Where oh Where for a sane commute to Tukwila, good schools, and affordable housing? (Seattle: renting)

[traciann]

Hi,

We're relocating to Seattle area from FLA.

1. My husband will be working in Tukwila. Would ideally like to keep commute to 30-45 mins if possible.

2. We have 2 children- age 3 and 6- will be sending them to public schools. Schools are a huge deal.

3. We want to spend no more than $400,000 on a 3 bedroom home- ideally new(er) construction- can be a townhome. We're flexible on type of area- probably lean more toward suburban or country feel.

4. We're into horseback riding. Near an area where this available not imperative but a bonus.

5. We will be renting at least first 6 mos to wait for market to settle out and get better feel for area, but would at least like to be near where we think we'll eventually end up.

What do people recommend that fits in with our price range and are these communities safe and are schools good? Any other things we should consider?

Thank you!

Traci

[Prple]

I would look at Renton (within the Issaquah school district.) It would be a pretty nice commute and the Issaquah school district is very highly regarded.

[CityGirl72]

I'd say Issaquah itself!

How far is Sammamish? - that would be another place I would recommend

And seriously if you are okay with the commute - I highly recommend Maple Valley

[Ira500]

Maple Valley ( Tahoma) and Issaquah are both good school districts... both could be towards the high end of the commute...But there are parts of Renton in both the Tahoma ( Maple Valley) and Issaquah districts, that will be a little closer and housing will be a bit less expensive...

[mitsuturbo]

Commuting from Issaquah in the mornings can be pretty slow going. I am fortunate to have sort of a "reverse commute" where i go from Boeing Field to Snoqualmie, and it only takes me about 40 minutes to get to work (my commute is actually about 35 miles). Pretty smooth sailing as soon as i get on I90. However, on westbound I90 i often see a LOT of cars backed up from Sammamish to Seattle until about 930am, and i'm thankful i'm not part of that commute.

Maple Valley seems like the better recommendation since you're into horses, and i believe housing is more affordable out that way as well.

[traciann]

Thanks- this is very helpful!

Question: do you think we'd find newer construction in all of these areas- issaquah, Sammamish and Maple Valley?

[mitsuturbo]

i know sammamish and issaquah have lots of fairly new constructed dwellings, but i'm not sure about maple valley as i never go out there

[Prple]

Originally Posted by traciann

Question: do you think we'd find newer construction in all of these areas- issaquah, Sammamish and Maple Valley?

Yes.

[CityGirl72]

Maple Valley has alot of new housing - ALOT!

[Ira500]

CityGirl 72 is right. Maple Valley has a ton of new housing, as does that end of Renton in the Maple Valley school district. Even to the point where they've built more housing than they can currently fill, another reason why housing there is a little more affordable.