Yet Another 'possible move, suggestions please' request (Seattle, Redmond: houses, neighborhoods)

[cfam6]

Hello!
I've read many threads from others who are relocating or possibly moving to Seattle. I have a list of neighborhoods/suburbs started, but I'm wondering if anyone else has other suggestions for our family.

--Husband working at Seattle Childrens Hospital (need to live w/in 30 minutes for "on call" duty-- but this is usually during non-rush hour, so say 40-45 minutes tops)
--4 kids, but we homeschool, so the school district is not important
--We don't mind living IN the city, but I honestly don't know much about Seattle and don't know if that's a real option for us. Family friendly neighborhoods? Safe? We are fine w/ suburbs too. I don't love cookie-cutter subdivisions, but if that's what is available... So, if there are places that have a bit more character, I'd love to hear those first.
--Ideal home would be 4-5 bedrooms on an acre or more of land (I know this is not happening in the city) less than $475K. Does that exist in a 30 minute commute of Seattle?


We love hiking and outdoorsy things. I would also like easy access to shopping, a library, and parks/playgrounds (w/in a short drive I mean).

So, please give me some towns, neighborhoods, or areas where I should search. Thank you in advance.

[Seacove]

For the acre, I would suggest Preston/Fall City/Carnation which has access to Issaquah resources such as library, schools and shopping. The 40-45 minute commute would depend on the time of day as you would take 90 into Seattle. For an idea of the area, Remlinger Farms
http://www.remlingerfarms.com/index.htm is in Carnation.

[Andy]

Not sure if it fits your price range, but to find that large of land that close to Children's Hospital, you are going to have to look towards the NE, like Maltby or Woodinville. You can get to Children's Hospital via SR-522 (Bothell/Lake City Way) & Sand Point Way.

[Ira500]

Does a 4-5 bedroom home exist within 30 minutes of Children's Hospital, on an acre of land or more, for 475k or less?
Maybe not, but close. Woodinville is a good bet. You can find 4-5 bedroom homes there on more than an acre for less than 475, and you might get there in half an hour, but not at rush hour.
The town of Snohomish is another good bet, a town with history and houses with character. It would take just a little longer to get there than to get to Woodinville, but you get more house for your money there, and it's just a funky(in a good way) old town.
Every once in a while you'll see something on the outskirts of Kirkland, or Redmond, or Bothell. But Woodinville and Snohomish will give you the most chooices.

[cfam6]

Thanks for the ideas! The acreage/larger lot is negotiable. We go back and forth between "lots of land" and "close to work" so I'm not sure where we'll land when it comes to actually move. I searched in some places I've seen recommended in other threads last night. I think we can definitely find something to meet our needs. Woodinville gave us the most interesting options in my search.


The move is really just hypothetical at this point. My husband is applying for at fellowship at many different hospitals across the country. For fun, I did a few different quizzes online (Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed - for one) and they all say Seattle is our "ideal" place. I hadn't considered it before, but honestly, I'm feeling quite smitten with it right now so I gave hubby the green light to go ahead and apply there.