Brainstorm ideas on where to live ? (Seattle, Shoreline: renting, house, neighborhoods)

[Espresso Please]

City -Data Gurus

We moved here from Portland a year ago and are seeking recommendations on areas to buy our house that we plan to be in for the long haul. Currently renting in Ballard.

These are the details
1. Two kids under 5 - one that is special needs for hearing and speech
2. Work downtown - off hours 10am-8pm
3. We do love the walkable feel, coffee shops , breweries, farmers market
4. But.. #1 priority is schools ,(special needs as well) a 4 bed house, enough space for frequent guests. Parks , safe etc
5. Budget $700k-$825k
6. I do not work in tech

Any ideas are appreciated !!!

[Ira500]

First off, how do you find Ballard? Schools there are considered among the best in the Seattle district, but the district, despite some excellent schools, is noted for inefficient bureaucracy. Are you comfortable in the suburbs if it meant better schools? Within Seattle, there are lots of neighborhoods noted for good schools and walkability, like Ballard, Phinney, Greenwood, Wallingford, Ravenna, and Wedgwood. You will often get a larger house in the suburbs for the same amount of money. So schools are #1, right? Do you have any feelings about Seattle schools? Neighborhood is next? Where walkability, coffee shops, etc is nice? And thirdly, the house itself? Meaning, if you found a house where the schools were good and the walkability was great, would you be willing to put up with an older home, or do you prefer an older home? Or would you rather have a newer home maybe more suitable to your needs, with good schools, but be willing to trade the walkability?

[Espresso Please]

Hi Ira500. Your posts are always helpful.

Not that knowledgable about the Seattle schools. Sounds like high schools are where they fall off even in these areas? The other issue is not sure if Seattle School would have the same resources for a special need kid.

Don't need a McMansion but I do want my own parking for 2 cars. I don't have the know how or time to fix up older homes so it would have to be an updated house or new construction in Seattle.

I'm reluctantly considering Eastside but Kirkland, Sammimish seem better for us than Belleuve for some reason

[Hemlock140]

I live in Sammamish and commute to downtown, but most days take the 216 bus to Westlake and walk the rest of the way. Driving it takes about 40 minutes via I90, a little less on 520 but with a toll. the Lake WA district does have great special needs programs, that applies to both Sammamish and Kirkland. Here you can still buy new at or just above your budget, and can get a 20 year old nice home for $600,000 on about 1/3 acre lot. You can't beat the safety and we have a lot of parks, 3 of them at lakes, but only Tully's and Starbucks for coffee, very few good restaurants, 1 good cafe, and pretty much nothing is walkable. You can get what you want near downtown Kirkland, north of Central, West of Market but for the size/age home you want the budget will be a problem.

[tobester]

Why not stay in Ballard?

[Espresso Please]

Thanks Hemlock, Pine Lake and Beaver Lake both seem nice. Any big difference between North and South ? Sounds like both Issaquah (south) and Lake Washington schools are great. Any idea what traffic is like 9-9:30 in the morning to downtown?


Ballard - looking outside of this area for schools, newer home, and a little more space

[Inkpoe]

While Shoreline and Lake Forest Park do not have DT cores, they could suit your other needs otherwise.

I have several Deaf friends who grew up in the Edmonds School District. I am not sure if you're looking for a Deaf program, but they have a small decent one.

[Espresso Please]

We do plan to check out Lake Forest Park. Not sure at this point on the deaf programs but looking into them.

Is Lake Forest Park a neighborhood In Shoreline ?

[amaiunmei]

Lake Forest Park is its own city, a planned community made up almost entirely of residential homes:

Lake Forest Park, Washington - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[ctr88]

Don't do it! Friends don't let friends move to the Eastside!