Federal Way; Advice Please:) (Seattle, Tacoma: best neighborhood, rental homes, insurance)

[Elyse33]

Hey Everyone and thanks for reading this in advance,

I'll just lay it all out here. We are a family of four coming from Dallas. We've had some financial difficulties, i.e. flooding in home, sickness not covered by insurance, will have to sell home for less than paid for it.....really a financial issue. I'm 50, husband 54 and an emergency room doctor.

Without really researching the area, my husband signed a contract with a group in the Federal Way area. We do have a high income, but currently living from paycheck to paycheck. Medical bills in thousands..all OK now.

We have a 13yo daughter who is heartbroken. She is currently in an excellent school system, but friends that dress and act 18 to 20, ride in limo's to proms etc. I am happy to get her out of this lifestyle really. I've never adjusted to it (born in Ann Arbor..raised in DC area).

We're hoping to rent in an area where we can save cash and not have to move her from the school system. Any suggestions? Thanks, Allisa

[jwb123]

We're hoping to rent in an area where we can save cash and not have to move her from the school system. Any suggestions?

I am really confused by your question.

Are you asking where you can rent in Federal Way? Are you planning on leaving her in Dallas for school? I don't know what you mean, "rent to save cash and not have to move her from the school system."

Generally speaking though - I would really hesitate moving to the Seattle area if you have had previous financial issues. It's a tough place, with a high cost of living, to get started, or in your case, to start over.

I think you will find that the Federal Way area, on average, will be less than desirable, with the school district being unacceptable. It sounds like your daughter is used to being around children with money, and I understand that you are looking to get her out of that. I have to say though, you will be going from one extreme to another.... and Federal Way is not known as one of the "wealthier" (for lack of a better term?) areas. As a result, you find a school district with less funding, and lower achievers. WA does not have the same rules as Texas does in regards to their Robinhood program. For good schools in WA, you have to go where the money is.

Now, we just moved from WA to TX also because we are, sort of, starting over. We have a child who has had on-going, since birth, medical and therapy issues. We, too, had medical bills in the thousands upon thousands, even with insurance. My husband had a low 6 figure salary. I stay at home with the kids. We found the Seattle area to be very difficult to live in because of the high cost-of-living, and low quality of life - especially considering we were recovering from the medical bill scenario. Even though we met, married and started our family there - our leaving was the best thing for our family and it's continued success. We moved to Austin.

I would think that an emergency room doctor could easily find work elsewhere - my suggestion is that you find an area that will be easier to rebuild your life.

Good luck. I know all too well the stress of high debt from medical bills.

[scirocco22]

Hi Elyse. Rents in Federal Way are quite reasonable. I have a hunch that the kids that age in Federal Way will act as you describe, however.

I'm unclear as to what suggestions you'd like as reponses.

--'rocco



edit: oops, listen to Jenbar

[jwb123]

After a quick search, I found this thread that you might be interested in...

http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...t-schools.html

[Elyse33]

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

We're looking for a nicer area but with a reasonable commute to Federal Way.

I'm looking into Gig Harbor, Kirkland....somewhere that is a nice neighborhood, good schools, but not too pretentious. A more relaxed atmosphere.

Or possibly more rural....what is BlackDiamond like?

I'm trying to find a nice neighborhood with good schools where we can rent a house, then buy in the same area.

But I've heard Federal Way, Kent, Tacoma, Auburn.....are not nice places to live.
Thanks,
Allisa
It's frustrating because I havn't been up there yet.

[wamommy1]

Kirkland will be way too far for commuting. I will be blunt that sound end of Seattle is less than desirable. Don't get me wrong there are nice parts but it's an ok area. The Sound end of Seattle has always been known for higher crime. There is crime in all areas it just tends to be a little more in the areas you are describing. Parts of Auburn/ Maple Valley are ok. I would not move to Tacoma. You might look at the back side of Issaquah and Snoqulamie Ridge. These are both affluent areas but not the limo type. Schools are also great. It's about 24-25 miles from these areas to federal Way, but so much nicer!!!
Look at Zip Codes 98027 and 98065. See what you think.

Also, a few posts mentioned the high cost of living... they are very accurate. Whatever you've budgeted add 20%, seriously. My husband and I were born and raised here, moved away came back, and it took us awhiile to get used to high prices for everything.

[Elyse33]

Thank you all for being so patient!!!

What I am trying to say is we would like to rent a house perhaps for a year or so, while saving, as the financial issues are behind us(at least today) then buy in the same neighborhood or within the same school district so we don't have to move Katie twice....I havn't looked into the rental market...that could pose more trouble..

[jwb123]

How much are you considering spending on a house when you buy?

Rental homes will probably start at $1100/1200 (for a smaller, not updated, not the best neighborhood) and can go up to over $2000 a month - and you would be surprised that $2000 a month will not get you in Seattle, what you can get in Dallas.

If your husband is going to be working in Federal Way - I honestly don't even know where to recommend you live that wouldn't be a considerable commute. Perhaps some areas in Renton? I don't know - honestly, (and I just ased my husband to see if he could come up with something) anything south of Seattle or Bellevue (east side) is undesirable. Issaquah is GREAT - but again, the commute will be difficult.

[jwb123]

I wouldn't live in Maple Valley personally... and I don't know how the school districts are. I would guess, average. I have to stress - especially with a young teenager, you want to be in a really good school district.

[Elyse33]

he will be working odd hours...not always 8 to 5 so that helps....we can go up to 3,000 if necessary.

From the research I've done Gig Harbor seems a possibility....no Maple Valley sounds not fun.

Gig Harbor, Issaquah, or maybe Snoqualamine were suggested and sound possible...he will work 5 to 2am shift and odd hour shifts at times....

Yes, we are looking for the best school district we can find...and lifestyle quality for Katie...she's been through alot and my husband is willing to commute...he's always wanted to live there, but signed a contract before I really had a chance to reseach the decision
Thanks so much....you're so helpful
I've been to Roundrock....you made a good choice...
Allisa