County (Don't move there). The Edmonds school district is crap. Bothell is a high property crime area. Your commute, many days, will be almost, or more than an hour to and from Redmond. One of the reasons we left!!!

Look elsewhere, like Seattleborn mentioned.

[scrubbydew]

I currently live in Mill Creek (which is right besides Bothell). There's a housing boom around this area, it's crazy. Houses are springing up everywhere. If you're looking for a house around Bothell, I would check out 35th street (which turns into 39th further south). Also, if you're on 35th (heading north), and take a right turn on "seattle hill road", there's a lot of house being built there.

With so many new developments, there tons of traffic. Mill Creek just opened up a new plaza filled with Central Market, restaurants, little stores. Like seattleborn said, Sammamish and Woodinville are good places too....Wood more developed than Sam.

But in general, all these neighborhoods are pretty good.

[wythors]

If you want a 30 minute commute to Redmond, you better be looking in Redmond, Kirkland or Bellevue. 405 is a parking lot every day in both directions.

I grew up in Bothell and can say that it is a very nice place and has a great school district. That said, getting anywhere from Bothell is now a major PITA due to horrendous traffic on Bothell Way, Bothell-Everett Highway and 405.

[jwb123]

I agree with you on the commute. My husband commuted from Bothell (sno county) - Mill Creek, to Redmond - and it was regularly one hour.

I grew up in Bothell and can say that it is a very nice place and has a great school district.

The district was likely different when you were in school. My kid was in it for the last two years. I am SO thankful to be OUT of it.

Northshore = good.
Edmonds school district = really, very not good at all.

[Seattleborn]

I agree also. I commuted to Bellevue and if almost an hour everyday each way.

I would also caution that whatever you budget, add 10-15% it will be more here for EVERYTHING.

That being said, there are alot of good things about living here. Are you going to visit before you move? I would reccommend coming when the weather is bad too. That way, you get a clear picture.

[handesign]

How is the real estate market? Is it a buyer's market? I live in Portland Oregon and definitely the housing market has cool down. I see many houses on the market for several months. How are things around Redmond area?