Out of the ordinary housing? (Vancouver, Everett: house, safe area, buying)

[alam555]

just accepted an offer from MS and will be moving from Vancouver, BC. Only thing is that I am not going to sell my place in vancouver and will most likely not move my family either. my house in vancouver is only 2 hours from ms office.
So I am instead thinking of buying a second property, preferrably one that I can use as a vacation house as well, meaning one perhaps on the water, lake, ocean, etc. I am willing to settle for a smaller house and an hour commute as long as the property is one that has a great location, a speciality house if you will. I know nothing about washington or the northwest, as I just moved to vancouver area from virginia not more than a year ago.

I would appreciate any advice on residential areas that are safe, accessible, on the water, and north of redmond area so that I can continue to commute back and forth from vancouver on the weekends.

i have done the research on this thread and others and am aware of "nice" areas near redmond, but would prefer to live on the water.

thank you much

[Ira500]

Fairly close to MS with waterfront would be Edmonds and Everett, but there is also lakefront currently available in Lynnwood ( Lake Stickney and Lake Serene)and Marysville, and surprisingly reasonable waterfront in Mt. Vernon, which might be pushing the 60 minute envelope. All safe areas, unless you can't swim.

[MKyz]

I don't know what your budget is, but you might consider living on the following lakes:

Lake Sammamish
Ames Lake
Lake Washington
Pine Lake
Lake Stevens (might be a little far of a commute but on the way up I-5)
Mukilteo

Can you tell that I grew up on the Eastside?

Hope this helps.

[Ira500]

...And for some reason Ames Lake property is less expensive than the other waterfronts that Mykz mentioned..

[sean98125]

You could also look along the Snoqualmie River and the Skykomish River