Neighborhoods around Burien

[carrie1]

I grew up in Burien, (Normandy Park) and now live in Des Moines. I lived in West Seattle and Ballard also. Burien is not dangerous, except for perhaps a few select areas. I would try to stay as west as you can. There are after all, many many multimillion dollar homes in Burien and Normandy Park--along the water, etc.

I would beware of living north of 150th, and east of 1st Ave South. If you are within zip code 98166, the neighborhoods are just fine.

I commute from Burien to Ballard every day. It takes about 35-40 minutes. Not too bad! SR 509 is a hidden gem amongst the horrors of Seattle Traffic.

[LordBalfor]

Originally Posted by Ira500

I think that captures south end towns in general. Each of the south end towns like Kent, Renton, Auburn, Burien, Tukwila, have some bad areas.
And each of these towns also have some great areas. Burien's got Three Tree Point, which is wonderful, but also has some sketchier parts north of downtown Burien around Ambaum.
I wouldn't rule out an entire city because that city has a bad area. If that were the case, most of the US would have to be disqualified.

I agree. I'm pretty up on Burien but the stretch of Ambaum up north towards White Center is almost certainly the worst part of town - and not an area I would recommend.

Ken

[tsommer]

I just wondered if anyone knows how the Burien transformation is going?

I read that the downtown would be done in 2009 but wondered when and if it seems to really be improving.

Also, any thoughts on a lesbian couple in their 30s, no kids, moving to Burien?

Thanks!

[LordBalfor]

Originally Posted by tsommer

I just wondered if anyone knows how the Burien transformation is going?

I read that the downtown would be done in 2009 but wondered when and if it seems to really be improving.

Also, any thoughts on a lesbian couple in their 30s, no kids, moving to Burien?

Thanks!

Last time I was in downtown Burien things were still progressing. The first section of condos was well along and they were preparing to put in the park there. The new shopping section near the existing transit center was largely done (though not yet occupied - the current economy may keep it that way for a while longer) and ground was broken on the new transit station.

All in all it's moving forward - though I suspect the next phase of housing may be delayed a bit.

Ken

[AStoreyWA]

I live in Tampa Florida now but grew up in Burien. Burien definitely has some rough areas but as a whole I think it's gotten a bad rap. I agree that you should stay south of 148th and west of 1st avenue. You definitely can't go wrong with anything in NP.

Burien has some amazing neighborhoods, Three Tree Point mostly, that compare favorably with anything in the Seattle area. It also has a few good local restaurants and pubs but let's not forget it's only 15-20 minutes to downtown so your favorite eatery is never out of reach.

Don't expect to find any unbelievable real estate deals though, my parents live in a 3 bd 1 ba late 1940's home in Gregory Heights that recently appraised for over 400K. Here in Tampa something similar might run you about 150K.

[la_fuerza]

Originally Posted by LordBalfor

Last time I was in downtown Burien things were still progressing. The first section of condos was well along and they were preparing to put in the park there. The new shopping section near the existing transit center was largely done (though not yet occupied - the current economy may keep it that way for a while longer) and ground was broken on the new transit station.

Yep, I was just there. It's looking good!