Moving to washington-where? (Tacoma, Vancouver, Federal Way: apartment, rental homes, condo)

[giulia778]

Hi!We are Italians actually living in Dubai.We are planning to move to Wa state next summer,but we don't know the area at all.Can you help us with some advices?
We have 2 daughters (2 and 4 years old).They will go to private schools at least until green card process will be done.My husband is an airline pilot and he will be abroad for 20 days a month....so we need to be not too far from SEATAC arpt,but it's not a daily commuting.We are actually living in a single- homes gated community,and it's what we are looking for there in Wa(especially because I'll be alone most of the time,I'd feel safer).Our budget to rent is around $1400/$1500 per month.Ah,last but not least....after Dubai,I think I can't live too far from malls,cinema and play areas!!!But on the other side I NEED changing seasons....rain and green.I'm sick of sand and camels!
We are on the other part of the world,and we'll have just a week to go there and have a look before moving,so I'd need to focus on few places,otherwise I'd get lost!
Thank you for any advice you would give us!!
Ciao!

[Sandy Nelson]

Benvenuto Giulia,

Where in Italy are you from? I'm from Germany, but Italy is my favorite country to visit. You're lucky with your husband working for the airlines, you probably get to travel home a lot. The towns closest to SeaTac airport are Renton, Burien, Tukquilla and Federal Way. As far as malls and shopping go, you'll have everything right there. There are also plenty of gated communities to choose from, I'm just not sure your rent budget of $1400/$1500 will be enough to pay for a single family home in a gated community. You might want to look at at renting a condo instead, or to move further south to the Tacoma or Puyallup area. That would be a 30-45 minute commute, depending on the time of day and traffic. Good luck with your move to Washington. As far a climate and seasons go, I'm sure you'll like it.

Sandy

[FoxyKnox]

I agree with Sandy. Federal Way is a very nice area, but pricey. Burian and Tukwila can be a little on the shady side, though. Auburn is also an option, as are Edgewood, Milton and Sumner. Edgewood, Milton and Sumner are a little farther south, but they are definately more affordable and family-friendly.

[giulia778]

I'm from Como,on the border with Switzerland.There are many tourists coming from Germany every summer!

Thank you for your suggestions ...I'll have a look at the map,then I'll start planning!

[Sandy Nelson]

Lago di Como, what a beautiful area!
Foxy made a good suggestion with Edgewood or Milton. They are small towns where you'll feel safe even if you're not in a gated community. I do know of a lake-front gated complex in Milton, but it's a community of town homes on Surprise Lake.

Sandy

[JJDCKAUZ]

Hello,
I live in Vancouver, WA and LOVE it here! We moved here from Southern California 8 years ago and found the schools to be amazing! Click in this link to Great Schools Fishers]Fishers Landing Elementary School Test Scores - Vancouver, Washington - WA Landing Elementary School Test Scores - Vancouver, Washington - WA You can retrieve info and any school in any area. You can all check into Portland Christian Schools Christian Education which is a great local private school. Once you find the school of choice another good resource for is Reliable Internet Monitoring from MyComputer.com which has a list of criminals in and around the area. When we decide to move I found that even the "highend" neighborhoods had criminals in them and since I have two young boys I wanted to be in in a good neighborhood with respectable neighbors! Hope this helps. Don't hesitate emailing me for more info. Just an FYI, Vancouver, Washington is 15 miniutes from Portland Oregon Airport. Could be a great fit for you and your family

Best of luck!

Jenna

[M_Antoniette]

Hello Guilia,
Did you move and where? We're moving to Washington because my husband will be transferred for work for 1 year and we don't know where to start, where to go? Our children are 3 & 5 yrs old and we are moving from Rome, Italy. Interested in private schools too. What advice can you give from your experience of the move. Thanks

[mthomson]

MAntoniette--
There are several great private schools (some religious affiliated, many not) all over the state. Any specifics of where you'd like to be? It's a big state with hundreds of good options.

[M_Antoniette]

Hi mthomson,
have been researching and Arlington is looking interesting. We want to be on the Dupont line preferably as I hear driving around in peak hour is a no no! Can you advise a good website for renting an apartmentment or condo? really don't know where to start...
thanks

[Sandy Nelson]

M_Antoniette,

For a good place to search for rental homes in Dupont, visit the Northwest Landing Residential Owners' Association:

www.nwlandingroa.org

Good Luck.

Sandy