advice for location and school (Seattle, Bellevue: apartment, for rent, homes)

[pedar]

thanks all for your comments, very helpful indeed. using google map it seems public transport doesn't take longer than 30-40 mins from Queen Anne or even Fremont to Downtown. University District and South Lake Union are even closer. just wonder how frequent public transport breakdown and delays are.

[Gardyloo]

You said you don't drive. Can we assume your wife doesn't either?

If that's the case I'd simply exclude any suburbs. While you might be able to commute to your downtown workplace on public transit (although the 15-20 minute desire is not possible) I'd be concerned that other needs - food shopping, travel to your child's school and back, just ordinary living - would be seriously complicated by a suburban location. Living car-free in the Seattle area is one thing for single people, and something entirely different for families with kids. Day care? Medical providers?

If it were me, looking at a 2-year initial period, I'd probably focus on very close-in locations - downtown Seattle itself, Capitol Hill, Queen Anne Hill, or, if you need something more suburban feeling, downtown Bellevue or Mercer Island. And I'd also be looking at a private education resource for your daughter. There are a number of private schools located in these areas that offer preschool, pre-kindergarten and K-5 (ages 5-10) services. Most cost around $1200 - $1500 per month, so not cheap, but one advantage is that they could probably craft a curriculum for your daughter that will fit in with her current studies and will prepare her for either entering the mainstream US education system (maybe after a year) or for a return to Oz if that's the outcome.

If you found accommodation that is close to a bus line for you (or even walkable) and also close to amenities for your wife as well as a school for your daughter, you could spend the first year getting the lay of the land and figuring out what works and what doesn't. I know it might seem desirable to get all your questions - location, commute, school... answered before you relocate, but, honestly, it doesn't work that way. Find something comfortable for a year and use that time to plan something longer term.

A quick glance shows there are several private schools on Capitol Hill that have suitable rental accommodation nearby, and also in "downtown" Mercer Island. There's good express bus service from Mercer Island to downtown, and Capitol Hill is well served by buses that get to 2nd Avenue (all along the length) in 10 minutes or so. Both areas have supermarkets and other shops, parks, cafes and restaurants, and all the amenities you'd need for a comfortable time in which to adapt.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by pedar

thanks all for your comments, very helpful indeed. using google map it seems public transport doesn't take longer than 30-40 mins from Queen Anne or even Fremont to Downtown. University District and South Lake Union are even closer. just wonder how frequent public transport breakdown and delays are.

Not driving, you need:

1) A place not much more than a few blocks (for you) from a one-ride frequent transit route. The biggest time-variable is transfers.

2) A supermarket (preferably with a pharmacy) within walking distance or a short bus-ride.

3) An available nearby preschool slot for your daughter.

4) A nearby park/playground.

Buses are pretty reliable in the morning commute, unless they are full and have to pass-by riders. They can "stack up" in the afternoon commute. They do insert buses if a route falls behind. For best frequency/reliability, live within a few blocks of a light rail station.

[maddieinoz]

G'day- Curious to hear what you decided. We are moving from Australia as well. We cannot access anything on the Seattle Public Schools website, which is making it very difficult to research. They must have a block on anyone searching their website from an international address.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by maddieinoz

G'day- Curious to hear what you decided. We are moving from Australia as well. We cannot access anything on the Seattle Public Schools website, which is making it very difficult to research. They must have a block on anyone searching their website from an international address.

Try downloading Mozilla Firefox and accessing the page in a "private window". Or download a VPN, which should allow you to access U.S.-only sites from Australia.

[Ruth4Truth]

I just thought I'd mention, that if public schools won't accept her, private schools will. That raises questions about cost, and your income, and location/transport, but I thought I'd mention it as an option, if all else fails.

[maddieinoz]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

Try downloading Mozilla Firefox and accessing the page in a "private window". Or download a VPN, which should allow you to access U.S.-only sites from Australia.

THANKYOU! The VPN fixed it

[pedar]

Originally Posted by maddieinoz

G'day- Curious to hear what you decided. We are moving from Australia as well. We cannot access anything on the Seattle Public Schools website, which is making it very difficult to research. They must have a block on anyone searching their website from an international address.

sorry for late reply. just were swamped away with moving. yes that website is not accessible to IPs outside the US but redirecting should solve the issue. we ended up renting a temporary accommodation in downtown, where school scores are not great, but now we have a month to look around and find and rent our place. we've heard good about north gate areas so probably will be looking there.

[Yorkshire Kooky]

Hi there, just thought I'd come out of the shadows (I registered a couple of days ago) as we are also contemplating a move from Sydney. Nothing concrete yet but I will be interested in your experiences. Yours too, Maddie!

No children for us to factor in, but office location would also be Bellevue.

[homesinseattle]

If any of you good people from OZ (or NZ) need a dose after you get here, this is the "official" Australian and Kiwi Embassy in Seattle: Kangaroo and Kiwi Pub