Seattle suburb suggestions... (Kent, Lakewood, Shoreline: for sale, condo, houses)

[djstorm1228]

We are looking to buy and are not very knowledgeable of the Seattle suburbs. I'm looking for some suggestions as to which suburbs would be a great fit for our growing family - #3 on the way.

Ideally, we would like to spend low 300,000s for a 3+ bedroom. We would love a family friendly, safe city with a convenient way to commute (bus) to downtown Seattle. Hopefully, we can keep to the commute to about an hour...


I really appreciate any tips! Thanks!

[Jalhop]

Ira is super knowledgeable about the neighborhoods. I'm sure he'll contribute here.

My only recommendation is to factor in the Sounder train. With that criteria I'd likely look along the Sounder line southward until I got to that price range. Check Sounder train for the Lakewood-Seattle route.

[mkarch]

Look at south Snohomish county east of I-5 between silver lake/mill creek down to Bothell. *Most* of those areas have good schools, just avoid the ones that do not.

[djstorm1228]

Thanks for the tips! It is much appreciated!

[RVD90277]

mill creek, bothell, woodinville, maybe redmond.

on the southern part, newcastle, renton, etc.

good luck!

[amaiunmei]

Originally Posted by RVD90277

mill creek, bothell, woodinville, maybe redmond.

on the southern part, newcastle, renton, etc.

good luck!

You can't get a 2 bedroom condo in Redmond for that cheap, let alone a 3 bedroom house.

Bothell would work, though.

[mkarch]

Originally Posted by amaiunmei

You can't get a 2 bedroom condo in Redmond for that cheap, let alone a 3 bedroom house.

Bothell would work, though.

I was thinking the same thing, redmond is generally mid $400's even for older homes.

[BellevueNative]

The only places you can find in Mill Creek for under $400k are small homes in need of major updating. Bothell is a good place for you to look.

[Ira500]

The bad news is that houses cost a lot of money in the Seattle area, and the inventory of houses for sale is really low.
In a lot of the places mentioned, there are very few 3+ bedroom homes for sale in the low 300's or less.
But you can find homes in places that are family friendly and an hour commute or less. In the north, Shoreline, Edmonds, Lynnwood.
In the south, Renton. Parts of Renton are run down, and in general the schools are mediocre, but there are parts of town where the schools are good, and are pleasant. The northern parts of the Renton Highlands and Kennydale are in the medoicre Renton school district, but the schools in those neighborhoods are good. The eastern Renton Highlands are in the Issaquah school district, and Issaquah schools are very good. The southeastern part of Renton is in the Kent school district. Kent's schools are also generally mediocre, but those schools in Renton but in the Kent district are really good.
Of course, if public schools are not a concern, that opens up a lot more areas, which are pleasant, family friendly, safe, and don't have good schools.

[GMonkey]

What are some of the pleasant areas if schools are not a concern?