Seattle neighborhood like Portland Hillside? (Edmonds, Sammamish: homes, safe neighborhood, middle school)

[Caltango]

Hi,

We are considering retiring to Portland or Seattle next year and trying to find a suburb that would meet my family's priorities (once child in high school and one in middle school), which are:

- Very good schools, preferably with at least about 10% Asian students
- 2500+ SF house, with 7500+ SF lot, budget $1MM-$1.25MM
- Access to hiking, cycling, perhaps a running track, preferably within walking distance or a very short drive
- Walkable neighborhood, with walking access to shops and restaurants
- Safe neighborhood

We like Portland and Seattle generally for their liberal, open-minded people; Asian populations; international airports; and possible resilience to global warming.

We particularly like the Hillside neighborhood in Portland, which seems to offer all of the above, including Lincoln HS as well as access to the 5000 acre Forest Park and Northwest 23rd Avenue shopping. Homes there seem to be in our price range: https://www.zillow.com/hillside-portland-or/.

In Seattle, we are looking at Mukilteo, Sammamish, Lake Forest Park, and Bainbridge Island. Thoughts on how those might stack up? Or suggestions for other neighborhoods?

Thanks in advance for the community's thoughts.

Cal

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by Caltango

Hi,

We are considering retiring to Portland or Seattle next year and trying to find a suburb that would meet my family's priorities (once child in high school and one in middle school), which are:

- Very good schools, preferably with at least about 10% Asian students
- 2500+ SF house, with 7500+ SF lot, budget $1MM-$1.25MM
- Access to hiking, cycling, perhaps a running track, preferably within walking distance or a very short drive
- Walkable neighborhood, with walking access to shops and restaurants
- Safe neighborhood

We like Portland and Seattle generally for their liberal, open-minded people; Asian populations; international airports; and possible resilience to global warming.

We particularly like the Hillside neighborhood in Portland, which seems to offer all of the above, including Lincoln HS as well as access to the 5000 acre Forest Park and Northwest 23rd Avenue shopping. Homes there seem to be in our price range: https://www.zillow.com/hillside-portland-or/.

In Seattle, we are looking at Mukilteo, Sammamish, Lake Forest Park, and Bainbridge Island. Thoughts on how those might stack up? Or suggestions for other neighborhoods?

Thanks in advance for the community's thoughts.

Cal

Good morning Cal. My daughter lives in Portland. When I think of Hillside neighborhood, I think of treed streets, views over the landscape and Portland Downtown. I also think about how it has good access to all of central Portland, pretty easy to hop in the car and get anywhere in the city. Lastly, it feels safe, welcoming, cosy.

Places that do all of that the best in Seattle are Queen Anne, Madison Park, Washington Park. Unfortunately, for the kind of home you want, they are probably beyond your budget. Bainbridge could work, focusing on places without views. Mukilteo is an option for sure, your price to value will be a little better there. Conversely, it is father from all the amenities of Seattle. You might want to throw Phinney Ridge and Mount Baker on your list. All of these places can have (to various degrees) some walkability.

Edmonds is one place you didn’t mention that could be a good fit. Sammamish has some nice spots but not really a core (cafes, town culture) that it sounds like you enjoy. I have a listing in Lake Forest Park right now. It’s a nice treed area, quite pleasant but again, not walkable or close to what I think you would like. About you wanting to be in an area where there are people of Asian descent, I can’t really think of any areas of Seattle that doesn’t have that. Very comfortable region in that way.

[homesinseattle]

Wow, posted too early this morning on my small device. My English professor ancestors are rolling in their graves, I meant "cozy" and "farther". .

[Caltango]

Thanks, homesinseattle. That is helpful, and I will check out the other neighborhoods you identified. I had looked briefly at Queen Anne but (as you say) thought the prices might be a little too high. Will look at Edmonds and the others, especially Phinney Ridge and Mount Baker, as I am completely unfamiliar with those two.

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by Caltango

Thanks, homesinseattle. That is helpful, and I will check out the other neighborhoods you identified. I had looked briefly at Queen Anne but (as you say) thought the prices might be a little too high. Will look at Edmonds and the others, especially Phinney Ridge and Mount Baker, as I am completely unfamiliar with those two.

You're welcome! In Mukilteo, Kamiak High School is very highly rated. Your money will certainly go farther there than Seattle, added benefit of a nice ferry ride to Whidbey Island right from Mukilteo.