Planning a move to King County and NEED ADVICE AND OPINIONS! (Seattle: environment, work)

[johosofat]

We are looking at King County as our place to 'set down roots.' We,(50 yrs old married, grown kids, semi burnt out) are looking for homefor good and a place to 'invest' (in every way) in. Our kids have moved to the WA area and are now getting married and having babies...so it is time. What we are after is semirural, within reach of shopping and restaurants, community and churches to involve ourselves with and maybe a 30 min commute to Lake Union area for work. SO! I have researched a kindof loop of towns too the southeast and due east of Seattle(Enumclaw, Issaquah, Bellevue, Bothell, Carnation, Clyde Hill, Duvall, Hunts Point, Issaquah, Kirkland, Juanita, Newcastle,Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, Snoqualmie, Woodinville, Yarrow Point.) We are hoping for between 2 and 8 acres, and friendliness and neighborliness. We both come from small towns in the midwest(Iowa and PA) and have lived in SO CA for too long. And imput about these areas and any other suggestions would be appeciated. This is kinda hard at 50yrs. but we are ready for the change!

[compltlyme]

Enumclaw, Issaquah, Bothell, Carnation, Snoqualmie, Woodinville, Duvall, Issaquah, Sammamish--- seem to have more open land in areas Also consider North Bend. It is right next to Snoqualmie and you get a wonderful view of the cascades.

Kirkland, Juanita, Newcastle, Redmond, Renton, Bellevue--- are more congested

Yarrow Point, Clyde Hill, Hunts Point,--not sure about these

I live in Sammamish and I love the eastside. Seems we get a bit more snow but the snow here is pretty insignificant. Mere inches.

From what I am seeing. Snoqualmie, North Bend and that general area is growing and may be a good investment. It is 30-40 min from the city and 20 or so from skiing. It has a small down town. But a newer area is going in with outlet stores and such.

[Mark S.]

Renton is pretty awful. No, it's really awful. Avoid it.

Issaquah and Sammammish are still quite nice and green, but at the rate they are growing, I don't know how long that will last. Same for Snoqualmie and and North Bend.

Enumclaw is quite nice. I really, really like it. A nice small town that is still within an hour of the city. However, keep in mind that if Mt. Rainier ever does "wake up," Enumclaw will be under a giant river of mud and debris. Also, it's quite a bit beyond a 30-40 minute commute to Lake Union. Probably closer to an hour, even in decent traffic. In bad traffic, you'd be looking at a lot longer than that.

Steer clear of Federal Way, Burien, Des Moines, and basically anything along the I-5 corridor. Bad traffic, congestion, and increasing crime and serious public safety problems.

I don't really know much about the other areas you listed. Sorry.

[Quantum]

Oh great... more SoCals...

You guys seem to all be conservative, and have changed the nature of this city. WTH is so appealing? Do conservatives just *not*like* the environment they create, and so move to progressive areas to share a little of their 'sunshine'?

The nature of Seattle has fundamentally changed over the past ten years, and not for the better, no offense.

[compltlyme]

Originally Posted by Quantum

Oh great... more SoCals...

You guys seem to all be conservative, and have changed the nature of this city. WTH is so appealing? Do conservatives just *not*like* the environment they create, and so move to progressive areas to share a little of their 'sunshine'?

The nature of Seattle has fundamentally changed over the past ten years, and not for the better, no offense.

I can't speak for the rest but in the area of So. Ca. that I left... it was being taken over by retired Washingtonians and Oregonians. Got over populated quickly and drove the prices way up. So I figured we would come here with everyone up here going there. Seems fair!

And just a tidbit... Lots of liberals down there. More so than I cared for.
And for the most part the people I have met up here seem very welcoming and kind. hmmm...

[johosofat]

Originally Posted by Quantum

Oh great... more SoCals...

You guys seem to all be conservative, and have changed the nature of this city. WTH is so appealing? Do conservatives just *not*like* the environment they create, and so move to progressive areas to share a little of their 'sunshine'?

The nature of Seattle has fundamentally changed over the past ten years, and not for the better, no offense.

I hope you feel better....What part of my note seemed particularly conservative? And sooooo much power you bestowed on me~creating an entire environment and influencing a city's atmosphere and social climate! Just wait till I hit town! I don't generally think of myself as SoCal, as stated before I claim Iowa as my roots, and Az. and Ohio, in between. But then you knew that when you vented because surely you read beyond the SoCal word...right? Thank you for your welcoming insight and reminder that nowhere is perfect. But I/we intend to make our home there and find peaceful, happy people to surround ourselves with and invest in our new community. No offense.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by Quantum

Oh great... more SoCals...

You guys seem to all be conservative...

SoCals... conservative? What are you smoking?

And as far as state immigration, grow up. You're not originally from WA either.

You look like the conservative here. Your ignorance is overwhelming sometimes.

[lloydholm]

If you make it here, "welcome to the great north-wet!" johosofat!
We would love to have ya'.
The rain and grey seems to create seasonal affective disorder in some. (no names )
While for others, it drives the creative engines!
Starbucks, Microsoft, Amazon, the list is long.

[Ryan]

North Bend is one of the nicest rural areas within range of Seattle. It's close to town and a reasonable commute to the Lake Union area. It's been getting pricier as a lot of wealthier folks have been building there so I'd imagine it would be a great investment area. If it was me though, I'd set down anywhere on Bainbridge Island and ferry to Lake Union. It goes right there, it's cheaper than gas and you wouldn't have to worry about traffic (and yes the traffic in and around Seattle is flat out horrible). Bainbridge is extremely pretty and serene, but also very landlocked (it's and island after all). That keeps ALL of the bad element out, but also keeps you in. Not much shopping on the island, but you're just a short drive (>10mi.) away from Poulsbo, Siverdale and Bremerton. It's the kind of place I'd like to retire. Pricey for WA, but much more reasonable than O.C., and a better investment than N. Bend. Good luck.

[Quantum]

Originally Posted by Ryan

You look like the conservative here. Your ignorance is overwhelming sometimes.

WTF?

After the compliments I've paid you, Ryan, and you say this about me?

I am now suspicious of your opinions as well.