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Old 05-10-2014, 07:11 PM
 
1 posts, read 1,569 times
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My wife and I are currently evaluating a job offer that I have received from an employer in the Seattle area. To get an idea on expenses in the area we have been browsing the usual real estate websites; however, we have little to no experience in the Seattle-area housing marking. Could someone give us a good location to start looking? We are looking for an area that we could find a 3-4 bedroom house to rent under $2500 or buy under 600k. Good schools are important as we have a 2 year old and are a young and growing family. We are looking to keep my commute to work (downtown Seattle) under 30 minutes. Again thank you for any help that you guys could provide!
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Old 05-10-2014, 07:38 PM
 
Location: Portal to the Pacific
8,736 posts, read 8,665,433 times
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Many families enjoy the Eastside, specifically because of the schools (Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond, Issaquah, Sammamish). Your price point is still okay, but getting tighter because of the increase in home values and rentals. You will still be able to find something in those areas and all are known to have good schools. Commute to Seattle might extend a more than 30 minutes, might not.. depends on how close to the interestate your home/work are.
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Old 05-10-2014, 08:16 PM
 
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,550 posts, read 81,117,303 times
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I agree completely with flyinsaucermom. The only commutes within 30 minutes in those Eastside areas with great schools are Mercer Island, or the area in Bellevue near I90 and Bellevue Way, or Rose Hill/Houghton in Kirkland near Highway 405. If I leave by 6am I can make it from the middle of Sammamish in 40 minutes, but close to an hour coming home even at 3pm. Well worth it though. You may find it easier to buy than rent, there are not that many houses for rent in these areas and they go quickly.
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Old 05-10-2014, 09:23 PM
 
Location: Seattle
8,170 posts, read 8,292,916 times
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Northshore Schools (very well regarded) would be just perfect for your price range. Think Bothell, Kenmore areas, top of Lake Washington. Pretty decent commute to almost anywhere, homes more affordable than Eastside and in my opinion one of best values in the area. This location is equidistant to Seattle or the Eastside, fantastic to be able to get either place without the bridges.
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Old 05-11-2014, 02:16 PM
 
49 posts, read 174,586 times
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Honestly I would not buy right now. The Seattle market is on fire and way overcompensating for the recession - possibly another bubble. Our house has gone up over 30% in value in the last 2 years. If you can wait to enter the market, give it another year or two and start looking in the fall, when prices start to come back down. Seattle is highly seasonal.
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Old 05-11-2014, 05:19 PM
 
3 posts, read 5,727 times
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Hello, My husband is starting a job in Auburn with Boeing and we have had no luck in finding a place yet. Young couple, no kids. Would like a safe place, with a decent commute to Auburn office. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Lorrie
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Old 05-11-2014, 06:36 PM
 
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,550 posts, read 81,117,303 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LOLorrie View Post
Hello, My husband is starting a job in Auburn with Boeing and we have had no luck in finding a place yet. Young couple, no kids. Would like a safe place, with a decent commute to Auburn office. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Lorrie
Have you looked at Covington or Maple Valley? What other amenities are you looking for? Covington has shopping and restaurants, but both are suburban. If you want some night life it's a bit of a drive to Seattle, closer to Tacoma.
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Old 05-12-2014, 02:08 PM
 
291 posts, read 392,334 times
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We live on the Eastside and it's great. We would both love to live in a cute neighborhood in Seattle, where we both went to university and spent years in our youth, but it's just not do-able on our salaries with our savings.

I have to agree that Bothell is a good place to be right now, though.

Another thing about the suburbs are pre-schools--Seattle is going through quite a little baby boom and I've heard that enrollment in a pre-school that is walking distance can be tough in the more family-friendly neighborhoods in Seattle. If you are in the suburbs there are many more options.

Re: the commute: on the one hand, it's a pain. On the other hand, even if you're commuting from one neighborhood in Seattle to another, it can take 30 minutes. The longest part of my commute is not getting over the bridge but through Seattle.

Good luck.
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Old 05-12-2014, 07:22 PM
 
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,550 posts, read 81,117,303 times
Reputation: 57750
Interesting article in the Times yesterday on this subject.

Bidding wars erupt in Seattle area | KING5.com Seattle
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Old 05-13-2014, 01:45 PM
 
Location: Portal to the Pacific
8,736 posts, read 8,665,433 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hemlock140 View Post
Interesting article in the Times yesterday on this subject.

[url=http://www.king5.com/home/Bidding-Wars-erupt-in-Seattle-Area-258853001.html]Bidding wars erupt in Seattle area | KING5.com Seattle[/url]
What was that? 70% of NE Seattle homes selling above price?!? Wow, I remember in 2011/2012 we were considering a number of Wedgwood homes, renovated 3 bed/1.5 bath... across the street from the elementary school or thereabout.... for the grand price of $350k.
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