Looking to relocate to the Seattle area? (Bellevue, Everett: appointed, low crime)

[kowalskified]

We live in Las Vegas and are currently looking to relocate, with Washington being a big possibility. We plan on making a trip out there to see a few places but don't really even know where to begin. We are a married couple, me in my mid 20's and my husband in his early 30's. We have two boys and are looking for a slower place atmosphere and more family friendly than Vegas. We don't want something too small but definitely suburbs. Ideally we'd like it to where we could travel into a big city (seattle?) within an hour or so to catch a game or have a nice dinner, but far enough away to avoid that whole city life. Ideally, I want to live somewhere that is really family oriented, with community events, festivals, etc. Good schools, relatively affordable housing (middle class), and less crime is important to us as well. I don't want the kind of town where it's so small that everyone is in your business but somewhere a lot less superficial and not as fast as Las Vegas. We love to be able to do outdoors things as well. My husband works construction and I will be in the education field. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[beauty4ashes]

You have just described the city of Sumner. It is located about 45 minutes south of Seattle. It is the ideal small town but still has wonderful events and festivals. St. Patricks Day Parade, Daffodil parade every April, Concert in the Park series each summer, Art and craft Festival downtown, plus a community center with lots of Parks and Rec activities. Very family oriented city. Also has a bike trail which is going to be extended through to the smaller town of Orting.
Very low crime, too. Good schools and a pretty wide variety of housing available for every budget. Excellent library, shopping at the Fred Meyer downtown is super convenient and has some wonderful restaurants. (Moodo Teriyaki is soooo good.)

[vegasrock]

sorry, i can't really help you with where to live in washington, but i just recently moved from las vegas to seattle and i have been loving every minute of it.

i lived in vegas for 8 years and every week just seemed to drain more life out of me. washington is a great place to live. i don't think you will be dissappointed.

[obsidian97]

You might take a look at Kirkland or Redmond as well. You're plenty close enough to Seattle (you can step outside and smell the latte if the wind is blowing in the right direction) but you're well in the 'burbs.

Of the school districts in Western Washington that I know of, Issaquah, Bellevue, and Lake Washington are three good ones. If you take a look at those areas, then overlay the your housing budget on top of that, I think this will quickly determine your list of prospects.

Definitely should not take this as the ONLY places to look, but judging from your description, they sound like possible matches. As for a contrast to living in Vegas, you're golden: I think you could live on the floor of the Tullalip Casino and you'd probably have a more family oriented experience than Vegas.

[Ira500]

..and I'll suggest Maple Valley. Less expensive than Kirkland or Redmond, more small townish, but like Kirkland and Redmond, Maple Valley has a top notch school district.

[outtavegas]

Wow!, I am in the same boat, how weird... My finace and I are looking very hard at washington also for a move that we have been trying to do for a couple years now. My finace is also in construction, and as many do not know, that business here is drying up if not all together. I work in the cocktailing business, but not by choice. I have my degree in medical research and have missed my lab coat for a couple years while he works to get vested in the union here. Now, its time to go, I have been overly depresses with this city for a while and it does take a little part of your soul every day. We have been searching on craigslist for these awesome little cottages on the water, little rivers and lakes. It seems like the scenery is unbeatable. I am orginally from Tenn, and he is from Cali... I think we would love it up there and many are right when they say anywhere is better than here. Our wedding is in Jan up in Tahoe, after that were OUTTA here!!!!! yea, I wish you guys all the luck , please let me know if you find out anything, Oh but I hear that construction is very good up there.

[Madchen]

My brother moved to Everett, north of Seattle, in January, after a lifetime in Las Vegas. He absolutely loves it and is moving me (his big sister) and my tween daughter up there in a couple months. He tells me it's SO much more family oriented and that there are festivals every weekend (music, art, food festivals) and there are always fun things going on you can take your kids to. I have lived in Las Vegas my whole life and will be excited to go up there. Seems like everything they have here is casino/bar oriented so it will be fun to have some famly things to do.

He also mentioned that the atmosphere is a lot different. He said in Las Vegas everyone is about being a bigshot and having material things, but up there it's really different. I'm getting tired of people in their Escalades cut me off and everyone being so stressed and angry all the time (I live in Summerlin) so I am anxious to get out of here.