Empty Nest Advice (Seattle, Renton, Burien: fit in, to rent, coop)

[ctinpas]

We are considering a relocation to Seattle area for husband's work. The job is located in Renton and he would have day/overnight trips to eastern WA and CA periodically. I would love some advice/suggestions for where to live.

- Looking to buy not rent, single family home
- Budget around $1.5M, could go up depending on housing market where we currently live
- Commute time we would love to keep under 30 minutes
- We are in our early 50's, our children will be in college so schools are not a concern, would love a neighborhood where we can walk the dogs daily, have a mix of neighbors (ie: not all families with young kids) and not have a totally suburban vibe.

Any input greatly appreciated! Thank you!

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by ctinpas

We are considering a relocation to Seattle area for husband's work. The job is located in Renton and he would have day/overnight trips to eastern WA and CA periodically. I would love some advice/suggestions for where to live.

- Looking to buy not rent, single family home
- Budget around $1.5M, could go up depending on housing market where we currently live
- Commute time we would love to keep under 30 minutes
- We are in our early 50's, our children will be in college so schools are not a concern, would love a neighborhood where we can walk the dogs daily, have a mix of neighbors (ie: not all families with young kids) and not have a totally suburban vibe.

Any input greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Good morning ctinpas. Please tell us some more things you like: being in an area where you can walk to cafes, coffee shops? Modern versus traditional homes? Approximate square footage? Do you like having a yard, garden? Seward Park area of Seattle comes to mind, easy non-freeway commute to Renton, wonderful neighborhoods, characterful homes and lovely Seward Park nearby (one of the nicest parks in Seattle-super dog walking!). Great homes that would fit in your price range. Here is a link to the park: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/seward-park

[ctinpas]

Thank you for your thoughtful response! Here's more about us and what we are looking for:

- Husband loves to garden. We really miss growing roses. A fenced yard for the dogs is a must.
- We are not very particular about home style but are not into modern design really. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths is our starting point, something 2,000 sq ft and above would be nice. We do not mind older homes and prefer established neighborhoods over brand new.
- We would love an area that is not all chain stores and chain restaurants. Locally owned establishments and small shops are something we really miss. Being able to walk to get coffee or dinner sounds like a dream!
- I practice yoga and would love a local studio that has Yin and meditation classes (ie: not just a place that does hot yoga or athletic yoga but offers a balance of classes).
- A vibrant public library is also a huge plus.
- We both walk outdoors for exercise so a walkable community would be great.
- water views also a bonus!
- Another thing we really missing having access to is a local Farmer's Market. Husband loves to cook.

HTH!

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by ctinpas

Thank you for your thoughtful response! Here's more about us and what we are looking for:

- Husband loves to garden. We really miss growing roses. A fenced yard for the dogs is a must.
- We are not very particular about home style but are not into modern design really. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths is our starting point, something 2,000 sq ft and above would be nice. We do not mind older homes and prefer established neighborhoods over brand new.
- We would love an area that is not all chain stores and chain restaurants. Locally owned establishments and small shops are something we really miss. Being able to walk to get coffee or dinner sounds like a dream!
- I practice yoga and would love a local studio that has Yin and meditation classes (ie: not just a place that does hot yoga or athletic yoga but offers a balance of classes).
- A vibrant public library is also a huge plus.
- We both walk outdoors for exercise so a walkable community would be great.
- water views also a bonus!
- Another thing we really missing having access to is a local Farmer's Market. Husband loves to cook.

HTH!

My pleasure! Everything you are saying would be a great fit in Seward Park/Mount Baker area, keeping in mind the Renton commute. Organic food coop nearby, farmers markets and yoga too. Vibrant, eclectic Columbia City shops closeby, easy drive in to culture amenities of Seattle proper.

[jabogitlu]

I love Seward Park and think that's a great recommendation.

You could also check out the Burien/Normandy Park area. A little more suburban, but still very much established. And you will get more house for the same amount of money down there.

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

I love Seward Park and think that's a great recommendation.

You could also check out the Burien/Normandy Park area. A little more suburban, but still very much established. And you will get more house for the same amount of money down there.

I thought of Burien jabo, I just think they might like the vibe of Seward Park/Columbia City/Mount Baker more.

[mayfair]

You might check out Renton or the surrounding area to keep the commute from taking up so much of your time. Don't underestimate how bad traffic is in the Seattle area and how much it can affect your quality of life.

Renton has a very cool library:

https://millerhull.com/project/renton-public-library/

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by mayfair

You might check out Renton or the surrounding area to keep the commute from taking up so much of your time. Don't underestimate how bad traffic is in the Seattle area and how much it can affect your quality of life.

Renton has a very cool library:

https://pcad.lib.washington.edu/building/7330/

15 minutes Seward Park to Renton without traffic, no more than 30 at busier times of the day. Pleasant drive down the lake, non-freeway. It's on the right side of Seattle for a Renton commute, for sure. Also pretty easy I-5 and I-90 access for airport trips and trips over (or to) the mountains.

[homesinseattle]

Hi ctinpas,

Some things that might help.

Lotus Yoga is closeby: https://www.lotusyoga.biz/teachers.html
Columbia City Library is a local favorite: https://www.spl.org/hours-and-locations/columbia-branch
Great guided meditation nature walks in Seward Park: https://sewardpark.audubon.org/event...on-nature-walk
PCC Natural foods coop Columbia City: https://www.pccmarkets.com/stores/columbia-city/
Columbia City Farmers Market, excellent. https://seattlefarmersmarkets.org/ccfm

Lots of coffee shops, cafes, ethnic foods, funky little shops in Columbia City. Live in Seward Park/Mount Baker, interact in Columbia City, you'll see when you look at a map.

[Sockeye66]

Renton itself has come a long way the past 3 years. They did a major rework of towntown so it was torn up for a long time but finally complete.
1.5 mil will go a long way here, please take a look and see what is available.
Part of Renton is on Lake Washington so may be waterfront available.