advice on seeking nice older house with yard in nice neighborhood (Seattle: for sale, real estate)

[stubarr]

My partner and I are headed to Seattle for a job relocation. We would appreciate advice on which neighborhoods to look in for a house. We are looking for a detached single-family home with a decent yard, garage, etc. We really don’t need or desire a huge house, preferring a quality older home with character over something newer and more bland. Ideally, this would be in a leafy older neighborhood with lots of mature trees, and fairly close to established and vibrant retail areas (more neighborhood than "chain" retailers) with small shops, cafes, etc. that we could either walk or ride a bicycle to. We've heard that places like Issaquah or Bellevue might fit the bill, but are concerned that the distance from Capitol Hill (i.e., work) might be too great given the traffic. Are there any pockets of the city proper that might have something like what I've described? Oh - we could probably afford up to $600K (are real estate prices eroding in Seattle like they are elsewhere?). Many thanks!

[Jennibc]

You are describing a neighborhood like Wallingford and Greenlake (south) However, 600K won't get you into a single family home with a decent yard in either of those neighborhoods. That price range WILL get you into Wedgwood or Meadowbrook for a single family with a decent yard but Meadowbrook doesn't really have a vibrant retail neighborhood and Wedgwood was mostly built up on the forties so the older homes don't have character, they are more 1940s ramblers.

Real estate prices are falling somewhat, but not that much and in the more desirable neighborhoods the prices seem to have only taken a slight fall.

[seattlenextyear]

When we walked around the Greenlake neighborhood last week, there were several homes with brochures that we took in the $500s. 2 years ago, my friends paid $600 for fixer upper. Prices have gone down a little there.

[Ira500]

Prices are absolutely falling in the Seattle area, though less in places like Greenlake and Queen Anne. Issaquah and Bellevue are quite nice but not at all what you describe as what you want. But there are lots of neighborhoods with cool older homes and leafy streets. A few more include the Central District, Madrona, Mount Baker, Renton( yes, Renton), and several great parts of West Seattle like the Alaska Junction area and Admiral District.

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by seattlenextyear

When we walked around the Greenlake neighborhood last week, there were several homes with brochures that we took in the $500s. 2 years ago, my friends paid $600 for fixer upper. Prices have gone down a little there.

Were the houses in the 500s south of Greenlake?

[seattlenextyear]

South and East.

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by seattlenextyear

South and East.

How big were the lots? Were they bigger than 4000 square feet? Were these three bed - two bath? If so, the prices have REALLY dropped in that area.

[seattlenextyear]

They ranged 2-3 bedroom. Not sure about the lot size, but the lots around there weren't terribly big. Enough for a dog, but not suburb big.

[CityGirl72]

NOT TRUE

Our house is up for sale - and we are in the Greenlake area! and we have a HUGE yard.

It's for sale for $550K

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by CityGirl72

NOT TRUE

Our house is up for sale - and we are in the Greenlake area! and we have a HUGE yard.

It's for sale for $550K

Yes, but you're north of Greenlake. I was asking about the area to the south closer to Wallingford. Just out of curiosity, are you having many showings?