Moving up there for Microsoft job

[Ira500]

If you're driving it at 2 AM and there are no other cars on the road, it could take less than 20 minutes.
The Metro bus does it, at normal commute hours, in about 35-40 minutes( with some exclusive right of way), and the MS Connector might not have as many stops, so might do better time.

[megd]

I moved here a couple years ago from San Diego (via Colorado) with my husband and my 2 young kids - we spent awhile looking for the "right place" . The right place for us was a decent size lot, newer construction, not too far from campus and good school district. We ended up moving to the Rose Hill area of Kirkland to a new house (in an older neighborhood). Big house, decent size lot and good school district. We are about 5-10 minutes from campus, close to the 405 and near shopping, etc.

We had a fantastic real estate agent if you need one let me know.

[texastrigirl]

We live in Sammamish in the Pine Lake area and go to Issaquah schools, which are generally highly regarded. There are many new developments in the area but don't disregard the old ones either. We have .25 acre and although we have neighbors, we have privacy because of all the trees. If you want new, try The Crossings at 212th and SE 20th (high 700's) or also the new development going in on Issaquah Pine Lake Rd across from Sunny Hills Elementary. Don't know the name. Pine Lake Estates is very nice at SE34th and 212th and probably starts in the high 600's, low 700's. If you can stay right off of 212th (The Crossings) you can go up 212th which feeds into East Lake Sammamish Pkwy, which goes to Redmond Way, which heads to Redmond. I think it can get congested but there is also the South Sammamish Park and Ride at Pine Lake that has a Microsoft Commuter. I think my friend said it takes about 35 minutes in rush hour. I also liked Timberline and Redmond Ridge. They were just too far to commute downtown. If you can get in the district of Blackwell Elementary you are set.

[evera]

Originally Posted by megd

I moved here a couple years ago from San Diego (via Colorado) with my husband and my 2 young kids - we spent awhile looking for the "right place" . The right place for us was a decent size lot, newer construction, not too far from campus and good school district. We ended up moving to the Rose Hill area of Kirkland to a new house (in an older neighborhood). Big house, decent size lot and good school district. We are about 5-10 minutes from campus, close to the 405 and near shopping, etc.

We had a fantastic real estate agent if you need one let me know.

Hello megd, I was wondering if you can pass along info of the real estate agent? Many Thanks.

[obsidian97]

Originally Posted by bblackbu

Anybody know the approximate commute time from Issaquah Highlands to the MS main campus?

I have a friend that commutes from Snoqualmie Ridge to MS main campus and that takes him about an hour most of the time.

Extrapolating from that, from the Highlands, I'd guess it's somewhere around 30-45 minutes up I-90.

Originally Posted by CityGirl72

I'd say stick with Issaquah

Snoqualmie Ridge is nice too

And if you'd like a bit more space - try North Bend or Sammamish

I crack up when I hear the radio ad for Snoqualmie Ridge they play sometimes: "Snoqualmie Ridge - It's just like the Truman Show, everything's perfect!"

Nevermind Truman was stuck in a soulless, make-believe world, controlled entirely by corporate interests benefiting directly off of the ignorance of his situation in which he ultimately struggles to escape to the "real world" (i.e. Fiji).

Talk about not paying attention to what you're marketing! Hey, let's use "1984" to market Issaquah Highlands: "Come live in Issaquah Highlands, it's double-plus good!" That'll really bring in the crowds.

If someone is moving into Snoqualmie Ridge (or an area like it, anywhere really, not just in Seattle) one thing to consider: you're buying a house in an area with a lot very similar new construction going on for a long time to come. If you want to sell your home, you're going to be at a disadvantage because the developer/builders are going to be slamming in new homes right next to you for your "used" home to compete with on the market.

Also, be aware that there are a number of Quadrant homes going in out there (also in Redmond Ridge). Quadrant is owned by Weyerhauser, and their #1 duty is to sell the lumber that Weyerhauser produces (i.e. they are of average construction and architecture and certainly not a custom home). They're cheaper for a reason, and it's not just location that makes them cheaper. They use lighter-weight construction practices and build closer to minimum code requirements than other, more expensive builders. My friend, who bought out there, is having problems because his Quadrant home isn't aging well, and he's had a hard time selling it (even before the real estate market slowed down) because he's competing against the builder.