Moving to WA with two young children (Seattle, Bellevue: relocating, real estate)

[jesswill]

Hi there,

We are relocating this summer from Vermont to Washington, likely in the Seattle area or North. Where we go will depend largely on where my husband secures a job... but we really have no idea where to start. Easy access to the highway (and border) is important b/c of family in BC. Choice of schools and a minimal commute matter as well. I am wondering about housing prices, kindergarten/preschools, and accessibility of family-type activities. Any help, random thoughts, and guidance would be most appreciated. Thanks!

[MichaelinWA]

The job location will be very important in your decision, but here's a random thought - how about Skagit County? You could live in Burlington and confuse the folks back home. I've always liked visiting that relatively rural area. Although Burlington itself is shopping mall city....

[CityGirl72]

house prices will be different depending on what area you live in - what is your budget? What is your criteria? 4 bedrooms? etc

Do you want public or private schools - if public, then the best schools will be on the "Eastside" - which is Bellevue, Redmond, Issaquah, Sammamish, Woodinville

The eastside is more yuppie-family type, with the clean areas and the Seattle side is more eclectic family stuff. I have to say, since moving here I do LESS family type things out side because of the weather.

also look at Home - ParentMap which has great deals and ideas for families

[Prple]

Also want to mention that Bellingham and Olympia have excellent schools too, with test scores comprarable to schools on the East Side. Olympia and Bellingham are family friendly with minimal traffic and more affordable than the East Side. Mill Creek is nice too, located north of Seattle, south of Everett.

It's ultimately going to depend on where the job is and what you can afford. There are lots of good options in Washington.

[jesswill]

Originally Posted by jesswill

Hi there,

We are relocating this summer from Vermont to Washington, likely in the Seattle area or North. Where we go will depend largely on where my husband secures a job... but we really have no idea where to start. Easy access to the highway (and border) is important b/c of family in BC. Choice of schools and a minimal commute matter as well. I am wondering about housing prices, kindergarten/preschools, and accessibility of family-type activities. Any help, random thoughts, and guidance would be most appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks for the good info. Is it true that there is no public preschool? I am open to public or private, if the quality of the public school system is good. As far as housing, we would like to stay under $400,000 and would like 3 bedrooms, prefer 4. We would like to live in a proper neighborhood, preferably within walking distance to a school. I am an RN and will be looking for work also, presume there are hospitals in abundance?

[allforcats]

Hi, Jesswill. Welcome to the wonderful idea of moving to the Pacific Northwest!

Here are some fundamental research resources.

JOBS
The fastest resource is called NWSource, a combined Classifieds from the two leading newspapers in Seattle and a wide radius all around Seattle:
Seattle area jobs, employment advice and information | NWjobs
The Everett Herald, for lots of areas north of Seattle:
North Sound Classifieds
The Bellingham Herald, for lots of areas up near the Canadian border:
The Bellingham Herald: Your Local News Source for Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale and Whatcom County Washington

HOUSING
It's often a great idea to rent for 6 months in a new location until you learn what you really want. For rentals in and around Seattle:
http://rentals.nwsource.com/rentals/
Classifieds for rentals in the other locations can be found in the other links noted above in JOBS.
You might also want to check on Craigslist.

For-sale info seems to be almost completely covered in this area by MLSonline -- the link is: Seattle Real Estate, Top Seattle Real Estate Search, TheMLSonline.com This covers a very wide radius around Seattle and north,
There are also: realtor.com, condocompare.com, and homes.com.

SCHOOLS
The strong consensus of posters on C-D is that the following school districts in the Seattle area and north of Seattle, are "the best": Bellevue, Bellingham, Issaquah, Redmond, Shoreline.
BELLEVUE SCHOOL DISTRICT: Home : Bellevue School District
BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT: Bellingham Public School District
ISSAQUAH SCHOOL DISTRICT: Issaquah School District
(REDMOND) LAKE WASHINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT: Lake Washington School District Home Page - Lake Washington School District
SHORELINE SCHOOL DISTRICT: Shoreline School District

That should give you a good research start! Have fun!

[FoxyKnox]

Originally Posted by jesswill

I am an RN and will be looking for work also, presume there are hospitals in abundance?

There are hospitals all over the Seattle area. It sounds like north of Seattle will be your best fit for a move. In Everett I can recommend the Providence hospital. Providence is a GREAT system to work for. Welcome to Providence Everett Medical Center

[jesswill]

Outstanding resources! Thanks to everyone who replied! As we get mroe information about our move, I'll be sure to post.

Many thanks again,
Jessamy

[jwb123]

Yes, it's true there are no public preschools. All preschools are private, and then for Kindergarten, 1.5 day is free, full day is paid by you. When we were in it, it was $240 a month, a few years ago.

As far as housing, we would like to stay under $400,000 and would like 3 bedrooms, prefer 4. We would like to live in a proper neighborhood, preferably within walking distance to a school

I don't know what you mean by "proper" neighborhood - but you are going to have to greatly compromise on your requirements the closer to Seattle you are.

[jesswill]

By "proper" naighborhood, I meant houses close together, sidewalks- just a regular neighborhood, not rural.

So the child can go to kindergarten 1.5 days a week for free, then we pay? Do we pay the public school that they are going to? I'm not sure I understand....