From the Uk - Seattle (Bellevue, Redmond: house, neighborhoods, schools)

[MysticOceanBreeze]

My husband has just had a job offer to work in Redmond, we have a week to decide and I really don't know what to do.

If anyone could give me advice on area's to live, taxes, schools etc I would really much appreciate it. We don't mind a commute of around 30-60 mins.

Thank you

[GR8Scott]

Can't help with your question...we are moving to Seattle, too. I'm sure you'll get some good information soon. This board has been very helpful

Just curious which part of the UK are you moving from? I have family in Leictershire (sp).

[MysticOceanBreeze]

Hi there GR8Scott

Thank you for your reply, we are from Dorset, down on the South Coast so a little way away from Leictershire

[Woof]

I suppose there's nothing wrong with living in Redmond or the nearby Woodinville or Duvall, although I don't know that area too well ..... seemed nice though when I passed through.

I've always been partial to Issaquah, which has excellent schools and is in my opinion a bit more scenic, with excellent hiking and camping in the area. It's more of a commute, I don't know how it would be during rush hours but otherwise shouldn't be more than half an hour.

[mayfair]

If he's working at Microsoft (just a guess from your mention of Redmond), you might do a search here for old threads that discuss commutes/schools and neighborhoods relative to MS.

Traffic can be a bummer, so locating with a good commute is important.

[MysticOceanBreeze]

Thank you all very much for your information and advise so far I shall do and you suggest mayfair and look back through previous posts

[jabm67]

I can compare Seattle to other places in the States, but have no feel for life in the UK. Have you lived in the US before? If not, there's more stuff than just the Seattle area oddities to get used to.

[xsteen]

I hear Seattle is very similar in weather to the UK. My family name Golborne actually comes from your country - funny eh? So, I lived in Redmond on and off for about 6 years as well as Seattle. I now live in Sammamish but specialize in Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland and Sammamimsh. Most of the schools on the Eastside are really quite fantastic. There are many great neighborhoods! Because of traffic, however, I would suggest you don't bother looking at housing too far out. 30-60 miles would probably take it's toll on your family quickly. Redmond/Seattle is a great place to live! It's a very liberal-minded, green city, with lots of jazz, a great music scene generally, many walking, hiking & running trails, good entertainment/restaurant venues, Seattle center, and plenty of things to do! From yoga to sailing, I'm sure moving to Redmond will treat you well!

[gordonandpeggy]

If it is of any help my husband is from Scotland and we had lived in Florida for the last 8 years and are now in the final stages of relocating to the Seattle area (he starts his new job in 2 weeks). We are currently in Seattle on our house hunting trip. We both have lived and traveled through out the UK, though I am American. He is very excited to relocate here as the weather in Florida has been very difficult for him, way too hot!! We are keepong out an eye out for british messages without any luck yet, too may familiar favorites to give up, especially chocolate and I am not sure I can cook without bisto!! In Florida the is a large british and not sure if this exits here, but the place is lovely, and the people friendly. The housing prices do seem over inflated, however with the pound so strong and the dollar so weak, if you arrive with money it will go far. My main advice to you is to keep so money in pounds in the UK that way when you go home for a visit you will not be killed by the weak dollar. We have done this since we lived in the states and it has made our annual trips back to Scotland seems much more reasonable. If you have any specific questions, I will try to answer them, but we are not perminatly in Seattle yet, so as for the area we are going through the same issues as you will, but probably a month or so ahead of you. We did however come over to Florida 8 years ago on a corporate relocation package, so if you have any questions about the international aspect let me know.

[ness]

My Mom is British and so I grew up with her cooking with Bisto. I have actually found it at certain supermarkets here in the states. You can also order it online.