Affordable childcare/housing in Seattle area...does it exist? (Lake Forest Park: to rent, daycare)

[Ktoldread]

Hello!
I just finished my last class/rotation in Medical School (YAY!) and am hoping to match at Seattle Children's or Doernbecher in Portland OR...My husband and I love both places, but I think Seattle might be a better match for him as he has family in the area that are our age and he could go to sox games when they are in town (probably easier to get tickets out in Seattle than back here in Boston!). Anyway, we are trying to do a budget to see if we can afford to live in Seattle on a resident's salary (with the hopes of him finding work, too - he's in the publishing field). I've been trying to research childcare options and all of the sites I can find online are super-expensive on our projected income (what we are paying in Boston, but have "luxury" of student loans and only one child in daycare at the moment (we are expecting our second daughter in a couple of weeks). Anyway, does anyone have recommendations for childcare that is affordable (and good quality)?

Also, is it possible to rent for $1000-$1200/mo in a neighborhood that has good schools? (thinking long-term here as our oldest daughter is 26 months at the moment. I don't think distance to Children's is a factor as the hours I will be going in will be early and we are given parking as part of our benefits...although being nearby the bike trail would be nice...

Thanks for any input!! We really hope to work it out!
Katie

[CityGirl72]

HMMMM

I have kids - I use daycare - and I have one in elementary school. I live in Seattle.

If I could afford it I would live on the Eastside which is more "family friendly" it's safer and clean - it's the suburbs.

IMHO The Seattle School District is sub-par. They've had a lot of issues lately.

We pay for infant care ( and used to for preschool age) at Bright Horizons. Infant is $1600 per month - 3 year old was $1200 per month

Hope that helps

[Emmywho]

I have friends with kids at Lake Forest Park Montessori and they like it. Other friends have a kid at Lil People's World in north Seattle and they like that, too. I have no idea what reasonable is, but I know the parents of the kid at LPW are paying aroun $800 a month for full time care for their 30 month old.

[Bakergirl]

Childcare is available for employees at Children's Hospital in Seattle. There might be a wait list for infants but it's worth looking into. Quality childcare is expensive in the greater Seattle and eastside neighborhoods.