Redmond/Kirkland to Lake Stevens commute (Seattle, Bellevue: apartments, lease, how much)

[tuf27920]

Hi, I was offered a job in Lake Stevens and was looking at apartments in located in Redmond. I checked Google Maps commute times around 8am and 5pm, which say the commute will typically be around 40min-1hr. I was wondering if anyone had experience with a similar commute and if those driving estimates are accurate. Thanks!

[Kayela]

I used to drive from Bellevue to Everett, and that's probably pretty accurate unless there's Water Falling From The Sky (some call it 'rain'), in which case everyone might slow down (a lot) to truly immerse themselves in the experience. My worst drive home took over 3 hours.

Why Redmond? That is quite a hike, even in ideal conditions. Lake Stevens has a more reasonable cost of living, and wouldn't require nearly the commute.

[tuf27920]

When I was looking at apartments, some of the new apartments in downtown Redmond appealed to me more than those in other areas. Also it's closer to Seattle and there seems to be more to do in the area compared to other suburbs (my fiance and I are 29/30 without children so that's rather important to us). Do you have any other suggestions of where we could live?

[Transmition]

I used to do that commute but the other way. 40 minutes is only at the best of times (very early or late), an hour would be more typical even with what would be a reverse commute.


Redmond is about 2-3 times more expensive than Lake Stevens, although it doesn't have the large concentration of bars and restaurants that you can walk to. But it depends on how many you want - if you are close to downtown LS then there are 4-5 and in easy reach of the Centennial Trail.


You might want to consider places like Everett, Bothell, or Lynnwood, of closeness to Seattle is important. I always thought it better to live near to where you travel five days a week than only at weekends.

[Kayela]

Redmond may have some new apartments, but it is still very much a suburb, and typically someplace you move after you have kids for the good schools. We did move there as a young professional couple, and promptly moved on as soon as we could get out of our lease. It looks great on paper, but we found ourselves constantly driving into Seattle for our social life. Nor is it that much closer to Seattle. If you're willing to sign on for a commute like that, at least consider Capitol Hill.

A compromise might be Ballard. It's got a very vibrant downtown area, is a bit further north, and has Fremont right next door.

[homesinseattle]

Check out Woodinville as a place to live. That would allow you to head up Hwy 9 to Lake Stevens, a pretty drive without getting on the freeways. To an extend, you would be flowing the opposite direction of many drivers.

[Hemlock140]

I wouldn't do it. My vehicles get serviced in Snohomish, near Lake Stevens, and from Sammamish (near Redmond) I have been stuck in some nasty traffic regardless of the weather on both Highway 9 and I5/US 2. That's at various times of the day. There are many people working at Boeing Everett that live in the Seattle Metro area. I even tried the bus once from my office in Seattle to pick up my car, and it took from 2pm-5:30, I got there just before they closed.


My suggestion is Lynnwood, you can find places more like Redmond there, newer apartments near shops and restaurants. The commute time is more like 1/2 hour using I5/US2.

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

I wouldn't do it. My vehicles get serviced in Snohomish, near Lake Stevens, and from Sammamish (near Redmond) I have been stuck in some nasty traffic regardless of the weather on both Highway 9 and I5/US 2. That's at various times of the day. There are many people working at Boeing Everett that live in the Seattle Metro area. I even tried the bus once from my office in Seattle to pick up my car, and it took from 2pm-5:30, I got there just before they closed.


My suggestion is Lynnwood, you can find places more like Redmond there, newer apartments near shops and restaurants. The commute time is more like 1/2 hour using I5/US2.

Good inside advice. Yeah, Lynnwood probably is a good fit, light rail will be there someday too!

[Kayela]

Check out Woodinville as a place to live. That would allow you to head up Hwy 9 to Lake Stevens, a pretty drive without getting on the freeways. To an extend, you would be flowing the opposite direction of many drivers.

Seattle doesn't have many alternate routes due to our geography - when you get options, it's a good thing! Plus Woodinville has all those great wineries and some terrific restaurants. It's also close to all the great hiking out Hwy 2. Which in turns goes to Steven's Pass, which IMO has the best snow in the winter for skiing.

[TheTimidBlueBars]

This will come down to how much you value nightlife/density/walkability vs. a sane commute. If you like having exciting stuff close to you and going on walks at night, I think your best options are Everett, parts of Seattle close to 5, or maybe Edmonds. Redmond is going to be as far as Seattle but everything outside its downtown is very suburban, and it's also very expensive.

I don't think Redmond makes sense for your situation. Heck, my job is in Redmond but I commute from the city (or did, before all this started), and for me, it's worth it to have access to so much here.