Issaquah High Schools (Seattle, Bellevue, North Bend: rent, house, neighborhoods)

[Tamez2]

We just found out that we will be moving from the north Atlanta suburbs to the Seattle area. After doing some research, we've decided to focus our househunting on Issaquah. My husband will be commuting to Bellevue, so that should work out fine. Our main priority now is making sure our kids end up in the best situation school-wise (that we can afford). We have one son in elementary and another will be in 8th grade this fall and entering high school the following year.

I've read that Issaquah schools are all considered very good - but can anyone from the area offer any firsthand feedback on the middle and/or high schools. I know the school rating sites have test scores and such, but they don't always give the whole picture. Any comments, both positive and negative, would be greatly appreciated!

Also, the neighborhoods I've found online so far that look like a good fit for us are Issaquah Highlands, Talus, and Trossachs. Any thoughts on these?

Thanks for any information!

[Ira500]

Talus is a little closer to Issaquah proper and Bellevue, and there us access from it directly to the hiking trails of Cougar Mountain State Park. I've never been inside any of the homes at Talus, but the setting is pretty spectacular.

[joplinlb]

Tamez2~

You are going to love Seattle! Where do you live in the north Atlanta suburbs? We live there too. We used to live in Seattle before children and visit every year. We are still considering moving back (we have our house on the market to do so). You are right on with choosing Issaquah as a place for your family. The Issaquah area is also where we have chosen.

Do you have a price range? Keep in mind that you can get a nice house but it WILL NOT be quite as detailed for the money as what you get here in Atlanta. Have you checked out Montaine at Aldarra? I believe that it is considered part of the Trossachs neighborhood but the address is Fall City. It is a very short distance to the Sunset interchange and I-90. It is about 10min (or less) from Issaquah Highlandsand the interstate. It is beautiful with the Cascade Mountain range in view. I believe that it is in the Snoqualmie Valley school district which is also good. We have friends whose children went through the Issaquah schools and loved it! I also have friends whose children are in the Snoqualmie Valley district and are also very pleased. I have children that will be in Kindergarten, 5th grade and 7th grade so my concerns definitely match yours! I will be interested to get the viewpoint from others who's children are in the Issaquah schools. There are so many!

[Tamez2]

joplinlb,

We actually lived in North Bend for 1 year about 9 years ago, so I know that Seattle is beautiful (on the few days that it's sunny it's spectactular!) - and I also know that I don't want to be that far out again. I used to have to drive into Issaquah to do everything! I looked at the stats for Mt. Si high school, and that 's what made us rule out Snoqualmie and instead focus on Issaquah. I'm willing to give up a bigger house/yard in order to make sure the kids get into good schools. I am both concerned and relieved about the severe downsizing we'll be doing though. Our house right now is about 6,000 sq. ft. - when we moved here from New Jersey 2 years ago, we were thrilled about getting double the house for less money - until we had to furnish and maintain it (not to mention utilities!). Now we'll have to get rid of roomfuls of furniture before we move, but it'll also force us to get rid of a lot of the "stuff" we've accumulated. We're currently living in Cumming, GA (Forsyth County), and will be putting our house up within a couple of weeks (we're going to lose a LOT of money, if we can even sell it). I'm thinking the price range we'll end up in is about $650-700k - we need at least a 4-bedroom with a home office and a patch of enclosed yard for our little dog - we were hoping to get this for less but that doesn't look likely.

Maybe you can help me with another thing since you visit often and have friends there. We'll be breaking the news to the boys this weekend about moving and they won't be thrilled - especially since we had all hoped the next move would be back to Florida (yes, we relocate a lot). What kind of "fun things to do" for older kids can I tell them about to get them a little excited about the Seattle area. So far what I've got is: get to go mountain hiking, learn to ski/snowboard, spend a weekend in Canada, take a whale watching trip, yes - they do have Little League/LaCrosse....and, that's all I have. Any ideas. I need some serious bribery! They got the dog 2 years ago when we moved here - so no more pets...

I'll check out Montaine, but probably won't pursue it if it's in the Snoqaulmie school district. Thanks for your feedback and good luck on your move! (where do you live?)

[Ira500]

There are several places that rent out and teach sailing and kayaking...I was into it as an older kid, but that was 100 years ago....Issaquah also has hang gliding from Tiger Mountain.
And I'm confident you will find what you want for under 700k...it won't have 6000 square feet, however.

[joplinlb]

Tamez2~ I sent you a direct message.

Laura

[melpotensky]

Hi,

We lived in the Issaquah school district for twelve years and moved to Portland, Oregon for a year and now will move back in July because of the schools. My boys went to Issaquah Middle School and Sunset Elementary and loved it and I did too. They are bored here. Pine Lake Middle School is good too. All my neighborhood friends kids went to Issaquah High and like if not loved it. It is being remodeled as we speak. The schools look dated but have lots of Type A energetic, highly involved parents and I found the teachers loved teaching etc.

Let me know what else I can help you with. We are moving back without a job. Yikes. We used to live on Cougar Mountain in Lakemont and are now going to be renting in that area in Montreux till my husband gets his career going again. My going to be 8th grade boy will be going to Pine Lake instead of his old stomping grounds of Issaquah Middle School but he will adjust.

My email is melpotensky@aol.com if I can be of help. These boards saved me when we relocated here.

Melinda