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Old 12-28-2008, 02:32 PM
 
4 posts, read 10,221 times
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Hello...I apologize if this is a repeat post...in the spring we are moving to Seattle...my husband will be working for a small firm in Bellevue, and I will most likely be a SAHM (stay at home mom) to our 1-yr old son. I've never been to Seattle, and unfortunately I'm not sure I'll get an opportunity to visit first. I'm looking for suggestions for a great family-friendly town/neighborhood. It would be nice to get to know other moms that like to socialize (in order to maintain my sanity), as well as have a variety of kid-friendly activities, really nice preschools, and not a horrible commute for my husband. I'm leaving some decades-long friends and their support...obviously that is a bit scary! The number of neighborhoods in Seattle is ginormous, so any specific suggestions that you can provide would be greatly appreciated!
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Old 12-28-2008, 02:54 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX!!!!
3,757 posts, read 9,061,091 times
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Are you looking to rent or to buy? What is your budget like? Are you thinking more suburban or urban?
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Old 12-28-2008, 03:41 PM
 
Location: Duvall, WA
1,677 posts, read 6,854,342 times
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I highly recommend Issaquah, and particularly my neighborhood, Issaquah Highlands. Super family friendly, great schools, lots of parks, etc.

V. =)
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Old 12-28-2008, 04:40 PM
 
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We will probably rent first, if only to get a feel for things. Even though we are from NC, we live in the urban 'blue' section of downtown Raleigh...and while Raleigh isn't a huge metropolis or anything, it definitely has a different feel than the surrounding suburbs. However, I realize that in our budget (around $500), we may be limited to the 'burbs in Seattle. I've heard of Issaquah Highlands...I wonder if we could afford it?...will look into it! thx
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Old 12-28-2008, 05:28 PM
 
Location: Seattle burbs....
145 posts, read 645,435 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jripp View Post
We will probably rent first, if only to get a feel for things. Even though we are from NC, we live in the urban 'blue' section of downtown Raleigh...and while Raleigh isn't a huge metropolis or anything, it definitely has a different feel than the surrounding suburbs. However, I realize that in our budget (around $500), we may be limited to the 'burbs in Seattle. I've heard of Issaquah Highlands...I wonder if we could afford it?...will look into it! thx

$500 per month?

Try here:
Apartments.com | Find Apartments for Rent, Houses, Condos and Townhomes | Rental Listings

I don't think you'll even find a studio in the worst parts of town at that price, but you can check that out. A quick look shows only Tacoma has ones in that range. That will be an epic journey for your husband to drive to Bellevue every day from Tacoma, though.
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Old 12-28-2008, 05:45 PM
 
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Hmmm...I should clarify! $500,000-$600,000 for purchasing a house! (Not $500/month for rent). Does that change anything?
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Old 12-28-2008, 06:49 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX!!!!
3,757 posts, read 9,061,091 times
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500K will easily get you a townhouse in the Bellevue area. I am not sure on single family homes though because I am not familiar enough with things on that side of the lake. In my neighborhood (in the Wedgwood neighborhood of Seattle) you can find a modest, older three bedroom for that price. Wedgwood is very family friendly as far as in city neighborhoods go.
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Old 12-28-2008, 09:45 PM
 
Location: Seattle burbs....
145 posts, read 645,435 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jripp View Post
Hmmm...I should clarify! $500,000-$600,000 for purchasing a house! (Not $500/month for rent). Does that change anything?

Oh yeah! I had a migraine the size of a volvo at the time of my last writing, so I didn't even realize you were talking about mortgages; I thought you were talking about monthly rents.



I've seen some homes (not condos, not townhomes) in the Bellevue/Redmond/Newcastle/etc area for 450-ish, but far more were higher than that. You might consider Kirkland as well, which is a pretty decent area.

Unless you are getting some goodies with your HOA, I would stay far away from any townhome. They will charge you $200-350 for HOA fees, which I think is a rip off. Add your $250 HOA with your $250 monthly taxes and you'll be getting stiffed even after you pay off your loan.

mod cut:

Last edited by scirocco22; 12-28-2008 at 11:01 PM.. Reason: please do not link specific listings on the board. Thanks.
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Old 12-28-2008, 10:13 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX!!!!
3,757 posts, read 9,061,091 times
Reputation: 1762
Quote:
Originally Posted by JesseJames34 View Post
Oh yeah! I had a migraine the size of a volvo at the time of my last writing, so I didn't even realize you were talking about mortgages; I thought you were talking about monthly rents.



I've seen some homes (not condos, not townhomes) in the Bellevue/Redmond/Newcastle/etc area for 450-ish, but far more were higher than that. You might consider Kirkland as well, which is a pretty decent area.

Unless you are getting some goodies with your HOA, I would stay far away from any townhome. They will charge you $200-350 for HOA fees, which I think is a rip off. Add your $250 HOA with your $250 monthly taxes and you'll be getting stiffed even after you pay off your loan.


mod cut:
The link is to a townhome with an HOA fee. Did you mean for that to be?

Last edited by scirocco22; 12-28-2008 at 11:04 PM.. Reason: quote edited
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Old 12-28-2008, 10:51 PM
 
Location: Seattle burbs....
145 posts, read 645,435 times
Reputation: 48
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jennibc View Post
The link is to a townhome with an HOA fee. Did you mean for that to be?

Whew, had me sweating there for a minute. My migraine is gone, so I don't have any more lame excuses....


It's says it's a single family house on top and appears to be, though I do see (now i do) where it says townhome. The HOA isn't too much and there's actually a clubhouse, but I was really just trying to show a house near Bellevue in that price range and of course provide a new potentially new resource in the craigslist.com link.


edit: well, I guess we're not supposed to post specific listings of houses, or whatever...so nevermind.

mod cut:

Last edited by JesseJames34; 12-28-2008 at 11:06 PM..
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