Seattle Suburb, Family friendly (Bellevue, Kirkland: for sale, rentals, house)

[Oregoniansonthemove]

We are looking for a suburb near Seattle. We have a small family so good schools are a factor. We would like to be in suburban neighborhood, not urban (like around DT Seattle) close to parks, restaurants, shopping (Costco, Target, Grocery etc). Not too far from Seattle. Looking at Kirkland right now. Any ideas/leads?

[Tall Traveler]

Kirkland's great (I've lived there) and Bothell & Woodinville to the north and northeast are also very nice communities. Depending on your budget, Bellevue might also be an excellent choice as is Sammamish.

[Blondebaerde]

Originally Posted by Oregoniansonthemove

We are looking for a suburb near Seattle. We have a small family so good schools are a factor. We would like to be in suburban neighborhood, not urban (like around DT Seattle) close to parks, restaurants, shopping (Costco, Target, Grocery etc). Not too far from Seattle. Looking at Kirkland right now. Any ideas/leads?

(Caveat: I live in Kirkland and love the place to an unreasonable extent. Perfect "for me", may or may not be for you.)

Some Kirkland school ratings at elementary and Jr. high level are great, if one believes the metascores sites.

NorKirk, where I live, is definitely suburban and slightly wonky. Rather quiet. I like Houghton a lot, too. Both are under a mile or so from resources you mention, the two concentrations west of I-405 being downtown and the Houghton plaza (I think it's called) at 6th St./108th and 68th. Parks, much closer in each case. Freeways, adjacent basically.

For better or worse, you'll pay for living there assuming you can find a rental. My favorite house in NorKirk put up a sign the other month (for rent), in the spring, then took it down in under five days. I figure that particular place must have gone fast, for probably $3,500/month. I'd seen the inside, back when it was for sale in 2011. For rent/for sale around there might be best spied by touring the neighborhood vs. other resources, in a crazed housing market.

[mkarch]

Many of the suburban neighborhoods are in Seattle, so there's a difference between being in a suburb and a suburban neighborhood. The former requires you to be pretty far out of the city, as Mercer Island is the only actual suburb close to downtown. All of the other ones are either across the lake or 10+ miles out. If you rule out the in-city suburbs, you've probably eliminated 1/3 of all the conveniently located good suburban neighborhoods.

[CrazyDonkey]

Issaquah is another possibility. Nice downtown, with lots of restaurants and shops. There is a Target, Fred Meyer, and PCC Natural Foods. Close to Lake Sammamish (swimming, picnicking) and Cougar, Squak, and Tiger Mountains (hiking). Good public schools.

From 30 to 45 minutes to drive or bus to downtown Seattle, depending on traffic. 20 to 25 minutes to Bellevue.

[beautifulseattlehomes]

All depends on where your are commuting to but Bainbridge Island is IMO one of the greatest places to live in the whole area and the schools are outstanding! Definitely worth checking out.

If commuting to the Eastside probably too far though i know plenty of people who do it. The school district is small and you can walk right into the office and they will answer any questions you have! Its like a small town without being a small town if that makes sense.

[Gaylord_Focker]

Would like a three bedroom house for 1500 a month? Does that exist in the Seattle area? If I go off trulia, it seems to exist. Looking for a good school district as well.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by Gaylord_Focker

Would like a three bedroom house for 1500 a month? Does that exist in the Seattle area? If I go off trulia, it seems to exist. Looking for a good school district as well.

Not in the most "in demand" neighborhoods, but if willing to go out a little ways:

seattle apts/housing for rent - craigslist

[Gaylord_Focker]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

Not in the most "in demand" neighborhoods, but if willing to go out a little ways:

seattle apts/housing for rent - craigslist

Thanks. Wow, a lot to sort through.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by Gaylord_Focker

Thanks. Wow, a lot to sort through.

The list is sorted by rent (low to high), with a floor of $1000 (to filter out the house room rentals and rent-to-own scamw), so some are recent, others aren't. Resort by a "newest" with a max of, say, $1600 to see newest in your price range at the top.

To check on schools, go to:

GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community