Federal Way; Advice Please:) (Tacoma, Bellevue: house, condos, rental)

[jwb123]

I have lived in Issaquah, specifically Klahanie, which was the first master planned community there. Now, I think there is another one, Tiger Mountain, something or another. Issaquah Highlands is another development.

We loved Issaquah - and the schools are very good. In years past, there were issues with teachers striking for lack of decent pay, with the strike lasting a very long time - but that was cleared up... I think they have not have such issues. Issaquah schools are top rated.

Snoqualmie is also nice - but still being built up, so the schools are new - and the area doesn't have the same amenities that you will find in a more established area. The commute though - really, I think to Federal Way, will be a lot...

Gig Harbor? Yikes, I have been out there once - and it was FAR - but my perspective was from Bothell - I am not sure how close it is to Federal Way, it's a nice, quaint area though. You would probably find something nice there... I don't know about the schools.

You can't go wrong with Issaquah.

[unityforall]

Hi,

I grew up in Federal Way and have seen its steady decline - I left as soon as I went to college; moved to Seattle and never came back.

Ironically, some of the nearby places are not bad at all. I'd suggest checking out NE Tacoma and Browns Point; Fife or Milton were rural communities and are now growing fast.

Tacoma has come a long way and is worth a look - especially in neighborhoods like Ruston and University Place, or near the water. Plus, the taxes are lower if you choose Pierce County over King County.

You can also check out Lake Tapps, Redondo, Algona/Pacific, and Enumclaw. But I'd try to avoid any commute over 20 miles, and likewise avoid living too close to I-5.

Last things - avoid the flood plains; and walk around the neighborhoods - both at day and at night.

Good luck!
-Nate

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by Elyse33

Well to be honest, I've not heard good things about Federal Way. Crimes, gangs, etc.

But I've heard Federal Way, Kent, Tacoma, Auburn.....are not nice places to live.

You heard correctly. We currently live in Federal Way. We have lived here for almost 10 years, and we can’t get out fast enough. It wasn’t exactly a great place to begin with, but it has gone downhill considerably in 10 years. Gangs are in the schools. Burglaries are rampant. Drug use is on the rise. Traffic is terrible. And it isn’t just in the “bad neighborhoods” anymore. Some of the more affluent (“rich”) neighborhoods have escaped the worst of it, but these problems are even in the middle-class neighborhoods now.

Gig Harbor is pretty nice now. But once they finish expanding the Narrows Bridge, I suspect that a lot of folks are going to flee Tacoma and move out that way. I suspect it will have a lot of Tacoma and Federal Way’s problems in the next 5-10 years.

Even NE Tacoma and Brown’s Point are not the nice places they were 5 years ago. Myself, I wouldn’t move my family there.

I have only driven through Black Diamond, so I don’t know that much about it, but it seemed like a nice, quiet town. Enumclaw is also quite nice.

Issaquah and Sammamish are indeed quite nice, but they are VERY expensive, and it would be quite a commute for your husband. The plus side would be that most of the traffic during rush hour would probably be headed the other way.

[Zeepie]

if you are looking for decent schools, and reasonable housing, Lakewood, (just south of Tacoma) is decent, the commute to Federal Way is doable, although not premium. Avoid downttown tacoma as the gangs are still a real issue, however North of Downtown Tacoma is pretty too, and although somewhat expensive, brownspoint is very nice.

Gig Harbor is nice, but you'll have to commute across the narrows bridge which can be a nightmare. DesMoines is close to Federal way, but in King Coiunty and has some nice areas re housing. Kent might still be cheep, and is a good commute to Federal Way, but I don't know about the schools. Good luck.

Zeepie

[Elyse33]

Jenbar,
Hope you are still around. He and my son like Kirkland. One of the guys he works with commutes from Kirkland so that may be a possibility. Do you know much about the realestate, schools and atmosphere there?

I'm really hoping to find less stress. Another member of the group said Gig Harbor is a little more laid back than Kirkland or Bellvue.

Finn Jr. High...looked like a good HS in the Kirland area.

Thanks,
allisa

[Elyse33]

thanks Zeppie, Mark and Unityforall....

[Elyse33]

my 19 yo son called and said his fav. place so far is Stilicom (?sp)...how is the jr. high and high school there? for a 13yo?

thanks

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by Zeepie

if you are looking for decent schools, and reasonable housing, Lakewood, (just south of Tacoma) is decent, the commute to Federal Way is doable, although not premium.

You really think so?

I know that around the sound, advertisements and such always paint Lakewood as a nice bedroom community, good place for families, etc. But when you watch the news, I can't remember the last time a week went by without news of a driveby shooting, serious assault, home invasion, or murder in Lakewood. Just this morning, the news reported a little girl being sexually assaulted at the Lakewood library.

It seems to me that a lot of South Tacoma's gang and general lowlife problems seem to be bleeding over into Lakewood.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by Elyse33

my 19 yo son called and said his fav. place so far is Stilicom (?sp)...how is the jr. high and high school there? for a 13yo?

thanks

I don't know that much about it. Sorry.

[jwb123]

I have to agree with Mark on this one. I also don't know anything about Stilicom. You probably would be happier in Gig Harbor over Kirkland... and yes, you COULD do the commute from Kirkland - but it would be a long one. Kirkland is generally nice if you are in the wealthier area, but spotty elsewhere. I think you mentioned you wanted to get your children away from the "pretentious, money" scene... and many places on the east side will be getting right back into that... Gig Harbor is probably a little bit more slow in lifestyle.