Family Friendly, Good Schools, Good Community areas in Seattle (Bellevue: foreclosure, homes)

[Ann0123]

Hi Everyone,
I'm looking to relocate to Seattle by the end of the year. I'm hoping someone can help me find the right area for me and my family.

My husband works remotely so it can be anywhere, our budget is up to 1m but preferably not as quite as much as that, 750 would be ideal. We love the West Coast so far afield suggestions would also be very welcome.

If you've every read the review section on greatschools.org you will know that great test scores don't necessarily make a great environment, (Bainbridge Island for example). Does anyone know of any good high schools where the students and parents are truly positive? Fortunately my kids are pretty mainstream in terms of their educational needs, both are bright with a positive attitude. I don't really want them in a high pressure must go to Ivy League type environment.

Priorities in terms of the property are:
Probably about 3000 square feet
Large garden with a workshop or space for one
Waterfront or at least a good view
Preferably a slip
About 40 minute Access to the city

I'd like to live in a family friendly community with a good library, YMCA and recreation centre.
Ideally I'd like the kids 7 and 9 to be able to get to places to ride their bikes.
I love stores which offer quality products but are reasonably priced like Trader Joes and Costco.
I have a dog so good off leash areas would be good.

Our favorite place of all time that we have lived in is Encinitas CA. We loved the laid back pace of life, ease of shopping and getting the kids around, not too crowded but good access to the city, great library, YMCA and rec centre, access to sensible useful stores.

This is a lot to read, thank you very much for your responses, I alway find these discussions invaluable in making informed decisions. Any help is much appreciated.

[Hemlock140]

Waterfront is nearly impossible at 1m, never mind with a slip. Maybe a foreclosure on a small lake in Redmond or Sammamish. Being 40 minutes to Seattle with our commute traffic limits you to Mercer Island, Bellevue, Redmond, maybe Kirkland or Seattle itself and the cities north and south of it. Bainbridge is a 35 minute crossing time, with added time for waiting, and the drive to the ferry and on the other side is well over an hour. Based on your post I would suggest Mercer Island, you won't get waterfront but there are plenty of older homes in the 750k-1m range,
and the schools can't be beat. What makes schools good is not test scores, but parental interest and involvement.
Their foundation does amazing work thanks to the parensts and other residents that understand how good schools affect property values.

Home | Mercer Island Schools Foundation

[Seacove]

What about Kenmore? I just found this: 5936 NE Arrowhead Dr, Kenmore, WA 98028 | MLS# 381595 | Redfin

It's a little more but at least in the range.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by Seacove

What about Kenmore? I just found this:
5936 NE Arrowhead Dr, Kenmore, WA 98028 | MLS# 381595 | Redfin
It's a little more but at least in the range.

Sale Pending (too late!) but that's encouraging, pretty good schools there too.

[Seacove]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

Sale Pending (too late!) but that's encouraging, pretty good schools there too.

We know someone that bought on the water in that area in the 80s for under $200K. Their home is worth about $1.5M now. And when you look at the values during the 2007/2008 period when so many homes dipped severely, those homes stayed pretty stable through it all.

Here's one in Lake Forest Park but it's a bit more
http://www.redfin.com/WA/Lake-Forest...155/home/90189

This one is not on the water but has a view of the water. Looks like a deal for $650K but they've been lowering the price so there's probably more to it http://www.redfin.com/WA/Kenmore/626...028/home/94869

[Ira500]

Edmonds is a nice town on Puget Sound, with good schools, a family friendly community, and an off leash dog area on the beach.

[Ann0123]

Thanks very much everyone, you've given me a lot to work with.

[homesinseattle]

Hi Ann, I think you would love Edmonds.