Mercer Island - Pros & Cons?

[Blondebaerde]

Originally Posted by IslandHigh

Whew, talk about snobbery and stereotypes. Quelle misinformation and crabbiness.

Good first post. "Quelle difference? La différence de l'île de Mercer!"

OP didn't answer the question, months ago, which was about budget. Hmm. I figure "3,000 sq ft." on MI is a million bucks and up. Probably way up. My opinion on MI was, and is, "if you have to ask, you won't get it." That tends to run-off most inquirers. Not all, of course.

Tried for a house on Faben Point, during the pseudo recovery not too many years back. The biddy who owned the place wouldn't budge much on her ask. I thought she was smoking something. We could not meet in the middle. Turns out she may have been right: didn't have to accept less, because that's the premium to live there. Now everything's back to c. 2007 levels, so that window closed. Woulda, coulda, shoulda.

I can't think of a better place to be trapped by traffic, at the worst of it, my primary objective being peace and serenity in a somewhat less-dense neighborhood. To that end: there is a neighborhood for everyone here somewhere, one of Seattle metro's many charms. Did not know MI residents could use the HOVs on I-90. Commute to/from Bellevue is pretty easy indeed, I discovered back then.

The Roanoke is one of the most charismatic taverns around. It isn't going anywhere.

I've discovered some of the rather-mysterious footpaths on MI, thanks to Garmin Connect and downloading various courses others have staked out. Shhh, don't tell anyone else, other than you, me, and the approximately 1,145 others that will read this thread next year or so.

Shhh, Part II: on C-D, not wanting to live shoulder-to-shoulder with dirtbags, and instead around fellow professionals, is "snobbery." Who knew?

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by Blondebaerde

Good first post. "Quelle difference? La différence de l'île de Mercer!"

OP didn't answer the question, months ago, which was about budget. Hmm. I figure "3,000 sq ft." on MI is a million bucks and up. Probably way up. My opinion on MI was, and is, "if you have to ask, you won't get it." That tends to run-off most inquirers. Not all, of course.

Tried for a house on Faben Point, during the pseudo recovery not too many years back. The biddy who owned the place wouldn't budge much on her ask. I thought she was smoking something. We could not meet in the middle. Turns out she may have been right: didn't have to accept less, because that's the premium to live there. Now everything's back to c. 2007 levels, so that window closed. Woulda, coulda, shoulda.

I can't think of a better place to be trapped by traffic, at the worst of it, my primary objective being peace and serenity in a somewhat less-dense neighborhood. To that end: there is a neighborhood for everyone here somewhere, one of Seattle metro's many charms. Did not know MI residents could use the HOVs on I-90. Commute to/from Bellevue is pretty easy indeed, I discovered back then.

The Roanoke is one of the most charismatic taverns around. It isn't going anywhere.

I've discovered some of the rather-mysterious footpaths on MI, thanks to Garmin Connect and downloading various courses others have staked out. Shhh, don't tell anyone else, other than you, me, and the approximately 1,145 others that will read this thread next year or so.

Shhh, Part II: on C-D, not wanting to live shoulder-to-shoulder with dirtbags, and instead around fellow professionals, is "snobbery." Who knew?

They almost got rid of the Roanoke about 15-20 years ago. A neighbor was complaining about patrons taking up all the neighborhood parking spaces, that it was no longer zoned for a tavern, and they took action to have the place closed down. Wrong tavern to screw with. How many of The Roanoke's patrons were lawyers? Oh, almost all of them. Who organized to save the tavern, and to provide free legal service. The neighbor ho complained moved. The Roanoke is not going anywhere. It's a great place, even if too many lawyers drink there.
I don't consider Mercer Island particularly snobby. But it does have insanely expensive housing. If home prices there were 75% less, I'd live there.( And if prices were 75% less, and allowed people like me to live there, it would clearly signal a neighborhood in decline.)

[kaday]

As for Mercer Island being snobby...hmm when we were looking to move here we tried to make an appointment to look at public schools in the city, Bellevue, Mercer Island and Kirkland. Every school we contacted allowed us to tour, speak with the Principal and also Special ed department (one of my kids has some special needs). On Mercer Island, we were not even allowed in any of the schools unless we could show a contract or lease regarding housing let alone have a conversation with anyone. It was mind boggling...needless to say we looked and moved elsewhere.