Working in SeaTac, where should I live? (Kent, Renton: to rent, low crime)

[Castiz]

Got a job in SeaTac and will be moving to the area this summer. So, like everyone else, I am trying to figure out where would be the best to live. I have 1 child in high school still, can spend about $350,000 on a house (or may rent for a year but would want to rent where I am going to buy). I also would like a commute of 45 minutes or less.

Maple Valley seems nice, but might stretch the 45 minutes. What do the places closer to SeaTac look like?

Summary? I want it all:
Inexpensive housing
Good schools
Low crime
Easy commute.

I know, not asking for too much. Thanks for the help.

[41Willys]

That's a tuff list. I almost transferred to Sea Tac when I worked for United Airlines. If I did, I was going to Bainbridge Island. 1 hour commute including the ferry ride.

[mitsuturbo]

Normandy Park is nice, close to seatac, pretty quiet, low crime, and you can probably find something affordable there. I don't know about schools as i've not attended any for a long while now. The further inland and north (toward seatac) you go the cheaper housing is probably going to be.

[Ira500]

mitsturbo is right. Normandy Park is very nice, and I know they've got good elementary schools there, but I think they're in the Highline School District, and haven't heard about high schools one way or the other. about high schools....maple Valley does have great schools, but there are parts of Renton that are in the Maple Valley school district, making it a little closer....Somewhere here someone recently stated how the Auburn schools have improved a lot...There should be lots of decent houses in the 350k or less range, especially in places like Renton, Kent, Auburn, Burien...I think one of the high schools in Kent is supposed to be good...Kentridge? All of the above cities have some areas that are less than savory, but most of all of them are safe enough and nice enough.

[seamama]

I'm not sure about specific neighborhoods but areas of Kent are good (and some are not though)- hopefully someone here can give you specific areas to check/avoid.