Burbs around Seattle (Tacoma, Bellevue, Redmond: houses, best school districts, live in)

[Win]

Thanks everyone! I'll look in some of those areas you all suggested. OH, and It's good to know it's not thunder and lightning all the time ...

[MegAsh]

The rain isn't even the problem here, its the constant never ending dull grey sky with no life in it that leads massive chunks of time to just blend in with each other.

By the way, stay away from Everett, its not nice here!

[Pittgal]

My husband and I are also moving to Seattle, he is taking a job with Amazon. We do not have children yet and plan to only live in Seattle for 3-5 years. Where should we be townhouse/house hunting at thats close and reasonable to Seattle.

Btw- the little research I have done has thrown me into a loop. Housing costs are 4 times the amount there than we were are now. Are people paid alot more there in general to afford those kinds of mortgages?

[CJMom]

Hey Picky. You should be able to find something big and nice in that price range, in those cities. Those areas will be good if you will mostly travel via highways, rather than flying. It's tough to get to the airport in less than 1.5-2 hours from those towns, which would get old for a frequent flyer. You'll also find the rural oasis you're seeking in those areas.

[scirocco22]

As MegAsh so succinctly stated: it isn't necessarily the rain, it's the grayness or the lack of sunshine that affects most people. Seasonal Affective Disorder is exacerbated in the Seattle area not only by the diminished hours of light during the winter months but also the lack of sunshine. The days on end of grayness can be debilitating to some. That's why I finally had to leave and relocate to the desert southwest. I just had to have more sunshine, less dampness, and more warmth in general.

Also, what I found that in the winter months, the typical weather is a cold dampness, whether it is actually raining or not. To me, I find the cold rain or the cold fog miserable especially when it continues for days on end.

Even in the summer, I've seen it where you don't see the sun for days because of the marine push keeps it overcast the whole day.

Oh, and Win, when you said you said that SoCal had "too many people, too much traffic..." I thought it funny because Seattle area's congestion and crowdedness reminds me of the Los Angeles area in the 50s and 60s.

Good luck! I hope you'll like it in my "hometown!" Oh, btw, the Lake Washington School District (again, Redmond, Kirkland) used to be very good. But most of the eastside school districts should be good too.

--'rocco

[Win]

Thanks for your reply scirocco (and others)! I appreciate it. My husband and I are going to go on a 2 1/2 week road trip to figure out where we want to relocate. It will be interesting to see all of these states in search of a new home. Thanks all for your opinions.

[geon]

Well, how's the house sale going??

[WA-to-TN]

Originally Posted by rainbird

Generally speaking the suburbs north and east are nicer than to the south which means they are also more expensive. Good luck on the reasonably priced part, Unless your moving from California, housing isn't reasonably priced anywhere in the area. I can't remember the average home price here but it must be in the $400k range.

King County housing prices are out of control. That's what has fueled the housing explosion in Pierce (includes Tacoma) and Thurston (includes Olympia) counties. I believe they are also experiencing much growth to the north in Snohomish county.

You'll find a bigger bite from the tax man in King county. The eco- n a z i s there have also limited how much of your land you may build upon.

In King County, you can vote if you're dead, in jail, and twice or more if you need votes for your candidate.

[SueSeattle]

Originally Posted by Win

Hi!

Could anyone drop some names of some nice places to live outside of Seattle, WA? My husband is looking into a job out there so I'm starting to do some research on the general Seattle area. By nice I mean reasonably priced and good schools. Thanks

Hi, unfortunately there are no reasonably priced homes with good school districts. The good school districts are Bellevue, Mercer Island, Northshore, the school districts to stay away from are Seattle, (the only way to live in Seattle is to put your kids in private schools.) Renton, or the smaller farther out districts put you at a great disadvantage.
Bellevue school district touts 2 high school listed in the best schools in the US by Newsweek magazine..... However you can barely find a house in Bellevue for under $450,000 and that is really a fixer up dump. House rentals go for around $1,500 -2,500 for Bellevue school district..

Good luck, the quality of life is wonderful out here, and the lattes are great!!!
If I can answer any questions, feel free to email me, I have lived here pretty much all my life.

[hinsey86]

The Mill Creek area (about 18 miles north of Seattle) is fantastic as well. Although you won't get much land with most houses. I live in Mill Creek and commute to Seattle for work and it typically is about 45 minutes average commute.

And I agree that Seattle gets a bad rap with the rain. This was my first year here and I have been pleasantly surprised with how easy the weather has been. This coming from an East coast southerner. Today is blue skies in the high 70's ---as most days have been the last 2 months.