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Old 03-10-2016, 03:22 PM
 
8 posts, read 26,415 times
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I am considering moving to either Renton or Arlington. Nature and quiet are important to me so Arlington might be a better location for me.

But you can hear the freeway noise at the specific property in Arlington (located aprox 2500 feet from I-5) and I worry this might be bothersome. Also shopping options might be lacking in Arlington/Marysville. Is the Whole Foods in Lynwood the closest natural foods store to Arlington?

I enjoy long walks in quiet nature and the Centennial Trail in Arlington looks nice. It looks like there are several nice places to walk in Renton but most of them are short. I like to take a daily 3 to 5 mile walk. The Cedar River trail in Renton is long but much of it runs along the highway and probably wouldn’t be quiet.

Employment is not a concern and I am not much of a big-city person so being closer to Seattle is not a positive for me. I am not a casino-goer either. I prefer peace and quiet.

Considering the above info what are the pros/cons of Arlington/Marysville versus Renton?

Thank you.
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Old 03-10-2016, 04:02 PM
 
415 posts, read 487,388 times
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Maybe get a short term rental in the places you're considering before you sign a lease?

Traffic in Seattle is so terrible, I'd STRONGLY encourage you to live as near to where you need to be, work, healthcare, education, etc.... Being stuck in traffic is enough stress to make whatever superficial attractions of a place not worth it.

If you can afford to "phone it in" or retire, maybe a smaller place farther outside a major metropolitan area would make more sense for somebody who "enjoys long walks in quiet nature." Even in Renton you would pay dearly for the privilege of being in a booming major market with all the business, jobs, career opportunities and urban cultural attractions. If those aren't that important to you, maybe "Get out of town!"?

I went this winter to Winthrop in the Methow Valley and found it just my cup of tea. But as far as mountain towns with charm to go with stunning nature, I don't think Washington State has anything that comes close to Bend, Oregon's attraction.

If not the mountains, perhaps the San Juan Islands are an idea? Sailing your idea of fun?
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Old 03-10-2016, 04:25 PM
 
Location: Independent Republic of Ballard
8,061 posts, read 8,282,617 times
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Yes, the closest Whole Foods to Arlington is in Lynnwood. The closest Trader Joe's is in Everett. The closest PCC Natural Market is in Edmonds. Renton isn't any better.

If you don't need to be near Seattle, I'd suggest Bellingham. A much more liberal community, with abundant natural/organic shopping options. Very walkable, with excellent trails, parks, etc. For culture/education, there is WWU.
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Old 03-10-2016, 06:29 PM
 
8 posts, read 26,415 times
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Thanks for the info about the stores.

I agree Bend and Bellingham are both very nice and I would rather live there. I agree Seattle traffic is dreadful. I guess I should have mentioned in my original post there are valid personal reasons I am considering moving to Arlington and Renton. If not for these specific reasons, I would not be interested in living at either place. I agree neither location is ideal but I hope to figure out which is the best for me.

If I live in Arlington, I would rarely need to drive to Seattle. I would probably take a weekly trip to Whole Foods in Lynwood. Also, hopefully there is beautiful hiking in the Cascades not too far from Arlington.

The Whole Foods in Bellevue isn’t too far from Renton. And East King County is nice. But the location of Renton is much more congested than Arlington. I’m not sure how far a drive to quiet hiking?

Is someone familiar with the Centennial Trailhead at Armar Road in Arlington? Is that a quiet safe place to walk?
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Old 03-10-2016, 07:08 PM
 
735 posts, read 864,215 times
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What do you mean "at the specific property," Arlington is a big area, are you limited for some reason to just one property?
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Old 03-10-2016, 08:02 PM
 
Location: Seattle
8,153 posts, read 8,196,452 times
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Costco in Smokey Point-Arlington has lots of organic/natural foods. There is a great, independent natural foods coop (Sno Isle) in Everett and another very good one in Mt Vernon (Skagit Valley Coop) if you head north from Arlington. House prices are reasonable in Arlington and it is beautiful. I'm not sure why you would live that close to the freeway if you like peace and quiet. From an investment standpoint, I'd counsel you to buy something in a better location.
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Old 03-10-2016, 09:14 PM
 
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Squak Mountain, Cougar Mountain, and the Coal Creek Trail are quiet hiking about 15 minutes from Renton, less from the eastern Renton Highlands.
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Old 03-11-2016, 08:52 AM
 
681 posts, read 1,038,044 times
Reputation: 258
Quote:
Originally Posted by treuphax View Post
Maybe get a short term rental in the places you're considering before you sign a lease?

Traffic in Seattle is so terrible, I'd STRONGLY encourage you to live as near to where you need to be, work, healthcare, education, etc.... Being stuck in traffic is enough stress to make whatever superficial attractions of a place not worth it.

If you can afford to "phone it in" or retire, maybe a smaller place farther outside a major metropolitan area would make more sense for somebody who "enjoys long walks in quiet nature." Even in Renton you would pay dearly for the privilege of being in a booming major market with all the business, jobs, career opportunities and urban cultural attractions. If those aren't that important to you, maybe "Get out of town!"?

I went this winter to Winthrop in the Methow Valley and found it just my cup of tea. But as far as mountain towns with charm to go with stunning nature, I don't think Washington State has anything that comes close to Bend, Oregon's attraction.

If not the mountains, perhaps the San Juan Islands are an idea? Sailing your idea of fun?
I lived in Bend Oregon, or Redmond Oregon which is just outside of Bend, and I worked in Bend, if you can afford to live in Bend, you can afford to live in Seattle, Bend is very expensive in terms of rentals and mortgages, but no doubt, it is very beautiful.
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Old 03-11-2016, 05:46 PM
 
8 posts, read 26,415 times
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I have already decided on the specific property in each location. If I remember right, when windows were closed I heard no traffic but when windows were open I could hear I-5 FWY in Arlington. I imagine I would hear traffic with open windows at the place in Renton too.

Thanks for info about the co-ops near Arlington and the Costco there.

Thanks for the info about Squak Mountain, Cougar Mountain, and the Coal Creek Trail. I had seen these on the map online and wondered how they were. That is great they are so close to Renton.

I might need to take another trip up there to look again. I drove up there from Oregon last weekend but only looked at the properties. I didn’t have time to explore either area. I was hoping I could decide without making another trip.
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Old 03-11-2016, 06:39 PM
 
735 posts, read 864,215 times
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Are you looking to rent or buy? If it's buy, you can have a buyer's agent help you find a better home.

Renton and Arlington have very different feel and both cover pretty large chunks of land. Arlington seems to be where working class families are being pushed out and Smokey Point is starting to be down right busy, but not as busy as the closer in sections of Renton. The further you get from I-5 or 405, the further your dollar usually goes, usually.

Renton will probably have more shopping opportunities with less driving, Arlington will give you little less density.

I would really recommend another trip and spending some time in both cities and mapping out how far amenities are. Moving sucks, moving to a place you end up disliking would suck even more.
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